Funky Venues

Venue Review

Character: Arty and bohemian 50’s-style coffee house combining funky nightclub, modern gallery and serviced apartment.

Funky Features: Vintage memorabilia, pavement seating, secret patio garden; the Garret: luxury self-contained apartment with town-house views; accessible gallery; intimate underground club with cocktail bar and brick vaults; Wi-fi.

Location and History

Situated on Old Brompton Road The Troubadour is two minutes walk from West Brompton tube and overground station or four minutes walk from Earls Court tube.

Founded by Michael and Sheila van Bloemen in 1954 as part of the second great London coffee revolution, The Troubadour was at the vanguard of a rebellious and continental café boom. Through the 50’s and 60’s it was one of the centres of London intellectual and artistic life. Private Eye was first produced and distributed here while Bob Dylan made his first London performance here – long before he went electric.

In 1972, Bruce Rogerson became the Troubadour’s second owner and keeper of the flame for the next quarter of a century, even keeping all the menus exactly the same until 1998 when the time came to pass the baton to the current owners, Simon and Susie Thornhill. Since 1998 the Thornhills have continued its artistic and poetic legacy, even being able to expand the café and club and adding a cosy apartment.

Interior and Spaces for Hire

Stepping off the street and through the heavy wooden door is like stepping back in time. ‘The Independent’, described it as one of the top 50 cafés in Europe and it is immediately clear why this welcoming 50’s style coffee house retains its devotees. The windows are filled with brightly coloured coffee pots and the ceiling boasts rows of smoke-blackened string instruments, from banjos to ukuleles. The walls are adorned with vintage memorabilia including an old-fashioned bicycle and framed record covers and photographs of famous moments in the Troubadour’s history.

The menu is filled with English nursery classics from bangers and mash to Sunday roasts alongside plenty of expertly chosen wines and craftily created cocktails. Menu’s and canapes for parties can also be tailored to all tastes and budgets to suit your event. The outside romantic walled-in garden is also a great space in which to enjoy a drink or bite to eat.

The Café features The Shackleton Room. Named after Sir Ernest, the private meeting room is decorated with Frank Hurley’s photographs of his legendary 1914 ‘Endurance’ expedition. With a plasma TV screen, dark wooden seating and Wi-fi access it is ideal for meetings and exclusive hire for 10-14 people, or up to 16 at a squeeze!

The Club is an intimate underground club with hidden brick vaults and a cocktail bar. With their multi-headed taps and unisex sink, the toilets are also worth checking out! The venue is ideal for intimate gigs and is frequently hired out by record companies and producers for private showcases. In the past the Troubadour has staged performances by the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin Jamie T and Amos Lee. Whether it’s a birthday party, a canapé reception or a launch party, The Club is perfect. With a PA system and soundman, The Troubadour will ensure your party music is there from 8pm till 2am or can organise live music or DJ’s for you.
The club can hold 120 stand-up reception / 60 for a sit-down dinner.

The Gallery is a great fresh and bright blank canvas room with wooden flooring and white walls featuring a quirky fireplace and large windows. The space is ideal for private views and short exhibitions as it has an easy hanging system for the artwork already in place, but at the same time it is also a versatile function room with a catering area next door.
The Gallery can hold 72 stand-up reception / 32 for a sit-down dinner.

The Garret is a unique fully serviced Townhouse apartment with fantastic views, ideal for most occasions including clients entertaining guests in the Gallery or Club below, families visiting London or a couple celebrating an anniversary.

Featuring an exceptionally inviting extra-large bed, the bedroom is decorated in inspiring hot pinks and blues with homely touches including a mahogany dressing table and luxury bathroom products. The open plan kitchen/living room is bright and fresh with window seating and antique furniture, including a double sofa bed. The Garret is fully serviced, although packed with mod cons, meaning that you can be fully self-sufficient if you so choose. Homely touches include a packed ‘secret cupboard’, alcove bookshelf, a DVD collection and stereo with I-pod connection.

The Troubadour is currently building a wine shop & champagne bar.