There is a place in London hidden from the mainstream which is the epitome of fashion and lifestyle. Tucked behind some of the busiest shopping streets in the capital, yet right in the heart of Soho, Carnaby Street is a seriously cool place where you’ll find countless boutiques and bars. It was an enduring icon of the swinging sixties when it became a vibrant hub of fashion screaming rebellion and attitude. During its heyday, Carnaby Street’s exuberance drew music greats, fashionistas, and socialites of the time from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks to The Who. Since music has always been at its pulse, and the Karma Sanctum Soho, dubbed London’s original rock and roll hotel is a good base from which to explore.

Located just a few streets away from Carnaby Street, this chic hotel is owned by a trio of music insiders comprised of Iron Maiden’s manager Ron Smallwood, former manager of Fleetwood Mac and Beyonce Andy Taylor and nightclub extraordinaire to the stars Mark Fuller who once catered for the likes of David Beckham, George Clooney and Madonna. They opened the 30-room hotel in 2009 when music insiders joined forces to design a hotel where music industry friends would feel at home. When we checked in, the rock band Europe had just checked out. They are just one of many bands who use the hotel as a base when in the capital. Famous guests have included Brian May, Chrissie Hynde, Noel Gallagher, Pixie Lott, Boy George and many more. From the moment you check into London’s original rock and roll hotel you are in for a wild ride. This is exactly the type of establishment that a rock star would choose to stay.

The lobby is moody and mysterious. Behind the check in desk is a stained glass window of Jimmi Hendrix and on the counter are a variety of glittering skulls. There’s two options to reach your room, either take the lift, passing a giant gorilla or walk up the stairs admiring the signed photos by rock stars including Mick Jagger.

The doors to all the rooms have crystal studded door handles and the one to the roof is a skull. Each floor has original photos of legends from Amy Winehouse to Steve Tyler.

The first thing you notice when you open the door to the junior suite is the well-stocked maxi bar stacked to the brim with full-sized bottles of gin, vodka as well as beers and champagne in the fridge, and as many munchies as you can imagine. Pour yourself a tipple and then strut into the room and flop onto the giant bed filled with pillows. As you look straight ahead there’s a mirror which has a tv installed behind the screen. You can’t help but notice the giant freestanding bathtub in the middle of the room that lights up and is surrounded by tassels. There’s a vanity table and wash area as well as a shower and toilet.

This lavish room overlooks the main street which is very lively at all hours of the day and night. Guests can get ready in style with a Dyson hairdryer and fluffy robes as well as Cole and Lewis bath products. Once you have gotten ready for the evening, head up to the rooftop for a drink. The hotel has a jacuzzi on the rooftop guarded by a giant gorilla, a great place to mingle with fellow music aficionados and downstairs is a Michelin-star restaurant called Wild Heart and downstairs is a private cinema.

Lunch at Polpo

After you’ve checked into the hotel, an ideal place to stop for lunch is Polpo, a wonderful Venetian restaurant that brings the Italian city to the heart of London. From the moment you walk in you are greeted like an old friend and invited to taste the full flavours of Venice. Like all things in Venetian, the food is theatrical, and the emphasis is on enjoying local cicheti snacks.  To start with you can’t go wrong with the Focaccia dipped into the creamy burrata, cavolo nero, and hazelnuts.

You might also fancy the typical Venetian dish of pork, fennel and chili meatballs in tomato sauce.  However, for the main course, one will surely enjoy the beef shin Pappardelle or the spectacularly named Octopus Strozzapreti but don’t forget to add some spectacular zucchini fries as well as a beetroot, gorgonzola, rocket and walnut salad for some extra greenery. After all that, there might be a little room for ice cream or an affogato. You certainly leave satisfied.

Shopping in Carnaby Street

One can walk off all that indulgence with a bit of retail therapy. The infamous Carnaby Street has always been a fashion hub. The first boutique was called ‘His Clothes’ by John Stephen, and opened in 1957, closely followed by ‘Lord John’ by Warren Gold, popular with mods, in 1964, and ‘Lady Jane’ by Henry Moss and Harry Fox in 1966 drew crowds when it employed female models to change outfits in the shop windows. Today Carnaby Street retains the same edginess as one of the exciting parts of London and future generations are discovering it all over again. The first stop was Hayley Menzies in Newburgh Street, an exciting designer who designs bold knitwear. A particular striking one was a gorgeous striped dress that came off the shoulder and to my delight fit like a glove. That never happens in designer boutiques for me. Menzies is renowned for her signature cardigans which look great in ski resorts.

We also popped into Annie’s Ibiza a few doors down to have a look at some of the fabulous clubbing pieces that grace the podiums of the party island. This Aladdin’s Cave is owned by Annie Doble who has designed robes for Kate Moss, Rita Ora, Paris Hilton and more. For years, Annies Ibiza has been a haven for celebrities and the cool crowd to go on the island for their outfits. However, her London boutique is just as fabulous, and it seems the Carnaby area was made for her. The shop is buzzing with energy. Beautiful waif-like girls strut around trying on her incredible designs. You’ll find vintage glamour as well as sequins and fabulous feathers here as well as antique lace and all the designer names, but Annie herself designs most pieces by hand, so everything is one of a kind. We also popped into RIXO where we found some glamorous outfits with more of a vintage twist. There’s fashion inspired by every era from the roaring twenties to the wartime forties as well as some slinky sixties outfits for good measure, and of course lots of shoes and accessories.

Spanish food in Carnaby Street

There’s an authentic Spanish restaurant called Tapas Brindisa on Broadwick Street; a cosy bodega that welcomes guests like old friends. The atmosphere is jovial, and everyone eats in a communal space like a big family. My friend and I took a corner table where we were presented with a cornucopia of dishes from the Spanish peninsula. Tapas is all about small plates and the friendly waitress just kept bringing them out. We feasted on the finest Iberico ham, gambas al ajillo, broccoli a la catalana,tortilla española, alioli and a sharing platter of meats called tabla de charcutería.

We ate to our heart’s content and enjoyed pomegranate sangria as well as delicious mocktails, but you can also enjoy an excellent Rioja. For pudding, a good recommendation is the delicious chocolate orange tart. The owner Monika Linton opened the chain of restaurants after being inspired by her father’s adventures around Spain in the fifties. After her own travels there she wanted to bring the concept to the streets of London to great aplomb.

Cahoots

Now if you are looking for a night out that is a little different, try Cahoots. From the moment you walk into the former Kingly Court Station, you are transported back in time. The former ticket office and signal station downstairs has been transformed into a 1940’s bar and club. Guests can order a cocktail of Vera Lynn made up of gin, and lose themselves in all the wartime memorabilia. The music playing just adds to the atmosphere and you can choose snacks to go with your drinks from the menu from delicious truffle chips, a fine selection of cheese and deep-fried Camembert, it is a really romantic place to start your evening. Or a good place to have a good chat with your friend. However, while you can stay here all evening, the signal station room downstairs is a fabulous hideaway to discover with live music. Walk down the stairs to the air aid shelter into a vintage-style speakeasy.

A fabulous 1940s singer seated serenades the audience and as you are seated you are invited to order even more cocktails off the newspaper menu. The band entertains you up until 1 am. At any time during the evening, you can head over to the disused underground area where a DJ spins a range of tunes, and you can party with your friends and the Scoundrels of Cahoots. If you are still in the mood to party, you can flock to Nightjar Carnaby, another speakeasy to sip on hot walnut-buttered rum cocktails. The street is brimming with London boozers and trendy cocktail bars, so you’ll never be short of a drink.

Dishoom

After an evening of hedonism in the Carnaby Street area, there is no better way to cure a hangover than with an Indian breakfast. Dishoom on Kingly Street brings the smells, sights and streets of Bombay to Carnaby Street in London. Dishoom is also the name for the sound of a blow in Bollywood movies and it is true to say that their Bombay breakfast packs a punch. Accompanied by a Bloody Mary it is all very rock and roll.

The restaurant is extremely busy, and you must book to get a table, but once guests arrive they can imagine themselves in downtown Bombay. The restaurant is based on the Irani café concept and guests who opt to sit in the the terrace away from the bustling restaurant area can enjoy their breakfast and play games as the rain patters down on the rooftop. There are photographs of the owner’s family mixed in with prints of famous stars from Carnaby Street’s heyday. Everywhere you look are authentic relics such as a dusty jukebox and rice pans which evoke a taste of authenticity. And lunch and dinner here is even more spectacular.  The restaurant is one of a chain of nine restaurants owned by Shamil Thakrar. The one in Covent Garden is the original one and has a Michelin star. At the helm of Dishoom Carnaby Naved Nasir, the executive chef, has an impressive team. The chef has published a cookbook, which contains all his secret ingredients so guests can recreate his classics, so it is recommended to return for an evening meal, as this is undoubtedly one of the best Indian restaurants in London.

The Carnaby experience

Carnaby Street is undoubtedly one of the most exciting areas of London to visit for a girl’s weekend. You’ll never get bored as it provides a fully immersive experience with a plethora of bars, restaurants, and shops to explore. The mods and rockers were the first to discover this wonderful area and now many decades later, the swinging sixties are still alive and kicking in Carnaby Street. The Rolling Stones still have a flagship store here. Carnaby Street is the beating heart of rock and roll, but it has also moved with the times, appealing to a whole new audience of youngsters who value premium lifestyle experiences. Guests can base themselves in the capital’s coolest rock hotel and be in for the night of their lives. This is an area of London that never sleeps, so guests will enjoy all the buzzing nightlife and leave with lots of memories.