Famous Soho club Trisha’s allowed to open later despite police complaints amid ‘sanitisation’ of Soho rowThe New Evaristo Club, affectionately called Trisha’s after its Italian matriarch owner, applied to close at 2am
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Rachael Burford, Chief Political Correspondent @RachaelBurford2 minutes ago
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A legendary speakeasy known as the last “bastion of the old-school Soho” will be allowed to extend its opening times despite complaints from police.
The New Evaristo Club, affectionately called Trisha’s after its Italian matriarch owner, applied to close at 2am instead of 1am.
But the Metropolitan Police objected to the extension on the grounds it could cause more “crime and disorder” in the area.
“The premises is located on Greek Street and as such is in the cumulative impact zone,” PC Steve Muldoon said in a submission to Westminster council.
“Greek Street has some of the highest crime stats in the borough in the later hours.
“The increase in hours would be contrary to policy and also would be likely to have a negative impact on crime and disorder in the West End.”
Trisha’s has been serving revellers in Soho for almost 90 yearsES Magazine
However, Westminster council on Tuesday granted the application for the almost 90-year-old basement club.
It comes after the town hall was heavily criticised about licensing policies “sanitising” Soho.
A row erupted last month when the central London authority suggested it was seeking to restrict “vertical drinking”, reducing the number of customers allowed to stand up outside bars.
Councillors have agreed to change the way they describe licensing policies after being accused of trying to ban drinkers standing up in pubs.
One supporter of Trisha’s opening hours extension told the council: “Independent venues like Trisha’s Bar are becoming increasingly rare in Soho, and each loss diminishes the character that makes the area distinctive.
“Trisha’s represents everything that Soho purports to be: independent, characterful, and rooted in genuine community rather than commercial uniformity.
“To lose it would be a real blow to the soul of the area, and I believe it is a venue that should be celebrated and supported, not put at risk.”
The New Evaristo Club, affectionately called Trisha’s after its Italian matriarch ownerhandout
Another added: “The New Evaristo Club’s live music policy makes it one of the bastions of Soho’s vibrant cultural and musical life, one of the last independent venues left, providing opportunities for musicians and enjoyment for its members, of all ages.”
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Previous Trisha’s patrons have included Amy Winehouse, Led Zeppelin, Mark Ronson, Anthony Bourdain and Marco Pierre White.
Fans of the club raised £20,000 to save it from shutting down during the pandemic, but in 2023 it again faced closure again after the Met Police called a licensing review.
The speakeasy has been described as the last ‘bastion of the old-school Soho’Courtesy of Trishas
The force branded it unsafe for letting in customers who are not official members, in breach of licensing rules.
Hundreds of revellers rallied in support of the club and owner Trisha Bergonzi, who famously once told Jimmy Page to ‘f*** off’ when he asked her to make him a cheese toastie on a heaving Friday night.
Westminster council’s suspended Trisha’s for a period of 14 days during a hearing in July 2023 and the management was ordered to make improvements to the venue but dodged being closed down.
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