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    Taro, Bar in London
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    Taro

    Piccadilly Circus, London

    Bar in London, United Kingdom

    Why go

    Taro on Brewer Street sits in the middle of Soho, making it a practical first stop for anyone new to the neighbourhood. Booking is rated Easy, which means walk-ins for small groups are generally fine, though larger parties should call ahead. The address puts you close to strong alternatives if you want to extend the evening across multiple venues.

    About Taro

    Quick Verdict

    Seats at Taro on Brewer Street move fast, for good reason: this compact Soho spot draws a consistent crowd looking for something specific. If you are visiting London for the first time and want a no-fuss, well-located option in the heart of the West End, Taro is worth knowing about. For groups of four or more, the space constraints are the main thing to plan around; more on that below.

    What to Expect

    Taro sits at 61 Brewer Street, W1F 9UW, squarely in Soho. That address puts you within walking distance of a dense cluster of bars, restaurants, late-night options, which matters when you are building an evening around more than one stop. The venue is a practical first choice for first-timers to the neighbourhood precisely because it does not require advance planning to reach; Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Circus are both nearby, public transport access is direct from most central London hotels.

    The venue record does not include cuisine type, awards, or a price range in its current data, so sensory and menu specifics are not available here. What the address and location confirm is that Taro operates in one of London's most competitive hospitality pockets, where venues that do not deliver tend not to last. For the most current menu and pricing, checking directly with the venue before visiting is the practical move.

    Group Suitability

    Soho venues at this address scale tend to be compact. If you are arriving as a group of four or more, the main risk is capacity: smaller rooms in this part of W1 often cannot seat large parties without a reservation, walk-in availability for groups is rarely guaranteed. For groups, booking ahead is the sensible call, even if the venue does not require it for pairs. If your group is larger than six, it is worth calling ahead to confirm the space can accommodate you comfortably. For context on how London's bar scene handles groups differently, our full London bars guide breaks down which venues are genuinely group-friendly versus those that work better for two.

    First-Timer Orientation

    If this is your first time in Soho, Brewer Street is a useful anchor. It connects the quieter eastern edge of Carnaby with the busier stretch toward Wardour Street, the surrounding blocks have enough variety that you can extend your evening in multiple directions. Nearby options worth knowing: 69 Colebrooke Row for serious cocktails, A Bar with Shapes for a Name if you want something more design-forward, Academy or Amaro for a different register. Planning a broader London trip? Our full London restaurants guide, London hotels guide, London wineries guide, and London experiences guide cover the full picture. Further afield, Bramble in Edinburgh, Bar Kismet in Halifax, and Bar Leather Apron in Honolulu are worth bookmarking if your travels extend beyond London.

    Booking and Logistics

    FactorTaro (Brewer St)Typical Soho Comparable
    Booking difficultyEasyEasy to moderate
    Walk-in for 2Likely fineVenue-dependent
    Groups (4+)Call aheadOften requires reservation
    Location accessCentral, well-connectedVaries by postcode
    Price rangeNot confirmed in data$$–$$$

    Booking is rated Easy. For pairs or small groups on a weekday, walk-in should be manageable, but weekend evenings in Soho fill quickly across the board. If you are organising a group visit, securing a reservation removes the main variable.

    The takeTaro suits local workers, nearby residents and visitors who want a considered alternative to grab-and-go options without committing to formal multi-course dining. It’s a natural choice for after-work drinks and casual hangouts, and its compact scale also works well for solo visits or low-key dinners. Because the place operates as a neighbourhood-scale restaurant rather than a destination omakase, people come for reliable, unfussy meals and regular service rhythms — evenings and lunchtimes draw different crowds but maintain the same pragmatic, approachable tone.
    Venue detailsCommunal Tables
    Also considerAlternatives
    Bar contextLondon, United Kingdom
    Explore LondonNearby

    Planning details

    Location
    61 Brewer St, London W1F 9UW, United Kingdom
    Website
    tarorestaurants.uk
    Phone
    +44 20 7734 5826
    Around this placeMore Pearl picks
    The take

    The Take

    The Vibe

    Taro reads like a working neighbourhood Japanese spot in the heart of Soho: compact, functional and deliberately untheatrical. The room privileges the floor rhythm over chef-centric choreography, so the feel is lived-in rather than staged. Regulars and first-time visitors rub shoulders here, and the service cadence reflects the practical demands of a mid-tier operation — quick turns, a broad menu and a front-of-house that keeps the place moving. It’s the kind of local restaurant that prioritises steady, approachable hospitality over spectacle, making the experience quietly satisfying rather than showy.

    Best For

    Taro suits local workers, nearby residents and visitors who want a considered alternative to grab-and-go options without committing to formal multi-course dining. It’s a natural choice for after-work drinks and casual hangouts, and its compact scale also works well for solo visits or low-key dinners. Because the place operates as a neighbourhood-scale restaurant rather than a destination omakase, people come for reliable, unfussy meals and regular service rhythms — evenings and lunchtimes draw different crowds but maintain the same pragmatic, approachable tone.

    Ordering Tips

    Expect a mid-range, broad menu rather than a tightly staged tasting experience. The floor team manages a faster turn and a shifting mix of regulars and newcomers, so service is efficient and practical; lean on the staff for quick recommendations rather than anticipating a slow, ceremonial sequence. If you want something more considered than a takeaway but not a formal multi-course meal, choose dishes that suit an individual or small-group pace and be prepared for a room that favors steady turnover and approachable hospitality.

    Venue details

    Ambiance

    Functional, efficient canteen-style atmosphere with shared tables and rapid service.

    Tags

    Vibe

    Casual

    Best For

    After WorkCasual Hangout

    Experience

    Standalone

    Format

    Communal TablesSeated Bar

    At the Bar

    Bar Category
    Pub
    Late Night
    Closes by Midnight

    Signature Pours

    Lychee martini

    Planning details

    Location

    61 Brewer St, London W1F 9UW, United Kingdom · Directions

    +44 20 7734 5826

    tarorestaurants.uk

    Also consider

    Also Consider

    Bar context

    Against the named London peer set, Taro occupies a different tier and format than most. Nightjar and Happiness Forgets are both reservation-recommended operations with serious cocktail programs; if you are prioritising drink quality and atmosphere over convenience, those two venues deliver a more defined experience. Nightjar in particular requires advance booking and operates at a higher price point; Happiness Forgets is tighter on space but easier to access on shorter notice.

    Bar Termini is the closest geographic peer in terms of Soho positioning, it has a sharper identity around Italian aperitivo and espresso-led drinks. If your group wants a focused pre-dinner drink with a clear drinks menu rather than a general venue stop, Bar Termini edges ahead. Callooh Callay in Shoreditch handles groups better than most of this set and is a stronger call if your party is six or more and you want guaranteed space.

    Quo Vadis sits in a different category; it is a members' club and restaurant rather than a bar, it requires either membership or a dining reservation to access. For a first-timer in Soho who wants a low-friction evening, Taro's easy booking and central address is a practical advantage over the more structured or harder-to-access options in this comparison set.

    Explore London
    Around this place
    Read more on Pearl

    Discover more on Pearl

    Unlock the full Taro guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.

    Compare Taro
    Taro Soho and similar venues
    VenueLocationAwards
    TaroLondonNo published awards
    Bar TerminiLondon
    Top 50 Cocktail Bars UK 2026 · #8Top 500 Bars 2026 · #1302018 World's 50 Best Bars · #62017 World's 50 Best Bars · #92016 World's 50 Best Bars · #30
    Callooh CallayLondonNo published awards
    Happiness ForgetsLondon
    Top 50 Cocktail Bars UK 2026 · #44Top 500 Bars 2026 · #3102019 World's 50 Best Bars · #402018 World's 50 Best Bars · #352017 World's 50 Best Bars · #122016 World's 50 Best Bars · #102015 World's 50 Best Bars · #82014 World's 50 Best Bars · #122013 World's 50 Best Bars · #6
    NightjarLondon
    Top 500 Bars 2026 · #712026 Pinnacle Guide2017 World's 50 Best Bars · #432016 World's 50 Best Bars · #192015 World's 50 Best Bars · #32014 World's 50 Best Bars · #32013 World's 50 Best Bars · #22012 World's 50 Best Bars · #32011 World's 50 Best Bars · #18
    Quo VadisLondonNo published awards

    How Taro Soho compares with similar nearby venues.

    FAQ

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Does Taro have outdoor seating?

    Taro is at 61 Brewer Street, deep in Soho, where pavement space is at a premium. No outdoor seating is confirmed in available venue data. If an al fresco table is a priority, Soho Square or the courtyard venues just north of Carnaby are more reliable options.

    Is Taro good for a date?

    It works for a casual, low-pressure first or second date; Brewer Street's energy keeps things easy without demanding a big commitment in time or spend. The compact format means you are sitting close and conversation flows, but it is not a setting designed around romance. For a more considered date night in the same neighbourhood, Quo Vadis on Dean Street carries more occasion weight.

    What's the signature drink at Taro?

    Specific drinks are not documented in the venue record, so naming a signature here would be guesswork. Taro's draw is its food offer rather than a cocktail programme, so if a particular drink is the priority, venues like Bar Termini or Happiness Forgets in the area are better suited.

    Do I need a reservation at Taro?

    Taro on Brewer Street draws a consistent crowd and the room is compact, so arriving without a plan at peak lunch or dinner carries real queue risk. If booking is available, use it. If you are walking in, aim for an early sitting; before 12:30 for lunch or before 6:30 for dinner.

    Is the food good at Taro?

    Taro has maintained a loyal following in Soho, which is a credible signal in a neighbourhood with high turnover. The venue draws repeat visitors looking for something specific rather than a broad crowd chasing novelty, which points to consistent execution over flash. No awards are documented in the venue record.

    What's the crowd like at Taro?

    Expect a mix of Soho regulars, local workers at lunch, visitors who have done their research. At 61 Brewer Street, you are in the middle of one of London's busiest dining corridors, so the room moves fast and the crowd reflects that; purposeful rather than lingering.

    Does Taro have happy hour deals?

    No happy hour or promotional pricing is documented in the venue record. For structured deals in the area, Callooh Callay and Nightjar both operate with defined offers at specific hours; worth checking directly if value pricing is the goal.