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The 2i's Coffee Bar facts for kids

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2i's Coffee Bar
2isx.jpg
Location Old Compton Street
London, W1
United Kingdom
Public transit London Underground Leicester Square
Owner Paul Lincoln
Type Coffeehouse
Opened 1956
Closed 1970

The 2i's Coffee Bar was a famous coffeehouse in Soho, London. It was open from 1956 to 1970. This place was super important for skiffle and rock and roll music in Britain during the late 1950s. Many big stars like Tommy Steele and Cliff Richard were first found performing there.

A Look at the 2i's Coffee Bar

How the 2i's Started

The name "2i's" came from its earlier owners, two brothers named Freddie and Sammy Irani. They ran the place until 1955. Then, Paul Lincoln, a professional wrestler known as "Dr Death," took over. He teamed up with Ray Hunter, another wrestling promoter.

They opened the 2i's as a coffee bar on April 22, 1956. Tom Littlewood, who used to be the doorman, became the manager in 1958. Paul Lincoln was actually more interested in the rooms above the coffee bar. These rooms were used to house foreign wrestlers that he and Ray Hunter were promoting.

What Made the 2i's Special

The coffee bar had a small stage in its basement. It was only about 18 inches high! Lincoln and Hunter started having skiffle groups play there. The first regular band was the Vipers.

Word quickly spread about the Vipers' performances. Soon, the 2i's became known for its rock'n'roll music. For a while, it was "the most famous music venue in England." Important people like Jack Good and Larry Parnes came to find new talent.

In November 1957, Jack Good even arranged for a TV show called Six-Five Special to be broadcast live from the 2i's. Tommy Steele was the host. This show helped launch the career of Adam Faith, who sang with the band called the Worried Men.

The coffee bar itself was small. It had standing room for about 20 people. There was a counter with an espresso machine and snacks. A narrow stairway led down to the basement stage. It was a dark cellar, lit by only a few dim bulbs. The stage was made of milk crates with planks on top! There was just one microphone and some speakers. You can briefly see the stage in a 1959 film clip called "Coffee Bar."

Stars Who Played at the 2i's

Many famous musicians were discovered or performed at the 2i's. It was a launching pad for their careers!

Some of these stars include:

Even some non-musicians visited the 2i's, like actress Diana Dors and actors Michael Caine and Terence Stamp.

Famous People Who Worked There

The 2i's was so popular that musicians were sometimes paid with just coffee and cokes!

  • Songwriter Lionel Bart and music producer Mickie Most worked there as waiters.
  • Wee Willie Harris was a cleaner, waiter, and musician.
  • Jet Harris, who later joined The Shadows, worked behind the bar.
  • Led Zeppelin's manager, Peter Grant, was a bouncer at the 2i's before he became famous in the music business.

Lionel Bart even helped paint the cellar. He decorated it with a black ceiling and cool, modern shapes.

The success of the 2i's led to a second location opening in 1956. However, it closed quickly due to problems with organized crime. The original 2i's Coffee Bar closed its doors in 1970. Today, the site is a fish and chips restaurant.

The 2i's Lasting Impact

The 2i's inspired other music venues. For example, the Casbah Coffee Club in Liverpool was started by Mona Best in her family's home. This club was very important for the early development of the Beatles.

In 1960, a club manager from Hamburg, Germany, visited the 2i's. He wanted to find British rock'n'roll musicians to play at his club. He hired bands like Derry and the Seniors. He also arranged for the Beatles to play in Hamburg. While in Hamburg, the Beatles worked with Tony Sheridan, who had also performed at the 2i's.

On September 18, 2006, a special green plaque was placed at the site of the 2i's Coffee Bar. This plaque celebrates the coffee bar's history and 50 years of British rock and roll.

The 2i's was even featured in songs! Wee Willie Harris sang "Rockin’ At The 2i’s." Tommy Steele sang "Two Eyes" for his film The Tommy Steele Story. The film even showed a recreated version of the coffee bar.

In the 1980s, the band The Stargazers filmed a music video in the 2i's basement. The director, Julien Temple, also recreated the 2i's for the opening scene of his film Absolute Beginners.

Ringo Starr mentions the "2i's Cafe" in his 2015 song "Rory and the Hurricanes." He sings, "That's where Tommy Steele would play."

Bands That Played Regularly

Many bands played regularly at the 2i's Coffee Bar. Here are some of them:

  • The Vipers Skiffle Group (July–September 1956)
  • Tommy Steele (July–September 1956)
  • The Soho Skiffle Group (late 1956)
  • Les Hobeaux Skiffle Group (summer – late 1957)
  • Terry Dene & The Dene Aces (late 1957 – early 1959)
  • The Worried Men (late 1957 – early 1959)
  • Colin Hicks & The Cabin Boys (early 1958 – early 1959)
  • The Vagabonds (early – April 1958)
  • Cliff Richard & The Drifters (early – summer 1958)
  • Wally Whyton & The Vipers (May 1958 – early 1959)
  • Vince Eager (summer 1958)
  • Vince Taylor & the Playboys (early 1959 – summer 1960)
  • The Jury (1961 – summer 1962)
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