Review of Cocksucker Blues Night at Helen of Troy Bar, 11 July 2025

20 Hanway Street, London W1T 1UG

I rocked up to Cocksucker Blues Night at Helen of Troy Bar in Soho on Friday, 11 July 2025, with my daughter Sophie and son Tommy in tow. DJs Neil Anderson (Freak Elite), Tim Briffa (My Drug Hell), and Harry Stam (My Drug Hell, Nightfalls) commandeered the decks, spinning pure vinyl and igniting a full-throttle rock ‘n’ roll night.

The basement venue, holding 80–100 revellers, pulses with a gritty, dive-bar charm. Dim lighting amplifies the raw edge of the music, and a vibrant mix of young and old tears up the dance floor until the 2 AM shutdown. The energy crackles all night.

The DJs own the room, blasting classic rock hits, early blues, Johnny Cash, Motown, 60s garage, Beatles, Stones, The Who, The Doors, Velvet Underground, The Stooges, Television, Ramones, and more. Their vinyl sets hit hard, loud enough to fuel the chaos but never overpowering the crowd’s electric vibe. They seamlessly blend tracks, keeping the momentum relentless with no dead moments.

The night’s namesake, Cocksucker Blues, drives the rebellious vibe. Recorded by the Rolling Stones in 1970 but never released by Decca due to its explicit content, the song’s raw energy fuels the event. These lines capture its defiant spirit:

Well, I'm a lonesome schoolboy 
 And I just came into town 

Yeah, I'm a lonesome schoolboy 
And I just came into town 

Well, I heard so much about London 

I decided to check it out 

Oh, where can I get my cock sucked? 

Where can I get my ass fucked? 

I ain't got no money 
 But I know where to put it every time

The track’s provocative edge mirrors the crowd’s untamed energy, amplifying the dive-bar atmosphere.

The staff run the show like seasoned pros. Ben at the door greets everyone warmly, handling the bustling entrance with ease, even as punters spill onto Hanway Street in the balmy summer air. Both upstairs and down, bartenders sling cocktails, draught beers, and bottles with lightning speed and zero hassle. Free entry—a rare gem in Soho—draws a diverse crowd that amplifies the night’s untamed spirit.

Helen of Troy Bar, now at 20 Hanway Street since its March 2025 move from number 22, clings fiercely to its dive-bar roots. The decor, still sporting a photo of founder Helen on the wall, feels untouched, but the venue doubles down on live music—northern soul, mod, blues, and funk. It stays open until 2 AM on Fridays and Saturdays, drawing Soho’s late-night rebels.

Cocksucker Blues Night delivers an absolute triumph: killer tunes, infectious energy, and a rock ‘n’ roll riot done right. I spoke with Tim Briffa they want him.to do it again next month. Head to https://helenoftroysoho.com/ for their next event. I’m already counting down to the next one.

#CocksuckerBlues #VinylNight #ClassicRock #HanwayStreet #RockNRoll #LondonNights #SummerVibes