PIN Bar Italia

Also former workplace of John Logie Baird

This place is a favourite haunt of Londoners final stopping off point after a late night in the West End. An historic Soho café it was established in 1949 by Lou and Caterina Polledri, and quickly became a social hub for the Italian community in London. Despite several upgrades to the decor, much of the original fixtures still remain, from the red and white formica to the Gaggia espresso machine and the flooring. It absolutely oozes atmosphere as always has an energetic vibe. Many of the revellers know little about the famous occupant who once lived upstairs where the first ever television broadcast was made.

History

John Logie Baird was a Scottish engineer and inventor who moved to London having blown up his previous premises. He found an attic room to rent above 22 Frith Street in Soho of what is now Bar Italia where he set up the first television experiment involving much apparatus. He rented an attic room and television was born. Once the new, cramped workshop had been established in London’s West End, John Logie Baird knuckled down on his novel invention.

The contraption which began to develop in the Soho attic was a large, complex device, characterised by fast, spinning discs, numerous lenses, powerful, flickering lights and a photosensitive detector. Because of the power and size of the machine, accidents and breakages were common, as Logie Baird himself described; “The apparatus would get out of balance and jump from one side of the laboratory to the other until it was stopped or the disc tore itself to pieces… I had some exciting moments.”

Despite the bulky nature of his creation, the actual screen upon which the pioneering images were displayed was tiny; just a few inches wide. Bairds experiments started to attract worldwide attention and the rest as they say is history.

TripTide Thoughts

A bit of old Soho in a perfect, friendly setting. Definitely the place for a real cappuccino and pastries and to watch the local buzz and clientele. Will be back again and again whenever we’re passing. We found ourselves often looking at the ceiling thinking that literally feet away magic was once made.

Owner

Lucy TripTide

Lucy is a TripTide stalwart and has been with the company since inception. She is a font of knowledge of all things in our metropolis but she has a special penchant for London's historical past. She says:"London is a multi-layered confection of hi...