One of the most iconic restaurants in London, especially favoured by the political left, is being marketed for sale by specialist property adviser Christie + Co.
The Gay Hussar, in Greek Street, Soho has provided the finest in Hungarian cuisine and wines since being opened by the esteemed restaurateur Victor Sassie in 1953, who retired in 1988.
More than that, the restaurant has become famous (or notorious, depending on your viewpoint) as the restaurant of choice for the political left — as early as the 1950s the socialist MP Aneurin Bevan became a devotee of the restaurant’s large, rich meals. Subsequently the restaurant attracted a devoted following amongst the left.
Labour MPs Michael Foot, Ian Mikardo and Barbara Castle all became regulars, as did Roy Hattersley, whose regular visits to the Gay Hussar were the subject of a ‘spot Roy Hattersley’ competition in the satirical publication Private Eye. As the restaurant became popular with the politicians, the Fleet Street political correspondents followed – and it rapidly became known amongst those in the corridors of power as the place where it was all happening.
Latterly, it was reported that Tony Blair was first encouraged to run for leadership of the Labour Party by Lord Tom Pendry at the Gay Hussar in 1983.
With the building’s origins in the 17th century but with substantial renovation undertaken in the 1960s, the Gay Hussar remains a high quality restaurant in the heart of London’s theatreland.
Its leasehold is now being marketed for sale by Christie + Co off a guide price of £500,000. Christie + Co’s Director and Head of Restaurants, Simon Chaplin, says: “The Gay Hussar has a special place in the heart and political history of London. Whilst its infamous days as the venue where various political machinations took place may be behind it, it is still today one of London’s most unusual and popular restaurants. With this, and its unique history, we anticipate a great deal of interest.”