# The Brothel on My Street Was Shut Down. (And the Cafe Closed.) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 30, 2010, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brothel-on-my-street-was-shut-down-and-the-cafe-closed/562422 "2010-11-30T16:44:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ColonelDax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@ColonelDax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ColonelDax)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brothel-on-my-street-was-shut-down-and-the-cafe-closed/562422/1 "2010-11-30T16:44:16Z")
I had no idea there was a cathouse at the address [on the right](http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=44+harrowby+street+london&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=13.387936,28.168945&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=44+Harrowby+St,+London+W1H+5HY,+United+Kingdom&ll=51.517396,-0.165203&spn=0,0.021887&z=16&iwloc=A&layer=c&cbll=51.51758,-0.163648&panoid=gsF_eqqOf-DILJPzmdGv-Q&cbp=12,339.6,,0,5.02), but it must have been a well-kept secret, as one of the porters on my building’s front desk said he wasn’t aware either. Much more sadly, the adjacent [Buscot Dairy Cafe](http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://russelldavies.typepad.com/eggbaconchipsandbeans/images/dsc01638.JPG&imgrefurl=http://russelldavies.typepad.com/eggbaconchipsandbeans/2006/03/buscot_dairy_ca.html&usg=__4EvW4lRXoBlGNLMdJP8nX5bRD7E=&h=262&w=350&sz=80&hl=en&start=1&zoom=1&itbs=1&tbnid=jO7DY1KutlqqeM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=120&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbuscot%2Bdairy%2Bcafe%26hl%3Den%26tbs%3Disch:1), where I was an occasional customer, also has closed its doors. There was a handwritten sign on the front door, since removed, that made some sort of reference to rules and regulations without being more specific. It was always nice to see the place lit up early in the morning when I had to leave for work at 6 a.m. during winter, and it’s a real bummer to see it dark now. I really hope the cafe isn’t replaced by yet another shisha joint, but I’m not optimistic. ---
**Author:** ![Walmarticus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Walmarticus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walmarticus)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brothel-on-my-street-was-shut-down-and-the-cafe-closed/562422/2 "2010-11-30T17:56:24Z")
Why do I feel about this subject the same way I felt about a drive-in theater closing in my former neighborhood? The end of an era, I suppose. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brothel-on-my-street-was-shut-down-and-the-cafe-closed/562422/3 "2010-11-30T18:01:23Z")
Location, location, location? ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brothel-on-my-street-was-shut-down-and-the-cafe-closed/562422/4 "2010-11-30T18:01:55Z")
I assume that brothels are illegal in London? Sorry to hear about the cafe. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brothel-on-my-street-was-shut-down-and-the-cafe-closed/562422/5 "2010-11-30T19:22:53Z")
Evidently each business couldn’t survive without the other. ---
**Author:** ![Dragwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dragwyr/32/2855_2.png) [@Dragwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragwyr)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brothel-on-my-street-was-shut-down-and-the-cafe-closed/562422/6 "2010-12-01T02:18:12Z")
Apparently times just weren’t hard enough. I’m just saying. ---
**Author:** ![gladtobeblazed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85f322/32.png) [@gladtobeblazed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gladtobeblazed)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brothel-on-my-street-was-shut-down-and-the-cafe-closed/562422/7 "2010-12-01T02:33:43Z")
A few years ago I worked in an office above a deli. Turns out they were growing dope in the basement. Idiots got caught because the building’s power bill spiked. They made great sandwiches though, I was sad to see them close. ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brothel-on-my-street-was-shut-down-and-the-cafe-closed/562422/8 "2010-12-01T03:07:02Z")
It’s surprising they kept their curtains open, unless you meant #43. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brothel-on-my-street-was-shut-down-and-the-cafe-closed/562422/9 "2010-12-01T03:38:25Z")
Apparently offering sandwiches alone wasn’t enough to keep the business going. ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brothel-on-my-street-was-shut-down-and-the-cafe-closed/562422/10 "2010-12-01T04:02:41Z")
If they ever decide to open up a combo Brothel/Cafe, I would stay away from the shrimp scampi…😉 ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brothel-on-my-street-was-shut-down-and-the-cafe-closed/562422/11 "2010-12-01T05:02:09Z")
Shame, I loved their crumpet. ---
**Author:** ![Frazzled](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frazzled/32/3368_2.png) [@Frazzled](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frazzled)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brothel-on-my-street-was-shut-down-and-the-cafe-closed/562422/12 "2010-12-01T05:04:45Z")
Cool neighborhood! After the Craigslist killings over here I was surprised to learn you could find “ladies of the night” online. Out of sheer curiosity I read some of the ads and noticed they would allow customers to come to them, or they’d go to the customer. A high tech way of street walking I suppose. I’m betting that’s why you never knew what was going on next door - they advertised elsewhere, usually performed elsewhere, but had a discreet location for in calls if needed. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brothel-on-my-street-was-shut-down-and-the-cafe-closed/562422/13 "2010-12-01T05:19:18Z")
No doubt “no one” ever knew about the brothel, hehe. But whether it’s the brothel or the cafe, farewell to some good eatin’. ---
**Author:** ![Zjestika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/8edcca/32.png) [@Zjestika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zjestika)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brothel-on-my-street-was-shut-down-and-the-cafe-closed/562422/14 "2010-12-01T06:04:59Z")
They came first for the brothels… then they came for the cafes… ---
**Author:** ![EvilTOJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brothel-on-my-street-was-shut-down-and-the-cafe-closed/562422/15 "2010-12-01T07:24:52Z")
I’ve been there, it was a great place to eat out. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brothel-on-my-street-was-shut-down-and-the-cafe-closed/562422/16 "2010-12-01T09:52:28Z")
Dammit! I’ve been to London a half dozen times, I didn’t know there were brothels! ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brothel-on-my-street-was-shut-down-and-the-cafe-closed/562422/17 "2010-12-01T14:55:07Z")
Looks like they take American Express. Good to know. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2010, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brothel-on-my-street-was-shut-down-and-the-cafe-closed/562422/18 "2010-12-02T01:42:48Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Looks like they take American Express. Good to know. No, that’s just an express line for Americans, since we’re quicker. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2010, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brothel-on-my-street-was-shut-down-and-the-cafe-closed/562422/19 "2010-12-02T01:51:19Z")
Did they lay off the staff? ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2010, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brothel-on-my-street-was-shut-down-and-the-cafe-closed/562422/20 "2010-12-02T04:30:11Z")
> [@EvilTOJ](#): > > I’ve been there, it was a great place to eat out. Better than at the Y? (Ah c’mon - you know you were thinking it 😃 ) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brothel-on-my-street-was-shut-down-and-the-cafe-closed/562422.md?page=2)