Even if you're willing to swear off the hard stuff for a night and be the designated driver, Soho's cramped car parks and tight spaces do not make for a happy start to the evening. But if you want to avoid pre-dinner fireworks with your nearest and dearest and still have the luxury of going home in your own car, help is at hand.
Staunton Street Valet Parking Service offers to meet diners at their desired venue in Soho from 6.30pm to 11.30pm every evening and relieve them of their cars. The valet company parks vehicles nearby and drives them back to their owners within minutes of receiving the call up.
According to Jaswinder Singh, owner of Staunton Street Valet Parking, the company will return your pride and joy in the same condition in which it was handed over, but in the event of any accident he says it will take full responsibility. Advance bookings are preferred but the service will try to accommodate spur-of-the-moment requests.
All the valet needs are your keys and mobile phone number. All you need is to cough up $80 for the parking privilege at the end of the evening (discounts are negotiable if parking time is significantly less than four hours) and trust that while you're making merry your car isn't taking part in a round-the-island race. Call Staunton Street Valet Parking Service on 9146 2241 and 9712 2674.