London is buzzing with new openings
THE summer is normally a time when the club scene quietens down and everyone heads off on holiday or out into the countryside. However, there’s a surprising amount of activity in London’s clubs and bars right now and encouragingly they’re trying harder than ever to win your loyal custom and put the fun back into clubbing with an array of themes and curiosities. Over the past few months there have been several big launches like the vintage and rock-influenced McQueen (Steve, not Alexander) in Shoreditch and the excellent 80’s-tastic Maggie’s in Chelsea, complete with Mallet’s Mallet, Rubix Cube tables and the Iron Lady’s speeches. The Moose, behind Selfridges, followed not long behind with a funky, tongue-in-cheek refurb, hunting lodge style and trendy local crowd. Just around the corner, Salon D’Ete has popped up on top of the infamous and exclusive L’Equipe Anglaise. Only surfacing for the summer, it offers an exotic and smoky descent into the decadent 1930’s where you can enjoy live music, theatrical and burlesque performances in a colonial indoor garden setting, among real palms and climbing ivy. The option to slip down to L’Equipe to carry on till dawn adds to the allure. In the last few weeks there were also two notable refurbishments, with Morton’s members club putting extra finishing touches to its Night Lounge and the Lonsdale in Notting Hill reopening with a Bond-esq new look and Hawksmoor-influenced restaurant. If that’s not enough for you then last night saw the rebirth of 24 London on Kingly Street as Bond. With one eye on the private party market, the already impressive wall-to-wall projection screens have been given an even higher tech make-over with digital touch-screen menus, the option to send virtual drinks to other club-goers (surely a cheaper option) and a whole animated show if you order a bottle of Ciroc. A step up from sparklers or flying dwarves if you like to make a scene when ordering a drink. If you are heading out to the countryside, don’t despair, as you may find yourself falling over clubs out there too. Already this summer Nikki Beach was at Polo in the Park, Boujis was at Ascot, Mahiki will be at Henley this weekend, Aura will be at the Grand Prix Ball and Grand Prix Lounge and of course Chinawhite, who started it all, will be center stage at the Cartier Polo.
Tim Badham is the MD and founder of Innerplace, London’s leading entertainment and lifestyle specialists. Membership from £40 per month. www.innerplace.co.uk