When you work in our industry you can get a bit blase about new venues opening. Another day, another restaurant, bar or club closes, with somewhere new springing up to take its place before the dust has settled on its grave.

However, I did get excited about Apothecary Bar. This is a new venue opening next door to Egg in Kings Cross, also brought to you by Laurence Malice. Now we first mentioned this new venue all the way back in January (see Is This the End of Kings Cross?) – referring to it as the Apothecary Bar and Dining. No, we weren’t being dense, that was the original concept. However, the plan has adapted and evolved into a grand clubbing idea – ahh, my favourite kind!

We were lucky enough to take a sneak peek inside Apothecary (named after an antique apothecary table - anyone who’s seen THAT episode of Friends, insert joke here – that has been restored and used to make the bar) and were excited by what we found. Expect a laid back, pub-like venue with space for all manner of surprises – be sure to check out our exclusive review.

This isn’t going to be just a pre-club bar. It’s actually a party venue in its own right – and it’s edgy. An alternative live entertainment venue, you can expect to see all manner of acts from cabaret and burlesque to comedy, live and unsigned bands, and underground DJs. They’ll also be encouraging punters to really get into the swing of things by donning costumes relating to the theme of the evening. Heading to a burlesque night? Dust off the corsets - the crazier the better.

Launching on 25th July, get ready for a new kid on the Kings Cross block. About time, I say. I’ve had enough of places closing down in that neck of the woods!