14 Soho Street,
Soho,
London,
W1D 3DN
0871 971 5418
The ViewLondon Review
Punk takes West End nightlife in a completely new direction. This unorthodox Soho venue is for those who want to walk one step ahead of the crowd, not with them.The VenueEnter the curious world of Punk and you find yourself stumbling like Alice, into a magical world through the rabbit hole. The entrance is an enticing beacon hidden behind Oxford street, guarded by statuesque doormen in matrix-style black suits. The journey begins from the minute you step into the dim red light, where a human-size Panda greets you and guides you through the velvet drapes, to the club downstairs. As you push open the heavy wooden doors, the mad world of Punk is set out before you like a fantastical kingdom - all that is missing is the Queen of hearts.
The interior is a mish mash of decadent styles that blend to create a highly sensual space primed for debauchery. Burlesque-style figures illuminated on fluorescent pillars dot the room and the feature wall behind the DJ booth adds to the atmosphere of erotica, with its in-your-face Robert Mapplethorpe-style flower print. The furniture is an eclectic mix of all things retro. Black leather couches from the sixties sit alongside velour booths and ottomans in signature Missoni pinks and oranges. Even the DJ decks sit atop an ornate Chinese cabinet decorated with birds and butterflies.
The AtmosphereThe crowd here is as eclectic as the venue itself and creates a fun-loving atmosphere where anything goes. There is spin the bottle set-up in the shadowy back room and a speed disco-dating suite with a stack of printed questions for those who need a bit of help getting acquainted. The buzz inside is casually sexy and sensual. Women dressed in tiny zebra-print jump suits and skin-tight catsuits parade around the room in perfectly matching feline accessories, offering everything from cupcakes and kisses to makeovers. If you feel underdressed amongst the sea of animal prints and skinny Andy Warhol look-alikes, the dress-up box (which is enough to make any vintage lover jealous) is well stocked with outfits to help you live out your fantasy.
Thursday is the club's flagship night, with devoted regulars including Lily Allen, Sadie Frost, Courtney Love and Nick Grimshaw. The heat is turned up on Friday and Saturday when the atmosphere is decidedly more sexy and glam. There is a late night licence, so revellers can enjoy the kinky offerings of the club until 4am.
The MusicThe music keeps the pulse of this nightspot beating fast and dabbles in every era from the fifties to now. Swing and early rock ‘n’ roll is the surprising crowd-pleaser, attracting men and women alike to the dancefloor to spin and dip to the sounds of the scratchy records. There is always more than one DJ playing on any night so all tastes are catered for.
The DrinkPunk is devoted to decadence and release, and if the music and dream-like surrounds aren't enough to get you going, the cocktail list, which is weighed down with heady concoctions, is sure to set your senses running. The menu features hedonistic concoctions of fruit, spice and spirits. The bar tenders are constantly reworking their menu and will create bespoke cocktails if you want to freestyle. Cocktails are not cheap but are standard for Soho. A good variety of beer, wine and Champagne is also available. You won’t go thirsty.
The Last WordWith its pink glow and hedonistic vibe, Punk is a uniquely quirky club that appeals to A-listers and pleasure-seekers alike. The appeal of this Soho rebel is that it's unpredictable, raucous and incredibly sexy at the same time. If you haven't already been punked - it's time to be.
Punk has been reviewed by 37 users