13-17 Bear Street,
Leicester Square,
London,
WC2H 7AS
0872 148 4139
Note: Calls cost 10p per min plus network extras.
The ViewLondon Review
Decent music, various club nights and cheap drinks make Zoo a good choice if you're up for a cheap and cheerful night with the Leicester Square crowd.
The Venue
Located right in the heart of Leicester Square on the adorably named Bear Street, Zoo can easily be spotted. With its funky logo and its intriguing name, you cannot stop yourself from conjuring up all sorts of exciting and kinky images. Once inside, Zoo vaguely resembles a human zoo, complete with bars and poles for the more extroverted clubbers. With three different rooms spread out over two floors, the club is quite vast and there is always an alternative if you’re bored of being in one room. However, some of the rooms are a bit on the small side. With limited air-conditioning, they can also get rather hot, particularly if the club is filled to capacity. Every room has a dancing area and management have even managed to fit in some basic and stylish sofas and tables tucked away in corners, ideal for a five-minute break. These lounging spots can also be reserved free of charge. Zoo’s wall decor is consistent throughout in its simple floral design.
The Atmosphere
Arrive early to avoid disappointment; otherwise, be prepared to join a hefty queue. After about midnight the club enforces a one-in-one-out policy.
Once inside the club, there is a fairly eclectic mix of clubbers waiting to greet you. Zoo is mostly a haven for lovers of pop and dance. The minimum age of patrons is 18 so you should not be surprised to see teenyboppers bounding around. Having said that, there is plenty of room for the more seasoned clubber, not to mention those in between.
The Music
Zoo admittedly has a good mix of dancefloor fillers, from 80’s pop, to classic dance anthems, to the latest commercial RnB. Such a variety of rooms dedicated to different music genres is refreshing and possibly the best thing about this club. There are also nights dedicated to music. On Fridays and Saturdays DJ Stevie C rotates the best in house and dance music. On Sundays, it’s sports heaven as you are invited to watch Sky Sports from lunchtime. Later on, DJ Eddie Santos plays classic dance anthems. Week nights are a mix of RnB, hip hop and funky house and entry is up to £5. There is also a Student Night with DJ Paul Gillies playing more of the same and selected drinks are discounted. Other nights you can look forward to hearing electro house and commercial RnB from Capital Radio and School Disco DJs.
The Drink
They have a good variety of drinks to choose from here. The least you will have to cough up for a glass of wine is £3.35 for the house wine, a tropical Italian Vito Sauvignon Chardonnay. The most you will have to pay is £9.45, which will get you a Heidsieck Monopole Brut Rose Reims from France, sparkling with summer fruits and gentle bubbles. They also serve cocktail favourites such as the frisky Sex on the Beach for £5.65 or £14.95 for a jug and the sophisticated mojito.
The Last Word
Zoo is your standard Leicester Square bar and club and is a good place to shake your groove thing of a Saturday night. Just be prepared, as it's frequently packed to capacity and you will have to queue to get in as the evening wears on.
Zoo Bar and Club has been reviewed by 111 users