A sophisticated cafe-bar, cocktail lounge and nightclub combined, which is mostly peopled by pop-loving gay twinks and their girly friends. Ku is more of a social whirl than a pick-up joint, which makes it a great place to hang out with your mates.

The Venue
On the corner of Lisle Street and Newport Place sits this multi-purpose venue. Spread over three levels, Ku is decked out in expensive-looking designer wallpaper and muted browns with wooden floors and soft lighting. The large ground floor cafe and bar has plenty of candlelit tables to accommodate you and your friends with a comfy leatherette banquette that runs the length of one wall. Upstairs is another small bar room for those intimate chats, while downstairs in the basement you’ll find the Ku Klub.

The Atmosphere
The clientele at Ku tend to be young and pretty and the bar staff even more so. Despite the young demographic, the atmosphere is actually pretty laid-back with subdued lighting and music that’s not cranked up too loud.

The Music
In the cafe-bar, pop and RnB videos rule the roost on large plasma screens. Expect the likes of Kylie, Madonna and Gwen Stefani on heavy rotation. Downstairs, the basement Ku Klub is open from 9pm until late every night with a range of musical flavours. Everything is included, from Ku Live - an open mic and karaoke session featuring live bands and singers to Boogaloo Stu’s Shinky Shonky (electro, rock and silly cabaret) or an uplifting house night at Funk You! There’s also the ever present Gay Tea Dance, which is awash with pop and RnB party tunes.

The Drink
Cheap drinks deals and cocktails are what make Ku stand out from the crowd. There’s an extensive menu of classic and frozen cocktails and shots to choose from. Classics like the Cosmopolitan, Mai Tai and Cuban Special (rum, triple sec, lime and pineapple) cost £6.20 and are often included on happy hours. Long Island Iced Tea or Tequila Sunrise is £4.91 by the glass, or £11 for a pitcher. Pina Colada, Mango Daiquiri, Strawberry Margarita and Shark Bite (Navy rum, lime, mango and sugar) are served frozen.

There’s also a menu of £2.50 shots including the B52 (Kahlua, Baileys and Grand Marnier), ET (Midori, Baileys and Smirnoff No55 vodka) and the Sword Of Damocles (Midori, lime and light rum). You can, in addition, order coffees, soft drinks, the usual spirits and mixers, or Guinness, Fosters, Kronenbourg and Kronenbourg Blanc (an unusual, fruity white lager) all on draught.

The Last Word
Ku is brought to you by Gary Henshaw whose previous venture was the similarly named Ku Bar on Charing Cross Road (now closed). It’s a great space and the cheap drinks deals and party nights are a major draw. Anyone old enough to remember this building’s previous incarnations as West Central and The Polar Bear will be utterly amazed how upmarket this gay venue now looks.

venue information venue map view london review user reviews (6) club listings what's on