When the man behind the success of Whisky Mist, Mahiki and the Punchbowl decides to open a nightclub, you’d be a fool not to take notice. PUBLIC is the brainchild of Guy Pelly and the club proves to be every bit as flamboyant as its owner.
Boasting fancy dress, a photo booth and funfair merry-go-round horses, PUBLIC definitely provides more than your average Chelsea club. Upon my arrival I got stuck into the action, the result being a less than flattering collection of photos of me and my friends sporting beards and Santa hats. As the night rolled on, my outfit choices got more and more bizarre and by the end there were more than a few revellers wearing head to toe fancy dress.
Set back from the street on Lots Road in an old antiques warehouse, PUBLIC brings an East London edge to the heart of Chelsea. Exposed brick walls and a stunning copper bar make it stand out from its rivals and attract a more varied clientele than the usual Sloane rangers. It also has a large smoking area, allowing social smokers to gather in the relative privacy of a courtyard, instead of on the street.
Pelly’s greatest triumph is to create a VIP section that doesn’t separate the privileged few from the party. I managed to blag my way past the bouncers as a ‘member of the press’ and found myself so comfortable that I resisted the lure of the dance floor for an unprecedented amount of time – at least five minutes. The VIP section is nicknamed ‘the sweetshop’ and is designed as thus, with tins of boiled sweets adorning the walls. Purposefully raised above the dance floor, the sweet shop provides a place where you can both see and be seen. Table service added to my sense of smugness and I left feeling refreshed and happy, with a great collection of photos to remind me of the night.
PUBLIC is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10pm to 3am.
533 Kings Road, London SW10 www.public.uk.com
