PUBLIC, 533 Kings Road, Chelsea www.public.uk.com
In a social environment where everyone wants to be private (hidden doors to upstairs bars and exclusive velvet roped off areas) but still be seen, what better name for a new venture than PUBLIC.
Public is a word meaning, “pertaining to the people, relating to, or affecting, a nation, state, or community“, and the people of Chelsea and it’s affiliated “West Set” just got hit with a new sense of affection. This Friday we joined them and got into the community spirit, helped along by a tinkling of vodka, sambuca and some mixologist’s creation that, less than six hours later, I don’t even want to contemplate! Time and time again we have sighed over the opening of the “next big place” only to find the “new” bar/club/den is a reincarnation (read lick of paint and a new sign) of somewhere we would have preferred to forget. This genuinely fresh new venue is the exception that likes to break the odd rule. Nestled between two nightspots who could use a few tips from the newcomer on Lots Road and on the site of a former antiques warehouse, the basement setting has a super cool vibe with actual space, a pleasant lack of perspiration (next door take note) and the kind of quirky features that get us applauding. The photo booth had us Voguing like Madonna, the exposed brick work achieves that New York vibe however the feeling you’ve stepped into Lovejoy’s younger, better looking brother’s play pad keeps thinks pleasantly British. There has to be a mention for that big red button on the dance floor too, after I was introduced to it by a man in the know 😉
No review on this scene stealer could go live without a quick mention to the impresario behind the venture. This might be one area where we won’t go too public but let’s just say the man previously connected to Collection, Mahiki, Whisky Mist and others, has struck gold with his latest statement. There is a sense of more to come and come we will, already set to air lots more fabulously dirty laundry in this kind of public!
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