Club tropicana (Venues - Bars)
What
do you get when you merge two seasoned club entrepreneurs with a celeb
pairing? Why, the launch of a Polynesian-themed tiki bar of course.
Bethany Hutton-Stigga figures it out. (13 Nov'09)
And so on Wednesday night the collaboration between Nick House and Piers Adam (Mahiki, Whisky Mist founders) and the celeb pull of Girls Aloud's Sarah Harding and DJ Tom Crane was finally realised in the launch of Kanaloa bar, amid a colourful drinks list created by Papa Jules, drinks designer at Mahiki.
Ethos
Polynesian exotica mitigates the harsh climate of the City of London. Kanaloa aims to bring perpetual summer to its City location with its oceanic influences; its name honours the Tiki God of the Sea. Musically, retro Beach Boys-type beats will cues that laid back party mood. Ringmasters Sarah Harding and boyfriend Tom Crane are keen to push the 'fun for all' theme rather than the chosen-few exclusivity.
Interiors
Venue pics by Matthew Tompkinson of In Partnership
The design perpetuates the tropical island theme with fresh flowers, lush foliage and colourful furnishings. Features include tiki carvings, bamboo and a wooden bridge enticing guests from the reception area into the heart of the Kanaloa island experience. A long black bamboo bar is surrounded by carved wooden pillars and effectively lit with lampshades made from exotic seashells. The lounge has a crazy paving stone floor and rattan screens providing discreet hideaways placed at intervals throughout.
In the club area the large
elevated booths
look out over the floor action under colour changing ceilings. Musical
director Tom Crane promises to rig up vibrant and frivolous party
anthems. Over at the Treetops, guests languished among giant palm
trees, in the branches at the top or in the
shade of the palms below.
Refreshment
How does 140 different varieties of rum sound? With the input of Papa
Jules the creator of the signature
Mahiki rum and bar manager Rich Hunt (best UK Bartender in 2008) guests have plenty of visits to work through the menu of theatrical, heady mixtures.
They include the Kanaloa Kula signature, a mixture of Mahiki Rum, lemon, star anise, lime sugar, pomegranate juice and vintage Spanish sparkling wine. Sharing cocktails feature the Octopus Punch, which serves eight people. For pure morbid theatre try the Dead Man’s Chest, which includes seven Tiki Gold Mascara Cherries and a carafe of blood red Claret - brought to your table by a voodoo funeral procession from the bar! table.
The pan-Asian inspired food features Tempura Lobster with Wasabi Sauce, Chilli Salt Baby Squid with Lime Soy Sauce and Thai Green Chicken Broth with Sticky Coconut Rice.
The male City environment is challenged by refreshment of a different kind. The bespoke CityPoint Club parlour in the ladies’ bathrooms provides manicures, make-up and other beauty treatments in the twilight hours.
What they said:
“I
am proud to be involved with such experienced entrepreneurs as Piers
and Nick, and I am looking forward to the new and exciting venture that
lies ahead.” Sarah Harding
“Piers
and I have both worked in the City and we felt there was a real need to
create a sense of escapism and fun in an area that historically hasn’t
had the benefit of high quality bars and nightclubs. We are extremely
excited about the launch and are honoured to be working with a
superstar like Sarah.” Nick House
(Left) Sarah Harding & Tom Crane primed for the party
Stop press!
It's rumoured that Beyonce is taking over the whole venue - tonight!
Where?
Kanaloa, 18 Lime Office Court, Hill House, Shoe Lane, London EC4A 3BQ
www.kanaloaclub.com
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