The Colony Room Club, a legendary Soho institution known for its bohemian clientele and distinctive atmosphere, has closed its doors just three years after a revival.
The club, which reopened in a basement location and featured walls painted a familiar bilious green, had hosted notable figures including Princess Margaret, broadcaster Melvyn Bragg, artist Tracey Emin, and musician Bob Geldof during its original and revived iterations. A young Daniel Craig also worked as a barman at the original premises.
The latest incarnation was reportedly intended as a pop-up installation with an initial three-month lifespan, which was extended to three years. Darren Coffield, an artist and author who was instrumental in recreating the club and a member since 1988, expressed frustration at the closure, citing an eight-day notice period from the owners.
Coffield was reportedly upset about the short notice, which he felt did not allow adequate time to inform patrons and collect the club's memorabilia. He managed to pack up personal items, including a collection of the club's bric-a-brac, though an AK-47 assault rifle displayed in a case was not among the items removed.
Restaurateurs Tom Onions and Prue Freeman, who own the premises, stated that discussions regarding the closure took place over several months. The AK-47 is reportedly being held for its owner, Dan Macmillan, who is the grandson of former Prime Minister Harold Macmillan.