Retro hideout, Barts club, accessed via a 1930′s apartment building and secreted behind an unassuming black door, is shutting up shop for a refurb from Sunday 15 -  Tuesday17 August.

But Chelsea hedonists needn’t be too concerned about a couple of nights off.

When the club reopens at 6pm on Wednesday 18, regulars will be delighted with its updated look … and even more so with one a notable addition.

Piece de resistance will be a brand new Cuban garden built by the team behind Havana Rum!

The older sibling of Duncan Stirling and Charlie Gilkes’ 1980s style Maggie’s Club, is named after the exclusive Caribbean island of St Barts – not far from Havanna as the private jet flies!

See you there for a mojito!

www.barts-london.com

That nice Mr Cameron might be in hot water for his comments about Pakistan, Nick Clegg’s popularity may indeed have taken a tumble and Labour still hasn’t decided on a new leader so it’s good to know that there are still some political parties going full throttle.

Maggies’ nightclub launched during the general election campaign by the inimitable Charlie Gilkes and Duncan Stirling is certainly living up to its pre-electoral promises.

And now, due to popular demand, Chelsea’s hip new club named after 1980’s Prime-Minister-turned-icon Maggie Thatcher, is opening on Wednesday nights as well; and will also welcome punters over the forthcoming August Bank Holiday weekend.

Club-goers can hear the Iron Lady’s famous speeches playing in the loos and relive the 1980s against a backdrop of A Team action men, A-Ha platinum discs and a graffiti mural depicting legends of the decade from Timmy Mallet to David Bowie.

Drink Pina Coladas and Babycham served at giant Rubik’s cube tables by waitresses in neon leggings and permed wigs.

It’s certainly on message!

www.maggies-club.com

Richard Caring, Rag Trade tycoon turned ambitious restaurateur, is expanding his hospitality empire with a new Côte brasserie branch on Ludgate Hill.  This will be the chain’s fifteenth site in the UK since Caring launched the brand three years ago with Strada’s former management team, characteristically shelling out some serious dough in the process.

As with most of Caring’s trendy nightclubs and restaurant hot spots, the investment paid off, and Côte has emerged as a charming take on a classic Parisian bistro, with modest but elegant French fare that’s considered a great bang for your buck. Freshly prepared and savory plats – like the warm mushroom feuilleté and the moules marinières– have drawn a cult following of foodies with a nose for quality ingredients and service that doesn’t break the bank.  Tagged as the “Best Value Restaurant in the UK” in the Good Food Guide 2009, we’re hoping Cote will continue to draw a crowd and challenge the stigma that chain restaurants invariably disappoint.  Speaking of drawing a crowd, Caring had the right idea to set up his new shop next to St. Paul’s Cathedral. But for a juicy steak frites and buzzed-about crème caramel, we’ll bear the foot traffic any day.

Kyashii former Kingly Club is set to re-open on the 9th August under new management. Kyashii London have appointed  Construction Elements Commercial Refurbishment Services to completely refurbish the private dining area, modifying areas to the new Managers concepts.

The space was formerly launched  in 2008, however it failed to take off and closed after just 6 months. We hope this time as the economic climate slowly picks up things will pick up for this swanky venue as well.Watch out for the opening party!

www.kyashii.co.uk

“Sometimes you have to say goodbye to the things you know, and hello to the things you don’t” intoned Steve McQueen.

We couldn’t agree more which is why we’re hot footing it to the glamorous new addition to the Shoreditch scene that is McQueen.

The new bar and club in Tabernacle Street is inspired by vintage Hollywood and legends of the silver screen from the 1920s right through to the 1960s and calls to mind cinematic greats from Audrey Hepburn to Marlon Brando and James Dean and of course that king of cool, McQueen himself.

The interior design is iconic 1950s to a tee and styled as a sophisticated NYC loft apartment with oversized Chesterfields and Art Deco chrome, quilted leather panelling on the bar and walls, dark mahogany leather and reclaimed oak wood. A smattering of fur and antlers add to the overall effect.

Cocktails are inspired by Golden Age drinks popular with Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack but if those are not enough to keep you entertained, then aerial acts from some of the world’s best international performers will certainly do the trick.

For the more sedate, there’s an ever-evolving art collection – currently displaying a lavish mannequin styled sculpture in tribute to that other McQueen, the late Alexander.

And then both in the lounge and downstairs in the club, there’s a serious line-up of celebrity DJ’s and live bands.

Open Thursday – Sunday from noon

www.mcqueen-shoreditch.co.uk