There are exciting plans afoot at Ku Bar — we caught up with Business Manager Scott Priestley for a chinwag about what’s in store for 2025!
It’s been quite a year for the Ku Group. Have you got a favourite memory for 2024?
Pride celebrations are always an important event in our calendar. Seeing all our venues packed with love, laughter, and our beautiful community coming together in full force — it’s always humbling.
Your venues always look so fresh! Have you got plans for any changes or ‘nips ‘n’ tucks’ this year?
Absolutely — we’re always evolving to keep our venues exciting and welcoming. We just finished a little nip ‘n’ tuck of the Lounge, our cocktail venue at Ku Leicester Sq. It’s important to us to ensure that our venues are always in tip-top shape ensuring Ku continues to provide our customers with welcoming and safe spaces.
You’ve been at the centre of LGBTQ+ London for many years now, what do you think the key is to keep relevant?
The key is staying connected to the community and our team. LGBTQ+ culture is constantly evolving, and we make it a priority to listen and adapt. Whether that’s refreshing our venues, hosting events that reflect the diversity of our community, or simply offering a welcoming space, we’re always working to keep Ku Group vibrant and relevant. You’re the only L bar in town! How important
is it to you to have a safe space for lesbians in London?
It’s incredibly important to us. Spaces for queer women have always been rare, and She fills a vital role in ensuring lesbians and queer women have
a place to feel celebrated and supported. She is a space for connection, laughter, and empowerment.
How was your NYE?
New Year’s Eve is one of our favourite nights of the year! Across the Ku Group venues, our theme was The Great Gatsby. We had DJs, performances, and all the energy you needed to ring in 2025, it was unforgettable!
And looking ahead to 2025, can you tell us what exciting plans the Ku group has?
2025 will see the Ku brand turn 30 which is a huge achievement as one of the oldest independent LGBTQ+ bars in Soho! So of course, in Ku style, we will be planning a big party for this and we’ll keep you updated on our plans. We will also continue to plan more diverse events to bring our community together and explore ways to make our venues even more inclusive.
And finally, the most important business: Kylie or Madonna?
Kylie has such infectious pop energy and is perfect for any celebration. But, of course, Madonna is a legend, and we wouldn’t be where we are today without her trailblazing. That being said I’d have to stick with the Aussie Queen, Kylie.
We’re at the bar, what can we get ya?
Ah, thanks! I’ll have a pint of Pravha.
Stay up to date @kubarlondon or pay a visit to one of London’s leading independent LGBTQ+ venues:
Ku Bar and Klub, 30 Lisle Street, WC2H 7BA
Ku Lounge, 1 Newport Place, WC2H 7JR
Little Ku, 25 Frith Street, W1D 5LB
She Soho, 23a Old Compton Street, W1D 5JL
