20/03/15: Once upon a time, lost in the mist-wreathed doldrums of the ancient gay past (about five years ago) I used to work for Ku Bar. Since then, I’ve always returned to the brand when out for a quick drink on the Soho razz.
Gruff-demeanour-but-heart-o’-Irish-gold owner Gary Henshaw has made a bar that sums up all the tantalising titillation of the gay scene with its sexy bar boys and Andrew Christian carwash videos on screens, but then some, too: a place of community.
You can be sure to find familiar faces at the bar, from Scott Westron to Colm Howard-Lloyd to Timothy Lock with his pint of Fosters, and the smiles the staff wear in place of their tops come from it being a genuinely enjoyable place to work.
Nieko will be hosting in his usual fabulous attire; Gary’s always at the end of the bar from 5.30 onwards with dog in tow, supervisor Damien’s probably considering an improbably long Facebook rant about the state of the queer world.
It feels welcoming and embracing, and a lot of other bars could learn from getting this atmosphere right. Last Friday night was no exception and may Ku long reign its pop perfection over Soho!
30 Lisle Street, WC2H 7BA
Words by Pat Cash
Photos by Mark Storey
