Hootan Ahmadi, who is also a fully-qualified surgeon, joined forces with the Chinawhite team to transform the 575-capacity nightclub which will open on 27 March, featuring three interlinked spaces including a molecular cocktail lounge.
“Chinawhite has been one of the capital’s most iconic nightspots for many years,” said 34-year-old Ahmadi. “Good times and glamour are a vital part of its DNA and we want to hold onto that.
“Nightclubs tap into that frisson of excitement that comes with meeting new people but I also want Libertine to feel like a house party full of interesting people from all walks of life.”
Reason & Mankind
Reason & Mankind, Libertine’s new cocktail lounge, will serve up ‘cutting-edge’ drinks with help from leading multisensory mixologists Fluid Movement – one of the bar staff at Purl is now the head bartender at Reason & Mankind.
The area is designed as a speakeasy-style den featuring embossed wallpaper and velvet banquettes.
Guests planning on bypassing the bar for the main nightclub will enter via a mirrored glass walkway, with the main bar area layered with tiers of seating and tables at ascending levels.
50-ft screen
Custom-made oak tables are framed by metallic upholstery that changes colour according to the lighting, and one of the nightclub’s walls houses a 50-ft screen projecting images and films. A ‘secret doorway’ leads to an additional private VIP room.
Libertine will also hold specially-curated one-off nights which will offer live performance and theatre.
Chinawhite was previously situated near London’s Regent Street but the club closed in December 2008 due to the building being sold. It re-opened in October 2009 at 4 Winsley Street. Cost of entry at Libertine is £20, with the venue being open on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10.30pm – 3am.
Nightclub entrepreneur Ahmadi, has worked for over a decade at an array of London’s nightspots including Boujis, Purple and Kensington Roof Gardens.