Professor Green to open West End nightclub with Gerry Calabrese

14-Aug-2013 - Last updated on 15-Aug-2013 at 08:17 GMT

Hoxton Pony owner Gerry Calabrese has partnered with his brother and rapper Professor Green to launch INK nightclub in Leicester Square

British rapper Professor Green, Hoxton Pony owner Gerry Calabrese and his brother Jon are to open a nightclub called INK in London's West End next month.

The fifth-floor club at Number One Leicester Square takes inspiration from the East End tattoo parlours the pair frequent and will mark new territory for both with Green, aka Stephen Manderson, entering the industry for the first time and Calabrese making his West End debut.

Calabrese, who opened the Hoxton Pony in Shoreditch in 2008 and went on to create gin brand Hoxton Gin in 2011, told BigHospitality he and his brother had become friends with Green three years ago when he started visiting the bar and had been thinking about collaborating on a project for a while.

"So when I got the opportunity to take the lease on such a prime location of Number One Leicester Square we thought it would be a great opportunity to do something with Stephen and maximise the exposure of the venue as we share similar friends and views on service and music. It seemed like a fun thing to do," he said.

Operations

The team has recruited Ben Brahim Zaki, formerly of Bungalow 8 and Scotch in Mayfair as general manager, but both Gerry and Jon Calabrese and Green are expected to be hands-on with the business.

"I will of course be making regular appearances as I am a bit of a control freak," said Calabrese. "I will be heavily involved because at the end of the day it is my project and I want to make sure it is as successful as it can be and as well operated as it can be. Additionally mine and my brother's partner Stephen Manderson aka Professor Green will be heavily involved in the day to day running of the club as well."

INK will play a 'real mix of rock and roll and urban tracks' and is expected to host sets from top DJs and performers. The club will feature artwork from tattoo artists Nikole Lowe and Neil Ahern on its walls alongside graffiti murals and neon sculptures with Dimension Interiors designing the interior.

Calabrese has created a seasonal cocktail list influenced by the one served at the Hoxton Pony and bar snacks and sharing platters, which Calabrese has dubbed 'East End tapas' will also be served.

A limited number of £500 VIP memberships will also be available with members and two guests free entry any night and priority on table bookings.

Calabrese said there were no immediate plans to collaborate with Green on more projects, but did not rule it out.

"I think we have to see how this goes," he said. "The Calabreses are pretty impulsive people so we will have to wait and see."