A LONDON club popular with the likes of Taylor Swift and Liam Gallagher is closing after claims a “serious crime” took place there.
Groucho Club in Soho was alleged to have a room where guests could buy cocaine and became famous for bathroom romps throughout the eighties and nineties.
But the members-only haunt had its licence suspended by Westminster City Council on November 26 following a request by the Metropolitan Police.
Groucho Club, named after American comic Groucho Marx, is understood to have co-operated with the council and acknowledged the severity of the allegations.
“This decision follows reports that a serious crime may have taken place at the premises in circumstances linked to a breach in the premises licencing conditions,” a council spokesperson said.
“The allegations are subject to an ongoing police investigation and we cannot comment further at this stage.”
A full hearing must take place within 28 days from when the Met submitted the review application.
In a statement, the Met Police said: “The suspension will take effect immediately and follows an application made by the Metropolitan Police Service on the grounds that the venue had breached its licensing conditions and had been the scene of a recent serious criminal offence.
“The investigation into that offence is ongoing and as a result, there is a limit to the detail that can be provided.”
The Sun has approached The Groucho Club for comment.
Over the years, regulars included singers Robbie Williams, Freddie Mercury, Liam Gallagher, Lily Allen, her dad Keith, Mighty Boosh funnyman Noel Fielding and model Cara Delevingne.
Madonna, Courtney Love, Kate Moss and Blur legend Alex James were also seen partying until the early hours of the morning.
In the main lounge, mobile phones are banned, allowing members to relax without their brawls, clinches or drunken exploits being recorded.
There were few rules, and the ones that did exist — particularly no drugs — were often broken.
An upstairs room was nicknamed the Peruvian Procurement Department for the alleged availability of cocaine.
But a letter is circulating claiming that the 39-year-old institution is “almost dead” due to high prices and a “less fun” attitude.
Many colourful members have been kicked out, and beloved manager Bernie Katz died in suspicious circumstances after being “retired” in 2017.
A statement issued by the Metropolitan Police said:
“The suspension will take effect immediately and follows an application made by the Metropolitan Police Service on the grounds that the venue had breached its licensing conditions and had been the scene of a recent serious criminal offence.
“The investigation into that offence is ongoing and as a result, there is a limit to the detail that can be provided.”
PR man Mark Borkowski, a member since the Groucho opened in 1985, thinks the club can no longer accept the kind of hedonism witnessed in its Nineties and Noughties heyday.
He says: “I have seen some extraordinary sights, but times have changed.
“You could not in any shape or form get away with the behaviour of a leading club in this day and age without being shut down.”
When The Groucho Club opened, it was an exciting alternative to the typically male-dominated private members’ clubs where patrons were expected to wear ties.
