Ku Bar on Lisle Street is the flagship of a group of Soho bars that includes a smaller Ku on nearby Frith Street and hot lesbian hang-out Candy Bar. In many ways it's the perfect gay venue, combining implausibly hot bar staff (BarCock's favourite is the spit of Michelangelo's David), a video juke-box crammed with Kylie and Britney, regular happy hours when selected drinks are just £1.50 and plenty of sociable seating (including a quieter upstairs cocktail lounge ideal for dates). Open seven days a week from noon 'til late, Ku attracts an eclectic fun-loving crowd.

Downstairs, the small basement Ku Club is home to some of the best fun parties in town including Shinky Shonky, scene darling Boogaloo Stu's bonkers Wednesday night mash-up of party games, cabaret and cheesy disco. On other nights, regular DJs include Tasty Tim and DJ P, and best of all entry is usually free. Word of warning - Tuesday nights see Ku Bar swapping places with Candy Bar, with the girls taking over Ku for ladies-who-like-ladies night Ruby Tuesday and the boys ruling the roost at Candy Bar. BarCock found this out the hard way, after spending ten minutes cruising what he thought was a cute Justin Bieberlike who turned out to be a Justine. Baby, baby, baby - no.

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