New look for York nightspot (From York Press)

The Gallery, in Clifford Street, re-opens as Kuda bar and club

8:56am Saturday 1st September 2012 in News By Kate Liptrot, kate.liptrot@thepress.co.uk

ONE of York’s best-known nightclubs was officially reopened last night following a £750,000 refit.

Kuda bar and club, formerly The Gallery, in Clifford Street, was almost gutted in a 12-week renovation project.

About 100 jobs have been created at Kuda, which was last night launched with live music, street magicians and a performance from Britain’s Got Talent finalists, Area 51. Actors starring in the Theatre Royal’s Bouncers also visited earlier in the day.

Kuda has a “South Pacific-themed Tiki Bar” serving cocktails and tapas, the Balearic-themed Mambo Lounge with booths and a sunset on screen and Kuda club itself with state-of-the-art lighting and sound system.

Dave Harrison, general manager of the venue, said: “I’m very excited about the opening. Kuda will offer something completely different in York. It’s an upmarket club at a reasonable price. You can come to Tiki Bar with your friends and have cocktails, go in the club and have a dance and go to Mambo and watch the sun go down.”

Kuda will be open seven nights a week from 7pm to 4.30am The nightclub is under new ownership after The Gallery’s parent company Luminar went into administration last autumn and a number of its clubs were bought out by Ranimul 2.

It had faced criticism from police, and licensing officer Mick Wilkinson had asked for a review of The Gallery’s licence by City of York Council , after crime rocketed by 1,050 per cent at the venue in the wake of cheap drinks promotions.

Mr Harrison said he saw the new ownership and revamp of the club as a fresh start. Kuda was given its name following an online poll and consultation with members of the public.

Forthcoming guest DJs in September will include Tim Westwood, Swerve, Lauren Pope, and K Klass.