Tiger Tiger Nightclub Closes as Luxury Hotel Plans Move Forward

The iconic London nightclub Tiger Tiger has officially closed its doors, marking the end of an era in the capital’s nightlife. Situated just off Piccadilly Circus, the venue is now set to become a luxury hotel following years of financial struggles.

Tiger Tiger, owned by Novus Leisure, opened its flagship branch in Haymarket in 1998. Over its 26 years of operation, the club became a staple in London’s nightlife scene, with its expansive space featuring four floors, a restaurant, four dance floors, and five bars.

A statement on Tiger Tiger’s website expresses gratitude to patrons, promoters, DJs, managers, staff members, and partners for the memorable years. “Tiger Tiger London is now closed. Thank you to all patrons, promoters, DJs, managers, staff members and partners for years of incredible memories,” the statement read.

Frequent visitors and former staff have taken to social media to reminisce about their experiences at the club. A user by the name RossKillington, who identified himself as a regular DJ at Tiger Tiger, commented on its closure, stating, “It’s sad that another big nightclub has gone but it wasn’t exactly a surprise when I heard it was done.” He added, “Gonna miss it because we still used to get some lively crowds considering the context of London’s nightlife decline.”

The nightclub was not without controversy, having been fined £120,000 for mistakenly serving caustic soda with tequila shots instead of salt, an incident that resulted in several patrons suffering burns.

Plans submitted to the Westminster City Council detail the transformation of the eight-storey building, designed in an art deco style, into a 507-bedroom hotel. The planning application includes architectural designs by Ryder Architecture and consultancy by Centro Planning Consultancy. The proposed development aims to add a new eighth floor and a rooftop plant screen.

The anticipated hotel conversion would feature 507 rooms, with 10% designated as wheelchair-accessible, alongside a restaurant, comedy club, and rooms on the ground and basement levels.

Novus Leisure reportedly ended the last financial year with a debt of £91,156, as per financial records from Companies House dated December 31, 2023. The transformation of Tiger Tiger is seen as a reflection of changing dynamics in London’s hospitality landscape, as the city witnesses a shift from traditional nightlife venues to high-end accommodations.