clubs

This week sees the culmination of a frantic period of clubland musical chairs prompted by the sudden demise of Iceni, the former Penthouse club situated right in the heart of Mayfair. This excellent club fell foul of the local residents - casinos are one thing but nightclubs quite another. Poor Iceni suddenly found itself operating without a licence. But Iceni's misfortune turned in to the Hanover Grand's gain. Leading club promoter Rachel B, host of Iceni's Saturday-nighter Flipside, quickly set up a new Friday nightclub, opening today and called The Joint, at the Hanover Grand. "I was in America when Iceni closed," Rachel explains. "It ruined my holiday as I had to spend the whole time on the phone setting up The Joint." She has hired top house DJ, Judge Jules, to play alongside the jazz supremo Gilles Peterson, a quirky combination that just might work.

Meanwhile one of London's longest running clubs, Fresh'n'Funky, also leaves Iceni to continue its popular Wednesdays at the Hanover Grand. And, as if that were not enough, Malibu Stacey, the Grand's Saturday-nighter, is packed out with glamourpusses and hipsters.

But just when Iceni looked dead and buried, it has risen from the ashes claiming a council cock-up, and reopened, licence to boot. So Atomic Model, the Chelsea girl's delight, remains on a Friday and Rachel B, not wanting to let a good thing go to waste has reopened, wait for it...,Flipside.

The Hanover Grand, 6 Hanover St, W1 (071-499 7977). Iceni, 11 Whitehorse St, W1 (071-495 5333)