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Madisons in Gabriel's Hill, Maidstone, to open Palms Boutique Nightclub influenced by Mayfair celebrity destination Annabel's

A new club in Maidstone is set to open tomorrow evening replacing a popular venue which closed in 2017.

Bosses have spent £250,000 on Palms Boutique Nightclub at Madisons, which stands at the former Strawberry Moons, in Gabriel's Hill.

A sneak peak inside Palms Boutique Nightclub before opening

The club, being labelled as "part tikki bar, part cocktail bar" is part of a scheme to make Madisons the go-to destination for your evening out.

In January 2020, Madisons restaurant opened as well as a rooftop bar, but because of the pandemic, the opening of Palms was pushed back.

On Saturday evening the wait will be over, and the bar, complete with a mirror wall and fiery cocktails, will welcome dancers back.

There is also a 17-metre light installation around the wall, designed by operations manager Ade Rowswell, and the sofas and walls are decorated with palm tree patterns.

The bar at Palms Boutique Nightclub
The bar at Palms Boutique Nightclub

Brothers Rob and Mark Wilson owned Strawberry Moons before it became Madisons and also own The Brenchley pub, in Maidstone High Street.

Speaking about how he wants customers to feel the first time they enter Palms, Mr Rowswell said: "Hopefully they get the 'wow factor'. The whole operation is absolutely around entertaining people and giving them a good time.

"It's a plush space with a welcoming atmosphere."

The venue's maximum capacity is 250 people and Mr Rowswell, who has worked with the Wilsons since the 1990s, says they took inspiration from the famous Mayfair club, Annabel's.

A host of celebrities have visited Annabel's, with Lady Gaga, Diana Ross and Tina Turner performing there.

Operations manager Ade Rowswell and bar manager Jay Grief
Operations manager Ade Rowswell and bar manager Jay Grief
Three of the signature cocktails at Palms Boutique Nightclub Pic: Ade Rowswell
Three of the signature cocktails at Palms Boutique Nightclub Pic: Ade Rowswell
A 17m wide light installation in Palms Boutique Night, in Madisons (52272404)
A 17m wide light installation in Palms Boutique Night, in Madisons (52272404)

Bosses hope people will arrive at Madisons restaurant to eat, and then head up to Palms for a dance afterwards. However, you don't have to eat at the restaurant in order to visit Palms.

"We always aimed for this multi-layered experience. Ultimately it's a destination venue," Mr Rowswell said.

As for the music, it will all be about "feel good songs, everything from Joel Corry to ABBA".

The club has three signature cocktails, including a mai tai which bartenders set on fire before serving up.

Madisons now stands in the place of Strawberry Moons, which closed in 2017
Madisons now stands in the place of Strawberry Moons, which closed in 2017
The double cubicle in the girl's loo at Strawberry Moons remains in Palms Nightclub Picture: Matthew Walker
The double cubicle in the girl's loo at Strawberry Moons remains in Palms Nightclub Picture: Matthew Walker

Perhaps the most important question for the Strawberry Moons devotees is whether the double cubicle in the ladies' loo has remained.

Mr Rowswell confirmed it has.

"We didn't take it out because everyone used to talk about," he added.

Palms Boutique Nightclub opens on Saturday, October 16, at 9pm. From then it will open on Fridays and Saturdays, and entry is free.

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