CHICAGO, June 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Playboy Enterprises, Inc. (PEI) and London Clubs International (LCI) announced the official opening of Playboy Club London on Saturday evening, June 4 with a star-studded gala event. The new gaming and entertainment venue is located in the exclusive Mayfair area of London.
The private function, hosted by Playboy Founder Hugh Hefner, saw VIP guests hit the red carpet before heading inside the exclusive private members' venue for the first time. Once inside the Jestico + Whiles designed Club, guests were greeted by the newly-recruited London Bunnies, who were wearing iconic Playboy Bunny Costumes complete with ears, collar, cuffs and fluffy white tail.
Guests were then treated to bespoke cocktails by renowned mixologist Salvatore Calabrese and canapes by Executive Head Chef Judy Joo, before enjoying blackjack and roulette on the gaming floor and entertainment by DJ Vice.
Mr. Hefner said upon arrival at the gala party: "I'm thrilled to be here for this very special occasion that celebrates the return of the Playboy Club and its iconic Bunnies to London. People still remember with great fondness the sophistication and romance that the original London Club offered when it opened in 1966. There is a retro-chic quality about Playboy Club London and its Bunnies that will give today's guests an experience they may have missed the first time around."
Hefner attended the event with friends and family including fiancee Crystal Harris, and his two sons Marston and Cooper. LCI CEO Michael Silberling, Playboy CEO Scott Flanders and Hugh Hefner raised their glasses in a toast to the success of the new Club. The evening was spent greeting other VIP guests before partying the night away in the Cottontail Lounge at the Playboy Club London.
About Playboy Enterprises, Inc.
Playboy is one of the most recognized and popular consumer brands in the world. Playboy Enterprises, Inc. is a media and lifestyle company that markets the brand through a wide range of media properties and licensing initiatives. The company publishes Playboy magazine in the United States and abroad and creates content for distribution via television networks, websites, mobile platforms and radio. Through licensing agreements, the Playboy brand appears on a wide range of consumer products in more than 150 countries as well as retail stores and entertainment venues.
About London Clubs International Limited
London Clubs International Limited is a British gambling company that was purchased in 2006 by a subsidiary of Caesars Entertainment, Inc.
About Playboy Club London
Creatively designed to incorporate influences from the original Playboy Club London that opened in 1966, the new venue integrates gaming with contemporary nightlife in a setting that combines the sexy and sophisticated feel of Playboy with the international allure of London. The 17,000 square foot property spread over two floors was designed by acclaimed London-based architects Jestico + Whiles.
The most attractive feature of Playboy Club London is undoubtedly the return of the Playboy Bunnies to Europe. The beautiful Playboy Bunny hostesses, croupiers and cocktail servers have a world-wide and well-deserved reputation for their style and graciousness.
The original Playboy Club London opened in 1966 at 45 Park Lane. At that time, the Club attracted some of the most influential clientele in London including Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Joan Collins, George Best, Jack Nicholson, John Cleese, Roger Moore and Muhammad Ali. The new exclusive Club will again cater to some of the biggest names in entertainment, sports and business.
Mr. Hefner opened the first Playboy Club in Chicago in 1960 and the venues quickly became the embodiment of sexy sophistication and one of the world's most successful night club chains. The Playboy Clubs, together with the hotel, casino and resort facilities, eventually included 40 properties in 25 states and seven countries. As the company continues to expand its global presence through multi-faceted entertainment venues, Playboy Club London joins Playboy Club Las Vegas at The Palms Casino Resort, Playboy Club Macao, and Playboy Club Cancun.
SOURCE Playboy Enterprises, Inc.
