Abandoned toilet turned into cocktail bar

The brother of Razorlight singer Johnny Borrell is to open a cocktail bar in an abandoned public toilet in London’s Kentish Town.

The newly installed sign positioned at the bar’s entrance. Twitter @ladyandgentsbar

William Borrell, co-founder of Vestal Vodka and brother of Razorlight singer Johnny Borrell, will open Ladies & Gentlemen this week.

Borrell, 36, first had to convince Camden council to put the loos on the market before securing a 15-year lease on the building, according to reports by the Evening Standard.

Its grand opening follows an 18-month battle with residents who had opposed his plan, prompting Borrell to announce the inclusion of a cocktail named “Nimby” on its menu. He said the serve’s ingredients had not been confirmed but that it would be a “short and bitter drink”.

Speaking to the paper, Borrel said the abandoned toilets were “just horriffic”, adding: “Pete Doherty wouldn’t go down there. But I just thought as a space it was great. When I went downstairs for the first time, I was struck by the four metre high ceiling with its glass bricks that give an incredible amount of light. It has 1920s or 1930s style scallop structural beams running through it and a green patterned marble mosaic on the floor. It really is incredible.”

Johnny Borrell of indie band Razorlight, William Borrell’s brother.

The bar will be part of a council scheme that means its toilets will be open to the public, a nod to its former use.

Ladies and Gentlemen is due to open to the public on Friday, 12 December.

Borrell follows a number of entrepreneurs who are turning former public into swanky drinking dens. Check out our top 10 London bars that were once public lavatories.