Kingston’s only cocktail bar opened over the bank holiday weekend in place of McClusky’s nightclub.

Surrey Comet:

There were queues outside and queues at the bar during the opening weekend

The Viper Rooms specialises in cocktails and, with a bottle of champagne on the menu for £55,000, it appeals to a very different clientele than the venue's former occupant.

Polish Iced Tea, Solero and Chewit flavoured cocktails are available alongside the more traditional Mojitos and Caipirinhas.

The interior of the Thames Street venue is also now completely unrecognisable.

The bar has been split into three rooms, an industrial-styled lounge with views of the Thames, a club with a DJ suspended in a cage overlooking the dance floor and a New York style Bourbon Bar.

Revellers queued to get into the bar that opens from 3pm and offers half-price cocktails until 11pm. 

Kingston’s oldest nightclub, McClusky’s, announced its surprise closure on July 31.

Owners Harewood Group said it was rebranding the venue to fit in with Kingston Council’s policy of “encouraging upscale housing and retail”. 

Paul Kinsey, owner of the Harewood Group, said: “We have spent a great deal of time consulting the local community and have developed the Viper Rooms to directly meet customer desires and passions as well as the changing demographics of the region.

“Kingston Council has a policy to encourage upscale housing and retail.

“The Viper Rooms development is an integral and welcomed part of that development targeting a range of executives who are looking for the glamour and style associated with the riverside development.”

Kingstonfirst manage the town centre. 

A Kingstonfirst spokesman said:"With McClusky’s being such a huge part of Kingston’s nightlife for so many years, it was going to take something special to succeed it.

"Luckily the Viper Rooms is just that. It offers something different to what Kingston has had before, and it’s a great addition to the new riverside development."