An attack so violent the borough commander described it as the worst he had seen "in 29 years of service" has temporarily closed a new Kingston cocktail bar.

The Viper Rooms, in Thames Street, will not be open this weekend after Kingston Council's licensing committee revoked its licence pending a full review hearing on November 12. 

Two French nationals were attacked by seven men in Clarence Street just past 2am on Monday, October 19 after they had been drinking at the Viper Rooms.

In a review called by Kingston police into the Riverside bar’s licence, that was heard today, borough commander Glenn Tunstall said the attack was "sustained" and officers had to use CS spray when the group "became violent" towards them.

He said: "I have viewed the CCTV and cannot recollect a more violent and sustained assault in my 29 years of service.

"The two victims had to receive hospital treatment, however I am genuinely surprised that this horrendous attack did not result in more serious, life changing injuries."

He had been "concerned" by the increase in violence around the venue since it opened, he added.

Surrey Comet:

The Viper Rooms opened after a £500,000 refurb 

Kingston’s oldest nightclub McClusky’s was rebranded as the Viper Rooms by owners Harewood after a £500,000 refurb at the end of August.

At the time owner Paul Kinsey said he wanted to attract a crowd of "executives and young professionals" and that the company had its sights set on a spot at the proposed sky bar development in Eden Walk.

After a 39-year-old woman headbutted another female at the venue last month, Mr Kinsey told the Comet it was an "isolated incident" and that the bar had admitted "more than 10,000" revellers since opening.

Today he said: "We always liaise with police and other stakeholders on a weekly basis.

"The owners of The Viper Rooms accepted that a closure of the venue for this weekend was appropriate to allow further discussions to be held with police, and as always we will continue to cooperate fully with the police in our joint objective of minimizing crime and disorder in the town."

The Viper Rooms is opposite the former Essence nightclub, which had its licence revoked in 2014 following a 30-man brawl involving drunken revellers brandishing scaffolding poles outside.

More than half the 210 customers identified on the night of the street fight had criminal convictions including attempted murder, possession of firearms, sexual assault and robbery.

The most recent Riverside fight comes as the council is reviewing its licensing policy with plans to stop town centre nightclubs from opening and cracking down harder on clubs.

Kiss FM DJ Justin Wilkes has taken up a Thursday night residency at The Viper Rooms and described it as a "really well managed and flexible venue".

Three men - Nathan Peardon, 23, of School Lane, Surbiton, Jay Beer, 21, of David Twigg Close, Kingston and Scott Moodie, 28, from Hammersmith - have been charged with actual bodily harm with intent.

Mr Peardon and Mr Beer have also been charged with affray and Mr Moodie with criminal damage.

All three have been bailed to appear at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on November 4 and banned from the town centre.