Restaurant Laki Kane in Islington to Close Down Soon After Its Recent Reopening

In a surprising turn of events, Laki Kane, the vibrant tropical cocktail bar and Thai restaurant located in the heart of Islington, has announced its closure. The news comes just months after the venue underwent a refreshing relaunch under new management.

Laki Kane opened its doors in 2018 and quickly became renowned for its lively bottomless brunches and unforgettable late-night parties. It received several accolades, including Time Out's Best Bar in Islington and GQ's Bar of the Week.

The email announcing the closure was sent out yesterday, expressing gratitude to customers for their support and sharing memories of the past few years. The closure is scheduled for September 1, 20XX.

The decision to close comes amidst mounting challenges faced by retail businesses in London, particularly bars, due to rising business costs and shifting consumer behaviours. Last week, London cocktail chain Simmons entered administration and announced plans to close four locations.

Laki Kane's financial position worsened over the year, according to full accounts filed up to 31 March 2024. Shifting from net assets of £15,705 in 2023, the bar and restaurant now stands with net liabilities of £9,139 in 2024.

Despite the relaunch, which took place in April, Laki Kane is now preparing to close permanently. The refreshed venue, featuring a new Caribbean-inspired menu, was promoted by an external PR firm for its relaunch party, which took place at the end of May.

However, a search for information related to the Laki Kane closing in August 2023 or its new management returns no results. When contacted for comment regarding the impending closure, Laki Kane did not respond.

Revolution Bars, a UK-based chain, also faced challenges last August when a restructuring plan involving 25 branch closures was approved. The impact of these closures and the closure of Laki Kane on the London bar scene remains to be seen.