By James Weatherup
Lizzie Cundy opened the new Rhino Windmill and then went on a tour around Buckingham Palace and London in a fairytale horse-drawn carriage.
The TV and radio personality cut the ribbon to declare the new club in Great Windmill Street, Soho, officially open, following a £5 million refurbishment.
Dressed to impress, the former F1 grid girl Lizzie, who was involved in the venue’s launch, said:
“I’m delighted to declare the Rhino Windmill open. This is all about being glam, empowering women, and giving them choices. “
The Rhino group snapped up the new building, which has an illustrious past, after their former club in Tottenham Court Road closed due to COVID restrictions. The Windmill is famous for not only launching the careers of celebrities like Peter Sellers, and Bruce Forsyth but also for never closing during The Blitz.
With air raid sirens blaring, but with gas masks and hard hats at the ready, the showgirls performed throughout the war – the only entertainment venue to bravely defy the Nazis. Its catchy motto, “never closed,” morphed over the years into “never clothed” and soon became London’s answer to Paris’s Moulin Rouge and Folies Bergere.
Now the iconic venue has reopened as the Rhino Windmill, the newly reopened late-night entertainment venue in London.
The celebrations will continue with a special 95th anniversary extravaganza set to follow in June. Subject to a recent glittering no-expense-spared revamp, the legendary late-night club has been recruiting performers from across the UK for the past two months.
Plans are also underway for an inclusive Sunday afternoon showcase, featuring high-energy live performers in a welcoming setting, ideal for hen parties and lovers of live performance alike. Downstairs, the NOXX nightclub, complete with its own private entrance, keeps the party going until 5am. Additionally, both venues are available for launch parties, events and filming, capturing the true spirit of Soho.
The Rhino’s Head Chef has crafted a bold, crowd-pleasing menu designed to match the energy of the venue, delivering exceptional food that feels both indulgent and accessible in the lively hub of London’s theatre district.
At the centre is the signature Windmill Burger, stacked with a double beef patty, smoked applewood cheddar and bacon, alongside a Milanese sandwich served on toasted brioche with crispy chicken, mozzarella, roquette and sun-dried tomatoes. The menu is rounded out with a selection of refined small plates, from Rhino rings and beef sliders to wild mushroom arancini, deep-fried cod and tempura prawns, each dish created with flavour and quality at the forefront.
Marketing & Events Manager Jeremy Nargi said:
“We are absolutely thrilled we are re-opening at such an historic venue in Soho.
“The Windmill has entertained London for generations, and we have re-created somewhere amazing for people to come, have a drink, and connect with others.
“We are also opening an exclusive nightclub downstairs called NOXX in the beating heart of London’s West End, which will be open until 5am.”
An army of builders and electricians has been working on the venue, in Great Windmill Street, for the past nine months. Rhino took over the building after their own flagship venue in nearby Tottenham Court Road was closed five years ago because of COVID-19 restrictions and a flood.
