The Groucho Club has redesigned one of its restaurants in tribute to former manager Bernie Katz, who looked after its clientele for more than two decades.
Katz, dubbed the Prince of Soho, died last year aged 49. Sienna Miller, Jaime Winstone and Noel Fielding were at his funeral.
The private members’ club in Dean Street has renamed The Backroom restaurant Bernie’s.
General manager Jeff Connon said its decor is inspired by Katz’s “eclectic wardrobe”, adding: “The Backroom needed some love and that is what Bernie had in abundance. We thought representing Bernie, his soul and his character, would lighten it.” It has gold leaf on the ceiling, animal-print cushions and velvet seats.
The club will donate to the foundation set up in his name every time they sell a raspberry martini (a favourite drink) or his trademark chicken soup. Katz, son of a London gangster, joined as a barman. He wrote the 2008 memoir Soho Society.
