Police launched the review of Babylonian-themed restaurant Gilgamesh's licence

A restaurant and celebrity haunt famous for appearing on Masterchef was locked in a licence battle today (Thursday, February 2) after a man was glassed in the neck and three violent attacks went unreported to the police.

Police have lodged a licence review of Gilgamesh restaurant in Stables Market in Chalk Farm and claim in papers to Camden Council that the nightspot is “associated with serious crime or disorder”.

On December 18 last year a man suffered lacerations to his neck after reportedly stepping in to break up a fight between four women, the police report says.

It continues: “The victim stated that he had been placed in a headlock by security and he was taken to the floor. He said that he noticed that there was blood everywhere from his neck and that two bouncers dragged him to the kitchen exit.

“He said that whilst being taken across the dance floor another bouncer came over and punched him in the face.”

Staff closed the restaurant but police were not called until two hours later and when officers arrived they found the “crime scene” had been hastily cleaned of blood and broken glass and that CCTV recordings were inadequate, the police statement says.

The restaurant’s management has “categorically” denied anyone was injured that night despite staff reports to the contrary, the report continues.

Earlier that month during a fight between a group of men inside Gilgamesh a man removed his belt and wrapped it around his knuckles before hitting another man around the head.

In October a man had four teeth knocked out when he was punched in the face and in September a woman needed hospital treatment for glass injuries to her legs and face when a row with girls in the toilets spilled into another area of the club.

Supt Raj Kohli, of the Metropolitan Police, says in the licensing papers: “This venue has a history of serious violence and under reporting with the police.”

The Babylonian-themed restaurant and nightclub opened in 2006 serving pan-Asian food and has attracted the attention of London’s A-list crowd, including producer David Gest, rapper Chipmunk, singer Pixie Lott and pop legend Sir Cliff Richard.

It featured in the fourth series of Masterchef in 2008 and the Inside Soap Awards have been held there every year since 2007.

Interim measures were enforced by Camden Council on January 5 to remove manager Jeffrey Lim from running Gilgamesh and the number of door supervisors was increased at weekends.

Stricter controls were also placed on CCTV recording, incident records and staff logs, and alcohol can only be served in plastic containers outside the restaurant from 8pm until closing.

The council’s licensing committee was due to decide whether to make the temporary licence measures permanent at a meeting earlier today (Thursday, February 2).

Gilgamesh did not comment when contacted by the Ham&High.