Update, October 2026: Both clubs in this comparison have closed. Funky Buddha's room at 15 Berkeley Street is now Itzel (Thursday to Saturday), and the Cuckoo Club's floor is now 99 Regent Street (Wednesday to Saturday). The comparison below describes the two clubs as they were.
By Sophie Bennett, Senior Nightlife Editor
Last updated: 9 May 2026
Funky Buddha and Cuckoo Club have been fixtures of Mayfair nightlife for years, and they sit within walking distance of each other off Berkeley Street. Guests asked us constantly which of the two to book. The honest answer is that they serve very different purposes, and the right choice depends on what kind of night you want.
Two Mayfair Icons, Two Distinct Identities
Funky Buddha has built its reputation on hip-hop, R&B, and an atmosphere that prioritises dancing above everything else. The club has a storied history as one of London's original celebrity nightspots, and that energy carries through to the present day. On a Saturday the dancefloor was typically packed by 11:30pm, with the DJ mixing old-school hip-hop and current Afrobeats. The main room has a low ceiling that traps the energy, and the DJ booth sits elevated in the far corner, giving the whole space a focused, dancefloor-first layout.
Cuckoo Club operated with more restraint. The space was divided between an upstairs cocktail bar and a downstairs club, and the transition between the two created a natural rhythm to the evening. Many guests spent the first hour or two upstairs with cocktails before heading down when the music built up. It was a club that rewarded patience and let the night develop at its own pace. As Tatler's guide to London's best nightclubs notes, Mayfair's enduring venues are the ones that understand pacing, and Cuckoo Club exemplified that approach.
The Crowd and the Door
Funky Buddha draws a diverse, energetic crowd. You will find groups of friends who have come specifically to dance, birthday celebrations, and a healthy mix of Londoners and international visitors. The demographic tends to skew younger, mid-twenties to early thirties, and the energy is unapologetically high. The door policy is smart but not overly exclusive. If you are dressed well and in good spirits, you will get in. Check our Funky Buddha dress code guide for specifics.
Cuckoo Club attracted a slightly more polished crowd. The clientele tended to be fashion-conscious professionals, media types, and people who appreciate a quieter start to their evening. Saturdays brought a noticeably more glamorous crowd than Thursdays. The door was selectively managed, and the staff curated the room carefully. Our 99 Regent Street dress code guide covers the door at the space now.
Music and Atmosphere
This is the biggest difference between the two venues. Funky Buddha is, at its core, a hip-hop and R&B club. The DJs play what the crowd wants to hear, and the crowd wants to dance. Expect classic hip-hop, current chart R&B, Afrobeats, and the occasional dancehall track thrown in. The sound system is powerful and the bass hits hard, particularly near the main dancefloor. For hip-hop fans, it was one of the stronger rooms in Mayfair.
Cuckoo Club's music programme was more varied. Upstairs, the soundtrack was ambient and conversational. Downstairs, the DJs leaned into a mix of commercial house, deep house, and crossover R&B. The energy builds more gradually, and the peak comes later in the night, usually around 1am. It is a club where the music supports the atmosphere rather than dominating it.
Tables, Pricing, and Value
Both clubs ran on a minimum spend model for VIP tables. Our old terms are in the Funky Buddha table prices guide.
At 99 Regent Street, which now runs the Cuckoo Club's space, tables start from £600 minimum spend, and at Itzel, at 15 Berkeley Street, from £500, as of October 2026. Neither club takes bookings now; for the clubs open at the same addresses, you can book a 99 Regent Street table or book at Itzel directly through us.
Funky Buddha's table service tended to come with more theatre. Bottle presentations include sparklers, and the staff make an effort to create a moment. Cuckoo Club's service was efficient and attentive but less showy, which fitted the venue's more understated personality.
Getting In Without a Table
Both venues offered guestlist entry, and signing up was worthwhile even if you planned to book a table. Walk-ins on weekends are a gamble at both clubs. For the clubs open at these addresses now, join the Itzel guestlist or the 99 Regent Street guestlist, both of which take mixed groups. At Funky Buddha, arriving before midnight gives you the best chance on guestlist. At Cuckoo, the upstairs bar is generally more accessible, but the downstairs club fills up fast on Fridays and Saturdays.
Which Club Should You Choose
Choose Funky Buddha if you want to dance, if you love hip-hop and R&B, and if you want a night with high energy from start to finish. It is one of the best clubs in Mayfair for people who go out primarily to move. Choose Cuckoo Club if you prefer a night that transitions from sophisticated drinks to a late-night club experience, if your group values conversation as much as dancing, and if you appreciate a venue with a sense of restraint.
In our view, both clubs represented what Mayfair nightlife does best, but they catered to genuinely different moods. For a similar choice now, Itzel and 99 Regent Street both split their rooms by sound, so a group that cannot agree can still share one door.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you visit both Funky Buddha and Cuckoo Club in one night?
They are close enough to walk between, but re-entry is not guaranteed at either venue on busy nights. If you want to try both, arrive early at the first venue and plan to move by midnight at the latest. However, we would recommend committing to one and enjoying the full arc of the evening.
Which club is better for a birthday celebration?
Funky Buddha edges it for birthdays thanks to the high energy and bottle service presentations. The staff make an effort to spotlight birthday groups. Cuckoo Club worked well for smaller, more refined birthday dinners that turned into a night out via the upstairs bar.
Which club has better cocktails?
Cuckoo Club won here. The upstairs bar had a proper cocktail programme with skilled bartenders and an inventive menu. Funky Buddha's drinks are solid but the focus is firmly on bottle service and the dancefloor rather than individual cocktails.
Are both clubs open on weeknights?
Neither club is open now. At the same addresses, Itzel opens Thursday to Saturday and 99 Regent Street Wednesday to Saturday, with only one of its two floors running on Wednesday and Thursday. The first night of the week is the quietest at both and offers a more relaxed experience if you prefer less intensity. Check our best Thursday night clubs guide for more weeknight options.
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