Lola’s set for ownership MASH-up
The Tiki-themed club is being taken over by Cambridge rivals MASH

Iconic Cambridge nightclub Lola Lo, also known as Lola’s, has been purchased by the owners of rival club MASH in a major shake up of Cambridge’s nightlife scene.
The Tiki-themed club is set to be taken over by Fat Poppadaddys, a group with multiple sites in the South of England, including Cambridge based MASH.
Lola’s originally opened in 2011, joining a chain of Tiki-themed clubs across the South of England that promised to “sweep you off to the South Pacific”.
In a blog post on club promoters Nightlife Cambridge’s website, Fat Poppadaddys hinted at a “fresh look” for the club, potentially moving away from the venue’s Tiki theme. The post also stated that they expected price adjustments on drinks and tickets, creating a “mix of affordable nights and premium experiences”.
The club’s Sunday student night ‘La Vida’ is a major fixture in the Cambridge club calendar, with the club also hosting the weekly themed party night called ‘SLAY’.
The leader of Fat Poppadaddys, Louise Holly, expressed her “excitement” at taking over Lola’s, stating: “It was the first ever club night I ran (Thursdays at Lola’s). Lola Lo has always had a really special piece of my heart and it’s a venue I have always loved. It feels right that we are able to buy it and rejuvenate it for the next generation to enjoy”.
Holly also claimed there would be no changes to the status of current Lola’s employees, claiming that “all of the staff have still got jobs”.
Michael Bryce, the founder of club promotion group Nightlife Cambridge, told Varsity: “Lola’s acquisition marks a huge change for the nightlife scene in Cambridge. It is clear to me this is a major positive step towards having a more diverse plethora of events as new ownership will likely bring more promoters, meaning more nights, and healthy competition”.
“It is highly likely we’ll see a refit soon, and possibly a full rebranding. I’m also very excited and relieved on behalf of my friends and colleagues working at Lola’s that they are able to hold on to their roles,” he continued.
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17 October 2025