Chef Mark Hix's Pharmacy 2 awaits the "naughty night brigade" for weekend "lock-ins"

Chef Mark Hix is expecting the “naughty night brigade” to turn up to weekend “lock-ins” at Pharmacy 2, his chemist shop-inspired restaurant.

The Vauxhall venue, a collaboration between Hix and artist Damien Hirst, will open until 2am every Saturday night from tomorrow.

Hix, 53, who has a following among artists and celebrities, said DJs and a bar menu would give the restaurant a “bit of a club vibe”.

“I think people do want to be eating later, but this is not all about eating, it’s about music as well,” he said. “Diners who’ve come in at 8pm aren’t going to be in the slightest bit interested in staying until 2 in the morning. It depends who the DJ is — they bring a crowd. Is it when all my celeb mates turn up? Yeah, the naughty night brigade.”

The restaurant is within the Newport Street Gallery, currently hosting a Jeff Koons exhibition, but there’s no danger of the art getting damaged by revellers because the gallery closes at 10pm.

Hix said art was important in his restaurants because there was “a story” behind the works, but added: “Some restaurants just go out shopping and buy anything — which isn’t relevant. All the stuff that I have is commissioned by friends, so I know there’s a story behind it.”