This year Playboy is celebrating its 50th Anniversary – the Chicago Playboy Club opened on 29 February 1960 – and it seems that it is considering a London reappearance. A year-long celebration, in honor of its iconic Playboy Bunny and world-famous Playboy Clubs, is being highlighted by commemorative merchandise and exclusive events around the world, including 50 Playboy Club parties in 50 cities, all held on one night; a uniquely-commissioned Playboy art exhibition at The Andy Warhol Museum; and newly designed Playboy apparel featured in some of the world's top retailers.

The London Clubs International (LCI) Rendezvous Club is in London’s Mayfair, not far from the old Playboy Casino in Park Lane, which was closed in the early ’80s. It has been reported that Playboy Enterprises is in discussions with LCI over opening a Playboy venue at the Rendezvous. However, it is thought that the American company is not considering a new venture into the casino market but thinking along the lines of a licensing model, with LCI running the casino and with a 'members-only' club branded Playboy.

It is said that Playboy Enterprises has made the opening of a club in London a priority this year. It is not clear whether the club would use the iconic Bunny Girl costumes for some female staff. Playboy licensing activities include location-based entertainment venues. Its first venue is located at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. In 2009, the company announced partnerships with entertainment venue operators for Playboy-branded entertainment destinations in Miami and Cancún, Mexico. These venues are expected to open in 2010. (E-03.22.10)

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