Tulkinghorn is most grateful to Reg Ozcan, the Macfarlanes assistant solicitor who has sent in the definitive answer to the “why is Spearmint Rhino so called” question we asked a fortnight ago. Mr Ozcan is marvellously well read rather than knowing the lap dancing establishment intimately, and it seems that The Observer newspaper answered the question that was driving Tulkinghorn mad.
So here is the explanation taken from article: “A chain of children's restaurants – branded Peppermint Elephant – were quickly converted into table dancing clubs. Struggling for a name, [John] Gray [the founder] and cohorts played around with their options. They were adamant they didn't want anything sleazy. Spearmint Rhino was born.” So there you have it. Buy that man a drink.