Blog Archives
Guide to New Year’s Eve parties in London 2016/2017
Run away to the Dark Circus Party this New Year’s Eve
© Bourne & Hollingsworth
After Brexit, Trump and a string of entertainment icons dying, it’s safe to say many of us are looking forward to seeing the back of 2016. Fortunately, there’s a host of celebrations to help you welcome in 2017, from clubbing, to meals and fancy dress or fireworks, depending on your taste and budget. With all the listings below, I would highly recommend booking in advance to take advantage of some early bird prices and to avoid disappointment as many will sell out. Many events won’t be taking walk-ups. The festivities have divided into the best events in Central, North, South, East and West London to help you plan your last night of 2016.
Don’t forget, TFL will be providing free public transport from 11.45pm on New Year’s Eve until 4.30am on New Year’s Day.
Central London
- New Year’s Eve firework display over the River Thames
Thousands expected to take to the north and south of the River to watch the fireworks display near the London Eye. Since 2014, City Hall has introduced a fee to cover costs. Tickets went on sale in November. There will be a lot of congestion or potential closures of some tube stations around the Embankments so check with TFL before you travel. For more information of where you can and can’t access without a ticket, visit the London.gov.uk website.
- New Year’s Eve Stand Up Show – Comedy Store
Start your night off with some comedy from MC Charlie Baker, Jo Caulfield, Markus Birdman, Larry Dean, Phil Nichol. After you’ve laughed yourself silly, there will a DJ spinning tracks after for some dancing. Doors open at 5pm, 2 shows at 6pm and 9.30pm. Tickets £26-£52. The Comedy Store, 1a Oxendon Street, SW1Y 4EE. Nearest stations: Piccadilly Circus or Leicester Square. For more information, visit the Comedy Store website.
- New Year at the White Mansion
Flamboyant party spread over two floors, including 1 art room, 1 VIP area and 2 lounges. Featuring DJs Joffrey Bogart, Fabrizia, Amin Sane, musicians Aaron Liddard and Sam, live performers and entertainers. Dress code: White. 9pm-4am. Tickets start at £24. Address to be sent to guests 48 hours beforehand. For tickets, visit The Mansion London website.
- Prohibition 1920s New Year’s Eve party
Say hello to 2017 in 1920s style at this prohibition-themed party, includes live music, gramophone DJs, gambling, dancers and cocktails. Dress code: 1920s. 9pm-3am. Tickets: £55 or £65 with a dance class. In a secret London location to be revealed two weeks before. For more information, visit the Bourne And Hollingsworth website. Read the rest of this entry
Guide to New Year’s Eve parties in London 2015/2016
This is last year’s guide. For the 2016/2017 guide to New Year’s Eve in London, click here.
2016, we’re ready for you! Party the night away as you say goodbye to 2015
Can you believe 2015 is nearly over? Many people can’t wait to put the year to bed once and for all, but why not say goodbye in style and welcome 2016 with a bang. For those who want something a bit more exciting than staying in a M&S Meal For Two and Jools Holland, there’s a host of celebrations, from clubbing, to meals and fancy dress or fireworks, depending on your taste and budget. With all the listings below, I would highly recommend booking in advance to take advantage of some early bird prices and to avoid disappointment as many will sell out. Many events won’t be taking walk-ups. The festivities have divided into the best events in Central, North, South, East and West London to help you plan your last night of 2015.
Don’t forget, TFL will be providing free public transport from 11.45pm on New Year’s Eve until 4.30am on New Year’s Day.
Central London
- New Year’s Eve firework display over the River Thames
Thousands expected to take to the north and south of the River to watch the fireworks display near the London Eye. Since 2014, City Hall has introduced a £10 fee to cover costs. Tickets went on sale in early December. There will be a lot of congestion or potential closures of some tube stations around the Embankments so check with TFL before you travel. For more information of where you can and can’t access without a ticket, visit the London.gov.uk website.
- Bourne & Hollingsworth Presents: The Midnight Ball
Step back in time to a time of balls, princesses and heroes. Featuring live music, cocktail bar, DJs and horse-drawn carriage rides. Dress code: Black tie for men and cocktail dresses/ballgowns for ladies. 9pm–3am. Early bird £50, General admission £60 (9pm – 3am), Cocktail and canapé reception plus general admission – £90, (7pm – 3am, includes glass of champagne on arrival, canapés and bowl food from 7.30pm). The Dutch Hall, 7 Austin Friars, City of London, EC2N 2HA. Nearest station: Liverpool Street or Bank. For tickets, visit Ticketporte.
- New Year’s Eve Stand Up Show – Comedy Store
Start your night off with some comedy from MC Paul Thorne, Mike Gunn, Pete Johansson, Marlon Davis and Rob Deering. After you’ve laughed yourself silly, there will a DJ spinning tracks after for some dancing. Doors open at 5pm, 2 shows at 6pm and 9.30pm. Tickets £29-£49. The Comedy Store, 1a Oxendon Street, SW1Y 4EE. Nearest tube: Piccadilly Circus or Leicester Square. For more information, visit the Comedy Store website.
- Prohibition 1920s New Year’s Eve party
Say hello to 2016 in 1920s style at this prohibition-themed party, includes live music, gramophone DJs, gambling, dancers and cocktails. Must dress in 1920s costume. 9pm-2am. Tickets: £45. In a secret London location. For more information, visit the Bourne And Hollingsworth website.
Head underground for post-war frolics in Cahoots
- Cahoots presents a New Year’s Eve Knees-Up
Welcome in 2016 in post-war style, with a champagne reception, entertainment from Hotsie Totsies and DJ Emilio playing fabulous jazz and lindyhop. 8pm-4am. Tickets: £120 (bar), £150 (table) – Includes Moët Et Chandon champagne reception, bottomless Belvedere cocktails, bottle of house spirits for two, plus food rations served all evening. Dress code: Debonair vintage. Cahoots, 13 Kingly Court, Soho, W1B 5PW. Nearest tube: Oxford Circus or Piccadilly Circus. For booking, visit the Cahoots website. For Metro Girl’s review of Cahoots, click here.
- Amor Boat Party
Party as you cruise down the Thames, while having the best view of the capital’s fireworks on this four-hour boat party. House music by Amor and Space DJs over two decks. Boat party 8.30pm-1am, After-party @ Konnect in Victoria from 8pm-6am. Tickets: £25-£115. Boat departs from Westminster Pier. Nearest station: Westminster. For more information, visit the Amor Boat Party website.
Celebrate the advent of summer at the RVLRY warehouse festival 2015
Celebrate the weekend at RVLRY – a secret warehouse festival in Chelsea
Looking for something a bit different this weekend? Well, how about a warehouse festival in Chelsea? The team behind pop-up brand Roxx are bringing together some of the capital’s best DJs, food trucks, live acts, art installations and fashion brands for one special day-to-night event.
Taking place this Saturday 30 May, RVLRY will be a combination of indoor festival and warehouse party. The daytime action will start with a relaxed festival vibe outdoors with performances from acoustic artists. When the sun goes down, London DJs The Space Cowboys (The Cuckoo Club), and Nicola Robinson (It’s Rude To Stare) will really be getting the party going indoors. There will also be entertainment until the early hours from beat boxing harmonica players, double percussionists, LED sax players, electric guitarists, and rock’n’roll live bands.
Also taking part will be some of London’s quirkiest boutique brands and new talent, including Pritch London fashion, a community art project managed by Talenthouse, art from James Mylne, Rich Simmons & Elmo Hood, jewellery by Other Goods, and photography by David Richardson. Meanwhile, drinks brands Crystal Head Vodka, Don Julio and Pistonhead beer will be among those keeping you lubricated, while Kurobuta, Tommy’s Burger Joint and The Wandering Chef will be keeping hunger at bay.
The event will be taking place in a warehouse space in the heart of Chelsea, with full details to be revealed to ticket holders nearer the time.
- RVLRY takes place on Saturday 30 May 2015. 6pm–3am. Tickets from £20. For more information and tickets, visit Design My Night.
Fu Manchu review: Cocktails, dim sum and dancing at Clapham’s new drinking den
Fu Manchu is a sophisticated drinking and dim sum parlour in Clapham
Clapham has long been a draw for South Londoners for a night out with its extensive range of restaurants and bars. As a frequent visitor to Clapham, I believe there’s been a gap in the market for somewhere a bit more sophisticated and a more attractive late night option than Infernos!
Fruity: Lin Tang’s Szechaun Sling
Injecting new life into Clapham’s bar scene is new late night drinking and dim sum den Fu Manchu. Located in railway arches at Clapham North, the venue is inspired by Sax Rohmer’s cult character Fu Manchu. Entering the bar, the bare brickwork, Eastern-influenced interiors and graphic arts projections, gives a feeling of being in an old Opium Den. Full of little nooks and crannies, there’s some private hidden areas in the venue for those who want a bit of privacy or high tables and bar stools for those who like to be centre of the action. I particularly liked the lighting projection of Fu Manchu on the wall as soon as you enter.
I was invited to the launch this week to check out the new spot and was immediately won over. The cocktail list features inventive twists on classics named after characters and plots from Fu Manchu’s adventures, such as Lin Tang’s Szechuan Sling (Homemade Szechuan pepper shrub, Finlandia Mango Vodka, Yellow Chartreuse and Mango Juice) and Manchu’s Mind Control (Secret grog recipe shaken with mango, guava and lime juice). I tried both and really liked the fruity freshness of the Sling, while my sister was a fan of the Mind Control which was served in an amazing Fu face tumbler. On the night in question, the bar was incredibly busy, but the staff were fast and obviously expert mixologists, whipping up concoctions swiftly.
Food wise, there’s an extensive range of dim sum – both steamed, fried and baked depending on your preference. We tried several of the steamed dim sum and it was a delicious accompaniment for a social evening out. As well as offering drinks and dim sum, the venue is open until 3am on weekends with DJs spinning Nu Disco and Soulful House. For me, Fu Manchu had that winning combination of good drinks, service, food and atmosphere – which is rare to find all four. I’ll definitely be back.
Delicious: Dim sum is served in wicker baskets
- Fu Manchu, 15-16 Lendal Terrace, Clapham North, SW4 7UX. Nearest station: Clapham North. For more information, visit the Fu Manchu website.
For more of Metro Girl’s bar and restaurant reviews, click here.
Revisit the music, fashion and fun of the Nineties at Playback: The 90s Party
Are you ready to take it back to the ’90s?
Retro has always been popular, with many of us revisiting former decades such as the 1920s, 1950s and 1970s. However, it is only recently that enough time has passed for us to be able to revisit the 1990s. However, unlike many of the other decades where we only have old photos and history books to guess what it would be like, most of us actually remember the 1990s. There were various big music movements over the decade – Britpop, grunge, R&B and of course, the Spice Girl’s cheesy pop, with many classic tunes of the time no doubt remaining on your playlists today.
Event organising supremos Bourne & Hollingsworth have already won over many fans with their Blitz, Prohibition and Dark Circus parties. With the ’90s dominating this season’s fashion trends, it’s the perfect time to revisit the decade in all it’s forms – music, fashion and drinks at Playback: The 90s Party.
Anyone for a Frozen Daiquiri or Blue Lagoon?
Over the late May Bank Holiday Weekend, an East London warehouse will be transformed into a ’90s pleasure palace, inspired by hotspots of the decade such as The Viper Room, Ministry Of Sound, and Supernova Heights. The venue will be split into two large spaces, including a games room inspired by Nintendo, dance podiums and a screen showcasing classic films and VJ mash-ups from the decade. Guests will be encouraged to get down to their favourite tracks in a ’90s break dance-off.
DJs will be blasting music from the era so there will be something for everyone with pop, rock, and hip-hop all covered. There will also be special guests from the ’90s performing live. Dotted around the venue will be cocktail bars with Bourne & Hollingsworth bartenders serving up iconic concoctions from the ’90s including Frozen Daiquiris, Pina Coladas, Wibbles and Blue Lagoons.
Of course, the event will be fancy dress so revisit your old tribe – be it grunge girl/guy, rock God, preppy freshman, wannabe rapper or technicolour raver. Ladies, think slip dresses, body suits and high-waisted denim, while gents – it may be time to dig out the flannel, ripped jeans, Adidas tracksuits, acid brights and bucket hats. There will also be a hair and make-up stand at the bash should you need some help to create your look.
- Playback: The 90s Party takes place at The Laundry, 2-18 Warburton Road, London Fields, E8 3FN. Nearest station: London Fields. Take place on Friday 22 and Saturday 23rd May 2015, from 8pm-2am. Tickets: £25 (strongly recommend buying in advance as likely to sell out). For more information and tickets, visit the Playback party website.
UPDATED: Playback: The 90s Party will return to East London on Saturday 4 July 2015.
For a guide to what else is on in London this month, click here.
For a review of brunch at the Bourne & Hollingsworth Buildings, click here.
Back to the White Isle: Relaxing and partying in Ibiza
San Antonio draws 100s of holidaymakers to watch its beautiful sunset from the seaside cafes
For anyone who likes clubbing or dance music, Ibiza is a must do at least once in their lifetime. I have been twice and am definitely planning to return. I have clubbed in London since the late ‘90s and noticed a huge decline in clubs over the years. Most of the superclubs have closed down, with Fabric one of the few exceptions, so no wonder so many people are drawn to the Balearic Island every summer. While I’m usually a lover of culture and sight-seeing when I go abroad, my recent holiday to Ibiza was strictly partying, eating and chilling out.
In June this year, I spent a week on the White Isle. My previous visit two years ago was very fleeting, so I was looking forward to exploring more of the island’s resorts and nightlife. The three main resorts for those looking to party are Ibiza Town, Playa d’en Bossa and San Antonio. Ibiza Town is the island capital and includes a huge range of restaurants, port side bars for pre-clubbing drinking and is home to the iconic Pacha – the original Ibiza club which has been there since 1973. It also includes the UNESCO World Heritage Site old town with the cathedral, museums and a necropolis for those looking for some history.
Check into the Hotel Es Vive for some R&R in between partying
Vista: The rooftop terrace at the Hotel Es Vive was a relaxing place to finish the day
Café Mambo is a good place to eat, watch the sunset and start off your evening
A great place to stay near all the action is Hotel Es Vive – a boutique hotel located just west of Ibiza Town and near Figueretas beach. The hotel provided a perfect place to unwind after the hedonism of the night before. Es Vive is designed in an Art Deco style with swimming pool, spa, restaurant and bar. The food and cocktails were delicious and the service was top-notch. The staff throughout the hotel were incredibly friendly and had answers to any question you had. As well as giving you all the clubbing information you need, there was often an on-site DJ playing tunes as you sunbathe around the pool. However, as you may have noticed in previous posts, I’m a sucker for a rooftop venue so was particularly drawn to the rooftop terrace at the hotel. Including comfortable sunbeds and chairs, it’s a great place to catch some late afternoon rays and watch the yachts on their way to Ibiza Town. Although I didn’t get one myself, my friend had a body massage at the on-site spa and said it was incredibly relaxing and good value.
On the opposite side of the island is San Antonio – a popular destination for package holidays. Admittedly Ibiza can be expensive for nightlife, however San Antonio is the place to go for more affordable drinking. Some of the drinks offers were incredibly cheap for large quantities of alcohol if that’s what you’re looking for! We only visited San Antonio once during our trip – the main draw being to watch the sunset. The famous Café Del Mar and Café Mambo are situated side by side with great views of the sunset. If you can’t get a table at either, there is plenty of room on the rocks below. On the night in question we went, the DJ at Café Mambo blasted out a classical song as the sun sank into the sea, prompting a huge round of applause and cheering from the crowd as it finally said goodbye until tomorrow. I have watched many sunsets in my time, but that was one of the most enjoyable. It became an event and the atmosphere was brilliant. We ended up eating at Café Mambo – the tacos were particularly yummy and were washed down with a bottle of Cava. Following our dinner and drinks, we headed to nearby Es Paradis – one of the island’s big superclubs. The venue has an airy outdoor feel and plays host to its famous water parties and Kisstory on Thursday nights. Not forgetting Amnesia and Privilege, both located on the road to San Rafael.
Memoirs Of A Metro Girl 