Blog Archives
Go back to the ’80s and party in the name of charity at exclusive members club Tramp
As demonstrated by the huge success of Netflix show Stranger Things, it appears the 1980s are more popular than ever. Living in a world overwhelmed by social media and technology, no wonder so many of us hanker for more innocent times with bad perms, no mobile phones and stone-washed jeans.
If you’re a fan of the Eighties, you have the chance to embrace the era’s extreme fashion and strange hairdos on a nostalgic night out. On Thursday 22 March 2018, KIDS Charity is hosting a fundraising ’80s themed bash at legendary nightclub Tramp. As well as giving you the chance to reach for the crimpers and blue eyeliner, it is also a rare opportunity to see inside the exclusive members’ club, which is normally off-limits to the public. You can expect themed cocktails, outrageous costumes and the best ’80s anthems. There will also be a competition prize for the best dressed. The venue and DJ have generously offered their services free of charge so all income goes directly to the charity.
Although the pre-party dinner tickets are already sold out, there’s still the chance to purchase party only tickets, which include a welcome cocktail and canapés. Tickets are £50 each, however, there’s the chance to snap them up for £35 in a special flash sale from Thursday 1 March until Friday 9 March if you use the code MARCH15.
The KIDS charity was established in 1970 and now provides over 120 different services and works with 80 local authorities across the country. In 2017, KIDS helped over 13,500 children and their families. Tramp is one of the capital’s most exclusive private members’ clubs with a wild and fabulous history dating back to 1969. Over the decades, Tramp has hosted royalty and entertainment legends Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Keith Moon, Rod Stewart, George Best, Jack Nicholson, Steve McQueen and Sir Michael Caine, among many others. Many celebrities have celebrated their wedding receptions at the club, including Peter Sellers, Joan Collins, Liza Minnelli and Ringo Starr. More recently, the likes of David Beckham, Rihanna, Drake and Kate Moss have partied the night away at Tramp.
- The KIDS 1980s Party takes place on Thursday 22 March 2018 from 10pm-3am. At Tramp, 40 Jermyn Street, St. James’s, SW1Y 6DN. Nearest station: Green Park. Over 18s only. For more information and tickets, visit the KIDs website.
Find out what else is on in London in March.
Ghoulish costumes and a good cause at KIDS charity’s Halloween party at Tramp
Get in touch with your ghoulish side at KIDS charity’s Halloween party at Tramp
Want to celebrate Halloween, but still haven’t sorted your plans? Well, why not party for a good cause this weekend at KIDS charity’s Halloween bash at iconic London nightclub Tramp.
The fabulous St James venue is hosting a Halloween bash on Friday 27 October with all funds raised going to charity. You can expect a night of spooky festivities, ghoulishly glamorous costumes, cocktails and dancing. Kicking off at 8pm, guests will enjoy complimentary cocktail and canapés, with DJs keeping them entertained until the early hours.
All money raised on the night will go towards supporting disabled children, young people and their families. The price of a ticket will pay for a disabled child to attend two KIDS play group sessions. The KIDS charity was established in 1970 and now provides over 120 different services and works with 80 local authorities across the country. In 2016, KIDS helped over 13,500 children and their families.
Tramp is one of the capital’s most exclusive private members’ clubs with a glittering history dating back to 1969. Over the decades, Tramp has hosted royalty and entertainment legends Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Keith Moon, Rod Stewart, George Best, Jack Nicholson, Steve McQueen and Sir Michael Caine, among many others. Many celebrities have celebrated their wedding receptions at the club, including Peter Sellers, Joan Collins, Liza Minnelli and Ringo Starr. More recently, the likes of Rihanna, Drake, David Beckham, Kate Moss, Noel Gallagher have partied the night away at Tramp.
- The KIDS Halloween Party takes place on Friday 27 October 2017 at Tramp, 40 Jermyn Street, St. James’s, SW1Y 6DN. Nearest station: Green Park. 8pm-3am. Tickets: £40 (must be purchased in advance). For tickets, visit the KIDS charity website.
For a guide to what else is on over Halloween, click here.
Guide to what’s on in London this Halloween 2016
Scare yourself silly at The Mansion’s Halloween Ball
© The Mansion
The onset of autumn can be a bit depressing for many of us as the nights get darker and the temperatures get colder. So perhaps that’s why so many of us are getting more excited about Halloween than we used to – a bit of fun to lift us out of our pre-winter blues. Now it’s not only the Americans that go crazy for the annual scarefest with a host of daytime and nighttime events for both children and adult on in London. As it coincides with half-term, there’s plenty of Halloween-themed fun for kids throughout the week in the lead up to the 31 October. Meanwhile, for party animals, there’s plenty of late-night revelry, or for a calmer alternative, there’s special meals and film screenings.
For a guide to what non-Halloween activities and festivals are on in London in October, click here.
Daytime jitters
- 1 – 31 October : The Witch Hunter at the London Dungeon
The London Dungeon are hosting a Halloween twist on their usual attractions, as you join Witchfinder General Matthew Hopkins on his 17th century witch hunt. Tickets start from children £17.50, adults from £21.50. London Dungeon, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7PB. Nearest station: Waterloo or Embankment. For more information and booking, visit the London Dungeon website. For Metro Girl’s review of the London Dungeon, click here.
- 22 – 30 October : Boo At The Zoo
A week of fiendish fun at London Zoo including Halloween-themed activities, pumpkin carving, animal demonstrations and crafts. Open 10am-5pm. Activities are free with entry to zoo. Entrance tickets: Adults £24.25, Child £17.60. London Zoo, Regent’s Park, Marylebone, NW1 4RY. Nearest station: Regent’s Park or Camden Town. For booking, visit the ZSL website.
- 22 – 31 October : A Slice of Pumpkin Eye at the London Eye
Special Halloween experiences for families with a fun activity pack. Tickets: Children from £16.95, Adults from £21.20. London Eye, near Westminster Bridge Road, South Bank, SE1 7PB. Nearest stations: Waterloo, Westminster or Embankment. For more information and booking, visit the London Eye website. For Metro Girl’s review of the London Eye, click here.
- 22 – 31 October : Spookfest @ London Museum of Water & Steam
Learn the secret history of the engine houses, enjoy a ride on the ghost train, a trip through the creepy wood and Halloween craft activities. Tickets: £11.25 adults, £4.95 children. London Museum of Water & Steam, Kew Bridge Road, Brentford, TW8 0EF. Nearest station: Kew Bridge. For more information, visit the London Museum of Water & Steam.
- 24 – 28 October : Half Term Horrors @ Eltham Palace
Creepy family fun at the Medieval and Art Deco Eltham Palace. Including costume competitions and pumpkin carving. Book a time slot at 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm. Tickets: Adults £13.60, Children £8.10. Eltham Palace, Court Yard, Eltham, Greenwich, SE9 5QE. Nearest station: Eltham or Mottingham. For more information, visit English Heritage website. For Metro Girl’s review of Eltham Palace, click here.
Halloween fun for families on the Cutty Sark in Greenwich
- 24 – 28 October : She Tells Sea Tales
Step on-board the Cutty Sark to be entertained with artists, musicians and storytellers. 11am-3.45pm. Tickets: Adults £12.15, Children £6.30. Cutty Sark Clipper Ship, King William Walk, Greenwich, SE10 9HT. Nearest stations: Cutty Sark (DLR), Greenwich or Maze Hill. For more information, visit the Royal Museums Greenwich website.
- 24 – 29 October : Things That Go Splash In The Night @ Maritime Museum
Children can make their own shipwrecked musical instruments and listen to scary tales and watch puppet shows. Free admission. Maritime Museum, Park Row, Greenwich, SE10 9NF. Nearest stations: Cutty Sark (DLR), Maze Hill or Greenwich. For more information and booking, visit the Royal Museums Greenwich website.
- 25 October : Halloween @ Benjamin Franklin House
A spooky family day with spooky 18th century stories told by Polly Hewson and ghastly games. 4-5pm. Free, but advanced booking recommend. Benjamin Franklin House, 36 Craven Street, WC2N 5NG. Nearest stations: Charing Cross or Embankment. For more information, visit the Benjamin Franklin House website. Read the rest of this entry
Sail back in time to the Golden Age Of Travel on the SS Atlantica
Set sail back in time on the SS Atlantica
© Bourne & Hollingsworth
Why travel may be cheaper and more accessible these days, you can’t deny it was a lot more glamorous back in the 1930s. This Bank Holiday, why not sail back in time to the Golden Age of Travel on the SS Atlantica? On Saturday 28 May, the Silver Sturgeon will be transformed into a Thirties cruise liner for an evening voyage along the Thames. Hosted by Bourne & Hollingsworth, there will be live bands, cabaret acts, floorshows, dancing and drinks.
Think of Agatha Christie (without the murders!) as you don your finest garbs and quaff a glass of champers on deck as you watch the sun setting and cruise past London’s iconic landmarks. The river yacht will be given a 1931 makeover with curving balustrades, portholes and pristine white tablecloths. There will be three bars, serving classic cocktails and plenty of champagne.
The entertainment will follow a traditional 1930s ship itinerary when the elite would party the night away on the high seas. Guests will take to the dancefloor as live bands and singers bring the music of the era to life. Or step back and watch spectacular floorshows or cabaret acts.
Guests are expected to wear ‘At Sea Formalwear’. Men are encouraged to dress in dinner suits with starched collars, while the women should think of silk, fur and Art Deco jewellery as they recreate the glamour of Thirties screen stars Bette Davis, Katharine Hepburn or Vivien Leigh.
- SS Atlantica sets sail on Saturday 28 May 2016. Embarkation 8pm at The Savoy Pier, cruise departs 9pm. Nearest station: Embankment or Charing Cross. Tickets: £35 (general admission) or £40 (general admission and dance class at 7pm). For tickets phone 0207 724 1617 or visit the SS Atlantica website.
For a guide to what else is on in London in May, click here.
Terror On The Thames: Travel back to Victorian London this Halloween 2015
Go to the dark side for Terror On The Thames this Halloween
© Bourne & Hollingsworth 2015
So we know London is a pretty fabulous city to live in, but there’s also a darker side. This Halloween, you can a step back in time to Victorian London, where danger was never far away. This October, Bourne & Hollingsworth are bringing the some of the creepiest 19th century tales to life at ‘Terror On The Thames’, with bloodied skirts on Petticoat Lane, gruesome dissections in Bleeding Heart Yard and werewolves on the Isle of Dogs.
On Saturday 31 October, revellers will be taken down the thick smoggy cobbled streets as they’re watched by mysterious figures lurking in opium dens. The shadowy dancefloor will bring together shifty grave robbers, pernicious pickpockets, razor-wielding barbers, aristocratic sociopaths and scalpel‐happy surgeons.
The late night bash will be held in a riverside venue underneath Waterloo Bridge. Guests can expect all the typical Bourne & Hollingsworth production values, with fabulous entertainment, innovative cocktails and immersive interiors. Among the attractions, guests will be able to take part in a life-size game of ‘peration’, take part in a Dorian Grey life-drawing class and dance the death waltz.
The dress code is Victorian horror, so ladies, think white lace blouses, corsets and hoop skirts, while men, cloakes and top hats wouldn’t go amiss. A make-up stand will also be at the venue to help give you a scary makeover.
- Bourne & Hollingsworth Presents Terror On The Thames on 31 October 2015 from 8pm-2am. Tickets £25. One Embankment, 8 Victoria Embankment, WC2R 2AB. Nearest station: Blackfriars or Temple. For tickets, visit TicketPorte.
For a guide to what else is on in London this Halloween, click here.
For a guide to what else is on in London in October, click here.
For a review of brunch at the Bourne & Hollingsworth Buildings restaurant, 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.
Memoirs Of A Metro Girl 