Wednesday 26 November 2014

Martini o'clock with House of Fraser


There's something a little sleazy about "Hey, wanna come round mine for a drink?" but if it's a cocktail, suddenly it seems OK.  Anyway it can't be sleazy because it's round mine and I'm classy (hahahahahahaha....I mean...hahahahahahaha).  Failing that, I have some fancy martini glasses to show off courtesy of  House of Fraser.

Thursday 13 November 2014

Cocktails at the Dark Circus Party Holborn

Cocktails at the Dark Circus Party Holborn

Some people have a local pub they like to frequent.  Clearly I like to frequent transformed ballrooms surrounded by circus freaks, half naked performers and potent cocktails as this would be the third entry I have written on this blog about The Dark Circus Party.  

Thursday 6 November 2014

Cocktails at Tredwell's London

Cocktails at Tredwell's London

I spend the first half of the year trying some sort of starvation diet to have a body that people won't recoil from seeing on the beach in the summer. Usually starts off with "absolutely no cakes", to "only cake on Friday" to "I'm going to have cake everyday but half the amount I normally would" to "f*ck it, it's been a long week and oops looks like I've eaten the whole thing".  After July it's then pretty much downhill, I embrace lumpy big jumpers I can hide under meaning I can eat anything I want.  Hurrah!  And ate I did at Tredwell's.


Wednesday 22 October 2014

Cafe Bonnie Paris Cocktail Bar Review


Paris is obviously known for the culture, history, art and fashion but there's a cheeky, coquettish side to it that I love the sound of.  In my mind, this involves heavy use of eyeliner, sashaying down the street and exclaiming things like "zut alors!"

Tuesday 14 October 2014

My 30th birthday party at Bar 366 Clapham

My 30th birthday party at Bar 366 Clapham

When I was young (please refrain yourself from belting out Celine Dion) and I thought about what my 30th birthday party was like, I suppose I thought it would be a terribly grown up affair.  Perhaps dinner at some fancy restaurant.  Probably thinking I'd have a husband and children by this point.  Who would have known it would involve clowns, a burlesque dancer and my outfit rivaling a Vegas show girl.  Of course, there is only one place that was worthy for such an event and that was at Bar 366

Monday 13 October 2014

London Sky Bar Cocktail Bar Review

London Sky Bar Cocktail Bar Review

Yes sir, I can boogie.  But I need a certain song...and that certain song can hopefully be found at a silent disco where you get to antisocially dance along to all the songs you like best by flicking between 3 music channels.  I'll leave the Grease mega mix to you guys as I'll be found throwing shapes (yup I said that) to the house channel.  My ridiculous addiction to silent discos led me to Vauxhall to the Millbank Tower to Altitude but not before a quick cocktail in London Sky Bar

Monday 15 September 2014

Cocktails at Turtle Bay Crawley

Cocktails at Turtle Bay Crawley
Sometimes I think it would be awesome if I worked with my friends.  My friends make me happy and if I'm happy I'd be mega productive right?  Then I'd concluded how quickly my friends would dislike me once they realise how disorganised yet bossy I was.  Thankfully, it's only my colleagues who have to deal with that and I must be OK as a few of us went for dinner at the  Turtle Bay.

Monday 8 September 2014

Cocktails at Ben's Canteen Clapham

Cocktails at Ben's Canteen Clapham

Clapham has suddenly crept into my life with some speed over the last year.  Races (10k and 15k *smug*), boot camp classes (short lived because I couldn't deal with the wimpy girls who didn't want to do push ups in the mud...the zumba class is down the road love), dates (let's not discuss those) and raves (my first festival and I choose SW4 - start how I mean to go on) to name a few reasons for my trips to Clapham.  And now off to Ben's Canteen for food because my brother had a requirement of "somewhere good for burgers" (or is it Battersea...I'm not au fait with the regional rules yet).

Sunday 17 August 2014

Dirty Blonde Brighton Cocktail Bar Review

Dirty Blonde Brighton Cocktail Bar Review

I'm a bridesmaid to my lovely friend and it is an honour to be asked to help towards probably one of the most happiest days of her life.  However, I think I took it a little too seriously with regards to the hen do and did become a pretty scary hen, sending demanding emails...and sending follow up demanding emails.  I'm quite surprised I didn't turn up with a whistle and stop watch monitoring and timing the fun-having.  On a serious note, the hen do appeared to have went well which included going to Dirty Blonde for a quick cocktail after dinner.

Friday 15 August 2014

Cocktails at the Artisan Manchester

Cocktails at the Artisan Manchester

Wedding season beginneth and what precedes that is the hen party.  Whilst boys seem hell bent to make sure their stag have the worst, miserable time of their life, for girls it is about making sure the bride is happy.  This particular one was a very classy affair in Manchester with a spa day, followed by dinner and drinks at the Artisan.  (although I won't dwell the fact 90% of the hens turned up to their spa treatment late because of traffic exacerbated by the insane rain, the apartment we were staying at being a crime scene and the bride being late for her own hen dinner...).  Manchester is clearly hen metropolis; I spotted 5 parties whilst waiting at Manchester station - all distinctly varying in class.

Sunday 20 July 2014

Cocktails at the Grand Hotel Rimini Italy


Cocktails at the Grand Hotel Rimini Italy

2 years ago, I read an article in the Metro about an event called "La Notte Rosa" (the pink night) that took place the first Friday in July every year in Italy in a town called Rimini.  Key words from the article included "paint the town pink" and "the party goes on until 6am".  Enough said, I will see you there!...except this was actually the first year I was free to make it.  So with my suitcase rammed with every pink item I owned (even I surprised myself with how much I had) I was only my way.

Tuesday 24 June 2014

Loungelover Cocktail Bar Review

Loungelover Cocktail Bar Review

I work a standard 9-to-5 job.  I mean that in a metaphorical sense of course as I rarely actually only work 9 to 5.  My desk is that standard issue pine colour.  My computer is black.  I have a swivvle office chair.  It's all very nondescript.  That's why it's nice to have a break from the nondescript and go to Loungelover.

Friday 13 June 2014

Cocktails at the Ochre Wine Bistro Santorini

Cocktails at the Ochre Wine Bistro Santorini
The last time I went on holiday, it was to Iceland 5 months before which was -5 degrees and I had packed thermals and walking boots.  This time round it was bikinis and flip flops packed as I went to Santorini last month for 6 days of sunshine and lazing, yippee!

Sunday 11 May 2014

Cocktails at Baroosh Bishop's Stortford

Cocktails at Baroosh Bishop's Stortford

2014 is the year me and most of my friends turn 30 which means the excuse of being in my 20s to explain why I live a life of zero responsibilities is approaching its expiry date and I need to quickly conjure up another excuse (suggestions welcome).  However my friend who has got her sh*t together probably isn't as concerned as me and seemed very happy celebrating her 30th birthday at Baroosh.

Saturday 3 May 2014

the Attic at Pan Peninsula Cocktail Bar Review

the Attic at Pan Peninsula Cocktail Bar Review

I live to the philosophy of "the purpose of our lives is to be happy" to the point of obsession.  It's not that hard; know what makes you happy and keep it up.  Great views makes me happy.  Cocktails makes me happy.  Being in London makes me happy.  Being with friends makes me happy.  Does this make The Attic Bar heaven?

Sunday 13 April 2014

American Bar The Savoy Cocktail Bar Review

American Bar The Savoy Cocktail Bar Review

I've been single for a while and during that time, I've learnt to enjoy my own company and be more independent.  That's why I thought nothing of it (in fact I really enjoyed it) about seeing the swan lake ballet show at the London Coliseum on my own.  As if that wasn't classy enough (I'm a classy bird, me), I stopped by the American Bar at the Savoy afterwards.

Sunday 6 April 2014

Cocktails at Raffles Chelsea

Cocktails at Raffles Chelsea

Private members' club; condescending, exclusory and expensive.  Doesn't stop me from wishing I was part of one though (if only I had the money and background to back up my snobbish attitude).  Therefore I was very happy to be let loose in the beautiful Raffles club in Chelsea.  

Tuesday 25 March 2014

Cocktails at Balls Brothers London Bridge

Cocktails at Balls Brothers London Bridge

I can't get enough of tall buildings in London - it just makes London look so purty.  So far I've had cocktails at Paramount (level 33), the Gherkin (level 40) and Vertigo 42 (level 42...duh).  Now the mother of all tall buildings - the Shard (level 72).  Although not for completely classy reasons but to rave it up at a silent disco.  Yeeeees.  This calls for some food and cocktails first, stopping off at Hays Galleria - Balls Brothers.

Thursday 20 March 2014

Cocktails at the Kensington Roof Gardens

Cocktails at the Kensington Roof Gardens
There is a hilarious episode of the Simpsons when Homer buys Marge a bowling ball for her birthday which was transparently purchased for him to enjoy.  I unashamedly do the same thing but instead of a bowling ball it was a masquerade ball as I bought tickets for my friend and I to go to a party at the Kensington roof gardens.

Sunday 9 March 2014

Cocktails at Sticks'n'Sushi

Cocktails at Sticks'n'Sushi

I have the longest unfulfilled obsession with Japan.  I can't pinpoint the exact moment it began but probably coincided with when I stopped my ugly little gothy stage around puberty and decided that it's not so bad to like beautiful things.  I dream of the day I will (and I WILL) sit in a park among the cherry blossom trees or hide away among the mountains and lakes.

To placate this desire (for now), me and my sister - who writes the beautifully photographed and written blog Hanhabelle - headed to Sticks'n'Sushi for lunch.

Sunday 2 March 2014

Mr Fogg's Cocktail Bar Review

Mr Fogg's Cocktail Bar Review

When I first saw "The wizard of Oz", I couldn't think of anything worse than it being all in black and white so thank goodness it changes to techni-absolutely glorious-colour and got all eccentric and stuff.  Going to Mr Fogg's recreated a similar feeling (and I could definitely do with investing in some kick-ass red heels).

Thursday 27 February 2014

Reyka Vodka bitters launch party at Looking Glass Cocktail Club


Reyka Vodka bitters launch party at Looking Glass Cocktail Club

It feels like it's been ages since I've written a post on here.  There's been a lot going on the last month that I've barely had a chance to think, let alone drink.  So when the lovely people of Reyka Vodka wanted me to try out their new bitters product at Looking Glass Cocktail Club because they were throwing a party, I decided alcohol was definitely the solution.  

Monday 3 February 2014

Cocktails at the Dark Circus Party Holborn



The invitations I usually receive in the post are for weddings and christenings (I'll take your look of surprise as a compliment.  Yes; I am at that age where those types of invitations are normal).  So when I received an invitation in the post with tickets to the Dark Circus Party, this made an interesting change to the norm.  Instead of a ceremony and reception, this invitation had the promise of it being "glamourous, provocative and a bit risque", not to mention surreal and subversive.  

Monday 27 January 2014

The Hoxton Grill Cocktail Bar Review

The Hoxton Grill Cocktail Bar Review

I have an over zealous interest in Shoreditch despite having no affinity to it at all.  Every time I'm within sniffing distance of EC1/2, I'm well aware my wardrobe of New Look items has no place here.  I think my interest is because Shoreditch seems to be my antithesis; trendy, liberal...grimy.  But the Hoxton Grill shows that Shoreditch can class it up when it wants to.

Sunday 26 January 2014

Cocktails on Butler's Gin barge Hackney Wick

Cocktails on Butler's Gin barge Hackney Wick

So there were not 3 but 13 wo/men in a boat this weekend for my friend's birthday.  Butler's gin originated in the insanely hipster Hackney Wick (if only I had a full beard, a dog and classic denim) and as such welcomed gin lovers to their amusingly named concept "Drunch" to taste their unique blend of gin.  On a barge.  I believe the next phrase should be that overused one.  Standard.

Thursday 2 January 2014

Cocktails at the NYE prohibition party Holborn

I'm gonna party like it's 1999...or the 1920's as I was off to the Bloomsbury Ballroom again but this time at a prohibition party.  I was a big fan of the dark circus party thrown by Bourne & Hollingsworth (review here) and they were throwing lots of parties on new year's eve, one of them being a prohibition party.

Cocktails at the NYE prohibition party Holborn