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Posts Tagged "Clubs"

12 Nov

Girls Aloud’s Sarah Harding Opens City Bar

Posted by Jenny in Clubs, Pubs & Bars 3 Comments

kanaloa_bar

Club Tropicana drinks are free – and so were the cocktails at the launch of Polynesian-themed bar Kanaloa last night!

Admittedly, you will have to pay on a regular night, but with cocktails starting from £8, it’s certainly not the most expensive drinking hole in the The City.

Just like its sister bar Mahiki, Kanaloa is all bamboo, palm trees and low level lighting. The music favours 80s cheese with a few modern pop and 60s hits thrown into the mix.

There’s ample seating and a reasonably sized dance floor, with a net full of brightly coloured balls above it.

If you’re here to impress, order The Dead Man’s Chest, a £100 cocktail brought to you in a parade of sparklers, lanterns and cheering from the bar staff. (It’s a voodoo funeral procession apparently.) The cocktail is mixed before your very eyes in a treasure chest, which is then filled with straws for your drinking pleasure.

Will Kanaloa tempt the Royals into The City? It already has a fair celebrity quota, as it counts Sarah Harding and DJ Tom Crane among its investors. Plus JLS, Sugababes and Cilla Black were all spotted at the opening. We’ll keep you posted…

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30 Oct

Halloween Clubs: Party Like A Zombie

Posted by Jenny in London No Comments

Halloween fun

You may have noticed that the VL Blog has gone all spooky of late. We’ve been to the Hammer Horror Festival, drooled over the Met Bar’s Scream Tea, and donned our fishnets for Sing-a-long Rocky Horror.

So it won’t surprise you to know we’re getting excited about Halloween, especially as it sparks some of the best club nights of the year. Fancy dress, evil laughs and the Ghostbusters theme tune should all feature. Take a look at our favourites:

  • Oh My God! I Miss You Presents…I Love Lucifer 
    No-one loves dressing up more than the crowd at OMGIMY, so we can’t wait to see what they’ll do with the instruction to “dress to decompose.” Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club will be turned into a ghost train and guests will be entertained with a magic show, a Secret SINema, Gore Gore Girls and lots more unsettling goings on.
  • I Spit On Your Rave Spectacular
    The Big Chill venues have a bit of a thing for zombies, having managed to break the world record for a gathering of them at The Big Chill Festival this year. Head to either of their London locations for more undead action, including grisly cocktails, DJs and face painting (with proceeds going to The Big Issue.)
  • It’s A Party
    If pointy hats and broomsticks don’t do it for you, head to The Peacock Bar’s Halloween special, as the venue has suggested a more glamorous “vamped-up” dress theme for the evening. The usual mix of cabaret, comedy and cheese will all feature, albeit with a special ghoulish twist.
  • Halloween Zombie Ball
    Prepare to see a real ghost or two at  The Old Queen’s Head, which claims to be one of the most haunted pubs in London. Sip a Zombie Iced Tea, chomp on pumpkin chips and take advantage of free face painting from Brighton-based tattoo artist Viv La Hen (we hope it washes off!)
  • The Playground’s Halloween Mash-Up
    Scare yourself silly at 93 Feet East who will be projecting a mix of silent and modern horror films across the dance floor, plus live music and DJ sets until 6am.

Do you know of any freakishly frightening Halloween parties? Tell us your Halloween plans.

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26 Sep

Femme Fatale at the Met Bar

Posted by Jo & Jamie from the Met Bar in Music, Pubs & Bars No Comments

If you have ever been seduced by an alluring woman, you will be familiar with the meaning of Femme Fatale. Until last night we (Jo and Jamie) had never succumbed to the fatal charms of a woman but in true excessive style, we fell for not one but four in one evening!

Last night, our new live music event Femme Fatale debuted in the Met Bar in conjunction with ZEN FM presents, showcasing the best in emerging female musicians. Naively sipping our cocktails, we were unaware of the potent mix of music that was to follow.

Axe Girl

The first performance, a Celtic Harpist called Jharda, enchanted the audience with her haunting voice and melodic strings, delicately evoking a strange desire to dance in the royal courts of Henry VIII.

Then, Axe Girl with her punky attitude rocked the stage with a mix of edgy pop-rock anthems. Cue much head banging and air guitar action.

After we were released from the clutches of our first two sirens, voluptuous songstress Charley Bird sent the audience into a heady whirl of Kit Kat club excitement with her Dietrich-esque voice and pin-up poses.

Finally, Chyna Wyne captivated the crowd with her striking beauty and Reggae beats in her gravity defying high heels (teacher by day, diva by night) whilst we got up and got down to the bongo beats!

Dazed and delighted, we took to our carriages in a love-struck stupor satiated by our first experience of Femme Fatale. Tempted? Join us for the next Femme Fatale in December.

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4 Sep

London Clubs: Not To Be Missed This Autumn

Posted by Jenny in Clubs, London, Pubs & Bars 1 Comment

Pass the parcel at Oh My God! I Miss You, photo by Barry Newman

The Bank Holiday may seem like a distant memory, but London’s nightlife is showing no signs of slowing down. So brace yourselves, there’s a lot coming up over the next few weeks, here are our favourites:

The Big Chill Mini Festival – the festival season is nearly finished but from the 11-13 September you can recapture the tented, unwashed festival spirit at The Big Chill House and The Big Chill Bar.

Matter 1st Birthday Weekend – matter is a whole year old on the weekend of 18-19 September. Carl Cox, Eddy Temple Morris, Tom Middleton and Pendulum will all be joining in the celebrations.

Oh My God! I Miss You – Speaking of birthdays, Oh My God! I Miss You are launching a monthly birthday party from 2 October. All the fun of a birthday (cake, burlesque, pass the parcel) without getting a year older – hoorah!

Smirnoff Be There – Smirnoff continue their quest to find the most original new club night with four new events this autumn, kicking off with retro-Hawaiian night Rock a Hula at Bloomsbury Bowling on 18 September. If it’s anything like the last one, we’re there!

Silent Disco – Try clubbing in the historical setting of the Old Royal Naval College as Silent Disco moves in for a one-off night under the stars on 12 September.

SS Atlantica – The nautical look is in don’t you know, and our friends at The Blitz Party have come up with a brand new theme night. Step aboard the SS Atlantica for a glamorous evening of 1930s jazz, cabaret and general promenading on 12 September.

Sunday Social – Don’t waste away watching soap omnibuses on Sundays, head to The Old Queen’s Head where you can indulge in apple-bobbing, face-painting, board games and other fun from 3pm at their weekly Sunday Social.

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26 Aug

Bank Holiday Club Highlights

Posted by Jenny in Clubs, Music No Comments

Eastern Electrics

The Bank Holiday means two things for London’s clubbing community – more time to party and more time to recover!

From after-parties to burlesque speed-dating – take a look at our highlights:

Post Carnival Parties

DJ Yoda

Notting Hill Carnival is the biggest event of the Bank Holiday weekend. After the sparkly costumes and jerk chicken are packed away each evening, there are plenty of places where you can continue the party spirit.

  • On Friday, Fabric brings its annual Playaz Carnival Special. The drum’n'bass night includes a two-hour set from DJ Hype.
  • DJ Yoda, Kissy Sellout and The Maccabees provide entertainment conveniently close to the parade route at Paradise Carnival Party on Sunday and Monday.
  • If you’ve overdone it at the carnival, head to ETA’s Carnival After Party in Shepherd’s Bush, where there’ll be yurts for tired carnival-goers to relax in, as well as live art performances. The night promises music ranging from British hip-hop to progressive electronica – all in a disused 70s cinema!

Get Loaded in The Park and South West Four

Eric Prydz

If you’re not at the carnival, chances are you’ll be spending most of your weekend on Clapham Common which is hosting the double whammy of Get Loaded in The Park and South West Four.

The Best of The Rest

The Rakes and Does It Offend You, Yeah? will both be DJing during 12 hours non-stop at The Old Queen’s Head on Sunday. And its free if you get there before 8pm.

Or head down to Brixton on Saturday where the Hoxton Whores and Maxi Jazz (of Faithless) will keep you going until 6am at Mass!

Neon Noise Project

Eastern Electrics provided a legendary Bank Holiday weekender last year, and they’re planning to do the same again. Stages will be hosted by promoters including Neon Noise, Trailer Trash and Mulletover.

Finally, if you’re hoping for a little romance this Bank Holiday, try Peacock Bar in Clapham, which is hosting a burlesque speed dating night on Monday. Happily, you won’t need any nipple tassle expertise to take part – the burlesque acts will entertain you while you speed date. And there’ll be yummy cocktails and cheesy 80s and 90s DJs too.

Do you have any Bank Holiday clubs to recommend? We’d love to hear your ideas.

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2 Aug

Cal Jader’s Guide to Latin American London

Posted by Jenny in London 1 Comment

Dancers at Carnaval del Pueblo

Carnival del Pueblo is upon us, and if the day of colour, music and fun is over too soon, you can keep the Latin spirit alive with DJ Cal Jader’s guide to the best Latin American nights and venues in London.

1.  Movimientos
I might be biased, but Movimientos live music nights get my vote! They take place at the Notting Hill Arts Club, and Dalston’s Passing Clouds, and are a unique showcase of all types of Latin and global music. You can hear sets from me, Clem George and other guests bringing in the sounds of the Latin underground. Plus, Muevete is its sister Saturday night.

2.  Viva La Revolucion!
Fridays Upstairs at Ronnie Scott’s sees the Viva La Revolucion team present the finest Cuban Son, salsa and flamenco jam sessions with regular guests Son De Havana, Susana Lang Lenton and Motimba.

3.  La Bomba
At SeOne and Ministry of Sound, DJs Jose Luis, El Moreno and Julian M host London’s No.1 Latin urban meltdown mixing reggaeton, salsa and merengue with R&B, hip hop and commercial beats, plus occasional special live reggaeton PAs from international guests. Don’t miss La Bomba!

4.  Arriba La Cumbia
The Hackney Globe Trotter (aka Russ Jones) brings his irreverent spin on the world of Cumbia with a night of tropical, ranking and skanking Latin mayhem with live guests and DJs.  

5.  Latin Mafia
Brand new night at the Old Queens Head from 23 August. Afro-Cuban funk and fusion band Los Esputniks, featuring Clem George and Koichi Sakai, will host a Latin-themed jam session. 

6.  Fiesta Sun Bailante
The hardest working promoters in town recently moved their Tropical themed party to the Ruby Lo in Central London where you are guaranteed popular Latin, Caribbean and global beats all night, plus occasional live guests.  

7.  Camino
Camino’s summer series, Fiesta en La Calle hosted by Movimientos, continues on 12 September. JungleDrums magazine also host a showcase of live Brazilian music once a month. There are also numerous other DJ nights and live nights at Camino, one of London’s finest Spanish bar and restaurants. 

8.  Guanabara
With live music pretty much guaranteed every night regular house bands complement the international guests that jet in from Brazil to perform at London’s premier Brazilian themed club, Guanabara.

9.  Favela Chic
Regular live music and jam sessions during the week while on the weekend, DJs including Gringo do Parada mix up Brazilian and Latin with pop, dance and electro! 

10.  Cubana
Cubana is a Cuban themed restaurant and bar hosts regular live salsa nights at the weekends…

Thanks to Cal for sharing his tips with us! Check out Visit London’s guide to Latin American London for more ideas…

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13 Jul

Smirnoff UR The Night Made My Night at matter

Posted by Jenny in Clubs, Special Events 3 Comments

The People's Bar at Smirnoff UR The Night

If I could design my ideal club night, it would probably feature my favourite cocktails, a big name music act, and fun and games all night.

Happily, my ideas are pretty similar to those contributed by Facebook fans of Smirnoff UR The Night, a unique club night designed by said Facebook fans, who sent in their ideas for a chance to win free tickets to the night.

Little Boots performs at matter

So what did they come up with?

Well, keeping in the spirit of participation, there was a DIY cocktail bar, where you could create your own cocktails; a secret (and free) bar accessed via a visit to a fortune teller; a make-up station; a digital graffiti wall (with the option to upload your masterpiece to Facebook in one click); and even a game of bingo!

Add to this non-stop entertainment, including an energetic half-hour set from Little Boots and an appearance from the Pet Shop Boys. Plus, DJ sets from Tom Middleton, Hot Chip and Bristol club night Monkey! Flash! Light! where we were given a torch and led into a darkened room of drum’n'bass.

I left The O2 with a fake butterfly tattoo, ridiculously long false eyelashes and a white feather boa – all mementoes of a night well spent!

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