The Candlelight Club

A firm favourite amongst regulars of London’s vintage scene, the Candlelight Club hosts clandestine parties at which you can get in touch with your inner flapper or beer baron. A Prohibition-themed atmosphere is augmented by a range of delicious cocktails, which are tailored to the theme of individual nights. The next party, based around ‘A Night in Old Havanah’, is on 31 May and tickets are £15.75.

Great Gatsby Nights at the Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill

Indulge in a 1920s-inspired three-course menu with champagne at the hotel’s Great Gatsby nights, which take place every Thursday evening in May. Guests are encouraged to arrive in period attire, and the best dressed each evening will win a stay in the Grand Hyatt New York. Even if you don’t win, however, you can console yourself by dancing the night away to the event’s live jazz band. Tickets are £35.

It’s A Gatsby Swing Thing! at The Ritzy Cinema, Brixton

The cinema celebrates the Great Gatsby’s release by hosting an extra-special swing dance party on 18 May. Guests can show off their charleston and lindy hop to tunes by two great bands: the King’s Cross Hot Club and the Smokey Taps. Fancy dress is actively encouraged and there’s a Swing Patrol dance workshop beforehand (£8) for anyone who needs to brush up on their moves. Tickets to the party are £6, or half price if you have a Great Gatsby film ticket from that day.

1920s Evenings at The Orient Express and The Savoy Hotel

These events are a bit further in the future, but sound like they’re worth the wait! Enjoy a Gin Rickey at The Savoy Hotel’s renowned American Bar before indulging in a sumptuous dinner about the Art Deco carriages of the British Pullman train, which will take guests on a romantic trip through the countryside while they dine. After the meal, you’ll be transported back to the Savoy for a night’s stay in the hotel, which once hosted The Great Gatsby’s author F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda. The first of these events takes place on 5 September and prices start at £685: see the Orient Express website for full details.

The Prohibition Party

One of the events which arguably galvinised the growth of London’s vintage movement, the Prohibition Party is renowned for its dedication to the 1920s theme. Guests can enjoy cocktails served in teacups before dancing to live bands, trying their luck at the gaming tables or snuggling down to watch some silent cinema. The next event takes place on 1 June at a suitably secret location.

Miss Turnstiles’ Great Gatsby Pamper Party

Head to vintage model Miss Turnstiles’ vintage patisserie in east London for an elegant pamper party, in which you’ll be able to complete your Gatsby look. Not only will you get a manicure and a fabulous hair-do, but you’ll also be given expert make-up tips that will help you perfect the vintage style. The next available party date is 31 May and tickets include cocktails and nibbles: see the website for full details.

Charleston Masterclasses at Claridge’s

Want to prepare for all these Gatsby parties in style? Head down to Claridges, where you can learn to Charleston in the sublime setting of the Art Deco hotel. Guests will watch an expert performance by the Bee’s Knees, before donning vintage-style accessories and learning the moves themselves. Don’t worry about getting out of breath, the event ends with a restorative ‘Flapper’ cocktail! Tickets are £125, see the website for event dates and full details.

Great Gatsby Weekend at Whiteleys Shopping Centre

Get into the Gatsby spirit at this weekend event, which celebrates the best of the 1920s. Open from 12pm to 5pm this Friday, Saturday and Sunday (17-19 May), Whiteleys’ event will feature an actor-staffed speakeasy bar, swing dance lessons, vintage fashion shows, beauty tips, live music and a dress-up photo booth. Entry is free.

Libertine Presents Gatsby!

Fitzrovia’s newest nightclub jumps straight into the swing of things with its Gatsby party on 23 May. Libertine’s party features champagne, canapés, a live jazz band and a special burlesque performance. Tickets are £30

The latest news from the London hotel scene, including openings, refurbishments and more.

New Openings

The new DoubleTree by Hilton London – Marble Arch hotel has opened just in time for anyone planning a Christmas shopping trip to London. Situated behind Marble Arch Tube station, the 121-bedroom hotel is just a few steps from the shops of Oxford Street. If the hotel looks familiar, that’s because it was formerly the Best Western Premier Mostyn Hotel and is also home to the famous Texture restaurant and champagne bar.

Hotel Xanadu opened this month, offering boutique accommodation from £150 a night in Bond Street – Bond Street Ealing, that is! The stylish hotel’s West London location makes it an easy journey to and from Heathrow Airport, and to attractions including Kew Gardens, Richmond Park and Wembley Stadium. There’s also a restaurant, Koobla, offering Asian cuisine.

Drink, Dine, Play

The Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill hotel is opening a new venue, The Churchill Bar and Terrace at the end of November. As the name suggests, the bar pays homage to Winston Churchill, including a life-sized bronze statue. The bar will serve classic cocktails, liquors, spirits and fine cigars, and has an outside heated terrace. Opens 29 November.

Get into the festive spirit at the Andaz Liverpool Street’s Andaz Lounge, which is installing a jukebox next month. Guests can choose a Christmas song for 50p, with proceeds going to London homeless charity Providence Row. Available from 1 to 28 December.

Film fans can indulge at 51 Buckingham Gate’s new Cinema Suite, a huge two-bedroom suite with décor inspired by iconic movie stars and an 85-inch plasma screen TV and 3D sound system. If you fancy a bit of A-list treatment, the suite is available from £5,100.

Extra, Extra

Free, unlimited Wi-Fi is now available at Guoman’s luxury hotels including The Tower, The Cumberland, The Royal Horseguards and The Charing Cross Hotel.

 We escaped the bustle of Oxford Street  to take in the calming atmosphere of the hotel’s restaurant, The Montagu, and get into the festive mood. 

We ordered their special Christmas-themed afternoon tea which included turkey and cranberry sandwiches, scones with strawberry jam, mini mince pies and iced gingerbread cupcakes. I especially loved the mini Christmas cake and the mini chocolate Santa Claus.

I appreciated the roaring log fire which made the place feel homely and as an extra special treat, had a glass of champagne before we braved the shops again. 

The Festive Afternoon Tea is served daily, 3-6pm, £28 per person or £35 per person with a glass of Pommery Champagne. To make a reservation or for further information contact The Montagu on + 44 (0) 20 7299 2037 or email montagu.hrlondon@hyatt.com

Aly was a guest of the Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill

We’re giving away two tickets to the fascinating Churchill War Rooms plus a Churchill-themed afternoon tea for two.

Learn all about Winston Churchill’s life and career at the Churchill War Rooms.

Then enjoy a taste of Sir Winston’s life by sampling some of his favourite food at the Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill hotel. The afternoon tea features a range of sweet and savoury dishes – all traditional English or French cuisine – washed down with your choice of tea plus a glass of wine or gin.

Enter now to win Churchill tickets and afternoon tea

Yesterday, I popped along to The Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill to try their Sex and The City Par-Tea afternoon tea.

Designed to celebrate Sex and The City 2, the tea has been snapped up by guests on their way to the film, a night out or just for an afternoon treat.

The tea is beautifully presented and the mini hotdogs, cupcakes and exquisite white chocolate stiletto were almost too cute to eat. Almost, but not quite, as we finished the lot!

We also chose from four cocktails and four different teas – one for each Sex and The City character. I had a refreshing Flirtini (Samantha), consisting of vodka, champagne and pineapple juice. For the tea, I had Sapphire Earl Grey (Charlotte).

If you haven’t seen the new Sex and The City movie yet and are planning to make a night of it, this tea would be the perfect start to your evening. And even if you’ve seen it already (or have no desire to) the Sex and The City Par-Tea is a still lovely treat.

Sex and The City Par-Tea is available until 31 Aug 2010, served between 3 and 6pm. £39 per person. For reservations call +44 (0)20 7299 2037 or email montagu.hrlondon@hyatt.com

The powers that be aren’t giving away much about the plot, but there are a few things we can be sure of seeing – clothes, shoes, more clothes, cocktails, and of course, our four favourite Manhattanites!

And despite five long days of waiting ahead of us, there’s still plenty of SATC-inspired fun to be had in London in the meantime:

SATC Hits the Square Mile: Pop on your Manolos and had to City-bar Anise on Monday for a free fashion and beauty event. Pamper yourself with a range of treatments including free makeovers from Benefit Cosmetics, free mini manicures from Wah Nails, and £5 massages from Cucumba. There’ll also be fab product discounts, cocktails and canapés courtesy of the Cinnamon Kitchen. To register, send your name (and a friend’s) to events@cinnamon-kitchen.com

Sex and the City Monday at Prism: Can’t remember what happened in the last film? Head to Prism on Monday for a screening of the first Sex and the City movie. A £15 ticket also gets you a SATC-inspired cocktail and snacks. For tickets call +44 (0)20 7256 3876 or email prism.events@harveynichols.com

Sex and the City Par-Tea: After shopping like Carrie, refresh yourself with this Sex and the City afternoon tea. The tea includes sweet and savoury treats NYC-style and a selection of cocktails to choose from, including of course, Manhattans. Available from 28 May 2010 at Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill

The Hummingbird Bakery: Just as the girls love The Magnolia Bakery in New York, we can’t get enough of  The Hummingbird Bakery‘s scrumptious cupcakes here in London. Yes, you have to queue, but they’re worth waiting for!

The Village at Westfield: Sex and the City is all about love and labels! Let Prada, Dior, Jimmy Choo and Gucci take care of the latter at the West London shopping destination.

Sex and the City 2 opens 27 May. London cinema times