This weekend, I attended the launch party for pop up “palace” Salon d’Eté. The venue is a 1930s-themed restaurant and bar offering live cabaret, burlesque, music and dancing in London for the summer months.

Salon d’Eté is nestled above members’ club L’Equipe Anglaise (near to Selfridges). It’s a small venue consisting of a beautifully decorated main room plus a smaller entrance room with a rather exciting swinging chair in it (guests were vying for this coveted spot!)

The lavish décor includes cascading ivy plants and palm trees, painted champagne glasses and immaculately dressed waiters in 1930s costumes.

I’d recommend getting a table reservation as it’s the only way to get a seat (perhaps explaining the popularity of the swinging chair!) Otherwise, you can watch the performances from the space around the tables.

The bar was a little chaotic as one end was for waiters only and the queue for the bar seemed to be in their way. That said, the cocktails were very tasty and the bar staff were friendly and enthusiastic, even offering to mix cocktails that weren’t on the menu.

Drinks prices: Cocktails £11, beer £4, house wine £6 per glass

Entry fee: £10 after 10pm, £20 after 1am which includes all entertainment and access to L’Equipe Anglaise nightclub (open until 6am). Advance booking recommended – email 21dukestreet@gmail.com or call +44 (0)20 7617 7150 for guest list or table reservations

Salon d’Eté is open to the public from 8pm until 1am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights over the summer – closing date TBC www.salondeteclub.com

• Our favourite way to start the Easter weekend, is a trip to Guanabara‘s Chocolate Shot Ball. There’s free entry before 9pm and everyone gets a chocolate egg filled with Sagatiba Premium Cachaça. 1 Apr
• But if a chocolatey, Brazilian-style celebration isn’t for you, try superclub matter instead. John Digweed, Danny Howells and Guy J are all taking to the decks. 1 Apr
• You might have lazed around all Bank Holiday Friday, but that’s no reason not to let loose at Jailhouse Jam. Dress in prison chic and sing along to prison ditties at Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club. 2 Apr
• On Saturday night, head south of the river and check out Plan B‘s new sound system. There’ll be a rare London appearance from The Shapeshifters. 3 Apr

Sunday is your last guilt-free night to party so make the most of it!

• Hed Kandi is offering Tokyo-themed clubbing at Ministry of Sound (buy four tickets and get one free using promotional code “Easter”). 4 Apr
• Neon Noise Project‘s Kitsune Maison Party includes Yusek Live, Crystal Fighters and a DJ set from Friendly Fires. 4 Apr
• If you want to start early, head to The Old Queen’s Head from 3pm for entertainment including a live set from Adam Freeland. 4 Apr

Happy clubbing!

We’ve done all the legwork for you, and found some brilliant New Year’s Eve clubs that still have tickets available. We can’t promise how long for though, so gather your friends and book your tickets now:

• Ministry of Sound NYE Live at The O2
  Make sure your New Year’s goes off with a bang at this huge night in Greenwich with sets from Calvin Harris, Eric Prydz, Justice and Deadmau5.
• The Last Days of Decadence
  Just because it’s nearly 2010, doesn’t mean you can’t pretend it’s 1929! Party vintage stylee with live accordion, electro-swing and cabaret favourite Dusty Limits in Shoreditch.
• Big Chill Bar
  If you can’t stand pricey clubs on New Year’s Eve, drop into the Big Chill Bar which has free entry all night and special guest Mark E.
• Taman Gang
  Go upmarket at pan-Asian restaurant Taman Gang. Join the post-dinner party for burlesque, celebrity hosts, and a champagne pyramid to count down to 2010. Dress code is glamorous so don’t hold back!
• Fantasy Island NYE at Camino
  Enjoy the carnival atmosphere with the best Balearic beats at Spanish bar Camino. Featuring big bass lines from Latin Dub Sound System, DJ Cosmo and resident DJ Richard Norris. There’ll even be “outdoor activities” in the courtyard (fingers crossed it doesn’t snow!)

This month London designer Aruna Seth has been launching her Swarovski crystal-encrusted shoes at luxe West End venues The Ritz and Whisky Mist.

Last week’s invitation-only launch at Whisky Mist attracted a bevy of beauties and Z-list celebs (Ralph from The Apprentice, anyone?) to view and try on Seth’s range of stilettos, wedges, ballerina flats, boots and bridal sandals. All displayed to glittering effect in the VIP room among the club’s top-shelf whiskies, vodkas and liqueurs.

There were also complimentary tequila rose cocktails, chocolate cupcakes and displays of So Chic crystal jewellery and Susan Posnick cosmetics, against the club’s sexy-yet-classy dark decor.

Whisky Mist was opened last June by Mahiki founders Piers Adam and Nick House in the former Zeta Bar at the Park Lane Hilton as a hangout for the Mayfair crowd “between China Tang and Nobu”. Like Mahiki, it is smart and fashionable but not members-only (although membership is available) but even mid-week if you rock up after 11pm the queues will likely be right down the street.

Highlight of the Aruna Seth range is the Cinderella shoe (price on application) totally encrusted with some 3,000 Swarovski crystals, which takes 10-12 weeks to make.

For the more budget-conscious, the Cerise black or red snakeskin wedge (£725) has crystals overlaying the heel only and is one of Seth’s top sellers. The “Farfalla” (£435) is a fuchsia-pink satin heel with a crystal butterfly on each toe.

My personal favourite was the “Russia”, a stiletto-heeled ankle boot in black patent with a crystal “collar” around the top (£525) – although even that would require some dedicated saving!

The truly unconventional person who wants to mix the bling with the great outdoors may opt perhaps for the crystal-and-fur-trimmed “Elisabeth” aprés ski boot (£1,010). All are handmade in Italy and incorporate internal cushioning of soft quilted leather.

The entire range is currently available online (www.arunaseth.com) or by appointment at the Cadogan Hotel on Sloane Street. Other stockists include bridal boutique Caroline Castigliano. A standalone boutique in London is scheduled for 2010.