Well what a year it has been for the designmynight team at HQ especially with the launch of our site! But as always, the 12th month of the year seems to be the busiest for all of us with the ubiquitous Office Christmas parties and drinks, shopping and family events. I hope you have all been using Londons first price comparison site for going out in London this festive period, and finding those perfect venues to match your Christmas budget.
Mulled Wine has been the drink of choice this month for the team and there are plenty of bars and pubs that have put together some tasty Mulled Wine Christmas specials to warm the heart and probably those feet with all the snow we have had! The Mulled Wine at Balls Brothers near Bond Street went down like Santa in a Chimney as I took a welcome break from the Christmas shopping mosh pit of Oxford Street. Also Christmas cheer was had at the first ever Hed Kandi bar in Clapham, so check out what we made of it here.
As always, London never fails to deliver new and exciting drinking destinations and December has been no different. When you have managed to sober up from the Office Christmas Party then consider a sleigh ride down to the new Adventure Bar and Lounge that has opened up in the West End and brings fantastic cocktails and Happy Hours that are very drinkonomical for the area! For something a little different and a bar that has got us very excited is Venn Street Records in Clapham which is a music and cocktail neighbourhood bar dedicated to showcasing the good times of Rock n Roll. Boy did Clapham need a bar like this!
Venn Street Records know how to shake a good night out.
The 1920s prohibition, speak-easy style bar trend continues this month with the introduction of The Blind Tiger. Joining successful concept bars like Purl and The NightJar, The Blind Tiger takes you back to the Golden Age of the cocktail and the roaring 1920s, full of illicit dining and forbidden beverages. The Blind Tiger is even more interesting when you discover that it actually shares its home with Lost Society and may represent the start of savvy club owners finding new ways to keep their venues busy throughout the week.
The Blind Tiger in his illicit drinking den in Clapham.
I cant write my December blog without a mention of the big one, New Years Eve 2010! Of course there are so many options, as we shared with you in our NYE preview, but if you are still pondering and arguing with friends on the destination of choice for this New Years Eve in London then I have two other recommendations. Those who are in the know of the legend that is Norman Jay and have experienced his good times sets at Notting Hill Carnival, will know how memorable his party sets are. He is bringing his Good Times party crew to The Clapham Grand along with Gilles Peterson so this may well be the answer to your New Years Eve mine field. Or how about seeing the New Year in with everyones favourite granddad master-blaster, DJ Derek! This 70-odd year old knows how to rock a party and you have to see it to believe it! He will be bringing his roots, reggae and funky soul over to the Notting Hill Arts Club so bag your ticket today.
DJ Derek looking forward to New Years Eve.
Dont forget our amazing competition for free tickets to the New Years Eve party at one of Londons bars of 2010, Callooh Callay. Have a great Christmas and fantastic new year whatever your night, and whatever your budget!
Dylan
