From hospitality tickets to English wine dinners, we’ve reviewed some of last month’s best events for you to take inspiration from
The Greatest Spectacle of Lucha Libre, York Hall
Watching masked men in lycra, body slamming each other isn’t our typical Saturday night out. It might be now though having experienced the showmanship and skills of the famous Mexican wrestlers at their inaugural London event. Pulled chicken tacos, cheesy nachos and shots of tequila kept the raucous crowd revved up, while adding to the Mexican theme. Be warned though: if you’re ringside, you might just end up with a 20 stone luchadore on your lap.
GQ Bar Pop-Up on The Terrace,
Rosewood London
We’ve always had a soft spot for the Rosewood hotel in Holborn, so the chance to sip something sophisticated in its pretty courtyard was snapped up quick-sharp. White negronis were the revelation of the evening – ‘where have you been?!’ – but the substantial bar menu was a pleasant surprise too. Hearty scotch eggs in mid summer? Abso-bloody-lutely!
RA Lates: The Electric Forest, Royal Academy
Not just a chance to see the RA’s Summer Exhibition in all its eclectic, overstuffed glory – a chance to see it after hours, with a glass in hand. We were never going to say no. Elsewhere, the venerable institution had gone colourfully pagan: neon morris dancers set the mood in the courtyard, as Christabel’s pumped out zingy cocktails from an 80s ambulance. Boring old mobile bars on wheels? Your time is up.
Suppliers Christabel’s
Chapel Down wine dinner,
The French Table, Surbiton
We ran a taste test article on English sparklers recently and the Chapel chaps score highly. That was enough for us to mosey on down to Surbiton to the venerable French Table for a wine pairing dinner. The fizz, once again, didn’t disappoint, but it was the Bacchus – a grape variety we Brits can call our own – white wine that really pleased palates. Ask your caterer to get some in for your next event.
Taste of London, Regent’s Park
With the sun shining down on Regent’s Park, we made a beeline for the 15th edition of Taste of London to celebrate the very best of the capital’s restaurant scene. The pick of the lot was a delicate tandoori spiced octopus with chutney aloo from the good folks at The Cinnamon Club. In terms of hospitality, the VIP tent was permanently busy and the introduction of the Taste Residence (a chef’s table style experience) proved quite the success.
Hampton Court Palace Festival: Jools Holland,
Hampton Court Palace
This year marked the 25th anniversary of the Hampton Court Palace Festival and with Jools Holland on the line-up, we were more than chuffed to attend. Hospitality tickets are a real draw here, combining premium seats for the Tudor Courtyard concert with a sit-down meal on tables of ten. It all popped off rather well with champers on the East Front Gardens before getting an exclusive after-hours look at the Palace’s state apartments where dinner is served.
Picnic in the Park,
Dukes Hotel
Dukes are channelling their own brand of quintessential Britishness this summer by offering groups a gourmet picnic hamper, to be enjoyed in nearby Green Park – complete with a private picnic butler. Alas, the weather wasn’t playing ball on the evening we showed up, so the same service was delivered deftly in the hotel’s conservatory. Naturally, we then needed a digestive, so a couple of gin martinis went down well in famous Dukes Bar.
Photos: Addie Chinn