Tonight Josephine Shoreditch
What is it? Tonight Josephine’s second outpost in London – get ready for the Instagram storm that will follow
When will it open? January
Why are we excited? Tonight Josephine’s Waterloo site is literally bursting at the seams from all the Instagram-hungry attendees queuing to get the money shot in front of the neon ‘well behaved women don’t make history’ sign. We’re sure the new Shoreditch site will have equal Insta-worthy interiors, but apart from that, we’re also super excited to hear that there are private and exclusive hire opportunities. Bespoke event planning will be an option and we expect it to be popular. Only preconception: you gotta love pink.
Events @ No 6
What is it? The new event space at The Royal College of Pathologists’s address on 6 Alie Street
When will it open? January
Why are we excited? The project, which has taken two years to develop, will come complete with a wide variety of bright meeting rooms housing up to 210 guests. We’re also pleased to hear that there’ll be flexible break-out spaces and fine dining options. On top of that, there’ll be a summer terrace, and located bang in the City, the views will undoubtedly be snazzy. We envisage corporate meetings, weddings, academic conferences, product launches and drinks receptions at this venue.
Soho Residence
What is it? The new late-night bar opening at the iconic Roundhouse building in Soho
When will it open? January
Why are we excited? Initially planned to open in December, we’re eagerly waiting for the new launch date to be announced. Following a £1m restoration, the exclusive hire night club will run over three floors, with private hire opportunities across two of them (you can always hire the whole thing if you want). The Wardour Street property will have a 350 capacity, but we’re mostly excited about the basement Festival Club. Here, full-blown parties with dancing, cocktails and big lights for up to 150 guests can be held.
W12 Studios
What is it? A rotating programme of food, drinks and music venue concept in the old BBC headquarters
When will it open? 7 February
Why are we excited? The new venue will be partnering with street-food catering giant Feast-It to bring in exciting food and restaurant brands on a rolling basis – two at a time. First up to take over the kitchens are Cue Point (innovative barbecue) and The Piadina Project (Italian street-grub). There will also be a long bar serving ‘ground-breaking’ drinks brands (also on rotation) and live music with a focus on emerging artists will form the entertainment. Private and exclusive hire will obviously be available and with a capacity of 450, it’s the place for a whopping big party.
Illuminate
What is it? The Science Museum’s latest venue addition located on levels four and five
When will it open? February
Why are we excited? As it’s the Science Museum’s only dedicated event space, we’re intrigued to see how it will change how events are delivered from the talented team. With fun galleries and exhibition areas such as Wonderlab and Flight Gallery, to mention two, the Science Museum is renowned for forming interesting backdrops for any event. The multi-functional venue will be suitable for conferences, exhibitions and product launches. We also can’t wait to see the giant panoramic window on level five, promising great City views.
Bob Bob Cité
What is it? The sister branch of Bob Bob Richard, famous for its ‘press for Champagne’ buttons
When will it open? 25 March
Why are we excited? The flamboyance we know from Bob Bob Richard has been promised at the new site too and, rest assured, so have the champagne buttons. Elsewhere, the new restaurant will open in the Leadenhall Building (AKA the Cheesegrater) and will have no less than three private dining suites. As if that wasn’t enough, the restaurant will be suspended above the 30-metre high open-air atrium like the gondola of a zeppelin, so we’re expecting some pretty outstanding interiors as well.
Hard Rock Hotel London
What is it? One of the most anticipated hotel openings in London this year and the first hotel from Hard Rock in the UK
When will it open? May
Why are we excited? Hard Rock boasts an impressive collection of properties (both cafés and hotels) across the world and they’re all infused with musical spirit. The London hotel will be no different, with rooms celebrating former London-residing rock stars such as Jimi Hendrix, Madonna, Diana Ross, Bob Dylan and Stevie Wonder through displayed memorabilia. No less than 1,000 rooms will be built in addition to the all-American (but with a British twist) Hard Rock Café. A Rock Shop is expected too.
Darling
What is it? The new Sager + Wilde outpost (and it’s not just wine)
When will it open? Spring
Why are we excited? Apart from the wine, we’re proud to see Sager + Wilde co-founder Charlotte’s venture in Hackney. Not just a wine bar and kitchen, it’s also an events and production space, which means it can be used for various events including product launches, fashion shows and movie sets. Back to the wine (we always seem to end up here), the list will feature 100 regularly changing bottles at accessible prices.
The Silverstone Experience Centre
What is it? The new heritage-discovering interactive experience at Silverstone Circuits
When will it open? Spring
Why are we excited? Housed in the venue’s last remaining World War II hangar, the interactive experience will take guests through Silverstone’s (home of the Grand Prix) heritage. This will happen with a two-and-a-half-hour ‘journey’ through the past, present and future of both the venue and British motor racing, with the help of interactive displays. This will make events at Silverstone even better – built on the site of a World War II Royal Air Force airfield and where the first ever British Grand Prix was held 70 years ago, the venue is steeped in history. Combined with the latest AV equipment, the event spaces at Silverstone are ace for corporate dos.
Magazine London
What is it? A huge new event space on the Greenwich Peninsula from the people behind Printworks
When will it open? 1 September
Why are we excited? The above pretty much says it all. The indoor capacity of 3,000 alongside the further 4,000 capacity on the outdoor showground makes this venue a hugely important addition to the London venue scene. The people behind it, Venue Lab – a Vibration Group company and creators of the award-winning venues Printworks London and Landing Forty Two – are also working with award-winning Moving Venue, who will deliver the catering. The industrial box will surely be ultra-trendy and the outdoor showground will be available for festivals and concerts – eek!