By Amira Hashish
Nothing beats a perfectly shaken cocktail at the end of a hard day. So pull up a seat at one of the many new openings across town to take a load of those feet and taste a delicious signature drink! Not sure where to start? Here are some of the best cocktail spots that have recently opened their doors…
AMANO Rooftop Bar
Perched on top of the AMANO Covent Garden hotel, this panoramic rooftop bar with an adjoining roof terrace is a secret new haunt for those seeking fabulous views in Theatreland. There is often a house DJ playing and the menu of wines, Champagnes, signature cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks feels as glittering as its surroundings.
Tell me more: amanogroup.de
Amaro
Kensington is having something of a buzzy resurgence with the Big Mamma Group opening Jacuzzi on the high street and Amaro Bar finding a home just up the road. With an emphasis on quality drinks and warm hospitality, this spot takes its mixology seriously. The vibe is dark and moody with a healthy splash of sophistication.
Tell me more: amarobar.co.uk
Chet’s
With cocktail names including Return of the Mak and Pet Sounds you know you are in for a fun ride. On the beautifully designed ground floor of the Hoxton’s Shepherd’s Bush outpost, this bar is part of chilled out restaurant Chet’s which serves smoky, spicy plates that fuse LA and Thailand. Kris Yenbamroong, Founder of LA Thai hotspot NIGHT + MARKET, is behind the concept and he has done a sterling job of transporting his vision to London.
Tell me more: thehoxton.com
Equal Parts
Sager + Wilde have been nailing cosy cocktail bars for quite some time but their latest offering brings together cocktails, coffee, vinyl and art in (you guessed it) equal parts. The music is on point and the interior design will leave you feeling inspired.
Tell me more: equalpartslondon.com
Lucy Wong
Inspired by the love story ‘A World of Suzie Wong’ by Richard Mason and its 1950s Hong Kong setting, this late-night bar in Fitzrovia encompasses traditional Chinese elements and modern twists. Sink into velour armchairs and cosy chaise lounges under Chinese lantern light or seek out the hidden outdoor Courtyard.
Tell me more: lucywong.co.uk
Manzi’s
The latest installment from The Wolseley group is an unapologetically glamorous all-day seafood and fish restaurant nestled between Greek and Frith Streets. Set across two floors of Bateman’s Buildings, it nods to the original Leicester Square institution. A visit is not restricted to dinner though, the Mermaid clad bar makes for a fun pit stop.
Tell me more: manzis.co.uk
Naked & Famous
An intimate Seventies style hideaway underneath zēphyr restaurant on Portobello Road, Naked & Famous has an emphasis on Agave cocktails. There are only 35 spots and they fill up fast but this is a good place to know for a Notting Hill date night.
Tell me more: zephyr.london
The Nipperkin
Drinks inspired by British produce are at the heart of the menu at 20 Berkeley’s upscale speakeasy. From Plum & Peach to Fig & Butter, the cocktails could be mistaken for edible dishes and they are designed to be just as delectable.
Tell me more: 20berkeley.com
Stereo
Covent Garden’s coolest new nightlife offering comprises an eclectic music programme each night with a rotating series of resident DJs and curated one-off artist performances. The drinks menu champions London spirits and breweries. Think New York meets London meets Paris, courtesy of the Experimental Group.
Tell me more: stereocoventgarden.com
The Lowback
Steak connoisseurs Hawksmoor deem The Lowback their most ambitious bar yet. Named after a small vehicle that helped launch and guide small boats, The Lowback was literally built to push the boat out. With a nine-metre-long bar, dark green marble floor, polished timber ceiling and velvet booths, the water-level bar sits prettily underneath the Canary Wharf restaurant.
Tell me more: thehawksmoor.com
Must-See Art Exhibitions This Autumn
With the crisp air and cooling temperatures of fall soon to be upon us, it’s time to start planning new ways to spend our days. And nothing hits the spot on a dreary Saturday afternoon quite like an exciting art exhibition. To ensure you don’t miss out on any of the highly anticipated shows this autumn, Niki Gifford of Gifford PR has put together an extensive roundup of the must-see exhibitions in London. From Sarah Lucas’ much-awaited Happy Gas to George Baselitz’s sculptures and the Women in Art Fair, your cultural guide to all things art awaits…
Marina Abramović
Maybe the most anticipated show in London this month, The RA host a look back on the illustrious career of the queen of performance Marina Abramović. With performers from the artists own institute bringing back to life famous part performances, this may prove to be an exhibition not for the faint hearted.
Where: The Royal Academy
When: now until 1st January 2024
Rob Munday & Christian Furr – Resplendence
Royal artists Rob Munday & Christian Furr come together with a special exhibition which opened last month to commemorate one year since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. With a selection of works both royal and on the theme of ‘resplendence’, Furr and Munday show off their distinct but complementary practices in this beautiful exhibition.
Where: Dellasposa Gallery
When: now until 17th October 2023
Sarah Lucas: Happy Gas
The much anticipated show for the Y.B.A legend, Happy Gas takes viewers through works from 1990 to the present day with Lucas’s signature filthy look at sex, smoking and death. Receiving rave reviews, this exhibition is a great opportunity to explore four decades of work by one of the most significant artists of her generation.
Where: Tate Britain
When: now until January 2024
Farah Al Qasimi – Abort, Retry, Fail
The first UK solo exhibition by former Delfina Foundation resident Farah Al Qasimi captures glimpses of everyday life and the entangled relationship between material culture and globalised societies. Comprising of photographs, vinyl wallpaper works and a specifically commissioned video.
Where: Delfina Foundation
When: 4th October – 20th November 2023
RE/SISTERS – A Lens on Gender & Ecology
A major new group show is coming to Barbican in October, exploring the relationship between gender equality and the systematic links between gender oppression and environmental destruction. Featuring 50 international women and gender non-conforming artists, this looks to be an interesting look at environmental oppression with a host of multi-disciplinary works.
Where: Barbican
When: 5th October – 14th January 2024
Georg Baselitz: Sculptures 2011-2015
Bringing Georg Baselitz’s sculptural works to the fore, this solo exhibition offers an intimate glimpse into the creative process of a ground-breaking artist. This is a rare opportunity to see a selection of works originally intended to be maquettes for larger bronze works, alongside a selection of drawings from the artists studio. This looks set to be a rare opportunity to see a host of works from a pioneer of post-war German art.
Where: The Serpentine
When: 5th October – 7th January 2024
PAD London
The 15th London edition of the premier art and design fair, PAD comes back to West London this October. A mix of new and returning exhibitors, the fair will also feature specially commissioned works like Light Entanglements by Stine Bidstrup, a chandelier featuring elegant hand-blown clusters of glass. The only fair in the UK dedicated to contemporary design, this is definitely not one to miss for design lovers.
Where: Berkley Square
When: 10th – 15th October 2023
Celebrating Picasso Today: Infinite Modernism
As part of the international program Picasso Celebration 1973-2023, which brings together dozens of institutions around the world, Almine Rech is presenting a series of exhibitions featuring works by contemporary artists which highlight the scale of Picasso’s artistic impact. The exhibition aims to showcase how modern and contemporary artists have been directly inspired by Picasso’s work over the decades.
Where: Almine Rech
When: 10th October – 18th November 2023
Women in Art Fair
A brand initiative this year, the Women in Art Fair aims to redress the art worlds gender imbalance by showcasing the work of emerging and established female artists. With a mission to create a space for female curators, artists and gallerists to show their work and to contribute to the developing exchange of ideas around gender, sexuality and culture, WIAF is an exciting new event celebrating women in art.
Where: Mall Galleries
When: 11th – 14th October 2023
Freize London & Masters
The event in the London art calendar, Frieze brings galleries and artists from all over the world to Regents Park to see the latest in contemporary art practice and the best in big names the art market has to offer. This year will feature over 160 galleries from over 40 countries, a new ‘artist to artist’ initiative and ‘Modern Women’ curated by AWARE.
Where: Regents Park
When: 11th – 15th October 2023
Ski Chalet Chic – How to Get the Spa Feel on Your Next Ski Break
By Anya Cooklin-Lofting
As winter approaches and we begin to book in those much lusted-after ski holidays, why not start to consider how to turn your winter escape into an opportunity to properly switch off? The frenzy and excitement of the slopes are cornerstones in the very best ski holidays, but what about genuine rest and relaxation? Some frequent skiers believe it’s essential to transform their ski chalet into a haven of relaxation, keeping genuinely off-piste moments serene and tranquil. This month, I spoke to two experts in the field, interior designer Louise Bradley, and founder of How to Spa, Maud Ganry Boutaric, about how to practice chalet-style self care on your next ski break.
Louise Bradley, who works internationally with clients to design elegant, contemporary yet classical homes, believes in the significance of meticulous space planning to achieve a perfect balance. In her words, “every design decision should lead to a stunning vista.” In this way, you channel the beauty of the mountains into every room, yielding their calming and awe inspiring presence.
She also suggests reimagining traditional chalet elements, such as updating the classic log fire with a “floating” fireplace adorned with bronze details and an inset niche for logs. “Textures and colors play a crucial role,” Bradley notes, advocating for rich and warm layers of velvets and chenilles in earthy tones for added visual depth.
Entertainment spaces are equally crucial for Braldey’s clients, not just for gatherings but also for younger members of the family. In one alpine project, Bradley and her team created a multifunctional lower ground floor garage, doubling as a party space with a bar for clients who love entertaining on a grand scale.
Maud Ganry Boutaric, the mind behind How to Spa, is a pioneer of elevating relaxation within your ski chalet, achieving a spa-like quality from the comfort of your home and/or chalet with spa-inspired relaxation kits full of lotions and potions. “I believe that the best way to achieve a spa experience at home is to stimulate all of your senses,” says Ganry Boutaric, “from soothing sore muscles to tantalising the tastebuds.”
“Incorporating fragrances into your at-home spa routine is key,” Ganry Boutaric says. She recommends candles like the Mon Evasion candle by Nyssae, characterised by sweet and comforting fragrances including notes of Lily of the Valley, Orchid, Tonka, and Ylang Ylang. “It’s a vegetable wax in a glass container, and I believe that ethical products like this enhance the overall experience.”
When it comes to taste, for a holistic spa experience, Ganry Boutaric suggests flavors such as jasmine flowers, delicate rose petals, and a zest of bergamot bark. Vallée du Nil from Nunshen, a delicate green tea, is her top pick for its suppleness, aromatic qualities, and refreshing taste, creating what she calls, “beautiful moments of escape.”
Addressing the toll a ski holiday can take on your skin and muscles, Ganry Boutaric advocates for self-massages with arnica to ease joint pain after a day on the slopes. For winter-specific skincare, she recommends L’Huile d’Hiver from Oden, a face oil formulated to moisturise and protect against the harsh winter elements.
So, from creating the perfect environment in which to relax to upping the ante on your at-home treatments, why not take a leaf out of the very restful books of Bradley and Ganry Boutaric. In fact, both the designer and the wellness experts have beautiful books available to buy now. Bradley’s Interior tome is a study in elegant interiors by Bradley herself and writer Helen Chislett. Ganry Boutaric has published two volumes in the REAL series on relaxation and spirituality. You can read them online REAL N1 and REAL N2, or there is the option to order them as a gift for a friend.