What's New: London — July 2008

Up on the Roof at Coin Street

We're delighted that so many venues are opening up their roofs this summer, one of the latest being the RIBA award-winning Coin Street Neighbourhood Centre, with fabulous views of the OXO Tower one way, and the National Theatre and London Eye the other. Inside, all meeting rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, and there's a strong emphasis on environmentally friendly materials throughout the building.

Delayed Openings for Saatchi and 108

Quick newsflash if you're planning events for later this year: both the new Saatchi Gallery (tel: 020 8968 9331) in Chelsea and The 108 (tel: 020 8305 3091) at the O2 in Greenwich have delayed their respective openings until October. Both were due to launch this month but builders being builders...

Former Midland Bank Gets Six Star Russian Makeover

Grade I-listed former Midland Bank headquarters at 27-35 Poultry is all set to be transformed into London's first six star hotel (surprise surprise, the owner is a Russian oligarch). Private members' clubs, a roof garden and 184 bedrooms are thought to be in the offing. Rumours also abound that the Cafe Royal is set to receive the six star hotel treatment over the next couple of years(don't forget to book those Christmas parties there while you still can).

Clear Your Desk to St James' Park

You don't need an excuse to hold an outdoor meeting this week if you're anywhere near St James' Park on Thursday and Friday. Tell your boss that all that greenery and nature is very inspiring and make use of Visit London's Outdoor Office. Overlooking the lake, just off Birdcage Walk, the office will house a reception area, boardroom, 'creative' room, work desk area and a water cooler. Areas and desks can be reserved (via the Visit London website) for up to two hours between 9.30am and 6pm.

10% Discount at New De Vere Canary Wharf

We've just visited the new De Vere Canary Wharf (tel: 0845 136 0123) and it's a slick operation, housed in a modern, light-filled building on Westferry Circus. Hot off the press: if you book any of their 13 meeting rooms by Friday, you'll receive a 5% discount.

First UK Venture for L'Atelier Des Chefs

Forget everything you thought you knew about teambuilding cookery classes: L’atelier des Chefs (tel: 020 7499 6580) is reinventing the wheel in their swanky Wigmore Street kitchens. We particularly like the ‘cook, eat and run’ concept, where you can pop down at lunchtime and cook a tasty meal in just 30 minutes: best of all, it's 2-for-1 until 31 August, a saving of £9 each. Elsewhere, up to 150 can be accommodated for a teambuilding session and classes can last from half an hour to four hours.

Free Magnum of Moet at Crowne Plaza

It's all about Moet at Crowne Plaza London - The City this summer, who are touting two ways to win a magnum of it. Either drop in your business card next time you're visiting and you'll be entered into a monthly draw for the bubbly; or spend over £500 in sophisticated private dining space The Glass Room, seating up to 30, and you'll be given the complimentary magnum. The offer is limited so get booking!

Devonshire Terrace Opens in City

You're spoilt for choice with no less than four private dining rooms at newly opened restaurant/bar Devonshire Terrace (tel: 020 7256 3233). Even better, each has its own balcony and sliding doors, so you can be part of the adjacent restaurant or completely sealed off. A great new option for private diners in the City...

12 is the Magic Number at Swissotel The Howard

There's 25% off the bill at new restaurant 12 Temple Place (tel: 020 20 7836 3555) at Swissotel The Howard - but only if you can prove that the number 12 has a significance in your life! It could be your birth date, phone number, house number, even office address. Go armed with the evidence and enjoy modern British cuisine in the Garden Courtyard (which can also be hired for private functions). The offer runs until the end of August.

Smirnoff Black Summer Film Screenings at Bluebird

Outdoor film screenings are kicking off across town and new to the market this year is Bluebird, which has a cracking selection lined up, starting on the 9 July with Casablanca. Screenings will take place every Wednesday in the Gallery Room until 27 August, and options vary: film only is £5 per person (no refreshments); a ticket for the film, Smirnoff Black cocktail and canapés is £20; or dine pre-or-post screening in the restaurant. Hitchcock classics and musicals such as My Fair Lady are sure to keep everyone happy.

New s&m in Leadenhall Market

Not a lot of people know this but you can hire s&m cafes for private events, the latest being this week's new opening in Leadenhall Market (tel: 020 7626 6646). The 200-capacity space is their largest yet, with 3100 sq ft spread out over three floors. And if you fancy bangers and mash on the river, check out s&m ahoy! - a catering service aboard Thames Clippers from Tate Britain to Woolwich.

Latest News at Gibson Hall

It's all happening at grand Bishopsgate venue Gibson Hall. There's a new Civil Ceremony Licence, for up to 350 guests; a new website; and savings on Christmas parties if you're happy to hold yours in January or February 2009. Competitively priced shared nights are also on offer during December, as well as Gibson's exclusive nights.

World's Hottest Curry at Cinnamon Club

Things are hotting up at the Cinnamon Club, where chef Vivek Singh has created the world's hottest curry (allegedly). It's already been submitted to the Guiness World Records and diners have to sign a disclaimer before eating it, stating they understand the nature and risks involved with eating such a dish. What makes it so darn spicy? It's the Naga pepper and its seeds, which is 100 times hotter than your common or garden jalapeno pepper. Private diners, proceed with caution!

All That Jazz

Today sees the launch of the inaugural Greenwich Beer & Jazz Festival (tel: 020 8241 9818), an official CAMRA event which will feature over 140 real ales, lagers and bottled beers, plus all sorts of live jazz happenings. Running until Sunday, take the opportunity to wander round the many excellent venues in the area. And whilst we're on a jazz tip, we're revisiting The Dover Street Restaurant & Jazz Bar - nearly 30 years old and still one of the best private hire spaces if live music is on the menu.

Last Minute VIP Package at Lovebox Weekender

Here's a great last minute plan for the weekend: Love The Bunny's (tel: 07775 696232) VIP package at Victoria Park's excellent and now very well-established Lovebox Weekender. From £99, you'll be hosted in the equivalent of an exclusive country club, surrounded by water features and art installations; the largest mobile roof terrace in the country; a spa offering treatments; chill out hammock village; private bars and specialist food offerings. Best of all, the weather is set to be sunny!

Private Shopping at Hamleys

At last - a way to shop at Hamleys without getting surrounded by over-excited children. We love the sound of the after-hours parties for corporate groups, which include private shopping (with a discount) throughout the store, canapés and Champagne. DJs and live entertainment can be laid on and don't forget Hamleys host childrens' parties too, including a sleepover (we're jealous!)

Park Terrace Offers at Mandarin Oriental

The Mandarin Oriental's delightful new outdoor dining space, The Park Terrace, has opened and to celebrate, the hotel is offering complimentary room hire when you book a private reception on the Terrace, for a minimum of 150 guests. Other excellent deals include a complimentary upgrade from a sparkling wine reception to a Champagne reception at lunch or dinner, and a special offer on canapés, which are reduced to £12 per person (normal price £16). The various offers are valid until the end of December, as long as you book before the end of August.

The Kitchen Opens in Parsons Green

Swiftly following on the heels of L'Atelier des Chefs comes The Kitchen (tel: 020 7736 8067): an exciting new 'meal assembly' concept whereby time-poor Londoners can order a meal online (with menus created by a Michelin-starred chef), then pop in to the Parsons Green kitchen, where the ingredients for said meal are all ready to be put together and taken home by you to enjoy. What's more, bespoke private bookings are available for up to 16, with a Champagne reception and team cooking, followed by a food and wine matching experience.

New Private Members' Club in West End

Not another private members' club I hear you cry? Well, Victory (tel: 020 7240 0700) is thankfully something a little bit different. Newly opened, membership is free but granted on the premise that you have a story to tell: only creative, witty raconteurs need apply. All areas of the imaginative New Oxford Street venue are also available for private hire, from Victory Street (a movie set-inspired avenue with shop windows) to a Library and Apartment.

Aston Hall Opens the West Wing

One of South Yorkshire's finest hotels, Aston Hall, has just opened a new West Wing to its 1772 main house. Mirroring its beautiful Georgian architecture, the Wing adds a further 29 bedrooms and two new meeting rooms, holding up to 30 people boardroom or 60 theatre style.

Number Twelve on Masterchef

Switch on to BBC One tonight at 8pm and spot Italian restaurant Number Twelve on Celebrity Masterchef, as the three remaining finalists fine tune their cooking at top London restaurants. The restaurant has recently been nominated as Best Italian Restaurant at the London Restaurant Awards and can be hired exclusively for up to 70; combine with a meeting in one of Ambassadors Bloomsbury's meeting rooms (the restaurant sits on its ground floor).

Tom Aikens Launches Classic Menu for Private Dining

Now there's the chance to sample all of Tom Aikens' signature dishes in private dining, seating up to ten, with matched wines chosen by Sommelier of the Year 2008 Gearoid Devaney. Enjoy the Classic Menu at £100 per person (with wines, £175 per person), with such delights as poached lobster tail and cured venison with venison carpaccio.

Members' Club Bureau Opens for Private Events

When Kingly Court-based private members' club Bureau (tel: 020 7494 4386) opened earlier this month, we were disappointed that this slick, New York-style basement bar was only available for private hire to non-members on a Sunday. But hurray - we've just heard that it is now open for weekday or night bookings too, with a capacity of 80 for drinks and gourmet bar food.

Alfresco Terrace Opens at belowzero

Heddon Street is now a mecca for chilled out alfresco drinking and dining; belowzero is the latest to join the club, with its colourful new terrace. Various ongoing offers, such as a lunch deal of two courses and a beer or glass of wine for £16 (or £12.50 for two courses), selected bottles of white and rose for £10 between 5-7pm and live music on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, make it a yet more attractive proposal. Don't forget too, that belowzero has some gorgeous private event spaces inside, for up to 90 (or take over the whole place for 270).

Rejuvenate this Summer

City-based Energy Clinic has changed its name to The Rejuvenation Centre. The Feng Shui-ed venue guarantees to boost your energy, performance and stamina levels with just one session of its signature Rejuvenation treatment, which combines a Rejuvenating Tea ceremony, meridian massage and practical tips to re-balance your energy levels.

Amy Comes to Madame Tussauds

Amy Winehouse has been spotted in Madame Tussauds. The petite musical powerhouse, whose waxen alter ego stands almost six feet tall thanks to killer heels and beehive, joins other A-list music legends in the fabulous World Stage Ballroom. Click through to read more about hosting an event at Tussauds...

House Basement Opens in Soho

Located beneath Café Boheme at 17 Old Compton Street, House Basement (tel: 020 7292 0126) is the latest addition to the ever-expanding Soho House empire. Drawing inspiration from a traditional French sitting room, the basement features neutral decor, deep sofas and snug armchairs, offset by home furnishings and a relaxed atmosphere. Available during the day for private hire, the space can accommodate 50 seated or up to 80 for drinks parties. A menu is also available offering traditional French food.

Casino Available for Exclusive Hire

The Casino at The Empire, London’s largest casino, is now available for exclusive private hire for up to 1,800 people. The snazzy West End-venue, formerly home to the renowned Empire Ballroom, offers 50,000sq feet of space for exclusive private events.