It’s the end of August and it’s raining, which can only mean one thing: Carnival time. Proudly parading into its 51st year, Europe’s greatest street party (and the largest carnival in the world after Rio) is set to be bigger than ever, with 1,500 costumes, 70 stages, two million party-goers – and 9,000 police to make sure everyone’s behaving. But don’t be daunted by such figures: we’re here to guide you through every scintillating minute of west London’s wild weekend. Take a look at our top party picks for rum-soaked revelry.
Coya (below)
If you’re clutching hold of August like a closed fist gripping an ice lolly, you’ll be in good company at this carnival-themed partay, which also seems intent on hanging on to endless days of summer. We suggest you join in and drown your end-of-season sorrows. Start with a summery Paloma cocktail (Don Julio Tequila, grapefruit and Maraschino), and don’t forget the ‘summer-chic’ dress code. The restaurant is decked out in summer flowers (as well as masks, glitter and whistles) and the staff will be sporting summer hats and florals (and that’s just the men). Normal dinner service is followed by a bottle-service party with plenty of tunes and a surprise (no doubt summery) cocktail to help you forget that winter is coming.
Nama (right)
If Carnival screams ‘excess’ to you (we’re withholding judgement on that one), you can pretend you’re above the debauchery by joining the raw foodies at Nama and ordering their (semi) virtuous drinks and snacks. Get a load of the coconut rum punch (raw coconut water muddled with organic spiced rum and served in the coconuts), all-organic sangria or vegan iced coffees with an extra shot of rum. Still feeling self-righteous but needing extra oomph? Party shots are your friend; concoctions include medicinal mushrooms, orange, lemon, ginger and chilli – all with a big hit of rum. And if you’re gearing up for dance-athon, get your teeth stuck into an energy bar packed with sprouted nuts and seeds, goji berries, cacao nibs, maca, lucuma, vanilla and dates. You’ll still be dancing with the street cleaners come Tuesday morning.
Paradise By Way of Kensal Green (below)
Spearheading the celebrations as always, Paradise is powering through the weekend (fuelled by plenty of Paradise Summer Punch) – aiming to keep you shaking your rum-filled coconuts from Saturday to Monday. Babylon London is kicking things off with one if its infamous day-parties, cranking out a heady mix of house and garage on Saturday, complete with de rigueur barbecue. Paradise Sessions will then be upping the tempo on Saturday night with legendary 1980s star Neneh Cherry DJ-ing, flooding the D-floor with ‘unadulterated party anthems’ (ahem). Electronic music wizards Eton Messy hold court at Sunday night’s Notting Hill Carnival Party, getting you going for Monday’s grand finale: none other than the Deviation Carnival Session, replete with top DJs. We’ve already got our tickets and suggest you get yours pronto.
The Rum Kitchen (right)
It always feels like Carnival at this rambunctious, Caribbean, rum- and jerk-filled shack. The Kitchen is getting properly into the spirit this year, with a series of pre-parties in the run-up (or should we say ‘rum-up’) to the main event. Friday night sees DJ Luke IQ bring his ‘Definitely Happening’ club night to the subterranean bar, dripping with hip hop, R&B and grime. On Saturday, the official warm-up party showcases the best in reggae ska, dancehall and hip hop. This is a popular venue with well-heeled Notting Hill hipsters – the only grime you’ll experience is the music.
This article was published 27 August 2015