This quirky, atmospheric and hugely original pub has long been part of the cool, arty Kensal Green and Notting Hill community. Notable for its strong musical history (from The Clash in the 80s to upcoming bands like I Blame Coco today), the boho-chic institution is not only Kensal Green’s central party scene -with top DJs, burlesque, cabaret and comedy nights- but also a magnet for London’s foodies, having reinvented its cuisine over the past few years to appeal to more sophisticated palates.

Built in 1892 and borrowing its name from a GK Chesterton’s poem referencing the nearby cemetery (“For there is good news yet to hear and fine things to be seen, Before we go to Paradise by way of Kensal Green”), this atmospheric pub -comprising a front bar section, dining room, an outside terrace and three event spaces- has long been the pride and joy of Kensal Green, attracting the arty and creative crowd that populates the area. For there aren’t many pubs that look like the former coach inn, which design -with its candle lit rooms, artfully peeled wood-panelled walls, statues of angels, Victorian portraits, hanging bird cages and theatrical chandeliers-conveys the atmosphere of a sexy vampire movie, combined with a definite party vibe. read more

Originally launched last September as a three-month only pop up private club, Quintessentially Soho has been so successful that it still remains open and will do so until at least 30 September (and possibly later). So not too late then to become a member and do your bit for philanthropy -as 99% of the membership price goes straight to charity- or to visit the magnificent Grade 1 listed building at one of the club’s open evenings for non members.

For those in search of a new watering hole/place to organise business meetings/events space, there are two good reasons to become a member ofQuintessentially Soho. First, this is a rather fun way to do your bit for charity, with the club raising funds for disadvantaged children and for people in need. Since its opening in September last year, the club -supported by celebrity members Emma Watson, Sophie Dahl, Lily Allen, Daisy Lowe, Mick Jagger, Steve Jones and The Kooks– has raised over £400,000 for charities, while its in-house Life Skills programme has seen over 50% of the volunteers moving into further employment and 48% going onto further education. read more

The private club, which has hosted since its opening in 2007 a clique of celebrity clients including Leonardo Di Caprio, Cameron Diaz, Will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas, P Diddy, Grace Jones, Paris Hilton, Orlando Bloom and Giorgio Armani -to name a few- is opening from the 1st of July its glamorous doors to non members, who will now be able to book at its restaurant: a good way to play at Spot-the-Celeb while enjoying a meal.

As with most successful private clubs in London, passing the doors ofMaddox can be a stressful challenge. So booking a table at its intimate 60-cover restaurant is a good way to discover its super glamorous surroundings, masterminded by design guru Sammy Chams, while having a peak at its beautiful -and often famous- clientele.

And while the food often remains a sore point in nightclubs, the Mediterranean menu on offer at Maddox is definitely above average, with dishes including grilled artichoke and asparagus salad, veal costoletta in sage and truffle oil and tiramisu for an affordable (at least by Mayfair standards) set price of £35. Last but not least, the cocktails are brilliant! As for the service, it is friendly and attentive under the eagle-eyed owner Fred Moss and general manager George Callisto, who make sure everything runs smoothly by hosting the restaurant and club every night. read more

This summer, the five-star hotel is welcoming back Sanderson Predicts, its summer music series of concerts in conjunction with label Modular Recordings. It started with a concert by I Blame Coco on the 3rd June, and will host a series of special performances in its courtyard from some of the freshest names on the UK’s music circuit on selected Thursdays all summer.

The music is all about handpicked young British talents deemed to get big. Kicking off the series on Thursday 3rd June, I Blame Coco did an acoustic set from her debut album The Constant. In close pursuit comes pop nez hotties Othello Woolf (17th June) whose contemporary pop sound is set to become a huge hit throughout the summer, Babe Shadow (8th July), the 22-piece London based female choir Gaggle (15th July), Fenech-Soler (12th August), and a special guest to be announced on 29th July.

The five-star hotel is worth a visit in itself. Built in 1958 as the headquarters of the Sanderson wallpaper company, it is listed as a Grade II heritage building and has been revamped by French designer Philippe Starck. The concerts take place in the hotel garden courtyard, decorated with trees, fountains and a reflecting pool. Very cool place, great cocktails and a good selection of up and coming young artists, and no sweating crowd in sight… read more

This captivating collection of drag queens have just brought their own brand of glitz, glamour and 8-inch heels to the City, where they are on show every Thursday at Proud Cabaret: wonderfully camp, good fun and entertaining!

Bring your heels, sequins and feathers! Proud Cabaret, the City restaurant and club modeled on a 1920s speakeasy, has just launched its new Thursday’s act, the fabulous Globe Girls, and it is as fun as it can get. Particularly popular amongst celebs, the three fabulous professional West End dancers have already performed for admirers such as Elton John, Kylie Minogue, Beyonce and Lady Gaga… So expectations were high at the show’s premiere on April 18th, but they certainly didn’t disappoint, with two hours of the most over the top drag queen show this side of Las Vegas. read more

Following the launch last year of the Supperclub in Ladbroke Grove and Proud Cabaret in the City, the trend for restaurants which offer entertainment acts alongside the food continues, with the recent opening of Circus in Covent Garden: expect live snakes, burlesque dances and active participation!

Why go there?

Because it is fun: launched last January, Circus mixes bar, restaurant and entertainment in one venue. Drinkers and diners can be involved in the performance should they wish (or if they are sufficiently warmed up by the many innovative cocktails on offer!), while the main table doubles as the stage. On the night we visited, one act involved a giant python, as an accessory to a rather exotic dance.

To play “Spot the Celeb”:  although not a member’s club, Circus has got an influential “Friends’ Committee” of super connected individuals, such as fashion designer Matthew Williamson and eco warrior-multimillionaire David de Rothschild, to help attracting A-listers. Obviously, it works, with Jude Law, Sienna Miller, Mark Ronson, Jade Jagger and Agyness Deyn -amongst many others- having already been spotted there. read more

The luxury Knightsbridge hotel’s Health Club & Spa has transformed its roof-top terrace for the first time this year into a pine-filled forest cinema, and has a package available for Londoners on weekdays and evenings: the ultimately chic Christmas movie experience…

With its fluffy cushions, cosy pashminas, furry hot water bottles and heating lamps installed to keep guests warm, this pine-lined outdoor theatre provides a movie experience which is festive, fun, original, luxurious… and (Chic-Londres thinks) perfect for a date.

The spa visitors are treated to winter classics such as It’s a Wonderful Life or Miracle on 34th Street on the big screen while nestling between blankets getting warmed up with hot chocolate and mince pies.

A special Winter Wonderland package for Londoners is available until January 31st 2010. It costs £35 per person for up to four hours and includes full access to the movie theatre, heated pool and health club, with movies shown between 4.30pm and10pm on weekdays, weather permitting (so providing we are not snowed under!) read more

Chic-Londres went to the launch party of Proud Cabaret, a new venue in the City offering a fun mix of cabaret, jazz and burlesque entertainment.

The person behind Officially launched on the 5th of November, Proud Cabaret is the new venue opened by Alex Proud, the promoter behind Proud Galleries and Proud Camden. The first -located in Soho, Camden and soon Chelsea- are Europe’s most popular private photographic galleries specialised in pop culture, fashion and rock, while the second is the incredibly cool concert venue where singers and bands like Dizzee Rascal, The Kooks or Stereophonics regularly play intimate sets.

The concept While his previous venues have a definite rock’n roll feel, Proud Cabaret is all about the return to a bygone and glamorous era: modelled on a 1920s speakeasy (and designed by trendy Russell Sage), this new restaurant and bar offers live entertainment -from jazz to tap dancing to burlesque- in the style of a retro and slightly decadent Hollywood club. There is a constant stream of live bands, performers and DJs, with staff dressed in flapper dresses to enhance the cabaret atmosphere. read more

This week, the May Fair, London Fashion Week’s “official hotel”, is undoubtedly one of the most glamorous places to be: a good occasion to discover its great cocktails and have a glimpse at its celebs clientele at the bar.

Who ? Model Erin O’Connor, singer Estelle, composer Simon Webbe and actor Jason Statham are amongst those staying at the May Fair Hotel for London Fashion Week, which started on Friday and will end next Wednesday. Its famous clientele also includes Slumdog Millionnaire’s star Freida Pinto, who stays here when she is in town.

Why ? The British Fashion Council has chosen the May Fair as its « official hotel » to celebrate London Fashion Week’s 25th anniversary, with a party on the 21st of September co-hosted by Geordie Greig, editor of the Evening Standard. First opened by King George V in 1927, the May Fair had a recent £75 million makeover. read more

The Emporio Armani Caffé, which has permanent branches in Milan, Paris and Knightsbridge, is temporarily setting up shop at St Martins Lane for London Fashion Week, just a short walk from its new site at Somerset House.

Why? With its proximity to London Fashion Week’s new home, a complimentary rickshaw service to and from Somerset House and its specific target at those attending the shows, the pop up cafe might provide an interesting glimpse to the professional world of fashionistas. And the reputation of the St Martins Lane Hotel -which also houses Bungalow 8 super cool private club- amongst the fashion and party crowd can only add to the attraction.

What? With its Mediterranean menu based on seasonal ingredients, interiors from Armani Casa and complimentary Wi-Fi, the café aims to be a modern and sophisticated, yet  relaxed, meeting place. With direct access from the hotel’s terrace or through the hotel’s main entrance, it is be open to everyone, with no reservation required. read more

Located in an old Victorian warehouse in Islington, the Double Club, a place where Western and Congolese cultures meet, has undoubtedly become the talk of the town for hip Londoners since its opening in 2008. This pop-up club, which includes a bar, a restaurant and a disco, should definitively close its doors in July: so don’t wait too long…

The story so far…

The Double Club was set up on 21 November 2008 by the Prada Foundation and Belgium-born artist Carsten Höller, famous for its Tate Modern giant slides installation in 2007. This unique pop-up club consists of three distinct spaces -a bar, a restaurant and a discotheque- each divided into two different atmospheres (Western and Congolese).

It brings together contemporary western and Congolese cultures, through art, interior design, food and music: Congolese and Western DJs and live acts are showcased in the disco, which circular dance floor slowly revolves at about one turn per hour. read more