For those wishing to enjoy the Olympics’ atmosphere while indulging in a bit of private members clubs’ luxury, the Fringe and Fish Island Riviera should prove just perfect. Both situated at 100 metres from the Olympic stadium -so great for a prime view of the ceremonies’ fireworks on 27th July and 12th August- those pop up members’ clubs bring the glam factor to Stratford, with their plush cocktails bars, gourmet restaurants, top design, DJ parties, yachts marinas… and even a beach. The East End has never been so chic!
The Fringe 2012: Luxury Warehouse and Top DJS Located in a beautiful Victorian four storey building by the river at Swan Wharf, it overlooks the main Olympic Stadium and is just a 100 metres walk from the Olympic Park. Totally refurbished to top standards, those former stables boast an eclectic mix of high-end, vintage and bespoke furniture, fittings and lighting, with crystal chandeliers by Baccarat, contemporary furniture by Vitra and art exhibitions by Tim Flach and Charlotte Cory. The venue will serve as an all day and all night retreat from 9am offering food, cocktails and coffee lounges with LCD screens broadcasting Olympic events, while access to a 800 square metres courtyard will allow guests to watch the Games in a giant screen, with the spectators’ cheers in the stadium as a background sound. For party animals, there will be live DJ sets in the evenings until 2am, with the Dixon Brothers, Dom Chung, Norman Jay and Jazzie B & the SoulIISoul Sound System. Bring on the party! www.thefringe2012.com (tickets from £35 for the evening and £75 for the day with one meal and three drinks)
Fish Island Riviera: Maddox at Saint-Tropez-on-the-Lea This stunning contemporary building, situated only three minutes walk away from the Olympic stadium’s exit, is as close to a beach club as it gets, with its sleek pontoon and giant bay windows. In keeping with its Riviera theme, it boasts a riverfront “beach” complete with 250 tonnes of sand and 40 palm trees, as well as a gourmet restaurant (provided by smoked salmon producer Forman’s), an art gallery, a volleyball court and a beach bar. Expect lots of luxury yachts moored in its beautiful “beach” front. There will be live action screens to follow the sporting action, with Olympians making regular appearances and beach volleyball matches organised during the day. Exclusive Mayfair private club Maddox will set up a pop up beach bar open until 2am from the 27th July until the 12th August. There will be live jazz from the Ronnie Scott’s All Stars every night from 10pm to 3am. All very glamorous! www.formansfishisland.com (Entry fee £25 per person)
Also, not in the East End but worth mentioning:
Club France: Gallic Pop Up at Old Billingsgate This old Victorian fish market, dating back to 1875, will be the place-to-be for many of the 350,000 French Londoners, as well as for Gallic sportsmen, media and spectators in London for the duration of the Games. There will be a bar, a brasserie, lounge areas and a shop. There will be giant screens showing the Games to those who don’t have tickets, but the big draw will be the daily presence of famous French Olympic champions and sportsmen, from Marie-José Pérec and Jean Galfione to Philippe Candeloro and Lilian Thuram. Club France will also welcome the new Olympic champions in the evenings, who will celebrate their medals at parties with renowned French DJs and bands. www.clubfranceolympique.com (Tickets from £5.01 for day pass to £288 for VIP lunch or dinner)
The Retreat at the Brewery: Olympics in the City Based in an attractive listed 18th century former brewery located in the City, pop up club The Retreat will offer its guests six themed areas, including a “park” recreated in its courtyard and a cinema. Aimed primarily at City people and institutions, it will provide its members with a good “all-in-one” base to relax or entertain. Olympic events will be shown in the cinema, and there will also be a spa for massages, manicures and treatments, bands in the evening and a night club opened until 2am, with private club Mo*Vida enrolled to host some of the nights there. www.retreat-city.co.uk (Tickets £294 for all day membership and £150 for evening-only membership, food and drinks included)
All photos: Fish Island Riviera
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