Going Out | Entertainment

Have ‘A Very Merry Christmas’ experience at the Apple Market

Christmas shopping can be a nightmare for most people with the same shops offering generic gift ideas. So this year, why not visit the Covent Garden Apple Market (open until 9pm on Thursdays during December), to discover something different - it’s a great destination for Londoners and tourists alike.

New invention aims to combat drink spiking crimes

Drink spiking is a problem that we are all aware of and more people have been affected by it than one would think. With 600 cases of drink spiking reported a year this is only the tip of the iceberg as a staggering 84% fail to report the crime.

P!nk announces UK stadium tour

Having sold 2 million tickets to date on her current worldwide Funhouse Tour, P!nk has announced via her Twitter that she will be returning in 2010 with The Funhouse Summer Carnival Tour to break new ground at six stadiums across the UK, kicking off on Saturday 12 June in Bolton at the Reebok Stadium. Tickets will go on sale at 10am on Monday 9 November.

Stars gather to celebrate 25th anniversary of ‘Born Free’

On the quarter-century anniversary of ‘Born Free’, an appeal is being launched in aid of our planet’s threatened wildlife. Dozens of celebrities from the world of music and entertainment are due to attend the “Wild & Live” event, including Sharon Osborne, Martin Clunes, Nick Knowles and Mark Austin.

The Globe Girls present a Christmas Cracker at Gilgamesh

The fabulous musical drag spectacular, The Globe Girls, are presenting a Christmas cracker of a performance at Gilgamesh for one night only on Monday 14th December.

Rick’s returns with a bang after expert makeover

Edinburgh’s original cool cocktail bar, Rick’s, is looking to reclaim the title of Scotland’s most stylish drinking destination following an extensive refurbishment.

Backbeat to debut at Glasgow’s Citizens Theatre

Backbeat, the adaptation of one of the UK’s best-loved British films, will have its world premiere at the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow in February 2010.

Fallen Angels arrive at The Brickhouse

This October, Blond Ambition Events is joining forces with East London restaurant, bar and supper club The Brickhouse to host cabaret spectacular Fallen Angels, which will take guests on a journey to the dark side of burlesque and musical comedy.

Park Lane club hosts Balinese night

Park Lane restaurant and club Taman Gang is defying the low temperatures and dark evenings by hosting London’s first ever Balinese night tonight. ‘Taman Gang’ means ‘Park Lane’ in Balinese – so come out from the London cold and into a Balinese haven.

Make a difference to your community and career

According to the latest Government figures, as many as one-in-six young people are out of work – that’s the highest jobless rate for 16-24 year olds since 1993.

Cocktails go skinny for London Fashion Week

Sugary cocktails are hardly ideal for catwalk models so to please the fat conscious King’s Road champagne and cocktail bar JuJu has launched a menu of “LFW Skinny Cocktails”.

The Grand Union to open in Camberwell Grove

Innovative independent pub group The Grand Union is continuing to expand with the launch of The Grand Union Camberwell Grove at the end of October 2009.

Hard Rock International announces Pinktober

Hard Rock’s Pinktober series of gigs return for a highly anticipated third year as Hard Rock Cafe London hosts a special performance from US rockers Fun Lovin’ Criminals on Wednesday 14 October, and Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh opens its doors to performances from Scottish indie favourites The Law and Alto Elite on Thursday 15 October.

Polarview at JuJu

This Friday 18th September, Chelsea bar JuJu will host an unforgettable evening of music by acclaimed band Polarview.

Champagne knows no limits in East London

East London’s newest rooftop members club, Eight Moorgate EC2 is to launch a Saturday evening ‘Limitless Taittinger Champagne Menu’.

JuJu Cocktail lounge introduces Alcoholic Fruit Platter

JuJu, Champagne and Cocktail Lounge on the Kings Road has launched the Deluxe Alcohol Fruit Platter (£30) to their late night menu.

Prada wearing pups to hit the ‘dog walk’ in Covent Garden

Why should humans have all the fun this Fashion Week? On Saturday 19th September at 1pm Covent Garden’s Fashion Fete, a tongue-in-cheek village fete event with a fashion twist, will host a ‘Top Dog Fashion Show’ in collaboration with Love My Dog – London’s pooch-couture emporium.

Dirty Dancing tops the West End charts

Dirty Dancing’s successful run at the West End continues apace as it tops the charts for theatre breaks over the summer.

Sex And The City charity chic hits Manchester

Manolos at the ready, as Sex And The City hits Manchester in the name of charity. On Friday 25th September, Carries, Samanthas, Mirandas, Charlottes and Mr Bigs from across the region will gather in all their finery at the Lowry Hotel, Manchester for the much anticipated Sex And The City Charity Ball.

Dangerous liaisons – are you at risk on a night out?

We’ve all done it - taken a short cut through a park at night in a bid to shave a few minutes off the journey time or worst still, travelled alone at night without telling anyone the planned route or expected time of arrival, but is worth the risk?

JAMpr does Sex And The City for The Christie

The team at JAMpr is going Sex And The City crazy as the sassy ladies don their Manolos to promote a high-profile fundraising Ball for Manchester-based cancer charity, The Christie.

A night like no other in Mayfair

Within the luxurious walls of Taman Gang restaurant and club, a night like no other will be arriving in Mayfair on Wednesdays in August.

Head to ETA for London’s best Carnival party

ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) will host their legendary annual Carnival party on Sunday 30th August and it looks set to be an unforgettable musical and visual display.

Bank holiday fun at The Granville at Barford

The Granville at Barford is to host a special three day August Bank Holiday extravaganza which will see three events take place from Saturday 29 – Monday 31 August inclusive. The festivities start on Saturday 29 August with jazz music in the garden.

Financial worries of festival goers

Whether you're basking in glorious sunshine or up to your knees in mud, festivals have always been a place to unwind and listen to your favourite bands. But chilling out and not being as vigilant as you should be at festivals has led to music fans falling victim to financial criminals.

The Globe Girls arrive at The Brickhouse

Acclaimed supper club, bar and restaurant, The Brickhouse has announced the arrival of The Globe Girls, a stunning musical spectacle, for two exclusive weekends in August on Friday 14th, Saturday 15th, Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd.

Top ten greatest musicals of all time

New research by Churchill Insurance has revealed the nation’s greatest musicals of all time. Mamma Mia tops the chart closely followed by the classic Phantom of the Opera.

Muck In4Life at the Bristol Balloon Fiesta

People from the West Country are being offered the chance to ‘Muck In4Life’ at the Bristol Balloon Fiesta this week and find out about the fun they can have volunteering to help the environment.

Can you hear opportunity knocking?

What’s your usual response when new opportunities come your way? Do you seize the day and savour the experience, or look for the nearest hole in the sand to stick your head into? Chance, risk, and novelty are aspects of life that people react to differently – but how about you?

Slipknot do the double at the Kerrang! Awards

The crème de la crème of rock stars were out in style at last night’s Kerrang! Awards, the annual awards ceremony from Guitar Hero and hosted by weekly rock bible Kerrang! magazine.

An alien-chic fancy dress party on Brick Lane

The Brickhouse restaurant, bar and performance club is launching ShockShock, London’s friendliest electro-pop clubbing event in the heart of Brick Lane this Saturday 8th August, from 9pm until late.

Metallica close Sonisphere with a triumphant performance

Sonisphere Knebworth ended with a climactic bang thanks to an historical set from headliners Metallica.

Success for Sonisphere Festival Knebworth

The UK’s debut Sonisphere Festival kicked off on Saturday with Chicago hard-rockers Soil taking the Saturn stage at midday to wake up amassing crowds who had started to pour in an hour earlier.

Don’t let the recession spoil the summer recess

Britain’s children face a recession-hit summer holiday of fewer family days out, less hours spent with their parents and reduced time spent playing outside, according to a major new study.

Kings Road bar launches the Fortune Cocktail

JuJu bar, Kings Road, has announced the launch of a new and unique cocktail: the Fortune Cocktail. Guests who order a Fortune Cocktail can look into the future simply by draining their glass to reveal prophetic words of wisdom at the base.

Sonisphere festival saves the day for newlyweds

The very first Sonisphere Festival UK is now less than a week away, and it’s already making a massive difference in the lives of people, but for two newlyweds had it not been for the Sonisphere Festival, the most important day of their lives would have been ruined.

Barclaycard unveils new website for music fans

Barclaycard, a leading payment provider in the UK, has launched a new customer website to support its sponsorship with music partners Live Nation, Mercury Prize and Global Radio. From today, barclaycardunwind.com will offer registered Barclaycard customers access to reserved tickets, one-off exclusive gigs, VIP treatment and competitions to win tickets and music collateral.

A sophisticated cocktail experience on Kings Road

This year has seen the launch of JuJu, a stunning Champagne and Cocktail Lounge. Located on the fashionable Kings Road, JuJu offers guests a sophisticated cocktail experience in opulent surroundings. So popular has JuJu already become, that it has just won ‘Best New Bar’ at ‘The London Club and Bar Awards 2009’.

The unofficial Lovebox afterparty

For one weekend every July, Lovebox presides over the London scene, offering two days of unparalleled daytime parties. Top-billing live acts and the cream of underground house DJs play throughout the day, but where to go to continue the party once the music stops?

Balearic boogieing in Greenwich

Following on from the success of last month’s club night, In Bed With Space return to the open-air terrace at THAT Greenwich for another night of Balearic boogieing.

Inky business in Covent Garden

Covent Garden, a London hub for supporting emerging new talent, has teamed up with two of London’s most innovative new collectives to provide visitors to the Piazza an opportunity to experience up-and-coming art at its best.

Greenwich club hosts McEnroe’s Garden Party

To celebrate the Wimbledon finals, THAT Club in Greenwich will host McEnroe’s Garden Party on 4th July from 10pm. The huge outdoor party terrace will be transformed into a tennis court with a full lawn and staff dressed in Eighties retro tennis wear, including super-short shorts, sweatbands and visors.

Life becomes art at Ghost Farringdon

Acclaimed artist Amos and Ghost Farringdon will present a provocative and interactive visual feast where guests to the venue will become an integral part of the art exhibition.

Summer of rock kicks off with Sonisphere

Sonisphere has well and truly arrived! This weekend, Sonisphere kicked off this summer’s European tour in Nijmegen, Holland, where Metallica, Korn and Slipknot blew away the tens of thousands of rampant Dutch metal-heads.

Download proves Donington Park credentials

This weekend’s Download music festival – hailed by Radio One’s Newsbeat as the best yet in its seven-year history at Donington Park* – has proved the venue’s credentials for successfully hosting crowds of almost 100,000 people.

A week of rock at the HMV Forum

Kerrang! Magazine have today announced that their annual Kerrang! Awards ‘Week Of Rock’ shows are back for 2009. Running across five nights at the HMV Forum from 28 July – 1 August, the Week Of Rock has gained a reputation for delivering memorable live performances from the hottest rock acts around.

A unique new members club

This July will see the arrival of a unique new members club to East London. Eight Moorgate EC2 will be a rooftop club with a 360 degree panoramic view over London’s skyline. Set out over two floors and encompassing over 9000 sq.ft the club will offer two expansive terraces to enjoy the stunning views over the city.

Covent Garden launches vintage tea party

In a complete first, Thursday 25th June sees Covent Garden launch a vintage themed ‘Tea Party on the Piazza’ from 5-7pm. Whisking visitors back to the glitz and glamour of the 1920’s, the Piazza will be overflowing with freshly brewed tea and cream-covered cakes.

Culture vultures flock to Kentish Town

Kentish Town is the stylish suburb where can you shop with Jon Snow, bump into Alan Bennett or nip to the newsagent with Alan Rusbridger. Historic and lively Kentish Town is catching cool neighbour Camden as the most desirable postcode, or ‘Poco’, in swinging London.

Dirty Dancing on Stage reaches 5 million people

Last night Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage welcomed its 5 millionth audience member across all its international productions, at the Aldwych Theatre London. Thirteen cities, across three continents have witnessed the stage sensation that has enjoyed standing ovations worldwide since its premiere in Sydney in 2004.

Head to Gilgamesh for Wimbledon with a twist

Experience Wimbledon with a difference at Gilgamesh this summer: for the duration of the Wimbledon season (22nd June – 5th July), the critically acclaimed Pan-Asian restaurant will be opening an exclusive Player’s Lounge.

Peter Gabriel to play Womad festival

Hot on the heels of his wildly successful tour of South America and Mexico, Womad co-founder Peter Gabriel will perform a one-off show especially for Womad UK.

A world of discovery at Womad Festival

Womad Festival returns this summer to the UK with a variety of events and happenings for the whole family. As well as an exciting line-up of first class world music, festival goers will have the chance to experience a huge range of workshops and activities from the Woodland Gamelan, Big Street Video to the renowned Taste the World amongst many others.

Mix your drinks to stay sober

A North London cocktail lounge is launching mixology classes to raise awareness about the contents of its drinks. Annies Bar in Kentish Town, renowned for its calorie counted cocktail selection, is also introducing a unit awareness menu so people know exactly how much alcohol they are drinking.

Greenwich club hosts Ibiza Beach Party

To celebrate Ibiza’s Opening Weekend, THAT Club (The House And Terrace) in Greenwich will host an Ibiza Beach Party spectacular this Saturday 6th June from 10pm. The terrace will be totally transformed into a stunning beach with genuine sand imported from Ibiza and palm trees for clubbers to dance amongst.

Sonisphere announces day tickets

One of the worlds newest and most exciting festival, Sonisphere, have released day tickets that can be snapped up for £67.50, giving fans the opportunity to select the day that they would rather put all their energy into ripping it up and generally partying so hard that they can’t manage a second day of it!

Hard Rock celebrates Woodstock Festival

Hard Rock International today announced that to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the legendary Woodstock Festival, rare pieces of music memorabilia from this historic event are to be flown over from the USA for a special display at London’s Hard Rock Calling festival, which takes place 26-28 June 2009.

Dirty Dancing - A hit on screen, and now on stage

A new poll conducted by the Cinema Advertising Association has named the 1987 film Dirty Dancing the UK’s Number One film of all time, beating off competition from Star Wars and The Lord Of The Rings.

An exciting new venue for W12

GU group has transformed the Mulberry Pub into The Grand Union Ravenscourt Park - a destination venue. Featuring a full interior fit out with exceptional vintage furniture sourced from reclamation yards and charity shops and a superb outdoor decked area seating 60, the Ravenscourt Park site has it all.

Fans choose opening act for Hard Rock Calling

Calling all rock fans - you now have the chance to shape the fortune of one of America’s hottest up-and-coming bands! After battling it out at Hard Rock Cafe locations across the country, five bands from Hard Rock’s Ambassadors of Rock Battle of the Bands have been chosen from a talented pool of more than 150 acts.

Alfresco dining hot spots in London

With summer time almost upon us, we are blowing the clouds away by revealing details on three of the finest hidden al fresco venues in London. This is bound to brighten up dining and drinking experiences for visitors and London dwellers alike.

London drinkers stir up a cocktail of protest

Enraged voters finding MPs’ overblown expenses hard to swallow are being offered a chance to wash away the pain of their wasted taxes - with some appropriately named drinks.

Popular rock act heads to The Granville

The Granville @ Barford will welcome ‘Johnny Price’s Rock Duo’ on Sunday 31 May at 7:45pm. Johnny Price is the lead singer of the talented seven piece rock and roll band ‘Johnny & The Zephyrs’ who will also play at The Granville on Sunday 30 August.

Poets wanted at North London bar

Stylish cocktail lounge Annies Bar is calling for poets to rekindle the literary flames of Kentish Town, North London. The upmarket bar has already proved it is ahead of the trends with its low-calorie cocktails and pie nights. Now, with female poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy inspiring a new generation of poets across the UK, Annies is looking to get bards back at the bar.

Makeover your space

Many of Britain's public buildings have a special place in our hearts, especially when it comes to the local landmarks that we associate with our community.

Gangsters at BFI Southbank

Following the Wall Street Crash in 1929 the Gangster Movie genre erupted like a crime wave with more than 60 films produced between 1930 and 1933 alone. This July BFI Southbank will take a look at some of the key films from this prolific period of filmmaking.

A dash of Norway arrives in Hackney

True Norwegian Egil Johansen is the latest proprietor launching an assault to make hackney the must visit place to drink in London. The Kenton, on Kenton Road, hackney has received a much needed facelift and an injection of Norwegian style, transforming it from a once football dominated pub to a friendly home to those looking for a cosy and arty venue.

Babyface heads to London IndigO2

Multi Grammy Award winner Kenny ‘Babyface’ Edmonds has announced he will play a one- off London date as part of his European Tour at IndigO2 on Saturday July 11.

Häagen-Dazs debuts at the Royal Albert Hall

Luxury ice cream brand, Häagen-Dazs, will become the official ice cream supplier to one of London’s most recognisable landmarks – the Royal Albert Hall – from tomorrow, Thursday 14th May.

Spring shopping in Covent Garden

For the first time ever, Covent Garden has collaborated with a host of independent and high street retailers in the area to launch The Covent Garden Spring Shopping Weekends, taking place in the Market Building and world famous Piazza, during the bank holidays this May (2nd -4th May & 23rd -25th May).

New cocktail celebrates the Chelsea Flower Show

Award-winning South Kensington bar Ghost Inc has created a cocktail featuring edible flowers in honour of this year’s Chelsea Flower Show. This historic event takes place between 19th-23rd May and is quite possibly one of the most beautiful events of the British season.

The cream of the UK’s songwriting talent

The second year of London Songwriters Week brings together the cream of UK songwriting talent through a series of showcases, workshops and performances.

Spring offers for Covent Garden visitors

For the first time ever, Covent Garden has collaborated with a host of independent and high street retailers in the area to launch The Covent Garden Spring Shopping Weekends, taking place in the Market Building and world famous Piazza, during the bank holidays this May (2nd -4th May & 23rd -25th May).

St. George’s Day at the pub

On 23rd April, The Albion in Islington will be hosting an authentically English St. George’s Day event. The pub, famed for its English country-garden and hearty, rustic fare will be serving a specially-created St George’s Day Menu, featuring iconic English favourites, such as Beef Wellington and St George's Mushrooms with Smoked Sandridge Bacon & Wild Garlic on Toast.

An old English menu for St Georges Day

The Granville @ Barford has chosen to celebrate the patron saint of England, St George, with a special four day event. From Thursday 23 – Sunday 26 April, guests can enjoy a special old English menu featuring traditional favourites such as Prawn Cocktail, Faggots with onion gravy and Apple Pie.

Stratford to host unique ‘ghost festival’

Fright Nights, the UK’s leading ghost hunting specialist, is to host the first ever ghost festival in the historic town of Stratford-upon-Avon. The ‘Stratford-upon-Avon Ghost Festival’ will take place from 18 – 21 June at a number of haunted locations including the notoriously haunted ‘The Falstaff’s Experience’, The White Swan Hotel and the Stratford-upon-Avon Town Hall.

The Boss to play Hyde Park gig

Hard Rock International confirmed today that fans will have one last chance to see Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band live at Hard Rock Calling 2009.

Starsailor to headline Hard Rock Calling

Hard Rock International announced today that the critically acclaimed British band Starsailor will perform exclusive and intimate concerts at select Hard Rock Cafes in the U.S., leading up to Hard Rock Calling 2009 in London’s Hyde Park, one of the U.K.’s most anticipated concert festivals.

Kids get cooking for world record attempt

Students from three UK secondary schools - Bottisham Village College, Cambridge, Littleover Community School, Derby and St Anselms College, Birkenhead, are set to join Celebrity MasterChef winner and ex-Atomic Kitten, Liz McClarnon, in an exciting Guinness World Record attempt this Friday (1st May).

Find your spirit and discover your cocktail palate

Are you looking at cocktail menus not knowing what to choose? Or do you simply order an old favourite? The mixologists at The Living Room Edinburgh want to help you discover your cocktail palate with a cocktail masterclass with a difference: ‘Discover your palate’ allows guests to create their own cocktails or make subtle changes to old favourites, making them even more delicious.