Author: Barbara Brudenell-Bruce

Glisten, glamour, and great conversation: our January evening at The Other House had it all.

A rainy January night. A gloriously indulgent room. Excellent company.
While the city glistened with dark-at-four o’clock January rain, a determined group of beautiful people ignored the weather, stepped into elegant shoes, and came out anyway. Which, frankly, is always a promising sign. Despite the rain (and one guest who charmingly arrived on entirely the wrong date), the room filled, conversations sparked, and the evening unfolded exactly as these things should: easily, warmly, and with a sense that something rather nice might happen.

We gathered at The Other House, tucked away behind eleven Victorian townhouses that have been transformed into something deliciously over the top. Our private space – The Keeping Room- was repeatedly described as “dreamy”, which feels accurate. Sumptuous interiors and intimate nooks meant the room buzzed with energy, laughter, and conversation –  the kind of chaos that only a good date night can bring.

The atmosphere was buoyed by impeccable hosting from the wonderful team – Jessica, Fran, Jeanette and Aidan – who made everything feel seamless. Drinks flowed easily: glasses of winter-appropriate red wine for some, and a gratifying number of Dry January devotees happily sipping Seedlip and tonics. Special mention must go to the clever people at award-winning Nirvana Brewery, whose 0% beers disappeared so fast I didn’t even manage to photograph them in their brightly coloured glory.

Canapés were the sort you actually want to eat rather than politely nibble: Scottish smoked salmon blinis with dill cream and cress, beef short-rib croquettes with horseradish and watercress mayo, and caramelised red onion tartlets – all perfect fuel for flirting, chatting, and lingering a little longer than planned.

And linger, people did. One of the great pleasures of these evenings is watching guests arrive, thinking they’ll “just pop in for one” and then stay for dinner, settling into conversation as if they’ve known each other for ages.

The feedback afterwards said it all. Guests spoke of great conversations, delightful company, and the care and thought behind the evening. Several asked when they could come again – always the nicest possible review.

January has a reputation for being bleak. We respectfully disagree. Give it a beautiful room, good drinks, and interesting people, and it turns out to be rather excellent after all.

The Arding Affair: Where Edwardian Glamour Met Modern Magic

Tuesday 16^th December | 6.30 – 8.30

The Arding Rooms | 7 St John’s Rd, | London | SW11 1QN

Forget ordinary Tuesdays. At The Arding Rooms, sparkling prosecco flowed as guests arrived beneath chandeliers that have witnessed a century of stories, seasonal cocktails disappeared throughout the evening, roasted beef crostini circulated through rooms where South Londoners once shopped for drapery and delight, and the intimate spaces buzzed with laughter, curiosity, and the particular electricity of genuine connection. By the end of the night, it was clear: Clapham Junction (or as we prefer, seven minutes from Victoria) had just hosted the most elegant toast to 2025 – and the perfect welcome to everything 2026 might bring.

The Atmosphere

It was one of those rare evenings where everything just works. Our usual brilliant humans mixed seamlessly with Single members from The Arding Rooms itself, proof that good people recognise each other regardless of which membership they’re paying for. Guests arrived with that particular December energy (equal parts festive and exhausted) and left with phone numbers, genuine plans for January, and the satisfied glow of people who’ve had proper conversations with interesting strangers. The building did most of the heavy lifting, of course, guests kept disappearing mid-chat to explore its Edwardian splendour, leaving the room wonderfully empty at times as they discovered architectural treasures that absolutely no one expected to find in Clapham Junction. Meanwhile, Chloe orchestrated the entire evening with invisible precision, while Poppy, Amelia, Adam, Aman, Chris, Micah and the team proved that exceptional hospitality isn’t dead- it’s just been hiding south of the river, waiting for the right crowd.

Guest Testimonials

The feedback rolled in before breakfast. One couple reported: “Thank you for an excellent event at the Arding last night, we enjoyed it tremendously. I was particularly taken with [another guest] and would be interested to see her again.” (Reader, we’re making the introduction.) Another guest captured it perfectly: “I was so lucky to have met you last night, and so many wonderful people who I will connect with. You have this positive energy about you which is infectious and you created such an incredible event which I’ll tell my other single friends about.”

Several people admitted they’d never have discovered this gem on their own, which is rather the point. By the end, new friendships had been forged, December diaries had been compared, and more than a few guests looked ready to settle in for a third cocktail.

The Arding Rooms proved what we’ve always suspected: the right setting, the right people, and the right team can turn a random Tuesday into the kind of evening you’ll still be talking about in January.

Here’s to properly toasting what 2025 taught us, and to everything brilliant waiting in 2026.