October 26, 2019 In News, Past Events

Holding Court Wednesday 23rd October

Wednesday 23rd October.  The Court, Kingly Street, Soho.

Our Rendezvous at The Court this October evening proved to be pure genius on every level. Nestling in buzzy Carnaby Street, just along from 90’s haunt Shampers. The Court is an absolute gem of a venue. The bar soon began to rock with our guests, moving The Court’s own members swiftly to the side so we could entertain our very special list. Service was contactless club-land style, wonderful staff, helped create an eclectic ambience that set us up for a splendid night!

On the site of the legendary music venue Bag O’Nails, where in the 60s, the likes of The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and The Rolling Stones frequently partied, we had a ball.

This iconic spot is a trendy new private members’ club: The Court which opened its doors in February and is a sophisticated space with hot new restaurant and a chic Gatsby-style basement bar with an extensive cocktail menu. The décor is stunning created by the internationally renowned artist Bradley Theodore and celebrity florist Nikki Tibbles.

The club echoes the venue’s rich musical history with live entertainment nightly including pianists, soul singer, jazz/funk/rock bands and the occasional show.  We were wowed by the gorgeous Amber Topaz an actress, and comedienne who transformed the club with her explosive charisma and stage presence hovering between music and jazz songs and seduction, a true vision in red!!

The Court is an amazing club and we think there are some very compelling reasons to join…particularly as this incredibly chic and charming bolt hole has a membership offer just for us. Until the end of November, you can take annual membership for just £400 reduced from the usual £600.00.  Please email Pamela Giuliana pam@thecourt.co.uk.

 

Some Lovely Feedback:

Hi Barbara

Great evening last night, lots of people, very good venue. It was lovely to have live band and a singer made a great atmosphere. Let’s have more music!

Love S x

Hi B

Just wanted to say thank you for the other night, what a lovely venue!

T x

Dear Barbara

Congrats again on another vibrant, happy event at The Court, I enjoyed meeting more new faces.

Look forward to seeing you and everyone again at the next one. Great night last night.  Thank you!

P x

Dear Barbara

I just wanted to write and thank you for yesterday evening’s lovely drinks party at The Court. I had a really wonderful time and met some truly delightful and interesting people. It was a great pleasure to finally meet you and also Lou too! I will look forward to hearing about the next event.

N x

 

September 14, 2019 In News

Rendezvous at The Wellington 4th September

The Wellington Club | 91 Jermyn Street | St. James’s | SW1Y 6JB

We gave it some ‘Welly’ in true Rendezvous style!

Anyone with a penchant for partying during the noughties will remember The Wellington in Knightsbridge, established way back in 1832, a famous bolthole for decadence and debauchery – with a who’s who list of artists, musicians and actors making up the membership. After a stop for a breather, the founders have relocated to an ever-sophisticated St James’s. The newest iteration of The Wellington is a grown-up, fully formed version, complete with all of the earlier Welly’s naughty spirit!

Hellfire greeted us; a spectacular perk you up cocktail created exclusively for us.  And as the crowd started gathering, we snaffled up lots of delicious canapes gorgeously created by renowned chef, Brett Duarte, whose style is Modern European dishes of the highest quality made from locally sourced produce.  There to be something for everyone in this crowd-pleasing selection.

We then split into two groups, divided up by lovely Lou – who is an excellent direct-tress.  The first group became our art lovers’ and were treated with a private tour with fascinating art curator, Leo Babsky who introduced us to The Wellington Club’s selection of works acquired by Jake Panayiotou, including a Damien Hirst painted directly on the wall!  Leo has curated an eclectic collection mixing up original pieces with his own style, completely fitting for the glam new space.

The second bunch joined in with a cocktail demonstration – making that perky damson of a cocktail Hell Fire.  Jun, the master mixologist mixed it up, he is a true showman. And then one of us got to try making it too; there were no shortage of hands up for that job.

As the two tribes got back together and settled in for the night….and settled in…. further….I was happy to report that there were a large merry bunch perched at the main bar, even as I left after 11pm.   Looking forward to spending much more time at this glamorous, friendly and welcome newcomer.

For membership details please contact Grace Sullivan grace@thewellington.club

 

 

Some Lovely Feedback –

Good morning Barbara,

What a lovely and lively event you organised, thank you! I liked the venue and it is certainly a place I would like to revisit again.  I enjoyed myself and I was also pleased to see a few familiar faces.

Warmest regards

P x

Hi Barbara,

I haven’t seen you at all tonight & I would have loved to. 😊

On my way back, thank you so much. I have spent a really lovely evening & have met a lot of nice people.

I hope to have a chance to speak to you more next time! 😉

B x

Barbara

Great evening thank you so much thought your daughter & her friend were gorgeous. Loved the Wellington and the Art Curator & the whacky collection…fabulous and look forward to your next event.

P xx

 

Hey Barbara thanks again for the invite to last night’s event which I really enjoyed!

 

July 3, 2019 In News

Summer Member’s Party

Home House.  20 Portman Square.  London W1

What a blast we had last night, at what will be the first of many joint parties with posh match-making agency Vida, Elite Singles the online app for singles that truly do want a serious relationship and our very own Rendezvous – that fabulous place to meet long-time friends, business acquaintances and perhaps a fine romance.

 

Vida’s welcoming crew was downstairs at the glam entrance of Home House – which so many of you are members of – it really is so social we should have a Rendezvous discount!  Our very own Lou Lou was handing out complimentary drinks passes.  That’s a dangerous mixture, Lou Lou and the drinks trolley – I’m pleased to report she kept the party spirit up high, what’s not to like about that task!

 

The party rocked on, or squished on, 120 people between two rooms is not easy to navigate. But finding love isn’t either, so why not leave a little bit to chance or fate.

 

And there was a game.  The idea was that you take your card full of coloured stickers and stick them to someone’s card of the opposite sex, exchanging their coloured sticker with yours.  You should end up with a card full of stickers of a different colour.  A great way for combat sticking, I’d say.  The prize was an uber swanky perfume for the person with the most accomplished…er sticker book!

 

We were so proud of our Rendezvous members in the room, not in the slightest bit discouraged at the sight of no regulars in the room – they smiled on, chatting with new people, especially those who had never been to an event for single people before.  We met lots of new friends and extended lots of invites to our Rendezvous parties.  Roll on the next one.

 

If you’d like to join our next members party membership details are on our membership page.

May 9, 2019 In News

Our Rosé Revolution Party

Rosé Revolution Party   Thursday 2nd May 2019

Every year we look forward to the spring, the warm, longer days and Franco’s rosé wine list launch, unofficially considered the start of the summer season! What could be more agreeable than enjoying a crisp glass of rosé accompanied by delicious canapés chosen from the largest restaurant selection of international rosé wines in Europe (seventy to be exact.)

Franco’s party is now in its 11th year and Rendezvous never being one to miss an opportunity is in its third year of our fabulous Rosé Revolution wine tasting.  A party of our very own in a private room and set up off the back of the launch party held during the same week.

Looking around the room and at the glistening pink bottles I had to think…. that’s a whole lot of tasty beverage – no hold fire (literally) I’m in the wrong film reference ….this is no Pulp Fiction of a night, I am certain there’s going to be some True Romance!

Franco’s Restaurant Manager Samir AitAftis, (Sam) spoke about the event and introduced the night and how the party had come about and the extensive list we would be tasting.  We had our own bespoke tasting booklets to make notes, perfect for flirty comparative conversation later….

We were wowed with delicious canapes including smoked salmon with crème fraiche & chive, saffron arancino, Parma ham & taleggio and ricotta & spinach tortellini.

As the evening was winding up, we collected up a bunch of business cards and drew the prize out of a champagne bucket (of course we did) Angela won the dinner for four generously donated by Franco’s.  I wonder who she chose to go along with her?!

Thank you to Franco’s wonderful team, you are a true credit to your business and thank you for allowing Rendezvous to be included as part of the unofficial start to the season …..Jason, Georgie, Samir, Julia

March 30, 2019 In News, Past Events

A fine romance, my good fellow…..

Love under the hammer.  Fellow’s Auction House.  Mayfair.  March 27th

Spring was in the air on this warm March night we had chosen to have our Love Under the Hammer party.  Guests who sprung open the exquisitely grand doors to Fellow’s Georgian Townhouse and Mayfair viewing premises were met by the marvellous Lou and the charming Fellows team with a glass of Champagne – Berry Bros. & Rudd Crémant de Limoux – nothing but the best for our guests.

No one knew quite what was in store for the night, because that’s what we like to do – mix things up and create new ideas for you to be introduced to something different, be it a new restaurant, a new luxury brand or just a new idea.  All concepts that create a stunning backdrop enabling you to meet new people based on your similar interests and in a warm, friendly and inviting atmosphere.  Rendezvous can and should be a bit like an extended family, which is why we were so thrilled to be introduced to Fellows.

Run by charming sisters Alexandra and Nicola Whittaker, whose mother Jayne Whittaker (née Fellows) is the sixth generation of Fellows to work in the business.  Fellows is very much a family affair.

Last year, Fellows broke a house record with an Omega Speedmaster going for £90,000; they have sold in excess of 2,000 designer accessories, which included more than 30 of the highly-coveted Hermès Birkin handbags. Their star auction in November 2018 sold a large single-stone diamond ring, weighing in at over 13cts. The emerald-cut diamond sold for £310,500, shortly followed by a very impressive diamond fringe necklace sold for £177,160!

Our guests could digest the fact that they were not about to be involved in an auction – although one fine fellow did manage to involved in an auction later on…enough said on that!  We were delighted to be knowledge-imparted by Fellows specialists on all manner of things.  Despite the ground floor room serving as an enticing magnet for the ladies all keen to know how to spot a fake Hermès or a fake Chanel handbag, the room was also full to the brim with men – in an ‘always find you in the kitchen at parties’ squished room. The next handbag auction is scheduled for 29th April.

 

 

Meanwhile, the real business was going on upstairs.  One delighted guest found a watch he fell in love with and registered himself to bid on it at the watch auction taking place on 2nd April.  Similarly, one elegant lady brought in a family heirloom– a stunning diamond bracelet. Fellows’ specialists valued it at £5,000. You might see it or something similar in their next Fine Jewellery auction that is set to happen on 16th May.

All the while as we were looking, learning and being wowed, there was a constant flow of champagne and delicious canapes.  The spectacularly sumptuous feast ranged from perky bloody Mary arancini, to wild mushroom tartlets to pork croquettes with apple dipping sauce.

It was wonderful to meet new guests who were introduced to us by Fellows.  Didn’t we all fit in to a T!

If you’d like to be a customer, why not bring that family heirloom that you’ve been thinking about selling; the experts will gladly tell you if they could sell it and for what starting price.  Please contact alexandra@fellows.co.uk or sign up to their email alerts. You’ll be the first to know when catalogues.

Some Lovely Feedback

Hi Barbara,
What a fun evening, fab venue, fizz and canapes. I enjoyed trying on some of those beautiful watches and chatting to the very engaging Fellows staff. See you soon!
T x


Hi Barbara
Thank you very much again for organising another super party:  it was all great fun although I cannot pretend, I mastered the intricacies of jewellery or handbags.
It was a fun night nonetheless!
B x


Dear Babs
Great event on Wednesday ‘Love Under the Hammer’ venue beautiful, canapés totally delicious, Prosecco flowed, Fellowes auctioneers very knowledgeable and quite funny…and some fabulous guests to chat to…a very different dynamic being smaller numbers.
N x