Hello Spring (The 50s & 60s edition)

Rendezvous has a bit of a reputation for being a +40s sort of affair, which is fair enough, as it happens, but it’s no longer the whole story. These days, we’re very much in the business of 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s, neatly gathered into their own charming tribes, because life stages matter and so does meeting people who simply get it. Eleven years in, our original 50s crowd have glided, stylishly, obviously, into their 60s and feel less like guests, more like old friends. And with our partnership with Maclynn, we’ve been able to widen the circle still further, creating more room, more parties, more possibilities. Which is how we found ourselves hosting our very first evening just for the 50s and 60s, a sold-out, fizzing, rather fabulous night full of people all after the same elusive thing, and very much enjoying finding it.

And then there were the Dark ’n’ Stormy’s, long, gleaming glasses of deep, golden rum and ginger beer that were consumed with reassuring pleasure, exactly as a long drink should be. Made with Tidal Rum, this was no ordinary mix: a Caribbean blend finished in Jersey with wild coastal botanicals, which sounds faintly eccentric but tastes rather wonderful, smoky, saline, just a little bit intriguing. Guests kept coming back for more (always a good sign), drawn in by something that felt both comforting and quietly adventurous. Not your usual sugary rum situation, but something far more grown-up, the sort of drink you linger over, ideally with excellent company, which, as it happened, we had in abundance.
And then, of course, there was the setting, because a night like this rather depends on it. 12 Hay Hill, quietly doing its thing since 2015, is the very definition of quiet luxury: elegant without fanfare, softly lit, and effortlessly conducive to conversation. The room has that rare ability to put people at ease almost instantly, which, for a room full of people often meeting for the first time, is no small feat.
We were looked after brilliantly by the team throughout, orchestrated with elegant precision by Greta, and anchored at the bar by Botond, together with Taylor, Abi and Esme. Everything ran so smoothly, even the welcome at the door set the tone: warm, relaxed, and just the right side of friendly. Our own team, Anna, Hannah and Liv, were, as ever, a dream to have on the ground, making sure everything flowed exactly as it should, alongside a welcome appearance from Maclynn’s A-team, Sarah-Helen and Frankie, who spent the evening chatting with guests and adding an extra layer of sparkle.

The food, too, struck that perfect balance between elegant and reassuringly generous: truffle and Parmesan arancini that disappeared almost instantly, duck bonbons that were widely admired, and croques that felt satisfyingly indulgent in the best possible way.
And perhaps the most telling thing was the feeling in the room. Guests described it as “spot on”, “lovely”, “nicely relaxed” = that elusive combination of ease and energy that’s so hard to manufacture and so obvious when it’s there. There was a genuine warmth to the evening, a sense of people being open, engaged, and pleased to be exactly where they were. As one of the venue team observed, this is a group that shows up, thoughtful, well-dressed, and fully present, and it would be very hard to disagree. All in all, while Rendezvous has long brought every age group together, this was our first evening created entirely for the 50s and 60s – and we suspect, very much the first of many.

A Night for Curious Hearts

February in London is a threshold month. The cold hasn’t quite packed up, but the light shifts. Daffodils appear. Coats feel lighter. The city begins, quietly, to wake.

We leaned into that in-between moment with an intimate evening at The Italian Greyhound, and what unfolded was, frankly, rather lovely.

By early evening, the private room was humming. A welcome glass in hand, soulful music drifting but never dominating, and a steadily filling room of warm, intelligent, refreshingly open guests. An unseasonably glorious 18-degree day helped. People arrived smiling, slightly sun-flushed, shrugging off coats and any lingering February reluctance.

Within the hour, the room was buzzing. Seventy-five guests, new faces, easy laughter, and that rare, delicious feeling when a space simply works. No awkward clustering. No one glued to their phone. Just great conversations.

The food did exactly what it needed to do. The Italian Greyhound’s signature thin, crisp rectangular pizzas, light and unfussy, cut into perfect sharing slices, circulated efficiently and disappeared almost as quickly as they arrived. Wine flowed. Hunger of all kinds was satisfied.

Service was seamless. Hanna and her team, Helen, Auri and Kavita, handled the evening with calm charm and enviable efficiency. Meanwhile, Team Rendezvous x Maclynn, myself, Hannah, Anna and Liv, kept the door flowing and introductions natural, ensuring no one hovered awkwardly for more than a heartbeat.

Our collaboration with Maclynn continues to feel like a natural evolution. Their bespoke, psychology-led matchmaking paired with our curated in-person events creates something balanced, structured for those who like it, spontaneity for those who do not. Together, we support people at different life stages, from ambitious professionals to those re-entering the dating world, without it ever feeling forced.

The result? A room that felt considered, open and gently electric.

By the end of the night, there were countless number exchanges, new friendships forming, and a few couples slipping off into the Marylebone evening for dinner elsewhere.

Some nights feel like a turning point. This was one of them.

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.

The Greyhound Set: A Night to Sprint For

Tuesday 28th October  l 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
The Italian Greyhound l 62 Seymour St | London | W1H 5BN

Forget ordinary Tuesdays. At The Italian Greyhound, cocktails flowed, pizzettas vanished almost as fast as they arrived, and the Garden Room buzzed with laughter, old friends, and sparkling new connections. By the end of the night, it was clear: even a midweek evening can feel like a small, glamorous victory.

It was one of those nights where everything just clicked. Faces we hadn’t seen in years reappeared, new friends slipped effortlessly into the mix, and the energy in the room was utterly contagious. Huge thanks to the TIG team, Ionuk, Ram, and Oleh, for keeping the pizzettas coming and the drinks perfectly poured.

Guests couldn’t stop talking about the evening. K, an established artist and educator, “felt instantly at home despite being new to the group”, while L praised the “marvellous party,” the “excellent mix of guests (and plenty of men!), and the venue’s perfect location with its inspired, warm nibbles.” And. Jazz singer J called X “an absolute delight,”

By the end, new connections had been forged, conversations had flowed effortlessly, and laughter lingered long after the last cocktail. With December already creeping into thoughts, it’s safe to say The Greyhound Set continues to set the gold standard for a Tuesday well spent.

Here’s to more nights where cocktails, conversation, and perfectly timed pizzettas make even a weekday feel like a celebration.

The Art of the (Modern) Soirée: A Rendezvous at Lucy Wong

Tuesday 22nd July

Lucy Wong | 33-34 Rathbone Place | London | W1T 1JN

There are some nights in London that simply glow—not from the streetlights or the sequins, but from that elusive, irresistible cocktail of mood, lighting, and chemistry. The kind of night where the air crackles with possibility, and your glass is never empty for long. Enter: Rendezvous at Lucy Wong—where flirtation meets finesse, and all bets are off by midnight (sometimes sooner).

Lucy Wong herself, of course, was nowhere to be found—rumour has it she’s currently drifting down the Mekong on a houseboat full of poets and gin—but she kindly left her Fitzrovia flat open for one of the capital’s most seductive social affairs. Hidden behind an unassuming door just off Charlotte Street, the venue is all smoky shadows and Eastern promise—a 1950s Hong Kong daydream. You half expect Suzie Wong to sashay past in a haze of jasmine and silk.

Guests were greeted with a glass of fizz—because nothing says “this is going to be fun” quite like something chilled and sparkling in your hand—and promptly melted into clusters of candlelit conversation over velvet banquettes. The atmosphere was part Shanghai speakeasy, part glamorous house party, with just a dash of the unexpected. Add in a soundtrack of low laughter, gently clinking glassware, and a few truly dangerous cocktails (yes, the infamous Sleeping Tiger made a return), and you’ve got the perfect recipe for delightful mischief.

Huge thanks to the Lucy Wong dream team—Kat, Dennis, James, Editya, and Gee—who kept the magic flowing and the drinks even more so.

As always with Rendezvous, the aim isn’t just romance (though sparks absolutely flew), but connection. Proper, old-school, eye-contact-across-the-room connection.

By 10pm, the room was alive: voices low, laughter high, and a steady rhythm of “You have to meet so-and-so…” ricocheting across the bar. Stories were swapped, numbers exchanged, and one couple—we won’t name names—were last seen disappearing into the night, possibly in search of late-night bao buns in Mayfair.

And that’s the secret charm of a Rendezvous evening. For a few golden hours, you’re not just in London—you’re in a better version of it. One where people are disarming, conversation is unhurried, and anything feels gloriously possible.

So here’s to Lucy Wong, wherever she is—and to the joy of meeting people the proper way: over cocktails, dim sum, and a generous splash of old-world glamour.

Hello Petal, Flirt, Sip, Repeat

Hello Petal: Spring into The Other House

Tuesday, 20th May, from 6:30-8:30 pm

Charm and Connection at The Other House

Hello Petal at The Other House had all the right ingredients: flattering lighting, very well-dressed guests, and conversation that meandered charmingly from small talk to actual intrigue. Moatwood Gin was the pour of choice—botanical, crisp, unapologetically grown-up—while Something and Nothing spritzes quietly stole hearts. No awkwardness, no forced fun—just an evening that felt like something good might happen.

Enormous thanks to The Other House for giving us a setting as good-looking as the guest list. All lush foliage, soft lighting, and chic, calm, it was spot on. A particular nod to Jessica Barwell, a long-time friend and steady presence across our favourite London haunts. From Home House to Home Grown to here—it’s been a joy.

Bites, Sips & the Dream Team

Guests grazed on arancini, harissa halloumi, Padron peppers with whipped feta, and sausage rolls that vanished at speed—elegant fuel for sharp minds. Behind the bar, Fiza and Christian served with flair, David handled coats and charisma with disarming ease, and the ever-fabulous Jessica, Fran, and Ella made everything tick beautifully in the background.

Beyond Dating: Real Connection

Yes, there were sparks—but this was more than a dating night. Some drifted to dinner, others to the Monkey Bar upstairs, and one gang’s already planning their next outing to Taste of London. It was gloriously social: strangers became friends, numbers swapped, and laughter ensued. Chemistry, yes—but also connection of the most generous kind. And no, before you ask, no one ended up in the pool.

The Word on the Street (well.. in the Inbox)

“What a great party. I met some lovely people and had a fabulous evening.”
“Not my usual dating scene—but amazing people, great conversations. Thank you!”
“A splendid venue, a perfect vibe. My friend X is already planning to join your Club!”

It’s this kind of feedback that reminds us why we do what we do.

Membership Matters

If you’re already a Rendezvous Club Member, you know the deal: the inside track to the best bits. But here’s a bonus—The Other House is offering a special something to all of our guests. Fancy a tour or a day pass? Drop me a line. No pressure—just a nudge towards something lovely.  barbara@rendezvous-london.com

A wine Romance

Thursday 27th March | 28:50 By Night 

What a fantastic way to celebrate a week that includes the spring forward to British Summertime with our cheeky Uncorked the Unexpected wine-tasting party.

A heartfelt gratitude to the extraordinary team at 28-50 by night!

Team 28-50 is an exceptional group of individuals with relentless dedication. Each played a vital role in making our evening an absolute success.

A special mention goes to Raymund, whose exceptional management kept the party (and the bar) running like a well-oiled machine. And to be fair, we are quite a lively bunch of wine lovers!

Let’s also raise a glass to Mike Guthrie, Head Sommelier extraordinaire and the mastermind both in front and behind the scenes.  He quite literally stole the show!   Who doesn’t love a sommelier getting bossy with the right way to taste the delicious wine in your glass?  After all, that was the event we signed up for. 

We loved the blind-tasting taste-off, thoroughly enjoying the Old-World vs New-World theme. We explored two captivating wines – a wonderful fresh and light Vino Verde from Portugal representing the Old World and a smooth South African Shiraz punching above its New World weight!

The tasting competition notes were diligently collected and separated by handsome helper Henry into those that had answered correctly, and Mike pulled the lucky winner out of a champagne bucket.  Jane guessed correctly (actually, she had just been on holiday in South Africa, so she knew a thing or two already) and proudly took home a bottle to treasure.

Let’s not forget the canapes – 28-50’s MD Emiliano Isufi served us delicious parmesan arancini, Parma ham croquettes, and show-stopping mushroom and truffle tartlets that just melted in the mouth.

And by 8.30 pm, the music had begun, we were asked to take our seats as our private room was turning into a jazz space joining jazz-loving members of the public, seated for a calm dining experience.  Quite interesting trying to get our boisterous herd of cats to take their seats – but it was worth it for bubbly and heartfelt Jazz vocalist Nel Begley, who has found herself in the midst of the London Jazz Scene and was smack bang in the middle of our wine romance!

This wasn’t just a wine tasting;  the rest was down to you fabulous guests, creating a social symphony with old friends, new faces, and kindred spirits in an atmosphere of laughter, elegance, and a shared love of the finer things in life.

Baby, It Was Warm Inside x Marmalade Trust.

Tuesday, 21st January | Home Grown Club

Thank you to everyone who joined us!

On one of the coldest nights of the year, our fantastic crowd braved the chilly January evening to make our event unforgettable! You are true social superstars, full of energy and warmth. Despite what looked like an archeological dig outside (just road works!), you were quite the explorers finding your way to Home Grown. You made it happen!

A Glamorous Setting

Home Grown was our home for the evening, a stunning six-story Georgian townhouse in the heart of Marylebone. Its cozy, atmosphere was the perfect backdrop to foster the buzzing energy that made the night special.

A special thanks to those who joined in with our Sharing the Love campaign.  It was heartwarming that so many of you nominated friends who needed extra encouragement to join us. We met the 10 wonderful new faces who won the tickets and welcomed them into the Rendezvous circle.

Birthday Bonus

We celebrated new connections and special occasions—two guests celebrated their birthdays with us! It was a joy to see them share their special day surrounded by old and new friends.

Eighty incredible guests filled the space, including new guests from the Home Grown’s Membership, creating a buzz of laughter, conversation, and genuine connection. It was a night to remember, proof that January can give warmth, friendship, and new beginnings.

Marmalade Trust

Finally, thank you for supporting our partnership with the Marmalade Trust. Your generous donations are helping this incredible charity combat loneliness and foster meaningful connections across all ages. If you’d like to learn more about their work or get involved, check out the links below:

• Learn more
• Donate
• Volunteer with Marmalade Trust

Some lovely Feedback:-

Dear Barbara

It was lovely to meet you at your event yesterday, thank you for your very warm welcome.

The venue was beautiful, and the room was full of such interesting people!

Morning Barbara

Just to say last night was a fabulous event. I enjoyed it so much and so nice to reconnect with regulars, one of the highlights on my January calendar!