Event Stories

Venus and Mars Party

Bocconcino Restaurant | 19 Berkeley Street | W1J 8ED London | United Kingdom

Tuesday, February 26, 2019 from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM (GMT)
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January Jazz, Whisky and Chocolate

Boisdale of Belgravia | 15 Eccleston Street | London | SW1W 9LX
Tuesday 15th January 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm
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The football, the art, the cheese and the wine lovers.

3rd July 2018

Wine and cheese. So far, not so different.  Wine and cheese on a stonkingly warm summer evening in the middle of the football world cup and on the night that England was set to play Columbia – now you’ve got our attention.  What on earth happened you say – did any men turn up?

As it happens our chaps are rather partial to a spot of wine and cheese.  And our ladies by perfect contrast are rather partial to a spot of football.  Who was leading the charge to watch up football at a nearby pub you ask…the ladies of course.

And what a fully-charged evening we all had.  It was another sell-out event and a few people cancelling in favour of the footie didn’t faze us, we had a couple on the bench ready to take available ticket positions.  Our partygoers were on even kookier form that ever.  Balmy nights tend to do that to us and who am I to complain – you’ll never see me happier than in a room full of characters.

Character Numero Uno was quietly charming wine buff host Stuart George, who opened the proceedings wowing us with stories of his fine and rare wine business Vins Extraordinaires’ home – the gorgeous 19^th Century Townhouse at 50 Brook Street, dead opposite Claridge’s.  He circled back later in the evening with another vintage for a blind tasting of what we all assumed would be table wine but was in fact a rare, and no longer in production, port – Gould Campbell 1994. You didn’t fool us Stuart – we guessed it was port all along, even if we didn’t get that it was 24 years old.  Didn’t we, our budding Oz Clarkes!

Extraordinary vineyard owners Tim and Vaughan Pearson turned up to show us what a dream of creating a vineyard in South Africa looks like.  A labour of love for them was love in a glass for us.  A Sauvignon Blanc, an unoaked Chardonnay that tasted more like a Chablis, an oaked Chardonnay, a gorgeous Pinot Noir, and a perfect cheese pairing Syrah.  Vaughan was the conveyor of imbibing knowledge and imbibe on that knowledge we did. So full of tips and stories was Vaughan that she held our attention for an inordinately long time, though with well-received pauses for football score up dates.  She had us eating, or should we say drinking, out of her hand.   Tim was busy pouring wines and imparting his wine knowledge and cheeky tales and their daughter Kim – a Harley Street nutritionist – kept us all chuckling at the entrance to 50 Brook Street as the procession of football lovers hopped back and forth from pub to venue like naughty school kids.

Now we mustn’t forget the Grand Fromage. Stuart Maclennan from Cows & Co talked us through his wonderful project of Scottish cheeses with a twist, each one more delicious than the last.  Louise and I fell in love with Nanny McBrie – a gorgeous goats cheese that tastes more like a triple cream sheep’s cheese.  I suspect if there was left over cheese on the night Nanny McBrie was not one of them!

The backdrop was Shtager Gallery’s stunning exhibition.  Already running the previous week when we stopped into Brook Street to fine-tune details, we asked gallerist Marina Shtager if it could be extended just so all of you cheese, wine and art lovers could experience the whole shebang!

So thank you Vins Extraordinaires, Seven Springs and Cows & Co.   There were special packs of discounted wine and cheese on the night – so if you would like to taste for yourselves what we’ve all been enthusing about  Follow this link.

Garden Delights; Made in Chelsea Party

13th March 2018

Our backdrop for last week’s spring party was the ever-popular Chelsea Institution, Brinkley’s. Their restaurants and bars are the most exciting and interesting people watching venues in town.

Our party planstress Olivia (Olly) Brinkley is a delightful chip off her mother Jenny’s sophisticated and svelte block if ever your offspring could be one.   Welcoming us in her friendly and effervescent manner and cleverly coming up with the wonderful welcome cocktail of Raspberry Kiss.  Remembering back to when we first met, we literally did not come up for air, so excited was our conversation about how the dating industry works from all sides – Matchmaking, online dating, our own face-to-face parties, there was so much to discuss and dare I say divulge  – we have got to be in one of the most interesting businesses on the planet!

The evening in March was devoid of any beast in the weather description, zero Beast from the East or Mini Beast. In fact not a beast in sight, our guest list was a very well turned out crowd a point well noted and observed by our two lovely guests from Richochet TV.  Ricochet is the award-winning television company who makes First Dates, Who Do You Think You Are? and Little Big Shots.  They are creating a new show on dating and they’d heard about our famous parties and wanted to be inspired by our guests.   I wonder if they swept up any future TV stars?

Some guests who dropped in from Europe to join us welcomed us, having decided to have a late lunch before the event, they were in the spirit for a party! The room soon became tightly packed in that nice friendly way. The crowd loved the array of delicious canapes including Brie and Goat’s cheese tarts, calamari with harissa mayo and chicken gyozas as they streamed effortlessly through the room by capable pretty staff.  Our guest list mixed palatably with Brinkley’s regulars and the rest is as they say perfect-party-compatible history. The party gang moved next door to continue an impromptu session with new and old friends, we hear numbers were exchanged and laughter was heard at the bar until closing.

Now rumour has it from two of our male guests that they returned with a crowd of new friends to celebrate on Saturday. Brinkley’s is undeniably one of the best places in Chelsea, to chill, party or even dare we suggest it have a date.

Lady Luck Party Feb. 2018

As the Beast from the East, the worst storm to hit the UK in decades, raged outside; inside in the unstoppably exciting Lola’s Casino – nothing was going to rain on our parade!

Thank you so much to everyone who made it through the crazy weather conditions, you are troopers!  And to those who were completely snowed in, you were missed – you know who are you!

Greeting us at the door was a marvellous 808 Whisky Caipirinha, providing a welcoming perk-up on arrival.

Over in the casino we had two private Learn-to-Play tables with Roulette and Blackjack to tempt the players and the gamblers.

808’s Brand Ambassador Andy led a tasting of 808 Whisky, so soft it was our ladies that were leading the fan club – and such an entertaining club they were that Andy stayed for the duration of the night – way to go ladies!

Psychic Love Coach Alison Chan Lung, had a queue back as far as the Whisky Bar and was an absolute hit.  I’d love to be a fly on the wall to hear her predictions!

We feasted on delicious canapes including USDA Beef Sliders, Vegetable Spring Rolls, Smoked Salmon Blinis, Croquettes with Parma ham and my personal favourite Goats Cheese Lollipops.  Yum!

We were all given a £50 token to go and play in the main casino, so tactile those poker chips, we all felt like the real gambling deal.

Thank you Hippodrome for being such five star professionals throughout the night – very impressive indeed, we look forward to coming back next year!

JAZZ UP YOUR JANUARY BLOW AWAY YOUR BLUES

Tuesday, Jan 16^th.  Boisdale of Mayfair.

So down a dark and narrow stairway we went – that being the eccentric approach to our private room in Boisdale of Mayfair and The Vinyl Bar and Groove Room the venue of our January party. But then there’s a lot about Boisdale that’s eccentric, which, no surprise, is exactly what attracted us to the kooky-kitsch, red-walled, tartan-clad, cigar-smoking, jazz-loving group of restaurants in the first place!
With its charming and capable fun-pectation team, what could possibly go wrong?
Led by delightfully capable GM Lizzie, and cocktail maestro team Stefan and Ricardo, they introduced us to a cocktail so delicious you really must try it at home.

The Dark and Stormy
45ml Chivas Regal Extra
15ml Ginger beer
10ml lime juice
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Stir, strain in a rocks-filled glass and garnished with lime

The night took off at a gallop and there were so many of us we were split into two groups. Pernod Ricard Whisky Ambassador Phil Huckle with his booming voice led the assault on our palates with a glorious taste tour and masterclass. But wait, where’s the assault of Whisky proportions as we know it? This combination of whisky and chocolate is mellow – a warm, palette pleasing sensation, decidedly rich but decidedly dammed fine!
As Phil charmed our palates with his whiskey non-assault course, delightful elocutionist and Artisan du Chocolates ambassador Danny wowed us with a chocolate pairing combination that really hit the spot. She paired:

Chivas Regal Extra with liquid Sea Salted caramels and maple syrup
The Glenlivet 12 year old with luxury ginger and lemongrass.

Skapa Skiren with a dark chocolate ganache.
Blending our two groups of 30 into one big group of 60 in our private vinyl bar in the basement our boisterous crowd barely drew breath. Lots of new friendships were formed, numbers exchanged and, empowered with our deeper awareness of whiskey and chocolat, we snuck back up the staircase. Eventually, that is – the party was so enthusiastic nobody (including moi) wanted to leave.  What a blast! To everyone involved in setting up this epic fun-feast, let’s do it again soon!

And some lovely feedback: –

Dear Barbara,

What a wonderful whisky galore fuelled evening on Tuesday, thank you so much. Lovely to see you and Lou and a host of friendly familiar faces. Great fun and a fantastic start to 2018. Looking forward to seeing you again soon.

J x

Hi Barbara

This was my first Rendezvous event and after the initial apprehension and losing 5 kilos of January weight in nerves….I really enjoyed it!  Can you please send me all the details to join the Rendezvous club and I can’t wait for the next event you were telling me about in the Casino.

C x

Hello hon …

Thank you so much for your hard work in arranging a fun evening on Tuesday.

X and I really enjoyed ourselves and met some lovely people who we are meeting up for coffees/dinners.

Love

D x

Hi Barbara

Thank you very much for the party yesterday I enjoyed it immensely.

I have heard only positive comments about your abilities as hostess well done!

I have heard there is another party you are hosting the Casino night that is meant to be the best if the season…

Can you remind me about it?

Thanks

T x

HI Barbara!  Thanks for the invite yesterday.  It was a great evening.

There was a girl there I was talking to called X. Would it be possible to introduce us on email?

See you soon.

C x

Giddy in Chelsea – 12th September

Goat Chelsea. 333 Fulham Road. Tuesday 12th of September.
Our members arrived for pre-event drinks (prinks) with the photo savvy Ms Laura Gub who is Brand You Max. Her company specializes in getting the photo that shows the best side of you. And we all want shine on social and frankly look hot to trot!
This September party signalled the start of the Autumn, and getting together with old and new single friends. Cherry blossom Bellini’s got the tongues wagging. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and stories.
The gang settled into the laid-back vibe at Goat, it has the comforting feeling of a place where we’ve all been before? Actually, come to think of it there were quite a few of us in the room who used to frequent this joint when it was a shabby Chelsea pub called the Goat in Boots….back in the day. I would know that because I was one of them! Those were the days when Rendezvous didn’t need to organize parties for singles – pubs were the place to party for singles – you just hit the right day of the week and hey presto – Giddy up!
But in the heyday of heads in phones we all need a little bit of help to meet some new friends and romantic acquaintances. And from the look of the room and numbers changing hands, it looks like our job was done.
Looking forward to seeing you all soon x

Summer Loving | Summer Party

Tuesday 4th July

Bernardi’s Dog House Room:  Marylebone W1.

Summer Parties! In the depths of winter just the thought of them can be one of the things that keep you keeping on. Trouble is, come the summer there are just too many of them. Diaries are packed, statement events are booked; we are all looking tippety-top in our sun-kissed summer best; now, can we fit them all in.

Not to be outdone, Rendezvous pulled out all the stops to make sure our party was a date not to be missed.   So fair play to all of those guests who tore themselves away from earlier engagements to join us. Never have we run a party where such a large amount of guests turned up over half way through the event!   Stragglers until late….in the bar till late, well someone had to keep them company!

The evening kicked off with a pre-event soiree for our Club Members hosted by our delightful friend and Date Coach Ané Auret.   Ané specializes in helping women find love all over again.  Turning a possible negative into a positive, she muses that we should never imagine that the best relationship is behind us; au contrair! The best is yet to come.   I couldn’t agree with her more.  I looked around the room at all the fabulous looking women; confident, smart, parents of accomplished children, financially secure … and thought “you men have got some amazing women here to choose from; you better get cracking and take some phone numbers!!”

Bernardi’s has become a firm favourite with our crew.  Not only does it reside in the newly-formed Portman Estate’s chic street Seymour Place, but they have the coolest interior and we get to have our very own room – the naughty corner in the basement bar, complete with an outside courtyard that was clearly the place to be.  ‘You will always find me in the courtyard at parties’, as Jonah Louie would have sung had he been there, and boy, he should have been.

We were greeted with a glass of prosecco and then treated to a procession of gorgeous canapés.   Assiette after assiette of delicious nibbles – from bruschetta to arancini, to delicious amuse-bouches and then teeny mouthfuls of pudding too.   Lemon meringue mini tarts anyone? I almost forgot I had given up sugar – oh go on, just the one….munch.

Just to add a little bit more fun to our Summer Loving theme our star guest was the Photo Booth.  Those clever creatives at Momentus Photo Booths dropped by and set up a party-sized booth, complete with two cheeky chappies on hand to answer any questions.  With a glass of confidence inside us and the party in full swing beside us, the Photo Booth is the guest that just keeps on giving; it’s the ice-breaker that takes the must-have pictures.  And the photos are spectacularly flattering; everyone looks a better/younger/thinner version of themselves.  And they’re always fun for everyone, whether you’re 5 or 105 years old.

I think you’ll agree we all looked like we were having a fabulous time.  One or two in the booth – or maybe let’s just see if we can squeeze in five.  What a hoot.   And who had the most photo stand-offs?  Was it Lou Lou or was it Richard? No, having his photo taken for a change, it was Rendezvous’ fave photographer Stevie Roberts, that’s who!

So there we have it, Summer Loving, it was a blast, Summer Loving it happened so fast.   Summer days drifting away, oh ho for the summer nights.

Wella, wella…have an amazing summer everyone – looking forward to seeing you all in September.

Boisdale: The Art of Gin Cocktail Making

Tuesday 6^th June.

If you think Rendezvous is just about matchmaking people – you’re partly right but we’re also pride ourselves in being pretty good at matching ourselves to brands to give our singles the best possible backdrop to a perfect social night out.

Boisdale’s last week was a balmy summer evening, buzzing, boisterous and bubblicious a bloody-brilliant Thomas Dakin Gin event in the back bar.  The effervescent and contagiously-enthusiastic head of events for Boisdale the delicious Mark Shelton and I hatched a plan a few months back to do a mash-up of our two members clubs.  Boisdale members to be mixed with Rendezvous club members.

This mix-up theme got our crew mixing cocktails.  And they got really involved!  Thomas Dakin Gin curator Alix Walker in his flat cap and waistcoat, shared his stuff about the history of Gin. Thomas Dakin was an entrepreneur and a forefather of Gin in the 18^th Century.  At the time only the Dutch were dabbling with the stuff and calling it Juniper; the Brits took the fluff out of that name and got it down to a neat abbreviation that would roll off the tongue in any state of inebriation.  Cheers.

Our crew got to work behind the bar, shaking, swizzling and stirring in pairs, freshly  prepared cocktails were passed to new friends but some were just too good to give up!

Whatever happened the combination of mixing, stirring, muddling and laughing made for a superbly good fun night.  And just to conclude my theme on all things good starting with B (modest moi?) …can we just say Boisdale Belgravia – Back Bar….the coolest little cocktail bar in town.

Here’s the creations that Alix himself came up with and we got to shake up.

The Manchester Bee
Serve in Coupettes or Martini glasses

• 35ml Thomas Dakin Gin
• 2 tsp of honey
• 25ml lemon juice

In a shaker stir honey with the Thomas Dakin gin until dissolved, add the rest of the ingredients.  Shake or stir with ice and strain into a Martini glass. Garnish with thin orange wheel float.

Tom’s Spritz
Serve in a Casablanca style glass/tall rocks glass.

• 35ml Thomas Dakin Gin
• Sugar syrup
• Ground Black pepper
• Basil
• Lemon juice

In a glass pop the basil first and muddle, followed by the black pepper, Gin and sugar syrup and top up with your favourite mixer.   Ours was by fab mixers Brand Merchants Heart in their lemon flavour.

We had such fun with Boisdale we will be having another event in August.  If you would like to be on the waitlist for the event as it sold out quickly.  Please email barbara@rendezvous-london.com

Tuesday 21st March.  Styling with Suitsupply City Store 

Above the of hum drum of chatting members in this swish outfitter our darling friend and resident Dapper Cad (Jonathan) JT hosted our event with a focus on men’s date-wear.   It was JT who introduced us to slick Dutch tailor Suitsupply and what a great introduction it turned out to be.  I imagine fans of the brand are not too thrilled that we are divulging this little gem of a secret stylish product that utterly screams tailor-made but for a snip of the price.

Five of our fabulous guests/models took the plunge for makeover.  Well done men for being such sports.  Jonathan and his team of Suitsupply experts introduced the men as they were and then took them back stage (well into dressing rooms) and proceeded with a complete change of look.

Bring on the boys for a quick twirl (or bow) and then into the audience for a chat while their new look settled into our viewers focus.  The audience voted for the man who best suited their new look.  Not who was most dapper or who wore the suit best – but who was completely transformed by their new look.   The results were amazingly even – I suspect lots of friends were there voting for their friends as good friends should!  But our Construction Company owner Jake wowed the crowds with his just-got-off-a-yacht in Cannes look and won by just a tip of his Panama hat.  What fun – and he got to choose a dapper blazer to compliment his new look.

While the winners whirled, the stylish men grabbed their girls…. oops I mean their jackets – we clip-clopped off to the fabulous Bar20. What a welcome we got Mariusz, Massimo, Massimiliano and Andrea presenting us with an array of Gin cocktails delicious and perfectly paired by Sipsmith Gin.

The Dapper Cad, Tactile Property and Made to Measure exquisitely tailored for our members with divine spring flavours including strawberry, rhubarb and lavender.

Talking of Spring I do hope you’re joining us for our famous Franco’s Rose Wine Tasting it’s on the 26^th of April; tickets are available now.