Putting on a fun face….putting on the Ritz
For the run up to our Lady Luck Party at Hippodrome Casino on 29th November, I’ve never known a party of ours to generate such an avalanche of interest. The inbox heaved, the texts piled up and the phone was off the hook with excitement at so many real live calls. Just like the old days. As I fielded all the excited enquiries, filled up the guest list and managed all the plus ones I was struck by what an amazing network of fun-free-single-and-up-for-its we have built up. You brave souls who are ready to jump out of your comfort zone and present your fun-faces to the world, albeit a carefully crafted world where friendship and pleasure are almost guaranteed – with a warm welcome and a generous glass of fizzy confidence just to ease you in. Beats those dating apps swipes hands down. And hands down (jokers wild!) was the name of the game as we braved the Leicester Square crowds and forced our way through to our own private entrance at the Hippodrome Casino.
With super slick staff from cloak room to bar, the casino is one confident operation and suddenly there we were with a high rolling luxury game room all to ourselves. Gaming expert Steve took to the floor to tell us how the dice would roll and the tables turn. Craps and Roulette just like Vegas –we’d all get a go and the person with the most chips would win a bottle of Moet. Count me in mister cool-cut croupier! No wallflowers and no pussyfooting; everyone was straight on it. This was a room full of winners just itching to try their luck. Gaming tables are a great way to meet people – rubbing shoulders, playing your cards right, trying your luck, one last desperate throw of the dice – all neat metaphors for the mating game (OK, no-one looked desperate). And with our own private bar – open all night – what could possible go wrong? And canapés darling, endless delicious canapés – tuna tartare, mini burgers, goat’s cheese lollipops and mini doughnuts …. body is a temple Sweetie.
There was a queue to have Christina read tarot cards. She was non-stop for 3 hours. Everyone coming away saying how on earth would she know that about me? Isn’t she a gorgeous person; I just want to scoop her up and give her a hug and that was before she claimed my next husband was going to be a gorgeous George look-a-like…joking!
Things got rather competitive at the craps tables. A property developer (he’s got to be good with numbers right) playing to win and a pretty statistician calmly cleaning up in her corner. It was maximum fun. F-U-N. How does all that fit into three letters!
The property guy won the champagne and in the generous spirit of the party, shared it out amongst guests….what a classy winner.
The evening wound reluctantly to a close, with various groups making plans to defect to party offshoots. As we walked through the main casino to exit into the night, some guests were braving the gaming tables in the main casino. Way to go guys, bravo! What a great, great party. I am not exaggerating (as if) when I say I cannot wait to do another one. That’s just the way we roll…
Thank you so much Hippodrome’s Amy and Anna. Gaming experts Steve and Sara. Psychic Christina McCulloch and our stand-in guest list crew Simon and Jo.
Some lovely comments:
Dear Barbara,
Thank you so much for such a great evening last week. I honestly think it was Rendezvous’ most successful event that I have attended.
BW
D x
Hi Barbara
Thank you for organising such a wonderful casino evening .. it was great fun and met some very interesting people.
Long may your success continue.
Love D xx
Hi Barbara
Just wanted to say thanks for great eve! Such a good social event with fun company. Look forward to next event!!
J xx
Hi Barbara
Thank you for last night what a lovely party
D x
Hi Barbara
Just a quick email to say thank you for organising a wonderful evening. Thoroughly enjoyed learning how to play craps! See you soon.
A x
Hi Barbara
I enjoyed it – thank you for including me!
B x
Thank you for hosting the very enjoyable evening at the Hippodrome Casino. As always it was a great atmosphere and everyone was so friendly and easy to talk to. I got totally absorbed in gambling at the roulette table. The croupier was helpful and happy to patiently explain to the novices how to play and to guide some of the more over enthusiastic ‘experts’! Delicious food and free flowing fizzy, all contributed to a great evening. It was certainly somewhere I’d never been to before, what a huge building! it was fascinating to visit the public casino area later see all those guys transfixed at the tables and at the computer screens….another world!
Looking forward to your next event. J x
