The Hottest Ticket in Town
Cocktail party · 40s & 50s · Bentley’s, Mayfair
London was having one of its moments. The day before, Kew Gardens had recorded 34.8 degrees, the highest temperature ever recorded in May. By the time guests arrived at Bentley’s on Tuesday evening, nobody was interested in proving their resilience.
Fortunately, the Jameson Room was waiting. A private entrance, a private bar, blessed air conditioning, and iced water lined up ready for thirsty arrivals. Guests were greeted with chilled flutes of Blanc de Blancs, which seemed to improve everyone’s outlook considerably.
The room quickly found its rhythm. New faces mixed easily with familiar ones, conversations began, drifted, reformed and carried on. The best parties are rarely complicated; they simply give interesting people the space to enjoy one another’s company.
Bentley’s team were superb throughout. Maria, Joshua, Matt and Alex kept everything running with effortless professionalism, while Kathryn orchestrated the Rendezvous x Bentley’s collaboration with the kind of calm efficiency guests rarely notice, which is usually the sign it’s being done exceptionally well.
The canapés were substantial enough to make dinner plans feel superfluous: sweet potato samosas with tamarind, giant prawn tempura with aioli, and beef tartare balanced on potato crisps with oyster cream. More than one guest was spotted abandoning any pretence of restraint.
Also on hand was photographer Ben McNade, whose portraits have become something of a Maclynn tradition. Capturing someone’s best side is one thing; capturing something recognisably them is quite another. Ben manages both.
What lingered, as ever, were the conversations. One guest left hoping to continue a discussion about Amsterdam, European passports and skiing with a gentleman she’d met over a glass of wine. Others simply wrote to say thank you, describing the evening as relaxed, warm and great fun.
We held a memorable party at Bentley’s during that strange Covid summer when nobody could leave the country, and London felt unusually full of possibility. It has been talked about ever since.
This one may well join it.