By Jenna Jones
Whilst it’s most certainly a major step up from Christmas 2020, it’s safe to say that we’re all still treading cautiously when it comes to the thought of festive celebrations this year. As most of us slowly return to the office, navigating staggered office hours and new routines, it’s clear that we still have a long way to go until we’re back to what we once called ‘normal’.
But on a lighter note, with smaller celebrations now safely allowed, we’ve rounded up a host of enviable London locations suitable for a more bijou affair. And while it’s sadly a far cry from the extravagant office parties that once were, you’re guaranteed a great night out with your nearest and dearest cohorts at one of these stylish London hotspots. From private dining rooms and member’s clubs to all manner of alternative activities, there’s a space to suit every taste…
The newly opened Sessions Arts Club is an urban sanctuary that sits in the old judges’ dining room at Sessions House, a Grade II listed building in Clerkenwell. Built on a studio ethos, The Sessions Arts Club has its finger on the pulse of the contemporary culture, effortlessly combining arts, culture and the finest gastronomy.
For the perfect blend of fine dining and East London charm, we recommend Bistrotheque. Opt for the Cockatoo, a contemporary converted warehouse space that seats up to 60 guests for a delicious three-course feast. What’s more, groups are also free to make use of the space’s electric piano for some memorable after-dinner entertainment!
If cocktails are the order of the evening why not try making your own at TT Liquor. Be taught by their in-house mixologists to make (then drink) a selection of four different cocktails at one of their fully interactive cocktail-making classes. The Shoreditch establishment also offers dining options and a vintage 52-seater private cinema space.
If Modern European fare and a Michelin star sound appealing, then head straight to Hide. The Hide & Seek rooms on the first floor offer a combined private dining experience for up to 20 guests to enjoy the finest seasonal ingredients and the largest wine list in Europe.
Head beyond the great edifice of historic member’s club Quo Vadis to The Marx Room. Affectionately named after former resident Karl Marx, the elegant and airy space seats up to 24 guests to enjoy the seasonal British delicacies of head chef Jeremy Lee and his team.
Quietly tucked away on the lower ground floor you’ll find Gymkhana’s exquisite private vault. Seating up to 10 guests in an intimate banquette style, the space is perfect for smaller team gatherings and also offers the option to create a bespoke menu and wine pairings.
Who’s up for a spot of virtual clay pigeon shooting? Yes, you heard us right! Clays Bar are inviting you to take a shot at a new experience as you compete against colleagues on their high-resolution screens. Shooting sessions last 90 minutes and a booth can accommodate up to 20 people. Clays Bar doesn’t officially open until November 1st, but we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.
AllBright by name and all bright by nature, the Mayfair female member’s club private dining space is bright, airy and refreshingly modern. The first-floor space can cater for up to 27 guests across two adjoining rooms. AllBright also offers a completely bespoke experience working alongside their events team to create a tailor-made package just for you.
Soho restaurant Gauthier is redefining French gastronomy as plant-based, creating environmentally conscious, progressive cuisine of the future with some phenomenal private dining spaces to boot! For a fun-filled evening of up to 18 guests, we recommend the Games Room, including an old 1950s arcade machine and a selection of vintage prints and pictures.
Celebrate the season whilst donating to a great cause by choosing The House of St. Barnabas. On a mission to break the cycle of homelessness, the member’s club funds the Employment Academy through membership, private hire and hospitality profit. If a sit-down dinner isn’t quite your style, choose The Monro Room. Emulating a traditional smoking lounge, this cosy corner of the club can comfortably accommodate 45 standing guests.
Swap dinner for the silver screen at the Bvlgari Hotel Cinema. The luxurious private cinema offers the most advanced cinema-quality HD sound and vision, including 4K resolution in 2D or the latest Dolby 3D. Choose from the hotel’s curated library of 300 new and classic titles, watch live sports events or even play video games!
An Education in Adventure! The Ultimate Family Getaways
By Jenna Jones
With travel restrictions easing, there’s no better time to talk about family getaways. Here at BBB, we believe that education can come in many shapes and forms and one that makes us particularly excited is travel. A world of magical experiences far away from the classroom that can enrich young people’s minds and bring families closer together.
So, in that vein, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most sought-after educational adventures provided by two of our incredible travel partners plus some handy resources to ensure your trip of a lifetime is smooth sailing all the way…
Big Wide World
If you’re searching for an out of the ordinary adventure for your family look no further than Big Wide World. As seasoned professionals in creating timeless moments and memories, Big Wide World will help even the most experienced traveller see the world anew. Big Wide World also put heavy emphasis on conversation and giving back, weaving it into each of their unique experiences.
Origin of Species
The Galapagos Islands, arguably the world’s greatest outdoor classroom and the first up on our list. From shark tagging in unspoilt oceans and getting involved in front-line conservation work to walking the lands that inspired Darwin, ignite a love for nature that will never die. The Galapagos Marine Reserve is home to the highest concentration of sharks in the world and it’s the islands’ incredible shark life that forms the centrepiece of a travel experience as moving as it is educational!
Astronaut Training
Yes, you read that right! Experience Star City, where you will train as astronauts do when they prepare for the exploration of space. This is no theme park; this is a real-life training station for astronauts readying to embark on a voyage to the international space station orbiting the earth. You will be joined throughout your training by a former Commander of the ISS for a travel experience like no other.
Igloo Building in the Arctic
Experience Igloo building in the Arctic, the most forbidding region on earth. Immerse yourself by living like the Sami tribe of the Lands of the North. Get closer to the real arctic as you follow in the footsteps of polar explorers from a bygone era. Learn the art of igloo building, go cross country skiing, or perhaps, most thrilling, enjoy the adrenaline rush of a RIB boat ride past a glacier! Big Wide World also offers guests the opportunity to get involved in vital local research projects and ocean clean-ups to ensure your artic experience is extra worthwhile.
For bookings and any other information, please email Nicola at Big Wide World.
Coral Tree Travel
Coral Tree understands that not all classrooms have walls and pride themselves on curating educational African safaris that will impress the entire family. Founded by parents and Africa experts, Tess and Mike Kelly, Coral Tree provides a bespoke service tailored to the needs of each individual family.
Giraffe Manor
When people think safari they think Giraffe Manor, which is why it’s top of our Coral Tree list. A magical place where giraffes visit for breakfast, a stay at Giraffe Manor is a one-of-a-kind experience unrivalled anywhere in the world. The grand stately old home is full of character and families will marvel at how close and personal the experience is. What’s more, the manor also supports the endangered Rothschild giraffe, making it the perfect place for children to learn about wildlife conservation.
Sarara Camp
Situated within the 850,000 acres of pristine wilderness that make up the Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy, Sarara Camp is a very special place indeed. For families looking for a truly unique experience, Sarara is a place of wonder. Its blend of experiential tourism and conservation focus make it an undisputed forerunner in the world of sustainable tourism. Guests are invited to immerse themselves in Samburu culture, visit Kenya’s first community-run elephant sanctuary and head out on horseback with local Samburu guides.
Lewa Wilderness
One of Kenya’s most beautiful and well-established lodges, Lewa Wilderness, established in 1972 and set in the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, is still the family home of the Craigs, who live in a part of the main house where guests are also welcome. Perfect for families with teenagers, activities at Lewa include tennis courts, riding stables and of course the most phenomenal game viewing spot. The lodge also has a retro yellow biplane, used for scenic flights over the plains!
Coral Tree understands that now more than ever it’s important to book with a company you can trust. Read details of their book with confidence promise.
For bookings and any other information, please email Mike at Coral Tree Travel.
Travel Resources
Travelling Tutors from Minerva Global
For over 8 years, Minerva Global has provided a growing international client base with world-class private tutoring, homeschooling and family concierge services. Tutors can be placed anywhere in the world on short or long term assignments. Families who are travelling from country to country or holidaying can hire a tutor to join them (either in person or online) to catch their children up on any lost learning due to coronavirus, ensuring they’re well prepared for school, even if they’re halfway across the world. Minerva has particular expertise in operating in sensitive geographical regions and handling complex personal situations, with client confidentiality always guaranteed.
Additional private staff such as close protection officers, maternity nurses and yacht charters can be sourced through their unique family concierge group. Comprehensive remote support covering all time zones is provided from their London HQ. Tutors are UK education-system qualified and are ready to travel at a moment’s notice.
For all travelling tutor inquiries, please email Laura at Minerva.
Travelling Nannies from SORTED
BBB’s sister company SORTED recruitment are also a great option if extra staff requirements are needed for your ultimate family getaway. SORTED understand the importance of privacy and can work quickly and efficiently to source travelling nannies/mannies and private chefs for your vacation. Unique requirements are welcomed by SORTED who can guarantee a quick turnaround providing the exact person for the role, including specific languages and local knowledge.
For all travelling nanny inquiries, please email Nicola at SORTED.
Fit to Fly PCR Tests from Pyser
Are you and your family fit to fly? As we continue to navigate life during the pandemic, most countries have implemented travel restrictions to ensure the safety of their citizens and to stop the spread of the virus. Allow Pyser to take the stress of the situation away with their Covid-19 Fit to Fly PCR test. Simply visit a Pyser clinic or book a home visit, take the pre-flight test and travel within 72 hours. Pyser tests are over 99% accurate in detecting the RNA from coronavirus and are conducted by a CQC certified company and laboratory, adhering to Public Health England guidelines.
For all PCR Test inquiries, please email Richard at Pyser.
Black History Month
By Jenna Jones
October marks Black History Month in the UK, dedicated to celebrating and supporting the heritage, culture and history of Black people. And whilst learning about Black history is of course something that shouldn’t be reserved for just one month a year, Black History Month is a wonderful opportunity to shine a light on a host of incredible events, authors and brands representing Black culture in the UK.
What to read…
Misfits: A Personal Manifesto – Michaela Coel
Penned by the phenomenal creator and star of I May Destroy You and Chewing Gum, Misfits is a deeply passionate and powerfully articulate manifesto inspired by her acclaimed Edinburgh Festival lecture. Coel’s poetic amalgamation of insight and wit invites readers to reflect on their own place in society through her striking personal revelations about race, gender and class.
Black & British – A Forgotten History – David Olusoga
Written by award-winning historian and broadcaster David Olusoga, Black & British offers a frank and definitive account of the extraordinarily long and painstakingly overlooked relationship between the British Isles and the people of Africa. Recently republished featuring a new chapter encompassing the Windrush scandal and the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020, Black & British is a groundbreaking piece of educational literature that should be read by all.
Loud Black Girls – Elizabeth Uviebinené & Yomi Adegoke
In Loud Black Girls, authors of Slay in Your Lane, Elizabeth Uviebinené and Yomi Adegoke, invite the next generation of Black female authors, journalists, actors, activists and artists to explore what it means to be a Black woman in the UK today. From celebrating activism in local communities to teaching the next generation of young Black women to own their voices, Loud Black Girls is a poignant education in how to exist as your authentic self.
Brands to shop…
Founded in 2016, Maya Njie is a niche perfume brand with a clear focus on high-quality artisanal blends with scents that are deeply rooted in Founder Maya’s Swedish and West African culture. Inspired by an old family photo album, Maya set out to capture, by way of scent, those tropes of familial life. The tones are of a time and the accords nostalgic, yet the end products are notably contemporary.
As a Partner within the BBB Boutique, Maya Njie is offering BBB Club Members a 10% discount across the range.
As the name suggests, Naked Clay Ceramics celebrates clay in its pure form. Inspired by the natural colours and textures of the earth, Founder, Carla Sealey creates beautiful, minimal style tableware and homeware by hand from her studio in Bedfordshire. Each unique piece is fired with no glaze on the outside so that the feel of the natural, fired clay can be appreciated. Carla’s hope is that this tactile connection brings an opportunity to pause, breathe and savour a small moment in the hustle and bustle of busy life.
Oré mi is an independent wellbeing brand founded in 2019 creating handmade, vegan and cruelty-free home fragrances with luxurious, lasting scents. Oré mi – an expression which means my friend in Yorùbá – was founded by Karen Olla in 2019. The brand melds Karen’s Nigerian heritage with her upbringing in London, in a collection of restorative scents which draw upon her life experience. Most importantly of all, the brand was born out of Karen’s desire to break the taboo which surrounds the topic of mental health in the Black community and to support and celebrate African lifestyle products.
BBB Members can find Oré mi within the BBB Boutique and receive 20% off their purchase.
Things to do…
Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black is a professional ballet company that celebrates dancers of Black and Asian descent, making a fundamental change in the diversity of classical ballet in Britain. With various performances happening throughout the UK during October and beyond, expect sensational solos, seductive duos and fiercely dynamic pieces performed seamlessly by the Ballet Black Company.
Take a trip to Brixton to visit the Black Cultural Archives, the only national heritage centre dedicated to collecting, preserving and celebrating the histories of African and Caribbean people in Britain. Described by actor, writer and broadcaster, Kwame Kwei-Armah as “a goldmine of information about Black cultural identity in Britain”, the Black Cultural Archives differ from conventional, traditional archives as it remains rooted in the community that created it.
Black History Month Stand Up Special
Soho Theatre and Hannah Layton Management have joined forces to showcase an unforgettable night of live comedy to celebrate Black History Month. Join Thanyia Moore (Funny Women Winner 2018) and Aurie Styla (BBC Radio London) on Wednesday 27th October for a one-night-only comedy special downstairs at the Soho Theatre featuring a lineup not to be missed.
Who to follow…
Sophie Williams is an incredible woman with many strings to her bow – author of two books, anti-racist ally, Founder of @officialmillennialblack, racial equity consultant and Manager of Production Planning at Netflix. In her own words, Sophie loves thinking and talking about intersectional identities (especially race and gender) and how they shape our experiences in the world.
Kingslee James McLean Daley, better known as Akala, is a MOBO and BAFTA award-winning rapper, journalist, author, activist and poet who uses his platform to educate and raise awareness. Featured on the annual Powerlist of the 100 most influential Black British people in the UK, Akala utilises a range of creative platforms to speak out about race in the UK.
Phyllis Akua Opoku-Gyimah, also known as Lady Phyll is a pioneer for increased visibility and advocacy for Queer, Trans and Intersex People of Colour in the UK and beyond. As Co-Founder and Director of Black Pride, Lady Phyll works tirelessly for the spiritual, emotional and intellectual health and wellbeing of the LGBTQ people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Middle Eastern and Latin American descent. Because “when we rise together, we are mighty”.