It's time once again for good cheer and serious resolution. Or, if you're a travel junkie, then start planning for your next trip to London. No matter how many times you visit this city, there's always something ready to surprise you. New events, new playgrounds, new brands, new concepts, new shows…well, here're the chosen 15 best things in London this new year (in no particular order). Cheers!
From top: Pride London 2004, "Karl Lagerfield for H&M" and Crash, one of London's more popular Saturday clubs.
The world famous Sydney New Mardi Gras has formalised an agreement to twin with Pride London, where both will work together to promote tourism and community harmony across both continents in 2005 and beyond. Pride London will also host the first Pride Festival Fortnight in Jun 05 culminating on 02 Jul with Pride Day. The Festival, the first of its kind in the capital, will comprise the visual arts, theatre, film, music, comedy, cabaret and sport. It's guaranteed to be an all-inclusive, spectacular international event. www.pridelondon.org
02. LGBT HISTORY MONTH
Take part in the UK's first ever Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender History Month, coming in Feb 05. This is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to learn more about the histories of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Britain and Northern Ireland. Organisations, groups and places of education are making plans to mark the month with special events and displays throughout the country. www.lgbthistorymonth.org.uk
03. G.ROOM
The new G.room store at 46 Carnaby St puts all of a man's physical needs under one roof. This means treatments and portions from Gucci, Lab Series and "royal barber" Trumper, alongside lifestyle products and gadgets and fashion from YSL, Belstaff, Fred Perry and more thrown into the mix. The time-strapped guy can now consider his "whole appearance" in one location rather than dashing around the metropolis. www.theg-room.com
04. KARL LAGERFIELD FOR H&M
Introduce "Karl Lagerfield for H&M", a 15-piece range designed by Kaiser Karl himself, arguably the world's most compelling fashion designer. The narrow-cut menswear comes across as a mixture of Lagerfeld's own "21st Century Warhol" wardrobe, retro-futurist jackets, high-collared shirts, funked-out sunglasses and silk ties, plus this season's essential colour, burgundy. As Karl himself acclaimed, "H&M has made the inexpensive desirable. Today this is fashion." H&M open flagship store down the road from Harvey Nicks, proof of Lagerfeld's endorsement that cheap is once again chic. www.hm.com
05. CRASH
Crash has made a BIG return as one of London's more popular Saturday clubs. Recent renovations have transformed the back room creating a large bar area and a larger space to dance. The front room has become a pure hedonistic dance floor where the lasers and scans compete with the music for sensory overload superiority. Hunky bears, hot leather boys, crazy girls, dishy dykes, stomping skins and A-list circuit lads gather for a big night listening to a soundtrack of funky, chunky and electro house. If you like it hot & sweaty with plenty of under the arches action then be there every 2nd & 4th Saturday of the month. 66 Goding St, Vauxhall
London's Apple store, Kylie's European leg of her Greatest Hits Tour opens in Glasgow on 19 Mar, Rob and Nick Carter's unique prints and London Fashion Week.
Not since Gwyneth Paltrow gave birth has there been such Apple-related excitement. Opened in Nov 4 at 229 Regent St, this is Apple's world's largest and its first European store. Stop by the 14-metre-long Genius Bar and talk to the smartest Mac people in town for advise. Or check out the state-of-the-art 64-seat theatre where free workshops and presentations are held. This superb flagship store extends Apple's reputation for innovation and flair to another level, bringing a totally new retail experience. www.apple.com/uk
07. HASON RAJA
Named after a 19th-century Bangladeshi poet-come-playboy, Hason Raja is just the locale to hit for a spot of exotic food pre- or post-party. A favourite of Ricky Gervais', who pops in for his curry fix, you'll find the signature Shathkora Mangsho, a traditional dish of diced lamb shank cooked with wild lemons. And the Tikka Masala doesn't get any better than this. Unpretentious staff, food and décor! 84 Southampton Row, Russell Square, London
08. FRED PERRY
After a season of everyone wearing polo shirt, you need to step up your game. The Fred Perry polo shirt bears the initials FP, but when you visit their must-see-and-shop store in Covent Garden you can have your own stitched on with this great new service. You also get to choose the colour of the shirt, collar, cuff and crest. Be inspired to create your own fashion legacy. From £75 www.fredperry.com
09. SHOWGIRL
Kylie will play her biggest ever tour entitled "Kylie - Showgirl: The Greatest Hits Tour" to follow the release of her first comprehensive greatest hits package "Ultimate Kylie". The European leg of the tour will open in Glasgow on 19 Mar and finish in London at Earls Court on 06 May. This will be a celebratory, hits-based show featuring what is, by common consent, some of the best pop music created over the last three decades. Let's spin around, shall we? From £32.50 www.bookingsdirect.com
10. FIFTY
When high rollers descend on London, they can now head straight to St James's and the new Fifty casino, which is trying to inject some much needed glamour into the city's gambling scene. With a menu from world-renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten (he of hot NYC restaurant), cocktails by legendary mixologist Salvatore Calabrese (Duke's Hotel) and a basement club from the people behind Chinawhite; Fifty is sure to lure a visiting P Diddy if nothing else. London gaming has just entered the 21st century. www.fiftylondon.com
11. GET INTO LONDON THEATRE
The Get Into London Theatre (GILT) initiative is offering you the chance to see more top quality, reduced price theatre than ever before. This year, there are more tickets than ever before to over 80 shows across the capital from £15, £20 and £30 for West End shows and £10 for Off-West End. GILT 2005 will feature work by great artists ranging from Andrew Lloyd-Webber to Shakespeare and performances from stars including Sir Ian McKellen and Kim Cattrall. www.getintolondontheatre.com
12. ROB & NICK CARTER
Probably the best young artists in Britain, husband and wife team Rob and Nick Carter create their unique prints by floating fibreoptic light in brushstroke-like movements across photo-sensitive paper. The Carters been commissioned to do special projects for Absolut, Sony Playstation and Ozwald Boateng couture show; and their collectors include Elton John and the Beckhams. A visual experience not to be missed! www.robandnick.com
13. BREAD & HONEY
Grab yourself a slice of the fashion action at new store Bread & Honey in London's East End. It stocks all manner of established and up-and-coming labels for lads and lasses as well as jewellery designs and footwear. Brands to be had include Maharishi, Merlin, Choke and Umbro by Kim Jones, along with chunky trinkets from Reino and shoes from Pointers. Also check out the owner's own nifty little label, St Luke which will be arriving for Spring/Summer 05. Housed in a former bakery, the shop respectfully retains the building's original 1900 frontage, but boasts a slick and contemporary interior. www.breadnhoney.com
14. VICTORIA & ALBERT MUSEUM
London's Victoria and Albert Museum (VAM) has been fabulously transformed over the last two years and the work is set to continue in 2005. New features for summer 2005 include a garden in the 19th century courtyard, and a new gallery "Sculpture in Britain" overlooking it. VAM museum will continue to host special free exhibitions such as "When Fashion Turns Back" (24Feb - 8May) which will bring together creations by designers such as Christian Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier and Hussein Chalayan. www.vam.ac.uk
15. LONDON FASHION WEEK
The creative styles, the inspiring people, the exciting scene... welcome to Spring 05 London Fashion Week. Retailers and press fight over highlights from over 30 catwalk shows including Pringle, Nicole Farhi and Paul Smith. The catwalk tents and exhibition have moved to the romantic, fertile ground of Battersea Park on 13-17 Feb. www.londonfashionweek.co.uk
Details on how to win a 5-day London break inclusive of air-ticket and stay at Millennium Gloucester Hotel on the next page.
From top: Millennium Bailey's Hotel London Kensington, Gloucester, Knightsbridge and Mayfair.
Millennium & Copthorne Hotels give you a chance to win a fabulous 5-day London break inclusive of air-ticket and stay at Millennium Gloucester Hotel. Feel relaxed amidst the elegant furnishings and enjoy returning to the comfort and luxury of the superb surroundings after exploring London, one of the world's finest gay cities.
Register in the VisitBritain Club from now until 31 Jan 2005 to enter the draw. You will get up-to-date information on what's happening and loads of travel tips. So enter now.
Conditions apply. Air-ticket is based on departure from Singapore. Prizes are subject to availability; and are non-transferable, non-redeemable for cash and non-extendable. VisitBritain reserves the rights to adjust, alter or amend conditions at any time without prior notice.
EXCLUSIVE RATES FOR FRIDAE READERS
Fridae members enjoy exclusive rates from Millennium Hotels in the heart of Kensington, in Knightsbridge and in Mayfair. So, if you are planning to be in London anytime from now till the fabulous January sales, there's nowhere else you want to stay but the Millennium Gloucester Hotel London Kensington, Millennium Bailey's Hotel London Kensington, Millennium Hotel London Knightsbridge and Millennium Hotel London Mayfair. You will enjoy rates up to 66% off standard rates*.
Millennium Bailey's Hotel London Kensington - £85
Millennium Gloucester Hotel London Kensington - £85
Millennium Hotel London Knightsbridge - £99
Millennium Hotel London Mayfair - £99
Prices are valid from now till 31 Jan 05.
What's more, with each booking made, you will automatically qualify for one lucky draw chance, to win great weekend stays at our Millennium Hotels in London. There will be four weekend-stay prizes to be won. Don't miss out! To book, simply go to Good Living @ Millennium Hotels.
* Rates quoted are on per room night basis and exclude VAT. Normal rates at this time: Millennium Bailey's & Gloucester Hotel London Kensington £213; Millennium Hotel London Knightsbridge and Mayfair £230 and £275, respectively.