Helping you out with yo Monday bluesssssss ;)
Tania x
Monday, 25 May 2015
Thursday, 21 May 2015
From Boat to Bones to Bike: My 20 Hour Adventure at Strictly House, Half Baked......and Meat Mission
Hey gang! I would like to start by saying that I am extremely SORRY for this late post. I hope I can make it up to you guys with a review of not one, but three parties I attended the other weekend :)
As we were hit with yet another bank holiday, my girls and I wanted to start the party early doors on the Sunday morning. As I drove to my bestie's house I was greeted at the door with a Bloody Mary - the only way to begin a May Day fiesta! Once we drank our fair share of cocktails we slipped on our dancing shoes and made our way to the first party!
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We chose to warm up close to home with a party hosted by Strictly House. Usually based on the outskirts of London, this time, Strictly House spread their wings and tested the central London waters...on a boat on the Thames! I was so looking forward to spending my day in the sun on what seemed like the hottest day of the year - and what better way to do it than on a boat with great music, drinks and stunning views of the city? To be totally honest, I was a bit sceptical at the beginning as I had only been to boat parties at festivals abroad. I mean how could a boat in England match up to that? However, I was pleasantly surprised...
Once we collected our wristbands and walked onto the boat, we made straight for the bar to kick things off. The party started off on a good note as drinks were cheap and cheerful, which is definitely a steal in the centre of London. As we walked up the top deck, summery House tunes were thumping through the speakers, such as Kaytranada's remix of Missy Elliott's I'm Really Hot to get the crowd going before we even set sail.
Strictly House had something for everyone with their resident DJs taking to the decks playing underground House and old school crowd-pleasers. In particular, when Gypsy Woman and Space Cowboy dropped, it made the whole boat break out with cheers and every party-goer two-stepped to the dance floor, arms swooshing in the air. The vibe was perfect with such a nice group of people and upbeat music. At some points I felt like I was on holiday!
As the pre-boat party drew to a close and we reached safe grounds (the boat was making me feel a little woozy) a couple of buses were parked outside the decking. Strictly House smashed it with their event organisation - the buses took everyone that attended the boat party on to the main event at the McQueen in Shoreditch. Lovely touch to keep the whole crowd together!
At this point of the day my girls and I were STARVING, so before we carried on boogying we stopped off at Shoreditch's infamous Meat Mission. If you haven't been before, you've got to go - the food is incredible. We grabbed a selection of Chilli Cheese Fries, Bingo Chicken Wings, and Hippie Burgers all rough and ready, finger-licking grub! The restaurant's decor is synonymous to its East London location - all laid-back and cool with a grungy vibe.
As we were hit with yet another bank holiday, my girls and I wanted to start the party early doors on the Sunday morning. As I drove to my bestie's house I was greeted at the door with a Bloody Mary - the only way to begin a May Day fiesta! Once we drank our fair share of cocktails we slipped on our dancing shoes and made our way to the first party!
.jpg)
We chose to warm up close to home with a party hosted by Strictly House. Usually based on the outskirts of London, this time, Strictly House spread their wings and tested the central London waters...on a boat on the Thames! I was so looking forward to spending my day in the sun on what seemed like the hottest day of the year - and what better way to do it than on a boat with great music, drinks and stunning views of the city? To be totally honest, I was a bit sceptical at the beginning as I had only been to boat parties at festivals abroad. I mean how could a boat in England match up to that? However, I was pleasantly surprised...
Once we collected our wristbands and walked onto the boat, we made straight for the bar to kick things off. The party started off on a good note as drinks were cheap and cheerful, which is definitely a steal in the centre of London. As we walked up the top deck, summery House tunes were thumping through the speakers, such as Kaytranada's remix of Missy Elliott's I'm Really Hot to get the crowd going before we even set sail.
Strictly House had something for everyone with their resident DJs taking to the decks playing underground House and old school crowd-pleasers. In particular, when Gypsy Woman and Space Cowboy dropped, it made the whole boat break out with cheers and every party-goer two-stepped to the dance floor, arms swooshing in the air. The vibe was perfect with such a nice group of people and upbeat music. At some points I felt like I was on holiday!
At this point of the day my girls and I were STARVING, so before we carried on boogying we stopped off at Shoreditch's infamous Meat Mission. If you haven't been before, you've got to go - the food is incredible. We grabbed a selection of Chilli Cheese Fries, Bingo Chicken Wings, and Hippie Burgers all rough and ready, finger-licking grub! The restaurant's decor is synonymous to its East London location - all laid-back and cool with a grungy vibe.
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| Meat Mission thumbs |
After our victorious munching sesh, we headed back down to McQueens to pick up where we left off. The place was heaving, this time with new faces as well as us boat party-goers.
McQueen's is a lavish lounge bar based on two floors. The basement is a sophisticated, dark-lit space whilst the top floor has a large dance area with trendy sofas - ideal for those lagging from the boat party. Although sophisticated, this didn't stop the party from popping off with the music progressing into groovy tunes such as Jamie Trench's Velvet Curtains as night fell.
Whilst we were having a great time at Strictly House, we felt that we needed to take our raving adventure somewhere else. Luckily, one of my friends had three spare tickets for Half Baked so me and the girls took the opportunity as soon as it arose....it was fate!
Yes we ended up at Half Baked AGAIN but we had a bluddy brilliant time! It almost felt like it was a completely different party, with a Techno focused line up rather than the last Disco shindig!
HB also hosted a day & night bank hols special split across two venues. The outdoor day party had food stalls, live art performances and glitter stalls which we sadly missed (booooo). But the evening party was impressive in its own right, with the most eclectic range of music I had heard that whole day. Big names on the bill included Appollonia's Shonky and Half Baked resident's Julietta and Greg Brockmann that took to the stage for our one last dance for MAY DAY!
The simple, underground venue (Autumn Street Studios - also known as Bloc) was the perfect environment for its crowd - dark and subversive. As we excitedly walked into a change of scenery, the main room was in full swing thanks to Shonky's talent on the turntables. Revellers were sent into a funk-fuelled frenzy when he dropped MK's 1995 remix of Jodeci - Freakin You, all singing along at the top of their lungs. Shonky brought his undeniable sense of tough House grooves along with smooth, dance vocals that rocked the whole space.
Next up, was Half Baked resident Julietta. Never having heard of Julietta before, I was eager to see what kind of set she would play. Whether she played House or Techno, she never failed to get the crowd moving. Plus she had me as soon as she played Acid House! After Shonky and Julietta's sets the night turned into a blur of my girls and I dancing, socialising and treating the space as one massive playground.
Overall, this May Day bank hols had been one random adventure! It goes to show that the best nights are usually unplanned, random and spontaneous. oooooo yeah!!
Until next time folks ;)
Whilst we were having a great time at Strictly House, we felt that we needed to take our raving adventure somewhere else. Luckily, one of my friends had three spare tickets for Half Baked so me and the girls took the opportunity as soon as it arose....it was fate!
 |
| Feeling sophisticated |
Yes we ended up at Half Baked AGAIN but we had a bluddy brilliant time! It almost felt like it was a completely different party, with a Techno focused line up rather than the last Disco shindig!
HB also hosted a day & night bank hols special split across two venues. The outdoor day party had food stalls, live art performances and glitter stalls which we sadly missed (booooo). But the evening party was impressive in its own right, with the most eclectic range of music I had heard that whole day. Big names on the bill included Appollonia's Shonky and Half Baked resident's Julietta and Greg Brockmann that took to the stage for our one last dance for MAY DAY!
 |
| Half Baked Bike...We meet again! |
The simple, underground venue (Autumn Street Studios - also known as Bloc) was the perfect environment for its crowd - dark and subversive. As we excitedly walked into a change of scenery, the main room was in full swing thanks to Shonky's talent on the turntables. Revellers were sent into a funk-fuelled frenzy when he dropped MK's 1995 remix of Jodeci - Freakin You, all singing along at the top of their lungs. Shonky brought his undeniable sense of tough House grooves along with smooth, dance vocals that rocked the whole space.
Next up, was Half Baked resident Julietta. Never having heard of Julietta before, I was eager to see what kind of set she would play. Whether she played House or Techno, she never failed to get the crowd moving. Plus she had me as soon as she played Acid House! After Shonky and Julietta's sets the night turned into a blur of my girls and I dancing, socialising and treating the space as one massive playground.
 |
| Making my stamp at the Autumn Street toilets! |
Overall, this May Day bank hols had been one random adventure! It goes to show that the best nights are usually unplanned, random and spontaneous. oooooo yeah!!
Until next time folks ;)
Tania x
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