A couple of weeks before Christmas I saw a newspaper article in our local evening paper. It was talking all about a ‘gin joint’ that was going to be opening in the New Year at a stunning stately house.
I read the article with some interest as you probably all know how much I love a good gin and throw in an old building and I am all over it!
Anyway, the new Speakeasy ‘The Bouverie Saloon’ was going to opening to private members only in January at Delapre Abbey and whilst membership was free, you had to apply and qualify.
The Opening Night
Well, of course I went straight to the members page, filled in my application including a few words as to why I should be allowed entry to the establishment and sat and waited.
I genuinely didn’t expect to be one of the lucky ones however a few weeks later I got an email from ‘The Gin Lady’ telling me I had been successful and giving me my membership number.
Now to plan on what I wanted to wear.
Whilst most people wouldn’t have many 20’s and 30’s outfits in their wardrobe, I am lucky enough to actually have 3 or 4 to choose from, so it was all down to deciding which one to put on.
I booked my ticket on the events page that was sent in the email was amazed to see an old vintage friend, Miss Em had posted that she would be there.
Bonus!
I had met Miss Em through a vintage group a few years ago and have seen her perform a few times at Twinwood.
Well, I simply had to message her and tell her that I would be there too.
She went on to tell me she was compering the event and this went down a treat with me as I know what a great performer she is.
So, I waited for a couple of weeks for the event to happen.
I had my three outfits ready to choose from; this beaded Gatsbylady flapper dress,
A Couple of years ago
The Voodoo Vixen gown in Olive and turban
Voodoo Vixen Olive Dress
Matching Turban
and finally a Unique Vintage Velvet gown that I bought last year and sadly is no longer available.
Unique Vintage Gown
Well it truly was decisions, decisions.
All dressed up with somewhere to go
Eventually I went with the Gatsbylady dress with matching headband. Accessories and shoes all matching too.
Fabulous Flapper
Driving to the Abbey I was surprised to see the trees were all lit up. I have to admit to being a little nervous of going in.
A Gorgeous welcome
Why?
Well, would everyone be in similar attire, or would I be the only one?
Flapper Girl
Thankfully I have to say that it was probably a 50/50 split.
The event was split into three separate areas; the bar and two rooms where there was a multitude of seating and the artistes would be performing.
One room was quite dark and salubrious, whilst the other was a library which was filled with vintage furniture and couches.
The Library
On arrival you are given the signature cocktail, The Clover Club which I have to say was absolutely delightful.
The Clover Club
I was very fortunate that I was invited to sit with two lovely ladies, Eunice and Rachael and was lucky to be sat in a wide club style chair. Absolutely perfect for my large bottom.
Eunice and Rachael
Miss Em entertained the revellers with a variety of songs before handing over to Miss Coco Nobel who was the most stunning Burlesque performer.
The Marvellous Miss Em
She came out in the most beautiful outfit complete with pearls and went into her performance with huge white ostrich feathers. It was glorious!
Coco Nobel
The Fan Dance
The good thing about there being two rooms was that the sound system worked in both, so if Miss Em was singing in the library, you could hear it in the Salon and vice versa.
Library Selfie
When Coco finished her performance with us, she went on to do a separate one in the Salon. It worked really very well.
The Salon Performance
The club has over 40 gins to taste as well as a dozen or more cocktails including my favourite sounding one, ‘The Suffering Bastard’ made with Bathtub Gin.
I need a ‘Suffering Bastard’
Sadly as I was driving, I couldn’t taste many of these fabulous concoctions, but I have already decided the next time I will be chauffeured there so I can test a few of them out!
More to try!
We were entertained by The Fabulous Lounge Swingers who were very much like a Post Modern Jukebox; modern songs with a vintage style.
The Fabulous Lounge Swingers
I have to say they were fantastic and got the crowd really moving.
There was also a two-piece consisting of a guitarist and a guy with a clarinet and saxophone. I absolutely adored them and their singing style, sadly though I never got the name of the group. This is something I need to rectify as they really were outstanding.
Outstanding group
As the club was table service only, you only had to alert a waitress to the fact that you wanted another drink and they went and placed your order and it was put on to your specific tab.
Cheers!
This was perfect, however the only slightly negative part of the night was that there was only one mixologist and so there was a bit of a wait for the drinks to arrive. I did raise this at the end of the evening with the creator of the club, The Gin Lady.
What more can I say?
She was very keen to get feedback and I pointed out that people would drink and spend more money if there wasn’t such a delay on the making of the cocktails.
With my friend, The Marvellous Miss Em!
Of course though, it was the opening night and there are bound to be a few teething problems. It didn’t detract from the evening and I have to say I had an absolutely spiffing time!
Time for Home!
The club will be held every month and sadly I am out of the Country for the next one, but I will be back with a vengeance in March, ready to Charleston the night away with some marvellous beverages.
I just wonder what to wear next time!
Until then,
SPSG xxx