Liberal party broadcast (Events - Clubs)
The Park Plaza Riverbank hotel once again set the scene for the London Club and Bar Awards at a busy ceremony last week. Sat Bal spoke to organisers and winners about maintaining success in a tough party climate. 2 June '09
From its inception 15 years ago the London Club & Bar Awards
continues to attract a flamboyant mélange of venue owners/manager,
promoters, event organisers, showbiz impresarios and their clients.
This year, again, saw a committee of club veterans, national newspapers
and key nightlife entrepreneurs decide the winning entries from each
category.
The night kicked off with a lavish drinks reception in the glass surrounds of the ‘Thames Room’ overlooking the Houses of Parliament.
This was followed by the event which was held in the Grand Ballroom where guests dined on Pan-Asian delights as the ceremony unfurled. Large screens flanked the stage and played out video montages of nominated venues and interviews with key industry players. The celebrations flowed on to the afterparty at Jalouse in Mayfair until the early hours.
Mark Armstrong, founder & chairman - London Club & Bar Awards:
"We
did have some concerns about the state of the economy and the timing of
these awards but in the end they were groundless. This year’s London
Club & Bar Awards were very busy. The place was so full of
enthusiastic guests that you realise our industry will make the party
irrespective of outside pressures.
"Our sponsors,
Piper-Heidsieck, Kopparberg Cider, Rémy Martin and Akvinta Vodka,
supported us because they know that the event celebrates an industry
that doesn’t stand still. There are always new and innovative products
coming to market.
"I have to say that Hype Party Planning
created an amazing production. They knew exactly what we wanted and
executed the whole thing professionally.
"There is strong
rivalry in this business and, dare I say, an undercurrent of bitchiness
but the motivation is there to keep opening great clubs and bars that
stand up to international scrutiny."
Marcus Rendle, managing director – Hype Party Planning
"Mark Armstong is passionate about the awards. He knows what he wants – and what he doesn’t. It’s easier for us to organise events when the client is this decisive.
"The priority
was to bring in great sound and visuals in recognition of an industry that
knows how to have a good time.
"The hotel was great and co-operated
by giving us access the day before the event. Overnight we flew
the box truss and the PA system from the truss. Positioning the speakers
in the truss helped the sound quality and gave clearer sight lines.
"We
used lasers for the opening sequences and later for Rusty Egan’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Green lighting
gave it that retro 80s Visage feel bringing a successful and fun event to a fitting end."
Alex Nicholl, manager - Jalouse Winner, Best New Club
"To
be able to win in this economic climate is an achievement in itself and
I think we’ve been a big problem to other clubs. Three other clubs
opened around the same time as Jalouse with the same intentions but
they haven’t fared at all well.
"We are prospering because of the strong, personal connections that we’ve developed with our desired clientele.
"Jalouse has generated a great deal of press coverage in our eight months of operation and, yes, much of this is fuelled by celebrity attendance. However, unlike other clubs we never pay celebrities to come to Jalouse. What distinguishes us is the personal friendships that we’ve cultivated with our celebrities. For example, we recently looked after Paris Hilton when we were in Cannes recently and Leonardo DiCaprio was at the club for four nights when we opened.
"It’s the same with
our members. Our 500 members each received a joining gift worth £250
before they even set foot in here and we know what they expect from a
special club. It’s true that the economy has changed, but not
dramatically. Guests might drink Dom Perignon instead of Cristal and
that’s fine by us! The important thing is to maintain our positioning,
which is international, and to continue to attract international guests
when they are in London."
Molton House - Winner, Best Members' Club
Rusty Egan - Lifetime Achievement Award"I
always say if you’ve lasted five years in this business then you’ve
done well. I’ve lasted over 25 years and now DJ from Sloane Square
clubs to events such as Cartier Polo and the Isle of Wight Festival. I
also do remixes for bands such as Filthy Dukes.
"That 25
years has involved the highs of travelling all over the world with
music and the lows of a 10-year battle with cocaine. It’s much better
to hold your hands up in those situations and say that the problem’s
got you licked and then get help. Rehab helped me reshape and resume
what I love to do best.
"Clubbers have changed to the point
where style is considered to be Gucci and I’ll get people coming to the
DJ booth with requests for a Girls Aloud song! There are still clubs
like Fabric, for example, where people know their music.
"As
for the award I would thank London Club & Bar Awards for
recognising me as a survivor because that’s my real achievement."
Previous recipients include Richard Branson, Mark Fuller and Nick House.
Winners' list ___________________________________________________
-Venues -
Best Night- Tuesdays at Whisky Mist
The Design Accolade- Vendome
Best Boutique Club- Cuckoo Club
Best New Boutique Club- Monroe
Best Bartender- Papa Jules (Mahiki)
Best New Bar (sponsored by London Lite)- Whisky Mist and Juju
Best Club- Maddox
Best New Club- Jalouse
Best Member’s Club- Molton House
- People -
Best Promoter- Luca Maggiora (Maddox + others) Best DJ- Tariq
Sexiest Host- Jake
Panayiotou, Cai Ferrer, Gareth J. Briikes, Alex Webb, Dan Kapp, Roger
Michael, Sam Young, Sophie Raibin, Matt Cranwell, Vedran Milosovic,
Jake Parkinson Smith
Lifetime Achievement Award- Rusty Egan
Related screenings:
Molton House Members' clubs Rock the Polo
RK _________________________________________