Week Forty Nine: Kona Kai

Week Forty Nine

  Another week as we edge closer to the end of 2014.  It's trickier than it looks this blog malarchy, I tell thee.  This week it was the celebration of Georgie Gibbs and Laura Martin's birthday at a cheeky Hawaiian bar in Chelsea.

Special guests include: Charlie Hayter, Freddie Dixon, Tom Goldwater, Georgie Gibbs, Laura Martin, Katie Siese, Lex Burgess, Crawford, Ben Macandrews, Gabes Langford, Luke Chopper Harris, Alexandra Reid, Ayliss, Josh Lee, Rusty, Charlie Banks and Ed Cracknell.

Summary of Kona Kai

Name: Kona Kai

Type: Hawaiian themed bar

Location: 515 Fulham Road, Chelsea, London, SW6 1HD

Website: http://www.konakai.co.uk

Date Visited: 12/12/14

Price: Normal

Rating: 3.95/5

Review

It was Friday night and there was a plethora of birthday celebrations about (ooo popular).  Charlie Hayter was the first man celebrating a birthday and he was keen to have drinks, which is a celebration in itself, so a few lads congregated at the Durell Arms to have some beers and shots of Sambuca too (mavericks!).  The live music came on, as it always bloody does there, so it was time to move on to the next place...after quickly dancing to a few classics of course.

  Georgie Gibbs and Laura Martin were the other two ladies hosting birthday celebrations and had chosen the venue of Kona Kai in Chelsea. Upon arrival I got a very warm welcome from Ayliss, much to the horror of Josh Lee but to the delight of others (me).  The banterous opening was a sign of things to come and I must say I am big fan on this joint.  Hey, it's not going to win any awards or be a regular celebrity haunt, but it knows what 'it' is and does 'it' well.  What on earth does that even mean?! 

Josh Lee and I.  Tense.

 Basically it doesnt disguise itself as a fancy upmarket Chelsea bar.  It markets itself as a place where you can happily drink cocktails, dance around like a madman and really get stuck in.  I have to say everytime I seem to go to a Hawaiian themed bar it seems to have this vibe.  In fact, I don't think I have ever had a bad night in a Hawaiian themed bar.  You get a flowery necklace, cocktails out of cocunt esque containers and a dance floor of a suitable size to bust your worst moves. The dream.  You can't go wrong with an Hawaiian, unless its a pizza....that is wrong!

One of two photos I found on my phone the next day.  Interesting.

  I had a cracking night and everyone was on top form.  The drinks were well priced, the staff friendly and the music spot on, with it not being too cheesy but the classics were still being played.  The main reason why I rated this place, and all Hawaiian bars, is because everyone is always in such good spirits.  I don't know what it is, maybe its the staff who are loving life but literally everyone in there from DJ to Barstaff to partygoers is having a bloody good time.  That's why I liked this place and if you are looking for a relaxed place to have a birthday party but also to get very loose....this is the perfect place.  

  Not the biggest and nothing spectacular but it does the job.  Relatively well priced too considering the location.  Great company, great night.

Kona Kai.  Cool eh?

Special Shoutout
Winner: Georgie Gibbs and Laura Martin

A blog first this.   A joint award for the special shoutout!  You can't pick one out of these two, as they both hosted a truly stupendous night out.  Both great friends but I do still remain dubious as to whether they fall into the category of 'regular reader'.  Great choice of venue by the two of them and a superb night out.  Well done!



Poem Advice

A great way to celebrate your birthday
At the Hawaiian Kona Kai
You can really get stuck in
It's awesome, I tell no lie

Many thanks once again for the read guys and I will (I hope) see you all again soon. Adios.



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Week Forty Eight: Brew Wharf and No. 32

Week Thirty Forty Eight

  December had arrived (but we are in February Jack? I'm working on it alright) so everyone was getting into the festive spirit and keen to go out for drinks.  On the Friday it was my biggest fan's (Chris Hazell) birthday so it was a night out around Clapham.  Before that Will Wright, Griggsy and I went for a few drinks around London Bridge.

  

Special guests include: Will Wright, Tom Griggs, Brynne Mccord, Josh Beebee, Jamie Collins, Will Matthews, Natalie Langley, Lizzie, My biggest fan (Chris Hazell) and Lee Ryan.

Summary of Brew Wharf

Name: Brew Wharf

Type: Bar

Location: Brew Wharf Yard, Stoney Street, London Bridge, London, SE1 9AD

Website: http://www.brewwharf.com

Date Visited: 05/12/14

Price: Classic

Rating: 3.4/5

Review

 Before heading over to Clapham old town, I headed over to London Bridge for a few post work drinks (your such a cliche) with Griggsy and Will Wright.  After trying a few pubs, which were all unsuitably rammed, we decided on the Brew Wharf which has an impressive entrance through the railway arches.  Pretty cool opening it must be said.

  Inside and the bar is nice and spacious with many tables but plenty of room to stand around near the bar too.  I thought the lighting was a bit aggressive, however there was a buzzy atmosphere to the place.   I can only imagine that it is absolutely heaving and bustling in the summer as it's outside area at the front of the property looked rather sociable (if that's possible?!).

  There was a decent range of beer too and the set up of bar was also impressive.   Looking at the website, Brewharf was created by the Michelin restauranter Claudio Pulze (oh him? It must be good then) so I imagine the food here would'n't be too shabby either.

The impressive bar of Brew Wharf

 I liked this place as it wasn't too busy but a good atmosphere inside.  While coming out of the toilet I was stopped by 3 bouncers/security type folk who had to stop all toilet goers exiting.  This was because Lee Ryan was being escorted from upstairs through the back exit.  Lee clocked me and suddenly clicked that it was another notorious restauranteur...he tried to make his way back to get an autograph but Alas the moment had passed.

Me, Will and Griggs 

Summary of No. 32

Name: No. 32 The Old Town

Type: Trendy Bar

Location: 32 The Pavement, Clapham Old Town, London, SW4 0JE

Website: http://www.no32theoldtown.co.uk/

Date Visited: 05/12/14

Price: Nothing mental

Rating: 3.86/5

Review

  After leaving Brew Wharf it was time to head off to Clapham Old Town to celebrate my biggest fan's (Chris Hazell) birthday.  We briefly visited Jam Tree and The Sun (both decent outfits) before heading to No. 32.   Here we were joined by a strong unit (Lee Ryan had other plans) with the drinks flowing and the dance moves glowing.

  No. 32 is a trendy looking bar which was formerly known as The Frog.  God it's better than the Frog, which had a terrible feel to the place and my least favourite watering hole in Old Town by some distance.  No. 32 however could be one of my new faves (sorry for the abbreviation use) with it having wicked modern art esque decor inside with decent mood lighting and good music.

It also has a strong gender split, which is always important, and something The Frog was not particularly successful at achieving.  There was a strong group of us there celebrating Chris' birthday which obviously makes a night more enjoyable.  I distinctly remember the barman being very impressive with a fantastic knowledge of all the different gin's on offer and which one he would recommend.  A rarity to have a knowledgeable barman these days.

The gang celebrating Mr. Hazell's birthday

 One to return this bar as there are booths dotted around the outskirts, the bar is situated in the middle which in turn creates a very sociable atmosphere.  I am told its a popular haunt on a Saturday. Recommend.

Special Shoutout
Winner: Tom Griggs

Another regular reader of the blog who has been a keen supporter and close friend for many years.  This man has the patience of a saint and has overcome his rare allergy to the internet to become a weekly reader.  For that loyalty and continue readership....I thank you.


Poem Advice

Are you in London Bridge?
Wanting a spacious bar
Brew Wharf is the place to go to
The creators got a michelin star

Then your off to Clapham Oldtown,
To No. 32 the cool trendy haunt
It used to be a place called the Frog
Which was depressing and gaunt


Many thanks once again.  Your support and loyalty is greatly appreciated.

See you next week folks

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