London Club and Bar Awards 2012

The city’s best and brightest partiers were out in force for last night’s London Club and Bar Awards. Taking place at the prestigious InterContinental Hotel Park Lane overlooking Hyde Park, the awards are now in their 18^th year but show no signs of slowing down. The awards founder, Mark Armstrong, has been dubbed the unofficial nighttime ambassador of everything London has to offer, particularly in this crucial year in which the city plays host to the Wimbledon, the Diamond Jubilee and, of course, the Olympics. 

The awards began in appropriately decadent style, as Kanye West and Jay-Z’s album ‘Watch the Throne’ blasted through the champagne reception. Promoters, DJs, Svengalis and glamorous hostesses alike mingled over margaritas, delicious cocktails and endless Moët champagne. According to one industry insider, a mixologist at the prestigious Claridges bar, this year has seen an influx of international clientele from all over the world. “London has always attracted the best the world has to offer, and that is only going to increase over the summer, both in terms of product and of service. These awards are a great way to recognise the hard work we’ve done over the year.”

The awards were hosted by former Culture Club frontman and legendary party-goer, Boy George: “I think I first presented these awards in 1994,” he joked. “The people look a lot more civilized now than they did then though.” A cheeky montage of dancing club promoters – who, Boy George teased, “cannot dance” – kicked off the ceremony’s events. 

Bouji club received one of the highest honours of the night, racking up an award for Outstanding Achievement. Another big winner was the Camden nightclub Shaka Zulu, whose African-inspired theme won them the prestigious prize of Best Interior Design. Up-and-coming DJ Kayper gave an emotional acceptance speech for her Best New DJ award, praising the ceremony for recognising a female DJ on the clubbing scene. There was also a surprising addition from English business magnate Richard Branson, whose televised video montage gained laughter and a warm reception from the appreciative audience. 

As the awards drew to a close, the champagne continued to flow, sparklers were let off and house music pumped through the ballroom – it is safe to say the after-party continued well into the night. These truly are the awards for the most glamorous, best-dressed and hardest partying set in London.

Maia Jenkins