Until 5 February

The Photocopy Club, Shoreditch

One of the many art projects taking things back offline and keeping it strictly lo-fi, The Photocopy Club was born in November last year, and has already seen photographers from all over the world submitting photocopied images via snail mail. The subsequent submissions then comprise bi-monthly exhibitions such as this, at Shoreditch’s Beach Gallery. Challenging art elitism, and generally just reintroducing a bit of that magical punk DIY, the club’s founder – self-published photographer Matt Martin – plans to fund a book, that celebrates the best works of the first 6 shows, with the proceeds of the exhibitions; where photocopies are sold for as little as £2 to £5. Just brilliant…

The Photocopy Club at Beach London, 20 Cheshire Street, London, E2 6EH; Running until 5th February and then again at Create in Brighton on 18th April

Reprinted by arrangement with Penguin,
A member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,
from Paris versus New York by Vahram Muratyan
Copyright (c) 2011 by Vahram Muratyan.

Tonight; 6pm – 8pm EST

Paris Versus New York at The Standard

Homesick during a long trip to New York, Paris-based illustrator Vahram Muratyan set about creating a series of brilliantly understated visual comparisons between the two iconic cities. The resulting body of work has found its way into a quite wonderful publication and, following a launch at Paris’ capital of cool Colette, the New York launch takes place tonight at the ever-hip The Standard…

Paris Versus New York, A Tally of Two Cities book signing at The Shop at The Standard, 442 West 13th Street, New York City; Tonight 6:00pm – 8:00pm EST

Third prize
Christina and Mark, 14 months,
2011 by Dona Schwartz
© Dona Schwartz

Until 12 February

Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize, National Portrait Gallery

With some 60 works by some of the world’s most talented portrait photographers – amateurs, gifted students and celebrated professionals alike – it’s your last chance to see this year’s National Portrait Gallery prize show, including utterly compelling works like this melancholic 3rd place winner from stupidly talented American photographer, Dona Schwartz…

Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize, National Portrait Gallery, St Martin’s Place, London, WC2H 0HE; Running until 12th February. Open daily 10:00am – 6:00pm, Thursday and Friday 10:00am – 9:00pm; free entrance

3 February – 5 February

International Student Film Festival

With a judging panel that includes Jan Harlan (producer of The Shining and Eyes Wide Shut), Lord of the Rings editor Jabez Olsen and Simon Pegg, the first annual International Student Film Festival looks set to be a rewarding experience for the international students who are travelling from some 38 countries for the event. Organised by young people, for young people, this fledgling filmmakers showcase looks set to be an interesting addition to the international cinephile’s calendar…

International Student Film Festival at London College of Communication, Elephant and Castle, London, SE1 6SB; 3rd February to 5th February

6 February – 12 February

Stockholm Design Week

Nobody needs to be told about Scandinavian design’s influence on global aesthetic, ergo you shouldn’t require the proverbial degree in aerospace engineering to know that Stockholm’s very own design week is one of the hottest dates on the design calendar. With high profile events, installations and pop-ups scheduled all around the city – next week will be another big one for Sweden’s capital…

Stockholm Design Week incorporating Stockholm Furniture Fair and Northern Light Fair, In and Around Stockholm; Design Week runs 6th – 12th February whilst the Furniture Fair and Northern Light Fair run 7th February – 11th February

Until 12 September

Geometry; Lighting up Brentford

Passengers flying in and out of Heathrow this year may be forgiven for thinking Jean Michel Jarre has taken up residence in West London. Watermans‘ International Festival of Digital Art gets underway with what promises to be a spectacular installation from French artist Félicie d’Estienne d’Orves. Lasers bouncing between 2 programmed mirrored masts are set to punch the night sky with their contorting geometric patterns – and all without a dull new-age synth soundtrack. Perfect…

Geometry is part of the International Festival of Digital Art 2012 in collaboration with Watermans and will be seen for miles around Brentford; Running until 12th September

7 February – 11 February

The Cinnamon Club Pops-Up at Desmond’s, Manhattan

Westminster’s swanky The Cinnamon Club has been somewhat of an institution for well-to-do fans of its modern-Indian fayre over the last decade and, next week, well-to-do New Yorkers with a penchant for said modern-Indian cuisine will be able to see what all the fuss is about at equally-swanky Upper East Side establishment Desmond’s. The former 1920s bank, with its graceful domed ceiling and open kitchen, is a thoroughly splendid setting, and those braving the interaction between society types will be rewarded with dishes of the ilk of seared breast of Long Island duck with Hyderabadi-style sesame and tamarind sauce. Pretentious? Perhaps. But don’t let the clientele put you off what will be a weekend of undoubtable gastronomic delight…

The Cinnamon Club at Desmond’s, 153 East 60th Street, between 3rd and Lexington, New York City; 7th February to 11th February

Until 11 February

The Customized Show, London

London-based sneaker brand Double Identity have let 10 designers loose on their shoes for an interesting interactive exhibition that, for once, actually does something useful with a QR code. Visitors can choose their favourites from the customised pairs by scanning the code, whilst those who can’t make it can interact via the brand’s Facebook page; which is more than worth checking out for some of the outrageously fun designs…

Double Identity present The Customized Show, 5 Kingly Court, Off Carnaby Street, London, W1B 5PW; Running until 11th February. Open Monday – Saturday 11:00am to 8:00pm and Sunday 12:00pm to 6:00pm

Until 31 January

Leeds Print Festival

Print’s dead? Don’t believe everything you read, the process that dates back 1,000s of years is just as alive as ever – and the chaps at a new print festival in Leeds are celebrating just that over the next few days. Tomorrow’s live printing event, Print Is Dead. So Are Zombies, Ghosts and Vampires. Be Afraid of Print is worth going along to for the title alone. Don’t you agree?

Leeds Print Festival at Leeds Gallery, Munro House, York Street, Leeds, LS9 8AG; Opens today and runs until 31st January

27 January – 3 February

IMPRINT – A FABELIST Festival of Local and Global Stories

Music, art, literature and gastronomy; IMPRINT – a festival presented by international arts community, FABELIST – hopes to engage adults and children alike, with a fusion of artworks, storytellers and theatrical performances. If you’re in or around NW8′s Church Street Neighbourhood then go along and show your support, be inspired by FABELIST’s troubadours, and “be whisked on your way to future stories by a magic flying balloon”. How fabulously arty…

FABELIST present IMPRINT at Serpentine Gallery Centre For Possible Studies, 21 Gloucester Place, London, W1U 8HR; 27th January to 3rd February

Photography by Jonathan Perugia

Sunday; Lunchtime

The Cornish Grill at Redhook

A British institution, but about as interesting as a night out with George Osborne; the traditional Sunday roast was in need of a shakeup. Enter Matt Chatfield of The Cornish Grill and a monthly pop-up at Farringdon’s delightful Redhook. Inviting some of the capital’s top-chefs – this Sunday they welcome Alyn Williams (formerly holding top chef positions with Ramsay and Wareing) – to conjure up fine dining goodness from the finest Cornish seafood, meat and vegetables; this is one Sunday roast we’re very excited about…

The Cornish Grill at Redhook, 89 Turnmill Street, London, EC1M 5QU; Sunday lunch on 29th January. Tickets cost £40.00 each and are expected to sell out quickly

Photography Benjamin Backhouse

Opens 27 January

The Hummingbird Bakery, Islington

Splendidly scrumptious, American-style bakery The Hummingbird Bakery are continuing their onslaught on London’s cupcake scene with a fifth branch opening tomorrow in Islington; with the first 1,000 customers bagging themselves a lip-licking cupcake shaped bundle of joy, expect somewhat of a drooling stampede come 11am…

The Hummingbird Bakery, Angel Building, St John Street, London, EC1V 4AD; Doors open 27th January at 11:00am

Until 10 February

Espacio Nomadic – Not in Transit

The Espacio Gallery Project – a 100-plus strong community of artists in quest of their own permanent London gallery space – present their second ‘Espacio Nomadic’ show at The BAR Gallery; displaying the works of 18 of their artists. Part of an ongoing travelling showcase of their artists, Espacio Nomadic will tour established galleries until they finally lay their hat; Not in Transit features the work of artists based and working in the UK but with roots spreading the entire globe…

Espacio Nomadic – Not in Transit, The BAR Gallery at Willesden Green Centre, 95 High Road, Willesden, London, NW10 2SF; Running until 10th February. Open daily including weekends, 2:00pm – 6:00pm

Until 5 February

International Film Festival, Rotterdam

One of the largest film events in the world, and one of the biggest supporters of global independent filmmaking, Rotterdam’s stonkingly colossal film festival – 1,000s of screenings over 12 days – is the only place for cinephiles this month. And with a whole host of parties, events, fringe activities – and even an Ai Weiwei café cum exhibition space – it’s a destination for more than just movie-buffs…

41st edition International Film Festival is taking place at various locations in Rotterdam’s City Centre; Running until 5th February

27 January

Flamenco Fix at Proud Brighton Ballroom

The fine folks behind London’s Proud venues have taken over Brighton’s Hanbury Ballroom – transforming it into a delightfully decadent retro supper-club. This weekend it plays host to a passionate celebration of fiery flamenco; with live performances, kitsch visuals and rare grooves. The venue alone is worth a visit, but this lavish night of Latin passion makes it a must…

Flamenco Fix at Proud Brighton Ballroom, 83 St Georges Road, Brighton, BN2 1EF; Friday 27th January from 8pm. Show only tickets £8.00

29 January

Chinese New Year Celebrations, locations throughout London

And finally…

Lion dances, Asian stalls, general drum beating havoc – it’s the Chinese New Year and this weekend’s the time to celebrate. As well as London’s famous celebrations, there’s also plenty going on at both the World Museum, Liverpool, and throughout Manchester’s Albert Square and Chinatown…

Year of the Dragon Celebrations; Parade begins 10:15am at Trafalgar Square, proceeds through China Town ending at Rupert Street 11:30am. Official opening ceremony at Trafalgar Square; 12:00pm with performances through to 5:40pm. Shaftesbury Avenue has performances 12:00pm – 6:00pm whilst Chinatown hosts a parade of Lion dancers and various traditional Asian stalls

Daniel Arsham
Floor Drip, 2011
Fiberglas, plaster, and paint
44 x 45 x 16″

20 January – 6 February

Daniel Arsham, the fall, the ball and the wall at OHWOW

Gallery/publisher/community/retailer… OHWOW is many things, but most of all, it continues to serve up its effortless cool on a conveyer belt of arty style and swagger. We’ve featured their beyond-hip retail spaces here, here and here; and their LA gallery has a steady rotation of the most forward-thinking art around. Their latest exhibition, opening this weekend, showcases the work of New York-based artist Daniel Arsham and his curious architectural manipulations. And rather spiffing it is too…

Daniel Arsham, the fall, the ball and the wall at OHWOW Gallery, 937 N. La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90069; 20th January to 6th February

Until April 2012

WigWamBam; Queen of Hoxton Rooftop Pop-Up

The Queen of Hoxton‘s rooftop terrace is one of the capital’s very best, and, following the resounding success of their Rooftop Cinema in the summer, they’re back with a cosy al fresco bolthole to see us through till spring. With a schwenkgrill throwing out bratwursts and winter tipples like hot buttered rum and hot’n’spicy cider; their WigWamBam is a perfect wee spot from which to escape the hustle and enjoy acoustic sessions, candle-lit readings, and all manner of fun and frolics. It’s a little bit like a hazy Glastonbury evening in the middle of London city…

WigWamBam at The Queen of Hoxton, 1-5 Curtain Road, London, EC2A 3JX; Open Monday to Friday 4:00pm – 10:00pm and Saturday 6:00pm – 10:00pm

Anna Gaskell
Untitled #6 (Wonder) 1996
Chromogenic Print
Courtesy of Yvon Lambert Gallery

Until 29 January

Alice in Wonderland; Tate, Liverpool

From Salvador Dalí and René Magritte, to Peter Blake and Yayoi Kusama; Lewis Carroll’s iconic novels have influenced generations of visuals artists, and Alice in Wonderland at Tate Liverpool is the first exhibition of its kind to explore these inspirations and relationships to contemporary art. It’s quite a collection, an absolute must for anyone with the slightest of a psychedelic persuasion, and it closes next week; so get there while you can…

Alice in Wonderland at Tate Liverpool, Albert Dock, L3 4BB; Running until 29th January

Launches tonight

Raarr at The Book Club

Shoreditch’s cultural hotspot The Book Club, is playing host to one of the most adorable, and worthy, exhibitions we’ve come across for some time. Raising money for the NSPCC, 22 of the world’s leading illustrators have produced specially commissioned animal portraits, all without heads or faces. The script is simple (but the results quite brilliant) a gang of kids from around the country – each brandishing an arsenal of felt-tips – were invited to complete the works. It’s fun, hugely original, and supports one of the country’s most admirable charities. Get down there, and show your support…

Raarr at The Book Club, 100 Leonard Street, London, EC2A 4RH; Exhibition Launch starts 6pm this evening. Free Entrance

Photograph by Constantin Meyer

Until 22 January

Design Post Cologne

imm Cologne is underway, and one of the best spots for unearthing new work from some of the world’s top cutting-edge interiors talents is Design Post; with their 3,000 sq mt of high-end interior and product design, from the likes of Moooi, Nimbus and Rosso. One of the highlights kicks off on Saturday, when the ʻCHAIRityʼ event can see you trade in your unwanted seat (and a donation of 100€) in exchange for an iconic designer chair from the likes of Fritz Hansen, Kartell or Vitra…

Design Post Köln, Deutz-Mülheimer-Straße 22a 50679 Cologne; Running until 22nd January. Opening hours, 9:00am – 8:00pm Weekdays and 10:00am – 6:00pm Saturday & Sunday

Until 21 January

Thornback & Peel Pop-Up Shop

Thornback & Peel’s elegant hand-printed accessories are a delightful example of nu-Victoriana – steeped in quaint English heritage. Catch their sale pop-up event in Clerkenwell to grab some of their eccentric classics; with a further 10% discount by signing up for their mailing list, over here…

Thornback & Peel Pop Up Shop, 21 Clerkenwell Green, London, EC1R 0DX; Running until 21st January. Open Monday – Friday, 12:00pm to 7:00pm, Saturday 12:00pm to 8:30pm and Sunday 11:00am to 4:00pm

25 January

Auchentoshan Presents; The William McGonagall Burns Supper

Keen readers will know that we’re fond of a wee dram; whisky has enjoyed somewhat of a revival in the last few years, and Glasgow’s closest Distillery, Auchentoshan (pronounced Ock-un-toshan, in your best Scottish accent please), are rethinking the tradition of Burns Night – 25th January – with a decidedly more irreverent approach at venues across the UK. Celebrating the work of William McGonagall – a Scot noted for challenging perceptions of poetry with his famously bad prose – as opposed to Robert Burns’ landmark works, Auchentoshan Presents… The William McGonagall Burns Supper will start with pudding, and end with the starter (turning the supper on its head as McGonagall turned Scottish poetry on its), whilst tweed wearing guests are invited to write and recite their own McGonagall styled pieces. Toying with the conformity of a traditional Burns Night supper, whilst staying true to its roots, Auchentoshan’s anarchic approach looks set to be one of the most inspired ways to spend next Wednesday eve…

The William McGonagall Burns Supper at The Charles Lamb, Islington, London, N1 8DE; Starts 7:00pm and costs £27.50 per person

Chinese New Year 23 January

Year of the Dragon

It’s the Chinese New Year on Monday. And what better way to celebrate than with a shiny new pair of sneakers? Perhaps not the most authentic way to see in the year of the dragon, but it’s a bloody good excuse to show you these opulent limited edition Kobe VII System Supreme in custom-crafted shoebox, that we saw over on Hypebeast…

NIKE “Year of the Dragon Collection”; Available Now

15-17 January

English Hedgerow at Home

It may be trade only but, if you can get yourself in, new Earls Court interiors and homewares trade show, Home, is playing host to a world exclusive ceramics/augmented reality mash-up. English Hedgerow is a very modernist take on chintz, comprised of a plate design by Andrew Tanner – with Jason Jameson and James Hall – that’s brought to life by a painfully cute app from Unanico…

English Hedgerow World Exclusive, Earls Court Two, London; 15th – 17th January 2012

Until 26 February

Republic of the Moon, FACT Liverpool

Liverpool’s quite brilliant arts organisation, FACT, is hosting – and co-curating with The Arts Catalyst – a curious exhibition that explores visions of life on the moon. Seven international artists offer their take on lunar habitation, whilst a series of screenings and events accompany the celestial exhibition.

Republic of the Moon at FACT, 88 Wood Street, Liverpool, L1 4DQ; Running until 26th February

Image: Adam Broomberg & Oliver Chanarin,
Gaddafi killed. That’s for Lockerbie. And for Yvonne Fletcher. And IRA Semtex Victims. The Sun, October 21, 2011,
Unique C-type print, 150 x 190 cm

14 January – 18 February

Portable Monuments; Adam Broomberg & Oliver Chanarin

Amsterdam’s Galerie Gabriel Rolt introduce a new solo exhibition from UK-based duo Adam Broomberg and Oliver Chanarin this weekend, and high-brow stuff it is too. Deconstructing press images of war into a visual language comprised of coloured blocks. You’ll have to engage your brain to decipher this particular code, but rest assured the exhibition will look pretty whilst the cogs are clicking into place.

Portable Monuments at Galerie Gabriel Rolt, Elandsgracht 34 1016 TW Amsterdam, Netherlands; 14th January to 18th February

19 January – 4 February

The Stew House Pop Up Experience

Artists Katy Gray and Dan Hillier are working on the interiors of a specially designed banqueting hall, at an undisclosed London Fields location, for the return of cult supperclub/pop-up event; The Stew House. Based around a 70-person dining table, the team are delving into history to present 8 slow-cooked classics that are sure to be as heart-stoppingly good as the elaborate designs.

The Stew House, secret location in London Fields, London;
At time of going to press there are only 2 dates left in January; 19th and 26th.
Two new dates have been released for February with tickets still available; 3rd and 4th

Until 21 January

The Market of Everything; Traffic, Dubai

An art-based event in Dubai, that “promotes community involvment and supports social sustainability through the exchange and recycling of our belongings”? It might sound a bit off-kilter for the land of the mega-rich, and – with a series of events that also include a drum circle and a series of film screenings and ping-pong tournaments – it’s perhaps one of the more ‘real’ things you’ll see in the UAE city; and surely that’s a good thing.

Traffic; The Market of Everything, Buy/Sell/Trade/Donate, 179 Umm Suqeim Road, PO Box 6716 Dubai, UAE; 12th – 21st January 2012

Now Open

Wine by the Bay, Miami

Owner of the Design District’s Etra Fine Art gallery; Stefano Campanini is one of the Miami art scene’s major players, and a lover of good wine to boot. Bash the two fields together and you get Stefano’s latest pet project, a delightful 1,200 sq ft wine boutique cum art space, located directly across from the under-construction new Miami Art Museum and with a terrace view of Biscayne Bay. If you’re enjoying some Winter sun in Miami this weekend, there’s no better spot for a bit of artistic refinement. Bravo.

Wine by the Bay, 888 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 112, Miami, FL 33132. Opened beginning of January;
Opening times are Monday – Saturday 12pm – 9pm

13-14 January

London Ice Sculpting Festival

We may well have had ourselves a mild little Winter so far, but as the forecasters are predicting a cold snap over the weekend, why not get yourselves down to Canada Square (someone has to) for a theatrical display of drills, chainsaws and hefty, bearded Europeans.

London Ice Sculpting Festival, located across Montgomery Square, Canada Square Park and Jubilee Place Shopping Mall (right by Canary Wharf tube station); Open Friday 13th and Saturday 14th January

All Through January

Maggie Mania at Maggie’s

There’s been plenty who have called for Maggie’s head over the years, and now – with a little help from a swanky Chelsea night club – every miner’s dream’s come true. The 80s are back in all their disgustingly superficial splendour at this Fulham Road favourite, where you can party all night; just like a Liverpudlian who’s found out Maggie’s dead…

Maggie Mania, Maggie’s, 329 Fulham Road, London, SW10 9QL;
Open every Wednesday and Thursday 10:30pm – 2:30am & every Friday and Saturday 10:30pm – 3.30am. Cocktail available now!

Photograph by Nacása & Partners Inc

OZONE at The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong

“Brave, fun and downright exhilarating, OZONE is unadulterated opulence in its purest form.”

Original Post

Atelier Mecanic, Bucharest

“Somewhat of an antidote to both globalisation (the former tenant was a faceless Irish pub) and Romanian’s unease with their communist past.”

Original Post

MEATliquor, London

“MEATliquor is another addition to London’s glut of super-cool ‘no reservations’ establishments and, at last, offers the security that you’ll always know where to find the capital’s best burger.”

Original Post

Alice of Magic World, Tokyo

“Nope, a mind-altering psychedelic substance was not slipped into your pre-dinner apéritif, this bizarre new Tokyo restaurant is for real.”

Original Post

Clancy’s Fishbar City Beach, Perth

“Unabashed in its stimulating vibrancy, the playful, welcoming interiors of this beachside restaurant are a gleeful ‘up yours’ to the staid, unimaginative minimalism employed by so many contemporary spaces these days”

Original Post

GMOA Keller, Vienna

“The design is uncomplicated, the brick arches were simply whitened, the wooden floor and panelling was stained dark and theatre curtain rails allow the rooms to be divided into zones and niches with curtains by Kenzo.”

Original Post

VyTA Boulangerie, Turin

“With a concept inspired by the history and simplicity of bread-making, architect Daniela Colli, has chosen shapes and materials that recall the most “minimal” product that sits on our table.”

Original Post

Photograph by Floto+Warner

Niko, SoHo New York

“Natural materials from walnut and blond oak to the brass and onyx lend warmth and comfort to the room while along the walls feature a hand-woven intricate web of ropes, zig-zagging and stretching from one end of the room to the other”

Original Post

Dishoom Bombay Café, London

“Covent Garden now has its very own Bombay Café, in the shape of Upper St. Martin’s Lane’s Dishoom, a splendidly authentic space with seriously good food and some very special cocktails.”

Original Post

Photograph by Felix de Voss

What Happens When, New York

“Something very special is happening in Downtown Manhattan right now, as a collective of interior designers, a graphic designer, composer and Michelin starred chef take over a reclaimed space for the next 9 months.”

Original Post

Photograph by Toshiyuki Yano

cafe / day; Numazu City, Japan

“Benches designed to emulate bus stops and car seats transformed into sofas complete the sensation that a road runs right on through this thoroughly unique space.”

Original Post

208 Duecento Otto, Hong Kong

“Dramatic wood panelling and fabulous tiles printed with blue and white Chinese illustrations set the scene in this former meat storage warehouse”

Original Post

Hi/Lo, Utrecht

“Presenting the coffeeshop as an altogether new and positively agreeable concept.”

Original Post

Chambers Eat and Drink, San Francisco

“With some 10,000 albums furnishing the walls, as if some kind of alternative rock’n’roll library, there’s more than a heady nod to its illustrious musical history.”

Original Post

Mikkeller Bar, Copenhagen

“Faultless fusion of modernism and traditional Danish pubs.”

Original Post

Above 6 at 6 Columbus

“With all its homely elegance, Central Park views and refined über-cool – Above 6 may just well be our new favourite Manhattan bolthole.”

Original Post

Photograph by Zooey Braun

Club Mash, Stuttgart

“Mash’s centrepiece is a beautiful, surrealist collage – courtesy of local artist Monica Trenkler – that has been, by specialist printers, impressed onto tiles that comprise a spectacular suspended ceiling.”

Original Post

Roxy/Josefine Club; Belo Horizonte, Brazil

“Geometric graphics run throughout the club with bold, sumptuous colours lending it a futuristic yet decidedly opulent aura.”

Original Post

Photograph by Nacasa & Partners

Tsujita L.A.

“The installation sees some 25,000 wooden sticks give a mysterious cloud-like illusion to the ceiling, engulfing the rich, golden hued space with a typically Japanese drama.”

Original Post

Smack, Leamington Spa

“With its uncompromising, monochrome scheme and knowing nods to the likes of Stephen Sprouse and Banksy, the stark interiors certainly take no prisoners.”

Original Post

Das Neue Kubitscheck, Munich

“Armin Stegbauer, a punk, former Greenpeace activist and the café’s owner is on a mission: ‘to free cakes and gateaux from their years of imprisonment behind crocheted doilies, cologne and dusty Sunday tradition’.”

Original Post

Fastvínic, Barcelona

“High quality and carefully considered product, edgy, unequivocally stylish design and a courageous promise to do right by Mother Nature, Fastvínic is a rather special little venture.”

Original Post

Photograph by Dianna Snape

Vue de Monde Rialto, Melbourne

“As night falls, you can’t help but be seduced by the views that a prime position on the 55th floor of one of Australia’s tallest buildings affords you.”

Original Post

Photograph by Jeremy San

The Tastings Room, Singapore

“The central bar is an awkward, geometric beauty; strutting out like a gangly model, only just in control of her beauty.”

Original Post

Zmianatematu, Lodz

“Edgy, vibrant and culturally rich; this restaurant is very befitting its city’s growing reputation.”

Original Post

Until 15 January

The Boombox Project by Lyle Owerko

The award-winning photographer, behind internationally acclaimed images such as TIME Magazine’s September 11 2001 cover, is showing a decidedly more lighthearted side to his portfolio at this joint show with London’s XOYO and The Whisper Gallery. Lyle Owerko‘s obsession with hip-hop’s most desirable accessory went into overdrive after chancing upon a mint late-seventies Victor JVC at an outdoor market in Tokyo; and his fanatical hunt for the most rare and obscure ‘boomboxes’ on the planet is now the subject of this curious exhibition…

XOYO and The Whisper Gallery present The Boombox Project by Lyle Owerko: Open 10-6 weekdays until 15th January 2012 at XOYO, 32-37 Cowper Street, London, EC2A 4AP and The Whisper Gallery, 27/28 Eastcastle Street London W1W 8DH

Photograph by Sebastian Matthes

1 January

Warehouse Project, New Year’s Day

It sold out moons ago, but if you can beg, steal or borrow (that probably won’t work) a ticket, then the final day and night ever at the Warehouse Project’s iconic Store Street Car Park location is sure to be absolute chaos. If you’re superhuman enough to stomach a 17-hour rave in a car park on New Year’s Day then you’ll be rewarded with legends Laurent Garnier and Derrick Carter joining the likes of upstarts Space Dimension Controller and Joy Orbison for the UK’s biggest party. If you’ve got (or get) a ticket and are brave (or stupid) enough to see this one through; we salute you…

1st January 12.00 Noon – 5.00am, Warehouse Project; Store Street, Manchester

Photograph by Douglas Lyle Thompson

31 December

New Year’s Eve at Ace Hotel New York

Ever-stylish, and ever the place for a good time in Midtown; New York’s Ace Hotel celebrate the year of Armageddon with resident DJ Huggy Bear being joined by none other than The Smiths’ bassist Andy Rourke; whilst a very-special surprise DJ “keeps the party going in the pre-dawn hours of 2012″. There’s an assortment of dining delights still available to book too, and of course, you get to spend time gawking at ex-Hollywood set designers Roman and Williams’ lush interiors…

New Year’s Eve at Ace Hotel New York, Midtown Manhattan; 31st December 8:00pm in either Lobby, Breslin or John Dory.
Groups dining at the Breslin are invited to continue their evening with 50% knocked off the price of a table reservation in the lobby

Until 15 January

Steal Banksy

Want to get your hands on one of just a handful of signed and authenticated Banksy originals available in Australia? Why not just steal one? Celebrating art’s long-standing history of theft and heist, Melbourne art-hotel chain Art Series Hotels have been moving a pair of Bristol’s finest around their hotels; the first of which being stolen from right under their noses on 19th December…

The final Banksy, still not yet stolen, will be moved between the three hotels, The Cullen, The Olsen and The Blackman until 15th January.

Photograph by Sin Bozkurt

31 December

Die Freche Muse New Year’s Eve Spectacular

East London’s most decadent NYE party is sure to be Baron Von Sanderson’s Die Freche Muse; a traditional cocktail of “exotic burlesque, Dixieland jazz, chanteur and dancing till dawn”. Throw on your best 1920s – 1940s garb, descend upon their lavish 15th Century tavern and Georgian theatre space, cast aside your inhibitions and enjoy one of the country’s most splendid New Year’s soirees…

Die Freche Muse New Year’s Eve Spectacular: Saturday 31st December, 9pm – dawn at The George Tavern, 373 Commercial Road, London E1 0LA

31 December

The Library @ The Redbury, New Year’s Eve 2012

If you’re looking for a little bit of old fashioned glamour this New Year’s, there’s surely no better place than Hollywood? Sure, it’s a little more hipster than Hepburn round the streets of West Hollywood these days, but super-cool hotel The Redbury @ Hollywood and Vine is offering an “Old Hollywood” experience in their equally super-cool indoor/outdoor bar…

The Library @ The Redbury; 1717 Vine Street Los Angeles, CA 90028

31 December

Disappearing Dining Club, New Year’s Eve – All Night Dinner Dance

Having been throwing secret supperclub parties for some time, in an array of the capital’s most charming and intriguing empty warehouses, forgotten rooftops, hidden basements, secret galleries and private gardens; Disappearing Dining Club have unearthed another gem for their New Year’s Eve all-night dinner dance. Nestled in between Shoreditch’s Liverpool Street and Old Street stations, Factory 7 is a huge multi-media arts and music venue that will play host to decadent dining delights (think Ballotine of Devon Lobster & Calve’s Sweetbread and Red Ruby Beef Wellington), cocktails and DJs across 2 rooms in the industrial space…

Disappearing Dining Club, New Year’s Eve – All Night Dinner Dance is on at Factory 7, 13 Hearn Street, London, EC2A 3NN; Music and dancing until 6am

Until 24 December

Hypermarché, Hamburg

Concept store, bar, stage for cultural events… Hamburg’s 24-hour Hypermarché is far from your typical festive pop-up. Designed by talented local studio PARAT, and run by Louise and Florian Kunth of super-cool events agency Here We Go; Hypermarché is a splendid attack on your senses, with DJs, performers, exhibitions and installations accompanying the carefully curated selection of fashion, lifestyle and interiors goodies that are on sale…

Hypermarche: until December 24th, Osakaallee, 16 20457 Hamburg

Until 5 January

The Vest is History

Miss vinyl, Super-8, cigarette advertising and vests? James Wright, the owner of super-cool Covent Garden store Mint, does and The Vest is History is him taking the power back. Soon to open a Dalston outpost of his successful vintage store, Wright has curated a joyfully tongue-in-cheek installation that asks whether mass-consumerism is damaging design, or whether we’re simply suffering from design-sentimentality as we grow older. With forgotten gems from advertising, fashion, art and entertainment; The Vest is History is a delightful diversion from nativity plays and supermarket scrums…

The Vest is History, curated by MINT: 16th December – 5th January 2012, 71-73 Stoke Newington High Street, Dalston N16 8EL

Until 24 December

Dezeen’s Temporium

If you’re still endeavoring to snap up some last minute treats, architecture and design website Dezeen’s The Temporium – back for its second season – is a one-stop Christmas shop for anybody on a strict diet of design. With a whole bunch of gifts, jewellery, art, watches, books and homewares from established and up-and-coming designers and brands from around the world, this Seven Dials pop-up is one of the capital’s most stylish…

Dezeen presents The Temporium: until 24th December, 65 Monmouth Street, Seven Dials, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9DG

Until 3 January

Food Lust: Shock Candy, Brooklyn

Offering a tasty antidote to the traditional festive window displays, Naomi Huth – founder and curator of the Where Am I gallery – has taken over a whole block of storefronts, just one block away from the Brooklyn Museum, for her gallery’s debut exhibition; a curious mingling of contemporary art and candy. Featuring works by Huth herself, along with Claire Lieberman, Matt Schwartz, Martha Rich, and Lorelei Ramire, there’s Jell-O sculptures, paintings of vintage recipe books and mouthwatering photography; and what’s more, it’s accessible art too, with most of the works available for less than $500…

Food Lust: Shock Candy, on view until January 3rd 2012 at Classon Ave at Lincoln Pl, Brooklyn (24 hours/7 days)

Until 31 December

Hard Poems in Space

If you’re looking for a total diversion from the ‘season of goodwill’, this collaboration between Nektar De Stagni and Gallery Diet in Miami’s design district should provide all the visual-distraction you require. Bringing together artists and designers to make functional pieces, it deals heavily in that fine line between product design and art and is a welcome arty respite from Santa hats and elves…

Hard Poems in Space: until 31st December, Nektar De Stagni Shop 155 ne 38th St. Suite #102 Miami FL 33137

Since 14 December

BrewDog Camden

We wrote about their “cold-war chic” Scottish pubs earlier this year, and now the mildly-deranged duo – who are behind “the world’s strongest beer”, packaged in stuffed animals – have launched an invasion on England; starting with this just-opened Camden outpost. If you’re looking for shelter from the crazed last-minute shoppers who are flooding the streets, and like your beer strong and agressive, then this is your pub…

BrewDog Camden is now open at 113 Bayham Street, Camden, London, NW1 0AG

24 December & 27 December

Underground Christmas at Brunel Museum

Birthplace to the London Underground and a former fairground and shopping arcade, The Grand Entrance Hall to Brunels’ Thames Tunnel – a chamber some 50ft across – was forgotten and inaccessible for 140 years. Reopened last year, the curious subterranean space now plays host to sporadic events such as this, a festive tour of the underworld with your host recounting stories contributed by the likes of Jo Brand, Michael Palin and Zoë Wanamaker…

Underground Christmas: Christmas Eve 2pm, 3pm, 4pm and Tuesday 27th December 7.15pm at Brunel Museum, Railway Avenue, London SE16

Until 18 December

Tiffany & Co. Christmas Windows

On a final note, if you find yourself hankering for a little bit of Christmassy elegance from yesteryear, pop your head into the enchanting little frames that adorn the windows of Tiffany & Co.’s lavish Bond Street store. It’s all kinds of snowy fairytale, winter wonderland and very New York; and who knows, you might just come away with a little blue box for your loved one? Told you it was a fairytale…

Tiffany & Co., 25 Old Bond Street, London, throughout the holidays

Photography: DOSE + Carlos Trancoso

Until 18 December

CIRCUS

For 5 days over the festive period, Shoreditch’s atmospheric Tramshed venue will play host to some of British design and fashion’s most exciting newcomers. A Christmas bakery and café, Bloody Mary bar, spicy cider and mulled wine stand along with a breathtaking nitrogen ice cream and hot chocolate food experience, courtesy of food/art virtuosos Blanch and Shock, will join this carefully curated selection of stalls from emerging names in fashion, homewares, ceramics, jewellery, art – and even taxidermy – in making this a festive pop-up to remember…

CIRCUS at The Tramshed, Shoreditch; 14th – 18th December 2011, 10am – 8pm

Until 25 December

New Windows on Willesden Green

This December, the windows of 25 independent shops in North West London’s Willesden Green are being transformed into a very different kind of advent calendar. Emerging designers, architects and creatives have been working with the local shopkeepers – that include bakeries, barbers, bookstores, pharmacies and a gift-shop – to offer a very creative form of regeneration. There’s an absolute plethora of creative events surrounding this project, and stay tuned for a full feature once all windows are complete…

Willesden Windows‘ window animations will be installed along Walm Lane and the High Road marking the 25 days leading up to Christmas. In addition a series of events will be held on 17-18 December 2011

17 December – 15 January

Studio 180: Bottom Less

This weekend sees a curious exhibition at Studio 180‘s equally curious converted Georgian terrace. Still and moving imagery, installation and performance art from a selection of up and coming artists can be navigated via the map provided upon entry; this weekend is the only time that all artists and performers will be in the space together, so if you’re looking for something a little different, this is it…

Bottom Less is being hosted by Studio 180, 180 Lambeth Road, SE1 7JY. Open; 11:00am-7:00pm 17th-18th December 2011 and by appointment; 19th December 2011- 15th January 2012

Until 22 December

Ryan McGinley: Wandering Comma

If hipsters took over the world, and the streets were full of malnourished, naked kids with homemade tattoos and skateboards; Ryan McGinley would be the overlord. He’s pretty much the king of cool, and where Terry Richardson kinda looks like a creepy uncle playing with a camera just to take photos of naked youths, McGinley seems to the eternal ‘cool older brother’. His style has progressed from snapshots of vomiting naked kids to epic, otherworldly landscapes… with naked kids; and as such he’s got both the art and fashion worlds watching his every move; you’ve got a week left to catch his latest move at London’s Alison Jacques Gallery.

Ryan McGinley: Wandering Comma, runs 24th November – 22nd December at Alison Jacques Gallery, 16-18 Berners Street, London, W1T 3LN

15 December – 17 December

The ‘Corona Extra Summer’ Pop-Up Beer Garden

Whilst all other pop-up bars seem to be about warming up with hot cocktails, Mexican beer Corona are bringing a bit of sunshine to London with a “summer in winter” beer garden. So, if you prefer flip flops to fair isles, then get down to the Southbank over the next few nights…

The ‘Corona Extra Summer’ pop-up beer garden will be open from Thursday 15th December to Saturday 17th December on Riverside Walkway at London’s Southbank, between 1pm and 9pm each day.

15 December – 17 December

Snowbombing Gets Its Skates On

The snow season’s biggest festival, Austria’s Snowbombing, is having itself a little pre-season warmup this weekend at Somerset House’s iconic central London skating rink, Skate.

Snowbombing Gets Its Skates On at Somerset House; Thursday 15th, Friday 16th, Saturday 17th December

Head over to The Brief for more iconic ice skating locations

Until 22 December

Deck The Halls

Pretty much the New York equivalent of the aforementioned Shoreditch pop-up CIRCUS, The Old School on Nolita’s Prince Street plays host to Deck The Halls. Bands, DJs and artists will join the city’s most exciting new talents in design, food, fashion, homewares, toys and more for a celebration of cutting-edge creativity and retail…

Deck the Halls, NYC, 12 Days of Shopping runs between 10th and 22nd December at The Old School, 32 Prince Street, New York, NY 10012

15 December – 24 December

The Robin Collective x Pinkberry at Westfield Stratford City

Celebrating the launch of their new store in Westfield Stratford City, US frozen yoghurt brand Pinkberry – forever immortalised as Oscar’s last meal on Curb Your Enthusiasm – have collaborated with food ‘architects’ The Robin Collective on a trio of limited edition toppings; Christmas Tree, Santa’s Beard and Partridge in a Pear Tree…

Celebrating the launch of their new store in Westfield Stratford City on the 15th; The three Limited Edition toppings will be available exclusively at the Pinkberry store, Westfield Stratford from the 15th – 24th December, as long as stocks last.

Throughout Winter

Citroën’s Nordic Jumper

10kg wool and 2kg thread makes an awful lot of PR stunt don’t cha know? Sure, it’s big brand PR, and sure it’s little cheesy, but it raised a little smile, and isn’t that what Christmas is about?

Throughout the Netherlands this winter.

Designed as an intimate bolthole in which to shelter from the festival outside, Re-Make/Re-Model’s Black Box Revelation is based rather simply, yet brilliantly, around a bog-standard caravan shoved inside a 6x6m black-painted, plywood box. The exterior of one side of the caravan is cut away, in turn creating an external entrance to the madness inside. Allowing revellers to control the music, lighting and to create their own chalk artwork, the Berlin collective’s little black box and the mysterious, creative world inside soon became one of the festival’s most popular meet-up points. Original, irreverent, and full of attitude; Black Box Revelation is one of our favourite features in some time…

The cocktail in question is the signature cocktail; Cointreau Citrus Spice. Using only four ingredients the emphasis is on freshness, the result is a zesty, strong and citrus flavour which makes for a delicious and decidedly moorish cocktail.

Here’s how to make one yourself;

Recipe
37.5ml Cointreau
25ml freshly squeezed orange juice
puree of ginger (or grated) 1/3 tea spoon
10ml fresh lemon juice

Method
Place the ginger into a cocktail shaker, then add all the other ingredients with ice cubes and shake the shaker ‘Cocktail’ style.
Fine strain and pour into a cocktail glass… for that extra bit of zing add an ‘Orange Penny’ garnish (small disk of peel) et voila!

We Heart get to grips with Ms Von Teese’s Cointreau Citrus Spice

Very easy, and very tasty… practically good for you (one of your five a day we joke) and the boys loved it.

Cointreau Privé is only open until 17th December so to register please visit their website. For that extra bit of decadence, and to make a night of it, the speakeasy boasts a five star restaurant presided over by Adam Van Der Bussche and The Recipe.

Photography: Dianna Snape, except food image; Simon Griffiths

Silencio bar, photography by Alexandre Guirkinger

Wire chair, manufactured by Domeau & Pérès; Photography by Sabine Pigalle

Silencio restroom, photography by Alexandre Guirkinger

Silencio bar, photography by Alexandre Guirkinger

Cinema Seats, manufactured by Quinette

David Lynch, by Adam Bordow