Thursday 17 December, 2015 Holiday-Spiration And we’re off! Here at UJ, we’re taking a break over the holidays. But, we’re leaving you in good hands: this last issue for 2015 has all the essentials – new drink spots, new restaurants, last-minute shopping ideas and exit strategies (if the snow does hit) and, of course, our top 5 NYE picks. Happy holidays! DRINK Medicinal cocktails Drink to good health at the two new openings designed for just that. The newly opened First Aid Box in Brixton, by the guys behind Brixton's Shrub and Shutter, has all manner of cocktails inspired by health, nutrition and doctor’s orders, from alkaline balanced drinks to tea concoctions. And over in the east, come January, the nomads Behind This Wall have finally found a permanent home on the cusp of Bethnal Green and Clapton – and they’re launching with their take on ‘medicinal’ drinking, which includes ingredients free of artificial additives, colours or flavours, high fructose corn syrup or unnecessary sugar… all in the name of beating the hangover. Cheers to that. EAT Posh kebabs Yet to try the kebabs at Black Axe Mangal (guilty!)? Head to Le Bab in Kingly Court for the latest in posh kebabs. With a team from Le Gavroche, forget what you think you know about the late night snack and instead think deer shish, barbeque paneer kebabs and pig’s head sharing kebabs – all washed down with rare and fine wines and cocktails. Deck the Halls 1 Xmas decorations From Dolce & Gabbana baubles to an inflatable giant Santa and a Margiela snow globe… it’s beginning to feel a lot like Xmas. ESCAPE Miami You know we love a bit of winter sun in Miami at the best of times. Add the work of Alan Faena to the mix and it’s sunnies on. The Argentine developer whose Faena District put Buenos Aires on the map is doing the same for Miami. From the newly opened Faena Miami Beach Hotel (part owned by Baz Luhrmann) to the Barbie toned Casa Claridges across the street and next year’s drum-shaped Faena Forum Art Centre, we can’t help but say, welcome to Miami. It’s a Clicquot Christmas Champagne is always a good idea Running late or don’t have a gift? Not to worry, send them Champagne. With the Veuve Clicquot ‘Click for Clicquot’ app you can send colleagues and loved ones Champagne at a selection of handpicked London restaurants, hotels, and bars. You click, the venue sends, and your recipient receives a personal text message from you. Voilá! Want to dine with your drinks too? If you book in for the £44 set lunch or dinner at Michelin starred Lyle’s via Click for Clicquot you’ll receive a complimentary Veuve Clicquot Rich Cocktail. Want to see how easy it is to click? Check out their new video here. Happy clicking! Get the Click for Clicquot app here. Lyle’s offer available throughout December and January. Set menu, £44. Tea Building, 56 Shoreditch High St, E1 6JJ. LAST MINUTE SHOP-SPIRATION FOR HIM From Gucci slides and TF spray, to classic Vans with flannel, a Taco Encyclopedia and our fave- the Saint Laurent dino, it’s all here. Gift Guide T2 Teas: Tea Bundles Sponsored listing Forget the usual English Breakfasts’, and instead, try T2 Tea’s new tea bundles! Each collection has been created with the tea-sampling journey in mind, from winding down to perking up, or even just ‘me’ time, there is a collection to suit every taste ,so if you’re looking for Xmas inspiration… T2 Tea. Shop the collection online or in stores (Windsor, Bath, Tottenham Court Walk, Bentall Centre, Kings Road, Chelsea, Richmond, Shepherd's Bush, Shoreditch, Regent Street, Cheltenham) DECK THE HALLS 2 Projector If you really want to set the scene this holiday, we say do as Chloe, UJ’s senior features editor did, and project it! LAST MINUTE SHOP-SPIRATION FOR HER From neon Comme, to a surfer swimsuit, Lanvin Tassels, a Chloé classic, and UJ fave, Mickey Lupfer T, it’s going to be a bright, fun Christmas! SHOP Brompton Design Christmas Pop Up If you haven’t already, make sure to check out the Brompton Design Christmas Pop Up (tomorrow is its last night). The buzzing pop-up, featuring London’s DARKROOM store, is packed with supremely stylish knick knacks, homewares and textiles by design studios and brands Tiipoi, Hend Krichen, Kit Miles, Pia Wustenberg, the Ceramicists as well as florists Fjura. Last minute gift ideas, anyone? Brompton Design Christmas Pop Up, 1 North Terrace, South Kensington, SW3 2BA, 10.30am – 6.30pm, December 4—December 18 DO Top 5 NYE PARTIES 1. Ibiza hits up Melbourne for THAT NYD Party with headliners Seth Troxler, Kaz James, and the Mambo Brothers. 2. Or, go stateside and sky high with Nile Rodgers this NYE at the New York Standard 3. Taste your way through to midnight with a six-course dinner at The Palomar 4. Alternatively, buy tickets to St. JOHN’s first ever NYE bash, which includes Champagne, canapés and family-style feasting dinner until 2am 5. Wanna bounce? Concrete may not be the most inspired venue for NYE, but if it’s old skool fun you’re after hit up their R ’n’ B Hung Up party: think Pharrell drums and Yeezy verses, with Nicki and Missy thrown in. HAPPY HOLIDAYS! XX, TEAM UJ For assistance on any editorial or advertising queries, please contact taryn@urbanjunkies.com or info@urbanjunkies.com. Thanks! by CS LIKE SHARE FORWARD PREVIOUS EDITION (c) 2015 Urban Junkies. 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