Our Guy About Town John Gough is starting to create something of a name for himself across our fair capital. Between jetsetting all over the world (me, jealous?) for mini breaks almost every week he's been hitting up the party scene harder than ever. This week he lets us into one of his beauty secrets, teases us with yet more whisperings, and gives us an insight into life on London's celebrity circuit. It's all just another week in the life of John. Come on, can you resist reading on?
Every now and then, I take a long hard look in the mirror as I’m covering the bags under my eyes with my Jean Paul Gautier man-makeup, and think 'John, you gotta start staying in. You’re not 18 anymore.' Then the devil on my shoulder takes over, and I find myself convincing bar staff to have a lock-in until 5am, or hopping on a flight to Ibiza, as I did this Sunday. What better way to top up the fading tan than living it up on the terrace at Space, I thought? I hurried back to London the next day though, where the 'Guy About Town' is getting incredibly well-known. In the last week, I’ve been chased down the street being asked 'Is it you?' by one fan, and had an odd encounter at a toilet urinal where a Club Manager told me he thought I was a 'legend' whilst taking a leak. I even got a call from a tabloid newspaper who wanted me to dish some dirt on my night with the Duchess of York!
Celebrity Spots
Lots more first-hand celebrity gossip for you this week. I’ve got a photographer friend tipping me off now on who’s expected where, which is making celebrity spotting all the easier!
I was pretty excited last week to witness Daisy Lowe’s DJing stint at the Philosophi party at MAYA. She started off a little clunky, but soon had us all downing our freebie oversized Cosmopolitans and dancing the night away. She was obviously nervous, as she took four girlfriends in the booth with her for moral support, and at the end of the night her fella - super-talented Mark Ronson - came to pick her up to take her for a celebratory drink at Bungalow 8. I like this couple, they look great together!
I went to The Ivy for a meal with a Brit-flick film producer this week, which was so interesting. It was ruined temporarily by a gang from Eastenders crashing in noisily for a night ‘up West’. Kara Tointon, Patsy Palmer, Jo Joyner, Charlie Clements, Diane Parish, Tiana Benjamin, Sid Owen and Jake Wood all crammed round one table. My annoyance at their racket subsided when I managed to collar the beautiful Tiana outside the toilets, and praised her dress. She dismissed the compliment, declaring ‘Topshop babes’ and went back to the table. On the way out, Patsy Palmer seemed to have drunk far too much, needing help from Kara to her car, and flashing a few rude finger gestures at the waiting paparazzi as her taxi drove her away. Well, you can take the girl out of Eastenders...
Regular readers will know I love models. The skinnier and taller the better! I got pretty excited to see Lily Cole coming out of Notting Hill Gate tube station on Wednesday, and followed her into Boots to get a look at her. Remember how disappointed I was in Agyness Deyn? Well, Lily’s the same – she’s tall and thin, but her skin is almost grey and she’s really a bit plain looking. About half an hour later, I spotted recently dumped Rhys Ifans tucking into a burger at Gourmet Burger Kitchen on Portobello Road – maybe he was comfort eating.
Another big letdown was Alice Cooper. I got invited to the Rock Roll of Honour Nominations on Wednesday at The Borderline. I watched a performance by the Stone Gods, then we all mingled for a few drinks and I got taken over to meet Alice Cooper, who had read the nominations. He was the only person sat down, surrounded by the goodie bags he’d swiped, and asking politely for a cheese sandwich. It didn’t feel very rock ‘n’ roll!
Top Club
New club Victory opened its doors last week, and I’m suitably impressed. Decked out to look like a film set, there’s a street complete with lamps and road markings, and then different rooms to mock someone’s house. I love it! I’m forever complaining that clubs are scared to look different or be really daring, but these guys have truly thrown their cash into being unique. Even more unusual is membership is free to people they deem worthy, and you know my favourite bit? There’s an after-hours party on Saturday nights, when they stay open till 6am on Sunday. That’s a sure way to win me over!
Top Bar
Paradise by Way of Kensal Green is a great gastropub and bar in (you’ll never guess) Kensal Green, with a very cool clientele. Lily Allen and Ed Simons hooked up here on Sunday for a quiet roast dinner together, fuelling the reconciliation rumours. I don’t usually like leaving Central London, but I’d been lured there by a friend with the promise of mojitos that only cost £6. I figured I could order two at once, as they’re half the price of some bars in W1 – that makes sense, right? There’s quite a glam feel here, and some of the rooms feel like you’re in a library or a rich Victorian family’s home, with lots of marble, gold and genuine antiques. It’s worth the tube journey...
The Big News
In the wake of Mo*vida closing for two months in a couple of days for a long overdue £1.7 million refurbishment, I’m excited about a few new places opening. Buddha Bar is opening any day now, Victory has just opened, and still to come is Jalouse (on the site of the old Silver club) and totally private members’ club Bureau (in Kingly Court). Rest assured, the Guy About Town will be first through the doors of all of them, so keep your eyes peeled in future blogs for my verdicts on all the hot new venues this summer.
Just as exciting is the Shoreditch Shuffle, taking place in September. Every big venue in Shoreditch is getting involved – Favela Chic, Bedroom Bar, 333, Elbow Room, The Hoxton Pony, The Hoxton Hotel, Time for Tea and Club Aquarium are just some of the places taking part. The two-day event (September 13th and 14th) will bring you music, fashion, art, burlesque, theatre and comedy, all headed up by patron Pearl Lowe. Music will come from the Five O’ Clock Heroes and Lost Pirates among others, so check it out.
Wicked Whispers
Can you guess which model-cum-singer is hiding out at the Covent Garden Hotel after missing performances with her band? She was pretty annoyed at getting papped on the way out on Wednesday, snarling at staff that they should have warned her.
This It girl daughter of a fashionista and a rock star (that she has nothing to do with) has been turning her hand to DJing lately, but obviously doesn’t understand the reason for working is so that she can pay her own way. She wanted a ride on the waltzers at Lovebox over the weekend, but when she realised she wasn’t carrying cash, she simply turned to the nearest person and sweetly asked if they’d pay for her. Bring some money next time young lady!
Finally, I’ve told you all about how popular my blog is getting, so allow me a little bit more bragging. Can you work out which megastar’s brother has been sending me messages on Facebook after reading my thoughts on London clubland?
Top 5
There are a few really exciting things happening over the next few days – these are the best!
1. Punk
This Friday my favourite club celebrates its first birthday, so get down there for their Garden Party with the Queens of Noize and a performance from Jackson Scott’s band.
2. Mamilanji
This newly refurbished bolthole for the Chelsea set offers free cocktails 10pm-11pm on a Friday night to their guestlist, so get yourself on it!
3. Dolce London
Sly’s ex Brigitte Neilsen hosted the party on Thursday at Dolce, who knows what they’ll pull out of the bag for the weekend?
4. Aura
Get down to Aura on Fridays, Mr Pink will be hosting and I can assure you he’ll be bringing the hottest crowd!
5. Barrio North
Have you visited this Islington bar yet? They’ve launched a new cocktail and wine list, so get up to N1 to try them.