Fast becoming one of the most popular food and drink events in the Capital this festival marks 2018 by becoming fully accessible from your smartphone. After paying online, you can download the festival app and receive a code which will enable entry and discounted cocktails at a number of trendy watering holes around London.

The epicentre of the event is definitely in hipster haven, Shoreditch, where there will be cocktail making masterclasses, pop up bars and expert demonstrations of the fine art of mixology. Also, back by popular demand will be a series of bar “takeovers” which involves your favourite bar transforming itself into an exotic cocktail heaven for the week.

https://drinkup.london/cocktailweek/

Do you still reckon that life in today’s Chinese diaspora is centred solely on humility and service? If you do then Crazy, Rich Asians is the film that’s going to pop that particular thought bubble. Based on a best-selling novel, the central plot involves a Chinese-American bride and her attempts to integrate with her new husband’s insanely wealthy Singaporean family.

It’s a wonderful look into the opulent lifestyle led by members of Singapore’s elite families, but it is also about the massive pressure to succeed that some of its younger members experience. However, that isn’t to say that the film is a heavy social commentary. There’s plenty of comedy and family pratfalls as everyone tries to adjust and like all good rom-coms, the wedding is worthy of a film in itself.

Backing onto the cluster of venues that make up London’s famous Theatreland district, the Waldorf Astoria Hilton is a hotel that knows its pedigree and therefore strives to conjure up an atmosphere of jazz-age glamour for a discerning clientele. Good Godfery’s is an in-house cocktail bar that has become very much part and parcel of this approach and is the perfect spot from which to launch your night out on the town.

The Art Deco chandeliers and wood panelling make it a good wind down zone as well as it specialises in late night snacks and coffees. However, cocktails are Good Godfery’s main thing and Waldorf-tini and the Astor Hip Flask are old-school tipples that come highly recommended. Retail warriors can take a break from hitting the Covent Garden boutiques by dropping in for an excellent Afternoon Tea.

https://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/united-kingdom/the-waldorf-hilton-london-LONWAHI/dining/index.html

Guys and Dolls is the musical comedy that will always be remembered as the time Frank Sinatra was miscast opposite Marlon Brando (Non singing Brando got to sing a main hit that was seemingly tailor-made for Ol’ Blue Eyes). Still, they both did a good enough job to have people flocking to its revival decades later and this semi-staged production is the latest addition to the tradition.

Backed by the mighty Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, a star cast bring to life the loves and losses experienced a group of disparate individuals in prohibition era America. Adrian Lester plays the smart, wise-cracking romantic lead whose destiny is changed by a beautiful, yet unobtainable woman. The supporting cast give their all to sharp songs like “Luck Be a Lady” and “Sit Down Your Rockin’ the Boat”.

https://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/events/2018/guys-and-dolls/