#Soho Cocktail & Jazz Bar

[petnews2day]

Watch: Meet the cat behind Soho's latest jazz club

New Post has been published on https://petn.ws/gQTnZ

Watch: Meet the cat behind Soho's latest jazz club

Watch more of our videos on Shots! and live on Freeview channel 276 Visit Shots! now Having made friends with stars including Michael Palin, Stephen Fry, Eddie Izzard and Emma Thompson, a Soho cat has lent his name to the district’s latest jazz venue. Alfie lives at The Piano Bar, in Carlisle Street, but may soon […]

See full article at https://petn.ws/gQTnZ #CatsNews #Blues8221, #Cocktail, #Cocktails, #Culture, #EddieIzzard, #Fashion, #Film, #Instagram, #LiveMusic, #London, #Music, #Musicians, #People, #Pinnacle, #Soho, #Space, #StephenFry, #Tickets, #Video

[whatsonmedia]

Best Offers of This Week!

Dive into unbeatable offers on WhatsOn! Save big, savor delights, and boost well-being affordably. Click now for a week of excitement, incredible deals, and lasting memories. Grab top offers before they vanish! For £25 at Americana, enjoy a three-course dinner and a glass of Prosecco. Indulge in the flavors of Southern soul food at Americana, nestled near Piccadilly Circus. Feast on tantalizing dishes like Louisiana-inspired Brisket Flute and Mamma’s 4-cheese Macaroni. Each night offers themed entertainment, from magic Mondays to jazz Tuesdays. Top it all off with a glass of Prosecco for an unforgettable dining experience. Highlights: - Located on the corner of Haymarket and Orange Street - Enjoy themed nights like Jazz Tuesdays, Live Music Thursdays, and Afro-Beats Weekends Menu Highlights: - Starters include Candy Glazed Chicken and Buffalo Cauliflower Wings - Mains feature 12-hour Texas Brisket Chilli, Bootlegger’s Moonshine Chicken, and Mamma’s 4-cheese Macaroni - Desserts include Sticky Toffee Pudding and Pecan Pie Need to know: - Valid for a three-course meal and a glass of Prosecco - Available Monday to Friday: 7:30 pm - 12 am, Sunday all day: 11 am - 8 pm - Minimum booking of two people, maximum of eight - Please email bookings@americanalondon.com to redeem - Voucher valid until May 31, 2024 - Location: 11 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4BP At The Duke, two pizzas and two beverages are available for £20. Satisfy your pizza cravings with a visit to The Duke in southeast London. Indulge in artisanal pizzas cooked to perfection in wood-fired ovens. Choose from classic options like Mozza and Pepperoni, or try vegan varieties such as Vegan Shooms and Dirty Vegan. Wash it all down with your choice of drink, whether it's a real ale, cocktail, or wine from their brilliant selection. Highlights: - Located in the heart of southeast London - Wood-fired oven pizzas with a choice of meat and vegan options - Includes two drinks Menu Highlights: - Classic pizzas include Mozza, Shrooms, 'Nduja, and more - Vegan options feature Vegan Mozza, Dirty Vegan, Vegan 'Nduja, and others Need to know: - Valid for two pizzas and two drinks - Available Monday to Thursday: 5 pm - 9 pm, Saturday to Sunday: 12 pm - 5 pm - To redeem, email bookings@thedukedeptford.co.uk with preferred date and time - Voucher valid until May 30, 2024 - Location: The Duke, 125 Creek Road, London, SE8 3BU Frameless Lates tickets are available for just £15 Experience the ultimate after-dark culture fix at Frameless Lates, held every Friday and Saturday night at Marble Arch. Step into a world of art and music as you explore four galleries to a specially curated soundtrack from Soho Radio. Whether you’re looking for a unique date night or a fun outing with friends, these sessions offer the perfect opportunity to soak up culture while enjoying delicious drinks from the Café Bar. Highlights: - Enjoy Friday and Saturday nights filled with music from Soho Radio. - Explore four galleries with over-18s-only sessions. - Sip on tasty drinks from the Café Bar while immersing yourself in art and culture. Need to Know: - Strict no refunds or exchanges policy. - Valid for a ticket to Frameless Lates on your selected date/time. - Entry times may vary per day, with sessions running from 6 pm to 8 pm. - Your entry slot includes 30 minutes after the designated start time. - Present your booking confirmation upon arrival. - Café bar and gift shop purchases not included. - Location: 6 Marble Arch, London W1H 7AP. Oblix East is offering a three-course meal and a drink for £48 Experience the ultimate dining experience at Oblix East, located on the 32nd floor of The Shard. Indulge in a three-course meal while enjoying breathtaking views of Tower Bridge and the east of London. Choose from sophisticated starters like Burrata or Crispy Squid, followed by mouthwatering mains such as Mini Wagyu Beef Burgers or Charcoal Grilled Scottish Salmon. Complete your meal with a dessert platter to share and your choice of beverage, including beer, house wine, or prosecco. Highlights: - Stunning views overlooking east London from The Shard - Award-winning cocktail creations at the bar - Live music from a three-piece band every Thursday to Saturday evening Menu Highlights: - Starters include Burrata, Crispy Squid, and Baby Artichokes - Main courses feature Mini Wagyu Beef Burgers, Roasted Prawns, and Wild Mushroom Orzo - Dessert: Oblix dessert platter to share Need to know: - Valid for three courses and a selected beverage at Oblix East - Available Sunday to Thursday: 6 pm – 10 pm - Live music on Thursdays from 7 pm to 10 pm - Advanced bookings recommended, subject to availability - Maximum booking of six people - Voucher valid until April 30, 2024 - Location: The Shard, 31 St Thomas Street, London SE1 9RY Read the full article

[uk-traveller]

10 Unmissable UK Nightlife Destinations Unleashed

The UK is famed for its culture and vibrant nightlife, with multiple cities which cater to every form of reveler. The cities in UK pulsate with energy during the wee hours of the night. Regardless of whether one plans for an unforgettable night out with pals, are a live music aficionado or seeking pulsating clubs, UK offers it all and much more. Let’s embark on a whirlwind trip to the 10 best cities in the UK for nightlife that compel you to ask for more.

UK’s 10 leading Nightlife Destinations

Let’s delve deep into the 10 leading nightlife activities in UK,

London

London the capital city provides an eclectic blend of nightlife experiences. Right from Shoreditch’s underground clubs or Mayfair’s swanky bars, there is truly something for all. Dancing in Camden all night, sipping delicious cocktails in Soho, and viewing a nice West End show are good options to enjoy the nightlife.

Manchester

Manchester is noted for its music scene that is truly legendary with iconic venues such as The Hacienda opening doors for the generation of clubbers. Resting on one’s taste, one may drop in at Deansgate Locks for modish clubs and cocktail bars or for indie bars & live music the Northern Quarter is a good choice.

Glasgow

Scotland’s biggest city Glasgow is a true hotspot for nightlife having a lively blend of live music venues, clubs, and pubs. The Sauchihall Street in the city teems with lively clubs and epic bars. Also check out the Sub Club to taste the electronic music scene of the city.

Bristol

The diverse nightlife scene in Bristol has something from all, from bustling waterfront clubs to quirky independent bars. Take pleasure of waterfront sights from Harbourside’s bars and restaurants or visit Strokes for street art & live music.

Liverpool

This nightlife powerhouse famed the world over for its pulsating scene, is abode to legendary clubs such as Cream & The Kaz. Explore the popular Cavern Club to take pleasure in live music or sip cocktails in Baltic Triangle. Also visit The Ropewalks & Seek Street that bursts with clubs and independent bars customized to every taste. Liverpool offers the best UK city breaks for nightlife.

Edinburg

Scotland’s capital city Edinburg becomes alive at the night hours with bustling array of clubs, pubs, and bars to discover. Enjoy a live performance at Jazz Bar or visit George Street that is lined with stylish nightclubs and elegant cocktail bars.

Newcastle

Newcastle has created a niche for its pulsating nightlife having garnered the reputation of hosting the finest parties within UK. The Quayside provides a vivacious nightlife scene along with stunning sights. Try craft beers in Free Trade Inn or be a part of the legendary nightlife in Powerhouse, an admired LGBTQ+ nightclub. In short, explore the best nights out in the UK at Newcastle.

Leeds

Being one amid the largest student cities in the UK, Leeds boasts of a lively nightlife scene with youthful energy. Start the night in The Mavern to taste expertly crafted cocktails or drop in at The Original Oak, a wonderful traditional pub.

Cardiff

The capital city of Wales provides a vivacious nightlife scene with the merge of lively clubs, stylish cocktail bars, and traditional pubs to discover. Cardiff Bay with its buzzing atmosphere and waterfront setting is a prime nightlife destination. Womanby Street is another good choice that has music avenues and independent bars in abundance.

Brighton

Celebrated for its lively LGBTQ+ community and bohemian atmosphere, this is truly a mecca for the nightlife enthusiasts. Kempton, the bohemian quarter in Brighton is truly a haven for any nightlife enthusiast. Besides, The Lanes boasts of the finest bars and clubs in Brighton.

Wrapping up UK offers assorted nightlife destinations to suffice every taste. Be it dancing until dawn, enjoying cocktails, or adoring live music, these 10 dynamic UK cities offer it all. Just wear the dancing shoes, take a pint and get the night party started.

[pulsdmedia]

The Week Ahead 11/20-11/26

It's the big week, and while we're already thawing our turkeys and getting in the festive spirit, we're also ready to keep doing what we do this time of year - making sure you get into the holiday spirit in the city that we love so much...

$99: 3 Course Thanksgiving Dinner For 2 With Cocktails & Wines

Tara Rose embodies the warm spirit of Ireland & its welcoming nature - a sentiment deeply rooted in its founder's heritage. Akin to the feeling of gathering by the cozy Thanksgiving fire, Tara Rose's Thanksgiving rendezvous will serve up perfectly cooked eats sure to make your holiday unforgettable. As a Mulled Wine or Spiked Cider heats up that internal flame, you'll add to the scrumptious ensemble with a serving of refreshing Warm Farrow Salad to start, moving on to Salmon Risotto, not to mention Rigatoni Pesto - but have no fear, traditionalists! Roasted Turkey is still on the menu! When you want to end things on a sweet note, nothing hits the spot like the Chocolate Fudge Sundae...

Yohji Yamamoto Sample Sale

Yohji Yamamoto is know for his futuristic, trendy styles unlike anything else you would find on the market, while Y's features functional designs derived from the creativity of Yohji Yamamoto's main lines. Head to 260 Sample Sale for an exclusive, limited time event where you can score these brands for never-before-seen prices.

$29 Ticket: 2 Hour Open Bar Rooftop Thanksgiving Eve Party

It's here! Elsie Rooftop's Thanksgiving Eve Open Bar Party gets you admission to a sky-high soirée, complete with access to a 2 Hour Premium Open Bar Serving Cocktails, Wines, & Beers. Round up your friends for some pre-Thanksgiving shenanigans sure to ruffle some feathers! It's a night designed for drinking, dancing, and absorbing the energy of the party that will put you in the mood for the feast that follows the next day!

Cocktails & Jazz

Get ready for a fabulous night with top hot jazz & swing bands in NYC at the beautiful & intimate Foxtail cocktail bar at the Arlo SoHo. Featuring exquisite cocktails and a delicious menu, perfect for after work or a meetup with friends.

$19 VIP 2 Hour Open Bar Tix: Open Bar Disco Fever Fridays Party

Indulge in the allure of Disco Fever Fridays at Copacabana! Surrender to your desires, embrace the sparkle and 70s tunes, and relive the Studio 54 era. Grab this $19 VIP 2 Hour Open Bar Ticket, complete with a 2 Hour Open Bar so. you can lose yourself in a disco paradise, dancing to iconic tunes, and groove to legendary DJs playing Abba, Bee Gees, Donna Summer, and more. Immerse yourself in the dance floor's twinkle, capture memories with friends, and let go of worries as you dance until sunrise. Join us for an unforgettable night of unbridled revelry!

Y2K Party

Live your sweet sweet Fantasy, baby!! 2nite House of Yes! spices up your life with a PHAT dose of Y2K Flashback Magic that is da bomb dot com, booyah baby grrrrl. Log in, dial-up and turn on with the throwback dance jams you crave with exxxtra manic millennium NRG. AS IF! Don’t be wack, Don’t be trippin’ just get jiggy with it and hit us baby, one more time and get hella tight all freakin’ nite.

[hydeparkinternational]

First-timers Guide to Visiting Soho in London

London's party scene is set by the vibrant energy of Soho, which is known as the gay capital of the city. There are several top attractions in the London Borough of Westminster, including this trendy West End neighbourhood. For several years now, Soho has been dubbed the London party capital. This part of the city offers a bustling nightlife and several bars and eateries that will make you feel like you're in London. Despite the buzz surrounding Soho's trendy nightlife, days in the district can also be filled with plenty of fun activities. With these Special Offers London Hotels, you can enjoy the best of London and experience the city like a pro in addition to this first-timers guide to visiting Soho in London.

What to expect in Soho

From its early days as a strip joint and pub district, Soho has come a long way. Today young professionals and media agencies frequent this area.

With many major train stations within walking distance, this central London location offers excellent transport connections, making it ideal for those staying at this Hyde Park Accommodation.

There are many lofts and warehouses in Soho, some full of history and character and others off the beaten track. The eclectic crowd makes Soho one of the best places to live in London because of its energetic characteristics and relaxed atmosphere on every street.

Where to eat

Similar to the neighbourhood, the dining scene in Soho offers both quirky and traditional. Here are our top picks of all the places to eat in Soho.

Yalla Yalla serves tasty sweet pastries and Lebanese and Middle Eastern dishes at affordable prices.

The Breakfast Club Soho offers English and American cuisine for brunch and dinner.

Cinnamon Soho and Masala Zone offer colourful Indian cuisine.

The Gauthier Soho restaurant offers a fine-dining experience for the sophisticated palate and is excellent for luxury travellers staying at Hyde Park International London.

The Honest Burger Company offers the best plant-based and meat burgers in town.

Polpo and Blanchette are two Soho restaurants serving small sharing portions.

Alfresco hotspot Kingly Court offers a variety of eclectic dining options. A variety of cuisines are available, from Caribbean to Japanese flavours.

 Where to grab a drink

There are many casual pubs and secret bars in Soho, where the live music and clubbing scene in London is centred. On a night in central London, you can enjoy cocktails at bars such as Soho Residence and Bar Soho. The lively atmosphere of Bar Italia is ideal for late-night coffee. While Soho's Spice of Life and 100 Club are excellent music venues with rock'n'roll roots.

Jazz was introduced to the UK through Soho, with clubs such as Ronnie Scott's and Ain't Nothin' But selling excellent jazz music.

Whether you're looking for a fun girl's night out at Lucky Voice Karaoke or looking to step back in time at Cahoots with its cocktail menu, rationed snacks, and live entertainment, you can find it all in Soho. First, we recommend stocking up with a hearty meal before your visit. This Breakfast Hyde Park London location sets the tone of what to expect from your London experience.

[beautifulletdownfics]

The Nearness of You - A Harry Styles One Shot

A friends to lovers one shot feat. birthdays, pining and stolen purses.

Hello, please enjoy this fever dream fic that came to me a week ago and is now somehow 13.5k and gracing your eyeballs. I’ve never written a one-shot of this nature before and it was quite a refreshing distraction from my usual, long-form fics. Thank you to Anne @oh-honey-styles​ for the encouragement (bullying) and for posting the pic that inspired it all. To everyone else, read on x katey *Because this is quite lengthy, I’d recommend opening in a browser because the Tumblr app can be glitchy*

My masterlist Chat to me here

“When you're in my arms And I feel you so close to me All my wildest dreams came true” The Nearness of You, Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong

++

You love the cold.

London in February isn't everybody's cup of tea, but you feel positively giddy walking down the icy Soho street in your new & Other Stories snow boots. The hard, black leather is already making your toes ache, and they're rubbing against the heel of your left foot, but they'll stretch to size, and you can tell these are going to be Your Signature Boots. The wind whips against your cheeks, red flushing them as you cross the laneway and push open the door to the chic little restaurant you've followed on Instagram for years but never had an excuse to try. Figures Harry chose it for tonight. Sometimes you wondered if the coincidences were a little too … Coincidental.

"Hi," you smile brightly to the maître d', "I'm uh … I'm here for the birthday? For Harry?"

Do I need to say his surname? You think to yourself.

"Can I have your name, please?" The suited man pulls a piece of paper out of the reservations book and waits for you to identify yourself. Your chest is rattling from the cold and the flurry of nerves you're all too familiar with ignoring.

"Y/N," you say your full name, taking in the dark floor of the restaurant, the flickering candles on the tables and lining the bar that takes up the entire left side of the room. The whole place is beautiful, just like you've double-tapped online; all deep reds and burgundies, vintage posters, and mismatched, dark wooden furniture. A jazz record plays just loudly enough to fuse the conversations at all the tables into one comfortable sound. It would make for a sexy place for a date, you decide, stolen touches under the table would feel thrilling and seductive.

The maître d' nods, you're on the list, "Back in the private dining room," he says, "Follow me this way."

You push your evening bag further up your shoulder and walk half the length of the bar, your eyes adjusting to the darkness. You catch the bartender watching you as you go, he's cute, and you give him an awkward little wave before calling out ahead of you.

"Sorry, excuse me," you get the attention of the man leading you through, "Can you point me to where I need to go? I'm going to get a drink to take in first if that's okay?"

"Just there," he points to the doorway at the back, next to the kitchen pass, "The curtain on the right."

Thanking him, you watch as he walks back to his station by the front door. You turn to the bar and rest your hands on the cool wood. They've stuck the pages together of old Little Golden Books for the drink menus, but you'll be ordering what you always get on birthdays, so don't take in the beverage options as you flip through The Tawny Scrawny Lion. You remember it from when you were a kid.

The bartender moves to stand in front of you, a gleam in his eyes and flirtatious smirk on his face, "Pretty good read, that one. You have to order a drink though, this isn't a library."

You laugh, he's laying it on a bit thick but probably just after the tip, "I was more a The Poky Little Puppy sort of girl."

He gives you a grin of approval, flipping a napkin up onto the bar in front of you, "What can I make for you?"

"I'll have two Old Fashioneds, please," you lean forward onto your elbows to give your feet a rest as he pulls up a second napkin and then two crystal, lowball glasses. "They're pretty," you comment without thinking.

"It's all about the glass," he confirms quickly, dropping brown sugar cubes into each one and then shaking bitters on top. Your eyes focus on the way the squares dissolve and fall in on themselves as he speaks again, "I'm Jack."

"Y/N," you give your name for the second time, throwing a brief smile his way, "I've never actually watched someone make these before."

Jack pauses and gives you a teasing look, "Do you want me to stop so you can get something to write this all down?"

You laugh and roll your eyes at him as he goes back to making the drinks. You're stalling. You know when you go through the curtain in the back there'll be a dozen people who're all dressed nicer than you, with more impressive jobs than you, who have funnier, more outrageous stories about the birthday boy than you. You'll need to stand awkwardly in the doorway for a few moments too long before Harry notices you, and then your greeting will be watched by all his cool, London friends.

You know better than to let any of that dull your shine—you really do—but you've had a rough few months, and if you're honest, you'd like your first time seeing Harry since the summer to be a little more low-key than this. So that's why you're wearing the new boots that hurt and might not suit the dress code because they're new and you feel good wearing them with this outfit. It feels a little special to be out celebrating Harry's (belated) birthday in a semi-new ensemble. You managed to fluke getting your hair and makeup just right, and yes, your legs do look pretty fantastic in these tights with the short, roll neck, knit dress, thank you very much.

"Here you go," Jack brings your attention back to him, you can smell the citrus twist in front of you, and the crystal glass deflects the light from the candles, "Can I put this on a tab for you? You're with the birthday?"

"I'll pay," you tell him, already digging for your card and holding it out to him.

"Oi!" You hear a very familiar voice call out from the far end of the bar, the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and you shiver, "What're you payin' for? What's she—don't take her money!"

You keep your arm out steadily to Jack and raise your eyebrows at him, "Take it," you urge him quickly, feeling him pluck it from your fingers just as you turn towards the voice you know so well.

That familiar Tom Ford cologne hits your nose just as Harry hurries up and deposits himself heavily against the bar, right up in your personal space. His broad frame blocks out the room to you, and he's lit softly in the dim light and looking radiant from within, as per usual. He's got his crazy eyes out—accusing you—and his eyebrows are pinched together slightly, but he looks good. Happy. Rested. Pleased to see you.

Harry's always pleased to see everyone, you tell yourself, Hold it together.

He pulls you into his chest for a hug. Your cheek presses just below his pecs, and you feel the way he's grown more defined since you last saw him. The material of his t-shirt is soft and smells clean. It's a tight squeeze he gives you, one that you resist reading into. Was it healthy for there to be so much comfort in a simple hug? Was your whole body allowed to tingle and fizz from the embrace of a friend? Was it pathetic to have been carrying around in your ribcage the same crush from when you were thirteen?

Affirmative. Without a doubt. Yes.

You haven't seen Harry since mid-September, the last time he was in London. Well, the last time he was in London and had time to see you. You're sure there were probably business trips, Christmas definitely. And going off Instagram, you think he might've flown into Manchester and spent a long weekend with Anne back in October, but if it was any of your business, it would've been your business. You needed to be grateful simply for what you got; intermittent texts about books he'd read or maybe a happy drunk voicemail if he thought of you at the right time. He sent an email at Christmas with a charitable contribution in your name instead of a gift.

"It's so good to see you," Harry says as he pulls away, all crinkled eyes and broad smiles. You don't know your grin has launched his heart into space and that despite having just gone to the bathroom, Harry feels due for a nervous wee. He thinks you look fucking gorgeous tonight. Knowing you've done your hair, and eyeliner, and picked that dress to come out and celebrate his birthday … It sends a jolt of desire straight to his groin—beauty blooms in front of his eyes in you.

Tell her, you idiot. Twenty-seven could be the year.

"Hi," you chirp at him happily and pick up one of the glasses in front of you, "I got you a drink."

Harry watches you fondly and then dramatically looks off to the side, lets out a little huff, "Typical Y/N, buying her own drink … You really think I wouldn't have one here for you?"

Nevertheless, he says a quiet thank you, takes the glass from you and deliberately sniffs it as if he's not sure what's inside or if he'll like it. You smack his arm lightly at the show and pick up your own glass, chinking it to the side of his and watching him over the rim as you both take your first sips. The familiar taste and view fill your tummy with gurgling happiness that sits high in your chest. He's dressed almost exactly how you expected him to be—smart, high-waisted dress pants and a printed t-shirt. You're glad you didn't go too formal, the restaurant is nice, but it's not Hatted or anything, not like the place he took you in LA that time, where you felt like the biggest idiot in the world for not realising beforehand, was properly fancy.

"Fuckin' delicious," he rumbles slowly, bringing you back to the cocktail, "A classic."

"Happy birthday," you tell Harry sweetly, thankful for what's likely to be your only quiet moment with him all night, "Sorry I couldn't make it to the LA party."

"Ah," Harry waves you off, "Your job's much too important here."

He means it. Harry's beyond proud of you. He's always telling people you work for the NHS, saving lives and keeping the country going. The party in LA was thrown together by some people at the last minute, and even though most of the friends he left in the backroom when he went to find the bathrooms a few moments ago were able to fly across for it, Harry's not the least bit put out by you not being able to. Would've been a big trip for you to do on your own and he knew there's no way you'd miss his London celebration. And you sent over a gift, which shouldn't have surprised him. His actual birthday was spent in LA, and that morning a parcel arrived from you—two new notebooks and a novel Harry read the back of and instantly knew he would love. It's what he read on the flight home to the UK.

Trust you to want him to have the gift on his birthday—go to all that trouble of packaging it and sending it over—when you were going to see him in London ten days later anyway. Harry could do worse than a friend like you.

"I just need a bit more notice than four da—

—Please," Harry's shaking his head at you, hating watching you apologise for something he really doesn't care about. "I'm glad you're here tonight," he tells you genuinely, fingers reaching out to brush your bangs away from your eyebrow briefly and—did the room just spin around you?—get a glimpse of the bronze sheen over your eyelids, "I haven't seen your new hair in person, looks lovely."

Lovely? he scolds himself, Lovely is a nice jam scone, lovely is a hug from mum …

"Oh," you coo, automatically sending your own fingers up to where Harry's had just been to reposition your newish bangs, "Thanks, still getting used to it, wanted to do it forever but wasn't brave enough to I guess."

"I like your natural hair colour, too," he continues slowly, eyes running over your whole head, "I mean, I loved how it used to be … But I like this a lot."

Shit, Harry's already failing to adhere to the strict series of pep talks he's given himself over the last couple of days. He's babbling, and he's probably just made you think he's not liked how you've had your hair for the previous twelve years. Is he buzzed from the cocktail or from the way your cheeks have gone a little pink since he touched you? His compliment made you squirm, and Harry wants to do it again and again until what he's feeling makes sense.

"Just, you know, feels like a throwback to the old days," he mumbles through another sip of the cocktail you both love, a glint appears in his eyes as he continues, "When you had Barbie overalls and would spend half a day plaiting your whole head in those tiny little rat tails."

Your mouth opens into a horrified O, and you let out a single laugh, "Rat tails? They were cool. And I was eleven when we met, I'd definitely already outgrown the Barbie overalls."

"Whatever you say," Harry smirks at you, signature dimples appearing on his cheeks, "I just remember those little beads from the ends of them ending up all over the bottom of the pool."

You smile at the memory. You remember duck diving with Gemma to collect all the beads so they could be put back into your hair the next day. Nearly drowning from laughing so hard at Harry and the other boys trying to stand on your backs in the water. Summers with Harry were always spent laughing. The local pool and skate park saw all your adventures. When Harry's dad moved in next door to your family after his parent's divorce, you and your brother hung off the fence, peering into the backyard to see if any toys or a trampoline might appear signally new kids next door. They didn't, and it wasn't until the summer when Harry and Gemma arrived for their holidays that you jumped the fence with ice lollies and offered yourself up as a new friend.

"Simpler times," you muse to yourself, looking up and catching the perplexed look Harry was giving you, "Spaced out a bit, sorry."

"I've missed my little weirdo," he grins at you affectionately, angling a little closer and levelling his head down to yours as he bit his lip and frowned, "Are you doing alright though?"

You let out a little sigh and avert your eyes to where Jack, the bartender, is busy making trays of drinks for different tables. Harry observes you carefully, a twinge of guilt forms for causing the sad look that's come over your face, but also for not having asked the question weeks ago. Gemma told him at Christmas, an off-handed comment about you being newly single. When he heard the evil gremlin in him was fucking relieved, just like he always was.

"I'm fine," you try a smile out and pull your lips up higher when you don't think Harry buys it, "Better. Had my crisis haircut and drank myself to tears with my work friends. Just a normal break up, really. M'getting used to them at this point."

A small, white lie.

Each breakup bruises you deeply. Talking about it afterwards fills you with a shame that makes you feel naked, like everyone else can see what's wrong with you but you. As though it's obvious why nobody's picked you yet. You don't ever want to talk about it afterwards, (especially not with Harry) don't want to draw attention to it. Prefer to let the disappointment and loneliness pool in your tummy and sit there heavily, weighing you down, waiting for the One Day someone spectacular might come along and be buoyant enough to float away with you.

You're looking for your forever. You want the cheesy romance, and the love, and marriage, and kids, and the whole stupid thing. You want to be wanted and loved and cherished. That's what you're ready for. You just can't find anyone who's ready for that with you. So, you date, have mediocre boyfriends who rarely make it to the first anniversary, then pick up the pieces and try again.

Wash, rinse, repeat.

"Well," Harry swallows, reaches out for your arm to make sure you look at him, "You look beautiful tonight. And it's his loss, he's clearly a monumental idiot."

You give Harry a noncommittal hum in response. Just as you're about to say something you shouldn't—get into details you bet Harry really isn't that interested in knowing—you catch the movement of someone appearing from the doorway behind Harry and then approaching you both.

"Harry, mate," you don't know the guy who's recognised Harry's back and is calling out for his attention now, "Thought you might've fallen in."

Harry snaps around quickly to the voice, blocking your view. You take another sip of your drink and pull in a deep breath. Not fitting into any of Harry' groups socially has its downfalls. If his sister wasn't around, you tended to have to make friends at anything Harry invites you to. You're not part of his Holmes Chapel crew or his LA friends, and you definitely don't fit into the London group. Over the years there have been faces you've come to find familiar, but you're still the singular, hanger-on friend from Harry's second childhood home.

Peering around Harry's shoulder, you catch the end of a look between the two guys you think alludes to this new friend gauging whether Harry needs rescuing from you. You briefly wish the ground would open and swallow you whole. You know that look well.

"Aiden, this is Y/N," Harry raises his arm and angles to pull you around in front of him.

You hold up your drink, awkwardly, "Hi."

Aiden gives you a hesitant smile, "Hello," then he raises his eyebrows at Harry, "Harry, you coming back in, mate?"

Harry bites his lip and chuckles, reading the look on his friend's face, "You're a prick, I don't need saving. Known Y/N since I was twelve, we were just catching up."

You feel yourself go bright red, and you're thankful for the forgiving lighting. This isn't the first time this exact scenario has happened to you. You've been on the receiving end of that uneasy look before—his friends checking if the girl who isn't there with anyone else is supposed to be there at all. Backstage at the O2, a member of Harry's security once hauled you to the tour manager's office to check your VIP credentials were legitimate. You'll take that story with you to the grave.

Aiden deflates slightly and waves a hand your way, "Shit, sorry, thought he'd been cornered by a fan again … I mean, a pretty fan to say the least but …" he coughs into his hand when Harry gives him a glare you don't see, "Great to meet you."

"No worries," you wave it off like it's nothing. The truth is your brain has short-circuited at Harry's palm resting on the small of your back, he's not moved it from when he first brought you forward. Friendly touches weren't strange between you, but this lingering, comforting hand is burning a hole in you tonight. You haven't been out and had anyone touch you since your breakup, and Harry is setting off all you nerve endings. You tilt your weight onto your other foot to pull back from him slightly, but Harry's hand travels with you. "We should go back, I might use the loo first though, is it that way?"

Harry watches you point in the direction of the bathroom, you're flustered and he really wishes he could tell Aiden to buzz off so he could just take another few minutes with you. Brief you on who was in the room you were about to go into. You wouldn't know any of them, and Harry always appreciated that you came to things on your own, particularly when you wouldn't know anyone aside from him once you got there. He should have invited his sister so you'd have a buddy. Or told you to bring a friend. Not a boyfriend, though.

He watches you take the final drag from your drink and put the glass down on top of the bar, "Thanks Jack, t' was dee-lish," you catch the attention of the bartender, throwing him a beaming grin. And Harry watches the way the guy's features light up at being called on by you. Envy rumbles in Harry's gut, he recognises the dumb smile and dopey nod of Barman Jack's head. Has felt it a hundred times himself when he's been on the receiving end of your quirky humour.

You walk away, and Harry feels Aiden watching him, "She's fit," he comments, trying to get a rise out of Harry, reading the room perfectly.

"Fuck you," Harry grunts at him.

++

Harry sits opposite you at the long table in the private dining room.

You nurse a glass of rosé and eat the food slowly, savouring it. You deliberated over the menu for a long time before settling on what to order, you've seen photos of most of the dishes online, but there were several new ones too. Harry goes off your recommendations but spends a lot of the dinner talking to the people sitting beside him. He knows if he tried talking to you right now, he'd just get lost in you, which is both rude for a birthday party and bound to be too conspicuous.

You insert yourself into a conversation with the girls sitting next to you and pretend you're good at making friends. They spend most of the meal talking about something that was on the telly the night before. You were on shift so missed it, but pretend to be interested or like you might've seen it—anything to not stick out like a sore thumb.

Harry watches you out the corner of his eye the whole time. You've shrugged off your jacket, and he recognises the gold necklace you've got around the collar of your dress, sitting over the black fabric on your chest. He's pretty sure it was a gift from Gemma a few years ago, you wear it all the time. Harry makes a note to get you something that compliments it for your birthday coming up. You're chatting to one of his mate's girlfriends and Lisa who's been on his publicity team for years. Those would've been the two he'd have introduced you to first as well. He can't stop watching the way your lips turn up every time something funny is said, or one of the girls makes eye contact with you. Watching you try with his other friends always makes Harry feel warm and giddy for some reason.

Fuck, he's missed you. And he berates himself for the fact he never seems to remember that until he sees you again. (It's strategic usually, his heart doesn't take your company well when he knows you're going home to someone else) You're so engaging and kind and unintentionally charming, and you always have time for him. Harry knows he's not an easy human to be friends with; he constantly ducks in and out and is never around for the big things, let alone being available to call on a random day to just hang out with. The friendship is always on his terms, and he knows it makes him a selfish prick. You definitely could've done with a call a couple of months back when you had your heart broken. Like always, he missed it, and by the time he was sending you a message about an episode of Midsomer Murders, he felt as though the moment to console you had passed, and Harry didn't want to draw attention to the fact he wasn't around for it.

"Harry?"

"Hmm?" His head snaps back around to the person next to him, thoughts still on you across the table. He agrees with whatever was said and does his best to catch up.

Harry's got to stop thinking about how you're single at the moment. He really does.

++

A few hours later, it's the girl sitting to your left, Lisa, who first mentions the idea of kicking on.

It's after dessert—after everyone sang happy birthday to Harry over a round of espresso martinis—and you're starting to think that if you leave now, you'll be home before midnight, which means the tube won't be too deserted to feel safe. You're also at a comfortable place to wake up without a hangover in the morning. Two cocktails and a glass of wine over dinner, because any more and you're scared you could say something stupid to the wrong (right) person.

Harry's face lights up, and he looks around the room, eager at the idea of going to a bar or two for more drinks. He's not been out in London for the longest time, and he's happily buzzed enough to not be too worried about running into people. Feels like this group of friends have gelled well together. How often does he get to have a night like this in London? Hardly ever.

"Yeah, let me sort out the tab and then we're good to go," Harry says, pushing his seat back from the table and standing up, his hands hunting his pockets for his wallet and phone, "I'll be right back."

When he goes, you decide now's as good a time as any to split. You pull your coat on and say goodbye to the friends you made over the meal. Lisa gives you her business cards as if speaking to you had been part of her job, you slip it straight into your coat pocket and can already picture it at the bottom of the garbage in your kitchen. You revisit the bathrooms, and when you come back out into the main restaurant area, Harry's still leaning against the front desk, chatting to the maître d' from earlier.

He feels your small hand land on his back and jolts upright at the contact, your gentle voice calling his name softly, "Harry, I'm going to head home."

He spins around, and you catch the fall of his face, "What? No … No. You're the one I want to hang out with the most," his bottom lip juts out and his brows furrow. "Y/N."

"Thanks a fuckin' lot, mate," you hear a male voice laugh at your back, they slip behind you and out into the chilly air, and Harry flips them the bird. You were pushed closer into his chest as they jostled past and he steadied you with his arms latched onto your forearms. Still watching outside, you see a cigarette lighter flare-up on the footpath and the end of an orange butt glow spectacularly in the night. When you glance back at Harry, he's not looking happy.

"Don't pout," you tell him lightly, you reach up and press the skin taut between his eyes smooth again, "Can't wrinkle that rockstar face of yours."

His face lights up, and his skin heats where you made contact, "You can't go yet."

"Harry," your features tangle into something like a grimace, "You'll have a better time without me. Everyone seems to be pretty tight—"

—Y/N," he gives you a final, pleading look, "Please come."

You make out like you're stomping your foot in defiance, "Fine."

"Score!" Harry cheers under his breath, shrugging his jacket up over his shoulders and saying a final round of thank yous to the staff. When you're out on the street at Harry's side somebody mentions the name of the next place and points the direction of it, Harry places a hand on your shoulder as you start to walk and leans down to your ear, "I just have one condition for you coming."

You pull back and look at him, "I don't think you get conditions when you've begged me to be here."

"A birthday condition then," he edits, pressing his lips together and smiling at you with his eyes, "You have to promise to do what I say before I ask it."

You narrow your eyes at him, "I suppose you only turn twenty-seven once. You can have a single wish from me."

Harry laughs and slips his fingers under the strap of your evening bag, "Give me this."

You think briefly he means to carry it for you, which is a strange thing for Harry to request. But then he unzips it in front of you and starts rifling around inside it, slipping your phone under his arm so he can move around the lipstick and tissues and emergency Galaxy bar to eventually pull out your small purse.

"Harry! What are you—

—Ah, ah!" He holds it all away from you and reminds you of the promise. "This is mine for the night," he says, slipping your purse into his coat pocket. "Otherwise you'll end up buying too many rounds."

You try to sneak your hand into the pocket after your wallet, "Don't be stupid. It's your birthday, I'll buy every round if I need to."

"Exactly my point," he steps away from you down the street, and you skip to be back at his side. He's stolen your money and your chocolate bar.

"Harry, give it back."

"Nope," he pops the 'p' and hands you back the bag, the Galaxy bar hanging from between his teeth, still in the packet, "You promised. Now hurry up and walk, and I might give you a bite of this. 'm freezing my balls off, we are not in LA anymore."

So that's how you end up in the next bar, your handbag a little lighter, squished into Harry's side with a pleasantly sour cocktail he paid for between your fingers. The booth is so far into the back wall you're not even really sure which direction the front door is anymore. Somehow, you've managed to sit ten people around a booth probably designed for six, but nobody seems to be bothered.

Your whole right side is on fire, though.

You can feel Harry from the top of your shoulder all the way to your ankle. His hip sits neatly next to yours, Harry's left elbow rests just above your right thigh, and your knees press together every time he gets excited when he speaks and unintentionally opens his legs up. If Harry's bothered by it there's no way you'd know, he's hardly looked at you since you all sat down, much less uttered a word of discomfort about the seating arrangements. Makes no sense really, when he seemed so desperate for you to stay out with them.

(Next to you Harry's felt like he was high most of the time, he's flashing in and out of the conversations around him. Because he can smell your perfume—Stella by Stella McCartney, he'd know that fragrance anywhere, you've been wearing it since you were seventeen—and you're warm and snug beside him. He feels completely insane. But he also feels inflated with a heart-crushing joy at having you so close. He's trying his best not to draw attention to it or to you because what he's always liked most about your friendship is that you're just his. God, he needs to do better at seeing you more often, talking more, being more. Each breath as he's touching you is like a crack of electricity through his chest that aches beautifully. Nobody else feels like this. Even when he's dated, what he's felt with them can't hold a candle to his boyhood crush on you.)

You sip your drink and laugh at the embarrassing story that's being told about Harry, oblivious to his torment. Oblivious to how Harry feels your forearm brush his leg and has the overwhelming desire to deposit his palm on your thigh and keep it there, probably forever.

It strikes you that the last time you saw Harry was before the current anecdote about him in Italy happened, and at the table, it's being spoken about as though it was ancient history. You wonder what historic classification your memory of thirteen-year-old Harry would get, that time he attempted to bleach his hair with lemon juice. He ended up with second-degree burns on his forehead from the acid reacting with the sun.

Or the time Gemma stayed in Holmes Chapel for the summer because she had her first boyfriend, and so you spent six weeks learning that maybe you'd been wrong about who your favourite Styles child was. Maybe the boy who, when you were eleven, didn't impress you much, suddenly at thirteen, demanded all your attention. Made that summer become the first where you considered your outfits and whether your mum sending you next door with homemade snacks made you look lame.

"… And of course, Harry can't walk away from a dance floor when he's on the tequila …" everyone around the table laughs. Harry peeks at you to make sure you are too, but he's not very good at it because you notice, a smile flares on your lips.

You're used to long periods of not seeing each other, it's how it's always been. Harry and Gemma spent the summers with their dad and then returned to Holmes Chapel for real life. Sometimes that's what it still felt like, as though each time you saw either of them you were acutely aware there was a foreign Real Life they would go back to without you.

Harry in particular. You were used to not seeing him for months on end, usually the whole school year. Just a few messages over MySpace and birthday cards, and then, when you were out of school, invites to parties Harry couldn't come to anymore—'I'm in Australia, how insane is that? Sorry, I'll miss your 18th …' or 'I can only stay until the 8th, could you maybe graduate a week earlier? ;)'—and emails every other month with a new mobile number for you to overwrite his contact in your phone with. You're not saying you feel hard done by in your friendship, you don't. It's just always very take-what-you-can-get with Harry.

"You've got your thinky eyes on," he's pivoted his whole body towards you, hips twisted in an entirely uncomfortable looking position. Harry's got his resting elbow on the table right next to where your hand holds your drink, and he's looking down at you with careful eyes, "Where are you?"

"The pool a dozen summers ago," you answer easily, pursing your lips together and running a knuckle along your hairline, "Thinking about your ah, burn incident."

Harry's face explodes in a grin, and his eyes roll up to the ceiling and then capture yours again, "For fuck's sake, you're never going to stop bringing that up, are you?"

"You were a horrible blonde," you remark quickly, "If you ever so much as blink in the direction of a packet of bleach you have to call me, okay? I'll have no issue telling you, categorically, you should never dye your hair."

"Categorically," Harry mimics you childishly, "Alright, I get it, you went to uni. No need to use words with fifty syllables to make me feel stupid."

You bring your glass up to your lips, "Come off it, Harry, you're ten times smarter than me."

His forehead raises, "You're the cleverest person I know. Don't make me call Gem to confirm it."

"Don't bring your sister into this, Harry," you deadpan.

He goes to reply but holds back, something unnamable travelling across his eyes as he watches you lick your lips after taking another sip of your drink. Harry's leaning a little closer than he might usually, and despite the fact he's a few drinks in he still smells only of Tom Ford and clean clothes. He's just about to ask you what you're doing the next day when he gets hit in the side of the head with a coaster.

"Hey," he cries out, pulling back from you and frowning around at the group trying to figure out who the culprit is," 'M the fucking birthday boy, watch it."

Lisa is the girl directly across from Harry and yourself, and she's is the one who threw it. She's giving Harry a coy smile and holds up her empty glass to him, a not so subtle request makes the drink in your hand feel like a concrete brick. Something dirty you don't like having. She's got captivating blue eyes and straight blonde hair—exactly Harry's usual type. Your heart sinks as he slides out of the booth next to you, laughing at her flirtatious request and taking a tally of who else wants a new drink.

"Y/N?" Your name is delicate on his lips, and it makes you want to cry. Why is it so easy for you to make things feel like they mean more with him?

You direct your smile his way, "I'm good, thanks."

His head tilts to one side, "You sure?"

"Positive," you nod, feeling your cheeks burn as everyone watches the exchange.

"Okay," Harry taps the table with the corner of his phone, "I'll be right back."

After a few moments, you sneak off to the bathroom, happy to see Harry's beaten you back from the bar when you return. He's sitting in your spot, deep in conversation with the person beside him who you recognise from the radio. Tentatively, you slip in next to him, careful not to touch him this time. Harry's got his hand casually resting on the table, turning your glass forty-five degrees one way and then back the other way as he speaks. You think about reaching over and pulling it out of his hand gently (you're losing your buzz, and Little Miss Bombshell across the table has made you feel silly and juvenile) but it looks to be an almost serious conversation, so you don't. With a smile plastered on your face, you look around the table, resisting the urge to pull out your phone to check if either of your flatmates has text you to meet up with them somewhere.

It's a delicious whiff of your perfume behind him that turns Harry's head. You're back from the bathroom, although nobody was able to confirm that's where you went when he got back from the bar and asked after you. Harry pushes your drink over and gives you a smile, taking note of the fresh layer of lipstick and messy oomph to your hair that perfectly shows off the new style and bangs.

Golden, he thinks, As always,

"Your new hair really does look beautiful," Harry tells you, the bar stilling around you as his face becomes all the world is for you at that moment, "Next time, don't wait for a dickhead to break your heart before doing something to make yourself feel good."

You swallow down the thickness in your throat, "Thanks, Harry."

++

Walking to the next bar, Harry can't stop himself from asking.

"What happened?"

You kick your foot out as you wait at a set of traffic lights, half the group ran to cross, but you, Harry and a couple of others were too slow, "What happened with what?"

Harry watches his breath fan out in front of his face, "With your ex, with …"

"Tim."

"Tim, yeah," he turns to look down at you, hands tucked into his coat pockets, "What happened with Tim?"

"Nothing really," you start strong, then shrug one shoulder as you think about it. It's safe to cross so you wait until you're stepping up over the gutter and onto the opposite footpath before you continue, "Probably a lot of little things but … Always felt like he thought I was asking for a bit too much. I guess in the end he just didn't like me all that much."

The way your voice drops kills Harry, he's not detecting self-deprecation but something far worse. He's detecting acceptance or acknowledgement or like you're confessing some truth that should have been obvious.

"Y/N," he stops walking and halts you as well, lets Adrian and Lisa walk around and out in front of you, "If he didn't like you very much then he's got some kind of chemical imbalance. I mean it, this guy's not worth a second of your heartache."

It's not like Harry's a dickhead about it, not like he thinks you should date people with more money or status or who are more impressive. A person isn't their job or what car they drive, he knows that. Harry's not about judging anyone, but you really do seem to date guys not worthy of you. He hasn't met many of them, but Harry knows this to be true because if they were worthy, you simply wouldn't be single right now. If you dated someone half-decent, there wouldn't be a chance in hell they'd let you go. You're beautiful and thoughtful and intelligent and funny—so funny—which means Harry knows without a doubt that this Tim guy was an absolute fuckwit.

"It's not necessarily about the guy," you start and Harry can hear the thick emotion in your voice, "Is it? It's about the idea. The disappointment is more about not getting the fairytale, not finding my person. Not getting the whole package everyone else seems to have found. I know Tim wasn't right—truth be told I didn't end up liking him very much either—doesn't stop me from being sad that I still haven't found it."

"'It'… That's what you're looking for?" Harry asks, eyes out front where the rest of the group are all stopped waiting at another set of traffic lights.

They're laughing and chatting loudly to other people on nights out, and hanging off street poles to get funny pictures. He doesn't want to catch up to them, not when the two of you are in the middle of this conversation that's making his heart race and his hands sweat. He starts taking smaller steps.

"Yeah," you breathe out, almost sounding ashamed of yourself, "Don't seem to be looking in the right places."

Look over here, Harry thinks.

"But I mean, each breakup I end up getting something out of it," you've flicked your positivity switch, "This time I got these boots and bangs," you kick out your foot and watch Harry take note of your footwear, "Last break up I got four houseplants and a new watch … It's not all bad. What about you?" you turn it back on Harry, "Are you seeing anyone at the moment?"

It's hard to tell with Harry. You either find out from his sister or sometimes, social media. Although that's all usually trash. Generally, when Harry's seeing someone, you'll hear it confirmed from Gemma, and the next time you see Harry, it'll be something you're assumed to know. You haven't seen Gemma since Christmas time though, for your annual festive get together, and she didn't mention anything. Tim had ended things with you a few days before, so that was the main topic of conversation.

"No," Harry confirms what you'd already deduced—and hoped—in your head, "Not for a while now."

"Got your eye on anyone?" You quiz faux cheekily, your smile a little too wide.

Yes, you, he says to himself as he looks at the side of your face.

You hope he's not got some girl in LA he's into. Just like you'd hoped his answer to the previous question. But the hope was silly, something that bloomed in your chest each time you saw him and died again before you were home in your bed, alone.

"I'll let you know," he says aloud.

You think you see something else there in his expression, but you know you can't have. Your mind is swirling, and you're feeling a tingling sensation all over that you know you shouldn't. It'll only leave you disappointed when you part ways tonight and don't see him for another few months. The tiny bits of maybe mores and perhaps are dangerous to things to cling on to now, they'll all turn into Nothings very quickly.

Someone steals his attention away from you when you get to the next street corner. Most of the group are gathered there, and you're not sure whether to believe it when Lisa says they missed the green man to cross the road because they were talking. She sides up to Harry and starts waving her hands around in an animated story about something or other. Harry crosses the street with her, and you give him up for the night.

But he's acutely aware of what's happened. Harry's not stupid—he's emotionally intelligent, and spent enough time with Lisa on nights out before—and he can see that she's deliberately pulled him aside. He likes her, quite a bit, but she doesn't make his insides flip, or his toes curl. She's firmly Just A Friend. Harry hasn't spent countless hours over the years thinking about her, lying to himself about how he's completely fine when she starts dating someone new. He's never thought about an alternative life, one where he stayed at school and went to uni and got a regular job and maybe (definitely) ended up with her.

He's imagined that life with you—more than once. More than a dozen times, if he's honest. For years now, Harry's bitten his tongue and smiled through the pain of not being able to have you. And sure, most of the time it's a dull ache, deep in the recess of his mind, that needs to be called on or conjured to really be felt, but it's always been there. He's always had an (Astronomical) Soft Spot For You. Ever since that summer you broke your arm falling off the back of the ramp at the skate park, and he first saw you cry. At fifteen he didn't know what the hollow but sharp pain through his heart was as he rushed to your side, but now he knows that was the first sign he didn't see you as just a mate. Would never again see you as just a mate.

And now, hearing you use the word 'it'. You say you're out there dating idiots trying to find it and Harry's just unwaveringly sure he that could be him. He wants to be it for you.

You've pulled out your phone and fallen behind, face pulled down as you type away furiously. Harry watches you out of the corner of his eye, half just to watch you and half to make sure you don't get separated entirely from the safety of the group.

"Y/N," he calls out, unable to keep up with Lisa's story and unwilling to try to tune back into it. She stops short, and annoyance flits across her face, but Harry still turns to you, still crosses his arms over his chest and gives you his best scolding look, "It's the oldest trick in the book," he goads you. Lisa sighs behind him, and he ignores it.

Your head slowly comes up and takes in Harry (and Lisa sulking behind him), "What is?"

"Fallin' behind so you can peek at my bum."

You point at the long coat Harry's wearing that goes to his knees, "Can't see half of you under that thing."

"Ah, ha!" He calls out, his pointer finger floating in the air right in front of your face, "So you've tried."

You shove his shoulder and step around him, trying like anything to act neutrally. You're aware Lisa is still watching on, and you're not used to your friendship with Harry being quite so carefully observed. You know your face has gone red and you're really not going to involve yourself in a pissing contest with her. It's not classy and certainly not your vibe.

As you walk away, boots clip up behind you, and Harry heavily drapes his arm right across your shoulders, pulls you into his side, "Was just teasin', love."

"I know," you respond quietly, not upset, not really.

"Though I might've made you sad," Harry continues solemnly, "Know you get embarrassed in front of people."

Your face cracks into a smile, "Opposite of you, hey, you're practically an exhibitionist."

He should flirt because you've led him to a pretty easy window into a dirty joke, but something has Harry hanging onto his regret, "I mean it, shouldn't tease you …Should be old enough to use my words, tell you what I think."

You've got no idea what he's on about, "Harry, the teasing was fine. Where's this bloody bar though?"

Up ahead, everyone's standing on the footpath in a clump. Harry can feel the next words on his lips but has to hold them in when his mates turn and see he's finally caught up. They're waiting a few minutes for a table, someone explains, then they'll be able to go in. Harry thinks how little he feels like another drink at another bar. A few people walk away from the group to share cigarettes. You're standing a little bit away, under the sign for the butcher next-door and kick your foot back against the wall like the slight movement might warm you up.

As he steps up to you, Harry watches you get distracted by the group of people spilling out of the bar you're all about to go into. He doesn't want to take advantage of knowing you're newly single also doesn't want to let this opportunity pass. You're always dating someone, or he is, or there's some other reason not to. There's always a reason to hold back from you and Harry refuses to believe it's the drinks he's had nudging him into this. Neither of you is drunk, he wouldn't even say he's tipsy anymore. Just warm and contemplative and less inhibited than usual.

"C' mere," he calls softly, the tips of his boots landing right in front of yours, your bodies a hands' width apart. He wants you closer.

"Harry—

He opens up his coat to you and when you don't move—your brain is busy short-circuiting—he acts for you and winds his arm around your shoulder to encase you in the warmth, "Get in," Harry says, "You're shivering."

You're shocked by the contact, at him being so close and inviting you in and then just taking you in his jacket. He's wrapped the lapels around both your bodies and forced you against his chest. He hums against you, but you're feeling incredibly awkward with your arms hitched up against your chest and pressed rigidly into his shoulders. You've not been in a hold like this before and certainly not with Harry.

He pulls back and digs around for your wrists, "You've gotta put them around me," he stretches his arms behind his back, taking yours with them and instructing you to really settle against him. "There, that's better," he wraps the jacket back around you, and the two of you stand like that—hearts pressed together, scents converging and your whole frame shaking against his—for what seems like far too long for it mean nothing. Right? Your thoughts ricocheted around inside his jacket and go nowhere, solve nothing in your mind.

Over your shoulder, he sees the rest of the group have gone into the bar. He's not surprised none of them called out, Harry's angled you both away from the door and with his head ducked down against yours they probably (hopefully) missed you both there.

It's Harry's twenty-seventh birthday, and maybe that's made him sullen or introspective. Made him think about the passage of time and how another year has passed him by, yet here he stands in the same place as ever—wanting you. Wishing for more, or waiting for a moment that feels right, or hoping something will happen. With growing older comes a sense of regret and an acceptance that twenty-six has happened and anything he wanted to achieve by that age but didn't he never will. There's only the future. Only the things he can do. And the mix of all that with the cocktails has Harry feeling as though he has to act on this. Every birthday he thinks maybe by the next one the Somethings or the Maybes might have happened, and you won't be standing in front of him as just his friend.

"Always had a thing for you," Harry says, his chin resting against the crown of your head while his arms link around low on your back, holding you against him, "I've always liked you more than I should."

Oh god, you think, your chest freezing in place, I'm hallucinating.

"What?" Now your heart is really racing. Or maybe it's completely stopped, seized up and fallen out of your chest onto the salt-covered footpath.

His voice comes out evenly as he repeats himself, "Feels bigger than a crush, but I guess that's what it is … Since we were kids."

(Oh, how those words have been his best-kept secret for all these years but now, in less than two seconds, he's let go of them more easily than almost anything else he's ever done)

"Y/N?"

Harry thought he'd be scared. Thought this would be a moment of panic. Every time he's imagined this he's thought 'and I'd be absolutely shitting myself because what if she doesn't feel the same way?' but now that he's said it he's almost completely calm. The only reason he's worried is that he can feel how hard your heart is beating—even through the layers of clothing—and surely that quickly can't be good for your health.

You're speechless, and he leans back so he can see your face and, oh your eyes. Why on earth didn't he say it to your face, so he could be looking in your eyes? Watch his words project across your expression and settle into your mind.

You look worried, and Harry's transported back to that time he had you on FaceTime when he was somewhere on tour with One Direction. He was telling you about how management was going to let them fly friends out on tour, bring a little bit of home along and give the boys some needed space from each other. You were nodding along and so excited for him but sure Harry was talking about someone else, that this was just news and he'd called up to tell you how he was inviting the boys he went to school with in Cheshire or people he met through X-Factor. Of course I'm bringing out you and Gem, you idiot, he'd told you when you were surprised to get an invite, Who else did you think I was talking about?

He kind of loves watching the look on your face right now, the cogs turning in your head and wheels spinning, furiously trying to figure out what Harry means.

Why isn't he terrified of what you're about to say?

"Why … but you've… and I've…"

Your hands have moved to his hips so you can see him properly, and Harry's encouraged by the fact you haven't pulled away or pushed him off you. You're watching him with a puzzled look on your face and a burning heat across your cheeks.

He brings his forearms up to rest on your shoulders and smiles at you, "I wasn't brave enough to act on it … Guess I didn't want to fuck it up. Didn't want it to not work out. Couldn't stand you becoming an ex."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

"Right." You don't seem capable of more than one word at a time.

"You feel bad for yelling at me about the chocolate bar now, don't you?" Harry's narrowed his eyes playfully.

That does it.

Your eyes snap back up to his face from being fixated on staring at his neck, "Chocolate bar … No, what the fuck, Harry."

He laughs. A real laugh that comes from the base of his tummy and squeezes his eyes shut and crinkles his nose. His head falls back, and it's a deep, uninhibited laugh, "Don't stomp your new boots at me," he eventually says, crooking his head down to be almost pressing his forehead against yours. "You've been my favourite girl for years, I've always been a pansy idiot who didn't want to wreck the friendship."

"Oh, and now you don't mind wrecking it?" You bark back sarcastically, unsure why you're angry at him but you are.

"No," Harry says softly, moving through your emotional responses seamlessly, "I don't think it's going to wreck it, do you? Think twenty-seven has finally given me the balls to pursue it. To tell you how I feel. How I've always felt."

Your eyes instantly ball with hot tears you weren't prepared for, "You're an idiot."

"I am," he agrees readily, fingers playing with the ends of your hair.

"Why have you told me this now," your voice is small, unsure.

Harry frowns, now he's starting to panic, "Do you … Do you not feel the same? Or do you not think maybe you could?"

Oh, if only he could have been in your head every time you saw him these last few years. Heard you talk yourself down and away from anything more than platonic, from any thoughts that might elevate you in his eyes. You've spent all this time trying to convince yourself to believe you were nothing more than a friend to him, and now this.

"Harry, are you sure you—

—I'm sure," he insists quickly.

"I just—

—I'm sure."

You're suddenly very embarrassed by the conversation the two of you had earlier about your ex. The conversation where you basically told Harry you're incredibly desperate to settle down and find The One. He's so achingly cool, and you feel like a little tinned tomato, thin-skinned and persistently flustered.

Tinned tomato? Really? You berate yourself, Case in bloody point.

"Y/N"

You scratch roughly at your forehead and grimace at whatever thoughts are going through your mind, "I'm just …"

Harry brings one hand up to fix your bangs, carefully sweeping the hair back across your forehead evenly, letting the pads of his fingers dust over your skin, "I think if you didn't feel the same you'd have said No by now."

His words steal the air from your lungs, "Harry, you've just always …"

"I've always?"

"I never thought …"

The smile comes up over his face gently, "It's me, Y/N, please finish a sentence. I'd really like to kiss you, but you haven't yet said anything to imply you'd be open to that …"

You pull your lips together like a reflex you can't help, you've rarely let yourself fall that deep into imaging things with Harry, but your body reacts to his words in an instant, "Promise you're not kidding …"

"I promise I'm not kidding," Harry said sincerely. "I'd never kid around about this, Y/N."

You believe him, and ten seconds of bravery comes over you, "I was thirteen."

His eyes narrow slightly, trying to figure out what you mean, "Thirteen?"

"My thing for you," you continue quietly, heart racing as adrenaline swamps your legs, "Started the summer I turned thirteen."

Harry hears the slight shaking to your voice and almost misses what you've said. Then it hits him.

"Oh yeah?" He squints at you and pulls up his nose with a smile, a secret little smile that will never belong to anyone but the two of you. The Smile that happened just before Harry leant down and kissed you for the first time, pressed his warm lips against your cold ones and really breathed you in.

He holds it like that for a moment, your lips touching but not moving. Then his hands come up to cup your face, and Harry moves his mouth to one side, just a touch. You open up to him, and he has the brief thought that this is probably the Most Important Kiss Of His Life. His insides curl in on themselves as he gets completely lost in you. Completely lost in how perfect this moment feels and how much finally kissing you feels like a relief.

You can't believe this is happening. You're still tucked into Harry's coat—warm and safe—but now you're joined at the mouth, and Harry's a really really good kisser. He's got his thumbs pressed into your cheeks and his fingers laced through the hair around your ears. When his tongue first licks your bottom lip and then goes searching for yours, you don't think you've felt yourself flicker On so quickly. A soft moan escapes your lips, and Harry's kiss somehow becomes harder, his nose bumping yours where he'd been good at keeping things smooth until then. As quickly as it intensifies, Harry takes a slight step back and drags his mouth away from yours.

"Y/N," he breaths out your name, sealing your lips with one of his thumbs as he pulls back. Harry's taking stock of your face (hopefully) getting used to being this close to you. Noting the way your eyelashes kink out at an odd angle right at the corner of your eye, and the freckle that's so close to the edge of your mouth he's never noticed it before. Harry's can feel your heart has slowed down, and the expression on your face right now is content, but curious. He's also sure he can see fear under it all.

"Well," your voice shakes, because Harry's looking at you like you've only dreamed and now that you're here you're not really sure what happens next. You kissed Harry.

He clears his throat lightly and his hands both fall to hold either side of your neck, "There's no way I'm going back to not being able to do that whenever I want."

Then, he kisses you again. You feel yourself melt against him as Harry's chest presses back against yours. You link your arms around his waist, clutching the back of his shirt between your fingers as Harry leads the kiss with a hand on your neck and the other holding your chin carefully. You've picked up right where the last one let off, hungry and exploring and a little bit desperate (perhaps a lot desperate) to have more of each other.

But then his phone rings in his trousers pocket, right against your hip, and you jump away in surprise.

"Shit," Harry mutters, pulling the stupid machine out, cursing the universe, "Sorry … It's Aiden," he tells you with an eye-roll.

And then you're back to reality. Your drinks have all worn off, your feet ache, your ears are freezing, and you've just made out with one of your oldest, best friends. Shit.

"Oh," you take a hearty step back, hands slipping out from Harry's coat and your body bracing the full brunt of the cold night, "Yeah … That's—

—Aiden," Harry barks the name of his mate down the phone while at the same time hooking his free arm around the back of your neck and pulling you close again. He's not giving up touching you that easily, and he doesn't care, quite frankly, about giving you any room to start internalising or retreating from him, "No, we've gone to get some food … I'll see you during the week sometime. Tell everyone thanks for—Yes, I'm serious … I don't care, saw all you lot last week … I'm hanging up now. Bye."

You listened in on the conversation because it was really all you could do. Aiden was obviously inside the bar, and they were all wondering where Harry got to. We've gone to get some food, Harry told him, so they'd know he was with you. (You supposed he was hardly going to say, 'oh yeah we've been out the front making out') Bits and pieces of the other end of the conversation, you were able to pick up on, but not enough to truly know what was said. By the end of the call, Harry was smiling though, you could hear it in his voice.

His nose found the shell of your ear and Harry leant into you, "Come back to mine, or we can go to yours … Watch a movie, play Scrabble, anything … Just wanna be with you."

"It's two o'clock in the morning, Harry," you murmur, your mind struggling to make sense of what's just happened. You're outside a club in Soho held against Harry's chest with lips that know what he tastes like and a body that's on fire.

"I'm not tired," he shoots back, "Are you?"

"Well, no but—

—Great," Harry turns towards the road, takes a few steps to the curb (you trot along with him under his arm), as he flags down a black cab. "Mine or yours?"

His question is simple, he prompts you to answer by calling your name as he opens the door for you and gestures for you to hurry up and get in.

"Yours," you say.

Harry doesn't speak much in the cab, you figure it's about privacy. You hope it's about privacy. The thirty-minute drive out of the city and to his place feels much longer. Halfway through he reaches over for your hand and gives you a reassuring smile across the back seat. You thought the journey might make you sleepy, the sitting down in a warm car would bring the haze over your eyes and bring the long day to a close in your mind. But you could never feel sleepy with Harry's fingers playing with yours, or when he leans over and kisses your cheek for no reason at all.

At his house, Harry tells you to make yourself at home while he turns on the kettle for a cuppa. You kick your boots off in the hallway, and your feet start throbbing in relief as you follow his retreating form. It's certainly not the lusty, hurried entry you imagined you might have. Which only plants doubts in your mind about what's actually going on between the two of you.

"I'm just going to use the bathroom," you call out ahead of you, turning back to the stairs and taking yourself up to Harry's second storey.

Upstairs you don't take long. You're looking a little worse for wear—who wouldn't at 3am—but you're not really in the mood to try to fix yourself. Even if you did Harry would notice, and that felt like something you wanted to avoid. As you walk back to the landing, you wriggle your toes in your socks and happen to look back down the upstairs hallway. You've been in this house dozens of times before but this time feels different. It feels quiet and intimate somehow. Just as you're about to go down the first step, you see Harry's bedroom door is open on the opposite side of the stairs to the bathroom, and you notice something that makes you stop.

The book you got him for Christmas is sitting on his bedside table.

You're standing over it before you realise that your legs have started moving, looking at a picture of Anne, Gemma and Harry, a bottle of water and the book. You pick it up, the cover a little bent and the spine cracked to where he's read. Harry's using the birthday card you send along with the gift as a bookmark. The top of the familiar design sticking out the top of the pages, you can't even really remember what you wrote inside. Something generic probably. Platonic.

Happy birthday, old man! Have a wonderful day, sorry I can't be there in person. Love, Y/N.

The floorboard at the top of the stairs creaks and you turn around to Harry looking surprised to see you standing over his bed. He's got two cups of tea and a family-sized Dairy Milk bar under his arm. Something churns inside you, this was Harry as you'd always known him. Except now you looked at his lips and wondered why the hell you weren't kissing him.

"Oh, yeah, I've been reading that," Harry sees the book in your hands and walks towards you, "It's excellent, unsurprisingly."

A smile starts on your face, "You doubted my selection ability?"

"Never," he returns quickly and then raises his eyebrows at you, "Looking for anything else?"

You feel your cheeks heat and you drop the book back into its place, "No, sorry, I was coming down the stairs and saw … I'm sorry."

Harry passes you a tea, "It was really kind of you to send something over. Was fun having something to unwrap on the day."

"I'm glad," you smile and take a sip of the tea. It's sweet, and you screw up your face, "This is yours."

Harry watches you with a strange expression on his face as the two of you swap mugs. He's worrying his bottom lip, obviously weighing something up in his mind. You see it when he decides what he' going to do about it.

"I've got something I want to show you," he tells you finally, tilting his head back to the door. "Wanna come see?"

"What is it?" You ask automatically, but Harry's already walking out the door, and you have to hurry to catch up.

He leads you into his study, and you hover in the doorway as Harry sets his tea and the chocolate down on the desk. He pulls Bananagrams out of the draw and places it next to the mug.

"We're actually going to play Bananagrams?" You ask.

He looks back at you, "You'd prefer actual Scrabble?"

"I didn't know what you meant by—I guess I …"

Realisation dawns on his face, and he widens his eyes, "Oh, you thought it was a euphemism."

"No!" You snap back quickly, feeling the heat rising to your cheeks (for the record, yes, you thought 'a movie or Scrabble' was a thinly veiled way of Harry suggesting … something else), "No, I just … I just don't think I'll be able to spell words right now."

"I didn't think you were still tipsy" Harry states, shit-stirring.

"I'm not!" You squawk at him. "I'm… I' m—You kissed me!"

He grins, loving the fact he's driven you a little crazy, "Yeah. Want me to do it again?"

Harry's playing with you. He's teasing. And you know it but what you don't know is how he's so confidently jumped to it. Not when you feel like you've been left on the street outside the bar trying to figure out what the hell this means, and what's going to happen tomorrow when he stops looking at you like that. You don't like to think this whole night could've been him playing with you, you don't know Harry to be that cruel. But there's a tripwire in your mind you keep getting snared on.

It's Harry.

"C' mere," he reaches his hand down across the room between you both, "C' mere and kiss me again. You don't seem to be getting it."

"Getting it?" You're cut off by Harry taking two big steps toward you and then planting his lips on yours again.

His palms find your hips, and you hold him in the same spot. It takes a moment for the two of you to find a rhythm, and even then, you're too in your head. You're struggling to remember what little Harry's said about this whole thing. You know he said he had a crush on you and you've gotten the distinct impression he wasn't too fond of your ex. But for all you know Harry's been kissing his mates like this for years but just never gotten around to kissing you. You might've been next on the list. He's a friendly guy. Maybe a crush isn't what it used to be. Or maybe—

He pulls back from your lips with a huffy expression on his face, "Y/N," he says quietly, "I'm a man with an incredibly fragile ego, whatever you're worrying about is really getting in the way of kissing you."

"I'm just—

—Let me show you what I brought you in here for," he interrupts you, takes your hand and tugs you towards the window. Then, he puts a hand on each of your shoulders and directs your attention to the wall.

It's lined with record sale plaques for singles and albums over the years—double Platinums and Gold-Somethings. Harry watches you eyes run over them all, a proud but unsure look in your eye. You're not sure why he's showing them to you, he knows that. He hopes you're not intimidated by them, he's certainly not showing you to try to score any points. There's a sweeter gesture behind it. He points to one leaning against the wall, not hanging. He's got it resting on the bubble wrap it was sent over in.

Stepping up closer behind you, Harry rests his chin on your shoulder, "That one's for you."

"What?"

"I want you to have it, been saving it for you … If I ever got brave enough."

The question falls from your lips before you really think about it, "Why would you want me to have it …"

Harry waits to see if you'll let on you've figured it out, he thought it was pretty obvious really, but you've never been one to elevate yourself or assume, and Harry knows that about you. So, when you don't keep talking, he confirms it for you, "That song is about you."

You just blink, eyes on the framed plaque taking in the name of the song and hearing it in your head.

It's about me? You think you want to hear it, you need to Google the lyrics and make sure you have them right in your head. Harry wrote a song about you. Harry wrote that song about you.

"When … When did you write it?"

"You mean why?" Harry raises his head and steps to stand next to you, he observes your face carefully.

"No, I mean when." You're starring at it like the plaque might answer the question, "When did you write it?"

Harry runs a hand over his head as he thinks, "A few years back, after that time you came out to LA … Didn't record it until this year though …"

Harry watches your face expand in surprise and then crumple back down to confusion. You really don't get it. He's not sure how to make you in one night. He supposes he can't. So he trails his hand up the back of your arm and then around your back, tilting his head down and waiting to see if you'll pull away. When you don't, he kisses the corner of your mouth and then opens his wider to take you lips in his properly.

It's different to the kisses outside the bar, now that you're both out of your outer layers Harry can feel your body against his in ways he's only dreamed, and it's sending everything straight between his legs. Harry's hands explore your back and the curve of your hips, thumbs almost reaching the underside of your breasts but not quite. It's a little awkward when he senses you've felt him hardening between you. Usually, lust clouds that moment, and Harry doesn't mind intimate partners being acutely aware of how they're affecting him. But with you he's a little hesitant, he senses the awkwardness on your side. Friends don't feel those body parts on each other, friends don't… He almost groans when your mouth leaves his without warning.

You think he'll probably change his mind about all this.

"Have you changed your mind?" You ask, not able to stop it.

Confusion colours his features, and his lips smack together, like he's savouring tasting you, "Wha—

"About wanting to be kissing me," you clarify.

"What? No." Harry's eyebrows have shot up, and he's shaking his head, "I barely even started! Didn't I just say I wrote that song about you—why the hell would I—want to do more than just kiss you—You think I'm gonna change my mind?"

You shrug, "Maybe. I don't know."

"Well," he stands up straighter and pins you with his stare, "I'm not. I promise I'm not going to change my mind. And I promise I'll never make you feel like you're asking for too much. Ever."

"Now you're trying to make me cry," you say, hearing him repeat back to you the insecurity leftover from your conversation about your ex. You're half kidding with your words but also not. You believe him. You trust him.

Harry grimaces, sways your bodies together gently, "I really hate seeing you cry, could you not? I had other plans."

You sniff through a laugh as Harry wraps his arms around your middle tighter," What plans are those?"

"Well, I literally thought Scrabble," he tells you through a smile, trying his best to make you laugh, "But I'm open to whatever dirty things you were thinking as well."

"You'll win Scrabble."

So, Harry instructs you to bring your tea and your sore feet back into his bedroom. He gets you a fluffy pair of hiking socks and tells you to take yours off, and your tights, and get comfortable on the bed with him and the block of chocolate. You've polished off a family size together before, the sugar going straight to your heads and always leading to a giggly night of reminiscing and Almosts.

This time though, you only get halfway through the tea and Harry pushes the chocolate off the bed onto the floor in favour of you straddling his hips. It started with a stolen kiss against your temple, and then another on your cheek, and one close to your lips, and then you captured his face in your hands and really kissed him. Within a few moments, Harry was dragging you over to him. His hands settle on the swell of your backside as it sits against his thighs and your lips trace the line of his jaw. This was really happening. You'd really let him peel off your dress and flick off your bra. His shirt was somewhere with the forgotten snacks, and you seemed extremely eager to keep feeling his hardness pressed between your legs.

"I swear to god, I never dreamed this would happen," he murmurs, hissing when your hips pressed into his at a different angle, "Was sure I'd be going to your wedding one day, completely miserable and probably end up drunk and causing a scene. Embarrass you so badly you'd never want to see me again, and you'd just run away with your stupid husband."

You pull back and watch Harry ramble, your bare chest rising and falling against his, "You're a real glass half full kinda guy, aren't you?" you smile at him.

"I just," his eyes drop to your chest, nipples puckered for him, and he scrunches them shut then drops his forehead onto your sternum with a big sigh, "This is fucking unreal, and my brain is just struggling to comprehend—you're breathtaking, and I feel like my chest is gonna explode."

"It's also 4am, so there's always the potential your brain is just plain tired," your index finger is drawing circles on the back of his shoulder as Harry leans against you, you pause and run your hand over the back of his head, "Maybe we should sleep for a little … I'll be here when you wake up," you say in response to Harry squeezing his arms around your waist tightly as if you were going to disappear. Or worse, leave.

His indescribable green eyes find yours in the light from the bedroom lamps, "Will you let me hold you while you sleep?"

"Yeah," you nod, although somehow that question seems more intimate than the lack of clothes between you at the moment. You're distinctly less dressed than Harry, who's still got his trousers on, you're only covered by your underwear.

"We don't have to rush this, right? Got all the time in the world now," still, as he speaks his palms trail up your back and then down again, skimming the sides of your breasts, "Just don't wanna miss anything is all."

"I promise I'm incredibly boring in my sleep, won't miss anything," you tease, "Might be the only time you get any peace."

Harry tightens his forearms around your back and finds the soft skin below your ear with his lips—once, twice, three little kisses—"I feel pretty at peace right now, just having you here. Feels like I'm living a dream."

You don't reply for a moment, but you let your body rest against Harry's in a comfortable hug, your voice is quiet, "You really wrote me a song?"

"I did."

"I've always loved that song."

“Well, it's been yours all along."

"Nobody's ever written a song about me."

"I should hope not."

"Are you going to write another one?"

"Without a doubt."

++

Chat to me here

[vogueleisure]

The United States of America is one of the greatest countries in the world. The US is not only famous for technological innovation, popular movies, television, and music but also for hopping nightlife.

Nightlife is all the entertainment and social activities that are available at night in towns and cities. It includes pubs, bars, nightclubs, parties, live music, concerts, cabarets, theatre, cinemas, and shows. People who prefer to be active during the night-time are called night owls.          So, if you are one of these night owls, then this video is for you. In this video I am going to show the list of 10 cities in the United States with the best nightlife.

Top nightlife cities in the USA.

1)  Las Vegas

Las Vegas carries the reputation of America’s adult playground. Las Vegas has some of the country’s most well known nightclubs and casinos. From classy cocktails to hardcore dance clubs, you won’t like to stop partying until dawn.

So that's all from this video. Hope you had fun watching it. If so then hit the like button share it with your friends, comment down your favourite nightlife city in the USA. Also subscribe to our channel for such interesting videos. See you in the next video.

2) Miami Beach

The real party scene here starts after dark. The elegant South beach is famous for its extremely loud dance clubs and posh hotel lounges. At an ocean drive you’ll find everything you need along. But a night out here can cost you a lot with cover charges and pricey cocktails.

3)  New Orleans (orly ans)

New Orleans is a destination renowned for vibrant nightlife. From nightclubs to dive bars to jazz lounges, New Orleans nightlife caters to every visitor. This place carries its own identity of “One that knows how to party”. For some live music, you can show up to jazz clubs that line Frenchmen Street to watch local musicians jam.

 4)  New York City

New York has a wider variety of nightlife options than any other city in the United States. With Stylish cocktail lounges in SoHo, rooftop bars in midtown Manhattan, pub crawls in the East village and beer gardens in Brooklyn, there are numerous ways to enjoy a night out in the Big Apple. Majority of clubs and bars stay open till 4:00 A.M. which means you can keep the party going all night.

 5)   Los Angeles

L.A. has set high standards for world-class nightlife because of some of the most stylish see-and-be-seen spots in the U.S..For music and dancing you can head downtown to find clubs playing everything from EDM to Latin music to pop.

 6)  San Francisco

San fran having a scene in almost every neighborhood, makes it easy to access spots according to your preferences. Along with that san francisco is also home to some of the best gay bars and clubs in the country,

7)  Chicago

A city known for live music and theatrical performances.There are a fair number of rooftop lounges, swanky hotel bars and booming clubs, around the city makes it a night out worthy city. In the months of summer you can pop in the beer gardens and patio bars and enjoy some sunshine. While in cool weather you can pick a cozy place with fire.

8)  Austin The other name of Austin is “Live music capital of the world.” and the slogan here is "Keep Austin Weird." Visitors will find everything from cocktail lounges to cowboy bars.'

 9) San Diego

In San Diego there are more than 6000 bars, several nightclubs and event venues. In the neighbourhood there is The Gaslamp Quarter which features spots with live music, flamenco (fluh meng koh) dancing and even burlesque (buh lesk) shows. Also the city has excellent weather year-round, so visitors can enjoy numerous rooftop bars.

10)  Boston The city of Boston is popular among beer lovers as it is the home to several breweries. There are also aesthetic wine bars, taverns (ta vn) in the North End and downtown, comedy clubs, opera houses. For the unforgettable view of the city along with the food and music you can visit Top of the Hub on the 52nd floor of the Prudential Tower.  

[mobscene-london]

SMOKE & MIRRORS | JAZZ BAR | FRENCH OWNED.

Location: Soho, Westminster. Price Range: £££ Owned By: Maya Alliot.

DETAILS:

In the mid-1940s, one of the hottest jazz clubs in London sat in this same exact spot. Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles…all of them performed under the very roof over your head. Sadly, the original establishment was abandoned as its heyday drew to an end, and subsequently sat empty for years with decades of history just wasting away. When the doors eventually reopened, it brought with it the chance to return to London something she was lacking; something that no other club or bar offered. It was the opportunity to take a trip back into the past.

Smoke and Mirrors is a blues/jazz bar and lounge that offers live performances every evening. From the moment you step inside, the music bubbles in the air, warming your soul. A glance towards the stage and anticipation starts to build. The energy trapped in these walls is nothing but electric. Slender fingers manipulate the keys of a saxophone as it wails seductively for the audience. The bass plucks expectantly, the piano chords drifting through the air. All of your problems, the weight on your shoulders, the troubles—they all fade away in an instant. The here and now is all that matters. The lights dim, and the music begins, taking you back, once more, to a time forgotten. A painting from renowned artist Richard Baroin hangs behind the bar.

Whilst the live jazz music is the focal point of the lounge, however, Smoke and Mirrors offers nothing but upscale service and drinks, with a fully stocked by, and a fine list of cocktails and spirits. There is a private VIP section for those willing to pay the price, and wait staff to cater to their every need. Regardless of musical taste, there is something for everybody to enjoy. Smoke and Mirrors also offers the opportunity to book private events. The management team strives to provide the best service and entertainment for said parties, and a banquet type buffet with a wide array of foods can be offered by our friends at Mistral’s in South Kensington.

PLAYABLE STAFF:

Maya Alliot | owner.

(Neutral/St. Clair characters are welcome to apply for positions within the restaurant.)

[thecornershopbar-blog]

Best Late Bars in Shoreditch, London, for Pre-Drinks

When every elective shop front might be a bar, it might be ground-breaking to look out one that isn't just participating in a lottery, with faltering music and two-for-one drinks that leave you curious about what was indeed in there. Anyway, some of the most straightforward bars in London zone unit covered up here - you just constrained to get a handle on any place to appear. What's more, presently, with our pick of the least complicated bars late bars Shoreditch must stockpile, you do.

Happiness Forgets spot:

This underground mixed drink lair is one in every one of those comfortable spots that produce you ne'er wish to leave. Settled during a scarcely checked cellar off Hoxton sq., there is a particular absence of idiotic hairstyles/claim regularly. In their place, you will discover many talks, with ability created beverages, and general savvy times by all. Firmly held and worked by a barman, it's a pinch of Associate in Nursing taking a break exchange spa, anyway with a relaxed, horny setting, and many of dates making eyes at each other, too.

NOLA spot:

Welcome to the French Quarter in late bars Shoreditch. In mystery reserved upstairs inside the brother y bar/satire/gig house that is bedchamber Bar, NOLA crushes out Southern greeting at its best with the purpose of section marks, live jazz, and stories. Stick around on the patio (or in one in all the vast corners) while tasting on tropical storms, Ramos Gin Fizzes, and Views Cares though longing for sunnier skies inside the immense clear.

Callooh Callay spot:

The consideration at this triumph late bars Shoreditch, hence make a point to travel investigating. The parlour is any place mycology meets the party, with loud music and snappy mixed drinks that will leave you wide-looked at and asking for another. Try to go through the closet inside the back (indeed, honestly), and take a gander at the office parlour house any place you'll sit and get some good talking done. At that point, sneak past the shade and up the means inside the back left of the region to the Jubjub: it is a mystery miniaturized scale bar any place the idea changes every couple of weeks, with inhabitant barkeeper taking on and demonstrating their stuff. Ends of the week will get entirely mental always, so if you're attempting to find a tranquil one, best to travel prior inside the week.

The Cocktail corporate greed Co.:

The lords of puckish intoxication have pressed up against their Soho spot and joined the gathering out east with their new leader setting just off Brick Lane. Expect beverages served in Chinese takeout boxes, downpour boots, and emollient jugs, with trimmings like cooked marshmallows, shades, and chips - puckish intoxication, recall? The bargees all have some genuine family, so, though the jokes could likewise be flying, the fluids are no rant issue. Get ready to calculate your strategy through the complete menu in these late bars Shoreditch.

Hoxton Grill:

Housed inside the in vogue Hoxton structure and go past the felines from Soho House, here, there is never-ending a pinch of a scene. Anyway, late-night dirty tricks region unit any place the Grill tremendously sparkles. Strolling that line between quick structure bar and à la mode relax, Hoxton Grill isn't a zone to look out any understates dispensing a scene. Anyway, the people-watching might be higher than TV.

[lsesu]

Best budget evenings in London

Now that you are all settled into your accommodation, it’s time for you to start enjoying the unique student experience that you have by exploring London. While it is important that you are keeping up to scratch with your readings and assignments, it’s also really important to unwind and have some fun in your free time.

If money is one of those niggly issues that won’t go away – don't worry! We’ve compiled a short list of some of the best budget evenings in London for you and your friends.

Ballie Ballerson

Fancy checking out a ball-pit bar with quirky cocktails? With tickets starting from £7.50, you can enjoy two hours in the ball pit and all-night access to the main bar.

It is regarded as quite a hot spot for all of London’s university students and so it is strongly recommended that you purchase your tickets in advance (on their official website). Luckily, there are two BB bars in London (one in SoHo and one in Shoreditch) – so if one is fully booked for one night, you can check for available tickets at the other branch.

The Jazz Café

The Jazz Cafe is by far one of the funkiest music scenes in London, which is unsurprising considering that it is located in the heart of Camden town.

Ranging from Blues, Jazz, Afro-Caribbean, Hip Hop, to Latin - the Jazz Cafe boasts a diverse range of musical guests and themed nights. The Cafe has played host to many musical greats, including Evelyn ‘Champagne’ King, Amy Winehouse, and even Blackstreet!

You usually have to buy the tickets online, depending on the musical guest or music event, ticket prices can vary but are usually quite cheap considering that some big names have performed there.

Winter Wonderland

If you are one to enjoy the Christmas lights and a warm cup of mulled wine, you have got to go to Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park this winter!

Located in the very heart of London, Winter Wonderland is open from 21st November 2019 to 5th January 2020. With free entry (from 10am to 10pm) every day, music, and countless Instagram-worthy opportunities within its grounds, Winter Wonderland is an essential budget evening that you have to experience this year!

Gallery and Museum Lates  

If you’re a student studying in London, you have to make the most of the amazing showcases and exhibitions at one of the many late-night exhibitions with (lucky for you) free entry!

TATE MODERN

From UV light exhibitions, DJ sets, workshops, performances, and food/drink you can enjoy some amazing artistic showcases at the Tate Modern all for just £10 (on-the-night ticket offer).

#FridayLatesNPG

With FREE entry every Friday night at the National Portrait Gallery (18.00 – 21.00), you can enjoy drinks and DJ sets, free life drawing sessions, talks, and film screenings throughout the entire evening. Friday Lates are not only great social spaces, they are also incredibly fun creative spaces that promotes creativity and conversation surrounding contemporary topics on art, culture, and society.

Science Museum

On the last Wednesday of every month (except in December), over-18s take over the Science Museum for a night of science-themed fun and exhibitions on a scientific topic or theme. From 18.45 to 22.00, the Science Museum additionally offers its guests a variety of activities and performances, including live DJ sets, a bar, and even film screenings (for an additional fee).

In October, there is the Halloween special late night – which is supposedly one of the most entertaining London Late Nights. In November, the theme is Art and Science, and January is Medicine-themed.

[bites-kms]

HK Bars: Re-loaded

It’s vox populi that Hong Kong nights are great. The city is alive between the tetris buildings, live music venues, the poured-to-perfection drinks and the incomparable chill and fun vibe people foster. This is a re-vamp of the previous bar-hopping post on Bars in HK. This time, I had the opportunity to explore further and different neighborhoods with friends and fun colleagues. 

Iron Fairies  LG, 1 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong.

With sister locations in Bangkok and Tokyo, this bar is undoubtedly great and one never gets tired of visiting either this or any of the other locations— and, in all cases, it’s quite unlike anywhere else in the city. Sutton’s establishments, one very well renown interior designer and bar entrepreneur, are known for mind-blowing, jaw-dropping, eclectic decor, and The Iron Fairies is no exception. Indeed, this is one bar you’ve got see in person to believe. In LifeStyle Asia Editor in Chief, Micheal Alan words’ the “metal-making tools line the walls, vials of ‘fairy dust’ hang from the ceiling in clusters and — most incredible of all — some 10,000 preserved butterflies dangle overhead, suspended on tiny metal rods (...) are incredible. Watching them sway back and forth is simply mesmerizing”. I guess I’ll have to go to the Tokyo one to make an Iron Fairies hat-trick!

Iron Fairy by LifeStyle Asia  The Woods  G, L, 17-19號 Hollywood Rd, Central, Hong Kong.

This was a great venue where I met my friend Sammie from Singapore. It’s an eclectic bar, around the main area of LKF, where a mirror door disguises it, and a museum-kind-of-display about different cocktail elements merged with design fashion runway aesthetics is part of the charm. Drinks were delicious and music was great. It’s a fantastic alternative to the mainstream happening in the neighborhood. I dared to have a different approach to an old fashion and it was delicious, with a little of spices and herbs. Great choice. Foxglove + Frank’s Library  18 Ice House St, Central, Hong Kong.

This is a great hidden speakeasy featured as a deluxe umbrella shop. Delightful venue, with even more striking and delicious drinks, with super charismatic bartenders made our stay a memorable one. There was this jazz band playing stellar music and then a Philippine guy took the mic and literally brought the house down with his songs (I mean, Frank Sinatra “Fly me to the Moon”, of coz!) and voice. It was so much fun!  There’s a little speakeasy within the speakeasy called “Frank’s Library” and it serves a smaller, more selected list of drinks, in a library setting that isolates the music from Foxglove, turning this little bar into a cozier, more familiar one.  The Old Man- Ernest Hemingway  Lower G/F, 37-39 Aberdeen Street, Soho, Central, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.

Photo Credits: The Old Man - Ernest Hemingway Website Unfortunately, I couldn’t make it to this one. I did have nights to spare, but some of them I just strolled around, got lost and experience some great night walks and dinners, where I ended up with food-commas and completely exhausted. But I’m gonna write it down so I don’t forget to go next time I’ll visit the hood. It was honored as one of the World’s Top 50 Bars in 2018, so it’s a set date for sure. With unique decor, on its website one can read the true inspiration and homage this place gives to the author: “He was a sophisticated drinker, a lover of fine spirits, and a true connoisseur who sought out the best bars from Paris to Pamplona. The Old Man honors Hemingway by taking inspiration from his novels, history, and folklore, and by using novel ingredients and culinary accoutrements – thereby paying tribute to the spirits and cocktails he loved.” Damn... just realized I walked by its door so many times... I guess this time wasn’t meant to be! Piqniq R/F (Rooftop) HQueens, 80 Queen's Road Central, Central, Hong Kong.

This is a nice surprise in the middle of Central HK. After a beautiful Yayoi Kusama art piece and strong pink and red decor that highlights the instagrammable worth of this rooftop, one finds a breathtaking terrace in the middle of Hong Kong skyscrapers with an unforgettable view of the bay and the mountains. A solo glass of prosecco, in between dinners and another bar date closer to the hotel, was exactly what I needed to bond with Hong Kong. 

Sevva  10 Chater Rd, Central, Hong Kong.

This was a fantastic double recommendation from my friend Mau and my friend Angelica. I remember Angelica mentioned it the first time I went to HK but, as it was expected, I was on its door and didn’t manage to find it properly. But this time, I went and enjoyed one of the few last nights with my ex-boss. We managed to find it and dare to take the elevator to the beautiful heights of its bar. It had a great drink list which I decided to pass on and go with my default and solid choice of prosecco to quench my thirst on this warm and cloudy Hong Kong night. We toasted for the good times and for the success we had over these days regarding our pitch.  It was a great experience which definitely made me grow as a professional and as a leader, where I needed to juggle, define, forecast and ask for the resources I needed to make it happen, that included a physical trip to this city to lead in-house workshops. 

Skye  Hong Kong, Causeway Bay, Gloucester Rd, 310號27樓

Skye Bar, provided by Pullman Hotel in Trip Advisor. Promise, this would be my last cheat-recco since I didn’t make it to this one either - although I managed to go to the Ozone Bar at the Ritz Carlton. This bar is similar,  it’s part of the Pullman hotel chain, and the literal cherry on top it’s its funky rooftop bar. Looks fun and with a memorable view.  Ophelia Shop F39A & F41A, 1/F, Lee Tung Avenue, 200 Queen's Rd E, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.

What a bar! Also, quite hard to find in a small pedestrian street in Wan Chai, on a third or four floor, without a sign on it’s outside facade. It’s completely hidden to the naif eye. But this bar, on top of its completely outstanding fashion, hosted by a hot, tall, blond, thick-accented and not quite friendly Russian, is something to experience at least once or twice in a life time. They allowed us to seat on a reserved table since we arrived early and then, when prime time started, the weirdness also made their appearance. This bar has actual women laid down on it’s shelves and bars, with fans, burlesque and S&M outfits, as part of the kitsch decor. I didn’t know how to feel about that but certainly caught my attention and was something I’ve never seen before (and trust me, I’ve seen some weird s*it over the years and trips!)

Ping Pong 129 Second Street L/G Nam Cheong House, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong.

What a beautiful and great recco from my friend Pink. I wish we had made it together, but I saved the best for last. Hours before leaving to the airport and after a blogging session in a beautiful cafe near to my hotel (where I almost leave my credit card!) I went for a second-to-last drink to toast for this comeback to Asia and this amazing time in Hong Kong. Below a hidden normal door with no actual sign but an bull-eyed window that, after a closer look one realized is a ping pong paddle, there’s a long stairs that leads you to the best and probably only “Gintoneria” I’ve ever been to. People get crazy with Tequila or Wine bars, but man, this one, was finding Neverland for me. What a fantastic idea. More than Gintoneria, it was paradise. This beautiful neon means “Take care of your body. Seriously, can it get any better than this?? I ended up talking to a video designers and producers from China with rusty English but with tons of willingness to talk to me and make themselves understood from Shenzhen, and actually followed my company on Weibo and managed to connect to FB to follow and add me as a friend. What a great, great finding and an even more fantastic night, today’s font and dear memory! 

[wiganjazzzz]

This Saturday

Ronnie Scott’s 60th Anniversary Street Party Saturday 20th July 2019 12pm-6pm Free entry Family-friendly We’re having a party, and you’re invited!

To celebrate their landmark 60th birthday, Ronnie Scott's will be hosting a special 60th Anniversary Street Party. The street party will take place on Saturday 20th July from 12 noon until 6pm on Frith Street in Soho, and will play host to outdoor live music from some amazing artists.

Entrance to the street party will be completely free with no advance booking required, and revellers can expect to enjoy outdoor bars, champagne cocktails and street food from the likes of Hoppers and Little Italy.

The confirmed line-up includes: - hotly anticipated performances from legendary saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis and his Funk Assembly

- Leading light of the nu-jazz scene in London Nubya Garcia

- 7-piece Latin jazz band Eliane & La Evolucion

- Children’s jazz group Kinetica Bloco

The street party will offer fun for all the family with a variety of children’s entertainment, including face painting and balloon modelling between 1pm and 4pm. Kids can also get stuck into the bubble show which will take place at 2.45pm.

The Ronnie Scott’s 60th Anniversary Street Party is part of a number of birthday events to take place throughout 2019, which has included the launch of a jazz 60 playlist and will culminate in a special 60th-anniversary gala concert at the Royal Albert Hall in October on 30th October 2019.

Street Party line-up:

12 noon: Street party commences

1pm – 4pm: Face painting and balloon modelling

2.45pm – 3:15pm: Children’s bubble show

2.00pm – 2.45pm: Eliana & La Evolucion on stage

3.00pm – 3:10pm – Kinetica Bloco performance

3.30pm – 4:15pm: Pee Wee Ellis Funk Assembly on stage

4.45pm – 5:30pm: Nubya Garcia on stage

6pm: Street party ends

Plus DJs throughout the afternoon

[pulsdmedia]

The Week Ahead 4/30-5/6

Rooftop Fêtes, Jazzy Nights, Ed Sheeran & More!

The Kentucky Derby At Roof At Park South

Join the fun this weekend at the spectacular Roof At Park South as they celebrate all things Kentucky Derby! Just $59 gets you a 3 Hour Premium Open Bar of Woodford Reserve Mint Juleps, Herradura Tequila Margaritas, Wines, and Beers from 5:00pm-8:00pm, as well as Chef Crafted Derby Inspired Bites served from 5:00pm-6:00pm, plus more surprises in store!

Spring Jazz At Museum of The City of New York

Museum of The City of New York's Rotunda will be filled with the sounds of live Jazz featuring guitarist Miguel Colombet and his quartet. Expand your imagination with creative writing activities by Little Nights led by writer Josh Krigman. Plus, enjoy cocktails, mocktails and other libations from the MCNY Bar, along with light bites by UGC eats!

A Cinco de Mayo Open Bar Cruise

Set sail into Cinco de Mayo this year by joining our partners at Enjoy Cruises aboard the Cabana Yacht. Just $59 gets you a 3 Hour Premium Open Bar to enjoy as you sail around the island, taking in views of the Statue of Liberty, Freedom Tower, Brooklyn Bridge, and more. With live DJ performances and an outdoor deck to boot, this is a fiesta you don’t want to miss!

Ed Sheeran Pop-Up Experience

Dive deep into the visuals of Ed Sheeran's new album Subtract and experience more #withAmex. This limited time pop-up will be offering limited edition merchandise, official signed CDs, immersive installations, and a dedicated in-store shopping experience!

Moroccan Nights At Elsie Rooftop

Party on Cinco de Mayo, party on Derby Day, and then relax with a delightful meal and show on Sunday. Just $59 gets you a Rooftop Moroccan Nights Immersive Experience For Two, and $109 a Rooftop Moroccan Nights Immersive Experience For Four, with food, drink and entertainment all included. The best place to fend off the Sunday Scaries is here...

Nili Lotan Sample Sale

260 Sample Sale can't wait to welcome back Nili Lotan at their gorgeous store in SoHo! You'll find sophisticated, timeless pieces that are sure to become staples in your wardrobe. Come by and shop up to 80% off original retail during this week-long event.

[vogueleisure]

Top nightlife cities in USA | Vogue Leisure

The United States of America is one of the greatest countries in the world. The US is not only famous for technological innovation, popular movies, television, and music but also for hopping nightlife.

Nightlife is all the entertainment and social activities that are available at night in towns and cities. It includes pubs, bars, nightclubs, parties, live music, concerts, cabarets, theatre, cinemas, and shows. People who prefer to be active during the night-time are called night owls. So, if you are one of these night owls, then this video is for you. In this video I am going to show the list of 10 cities in the United States with the best nightlife.

Top nightlife cities in the USA.

1) Las Vegas

Las Vegas carries the reputation of America’s adult playground. Las Vegas has some of the country’s most well known nightclubs and casinos. From classy cocktails to hardcore dance clubs, you won’t like to stop partying until dawn.

So that’s all from this video. Hope you had fun watching it. If so then hit the like button share it with your friends, comment down your favourite nightlife city in the USA. Also subscribe to our channel for such interesting videos. See you in the next video.

2) Miami Beach

The real party scene here starts after dark. The elegant South beach is famous for its extremely loud dance clubs and posh hotel lounges. At an ocean drive you’ll find everything you need along. But a night out here can cost you a lot with cover charges and pricey cocktails.

3) New Orleans (orly ans)

New Orleans is a destination renowned for vibrant nightlife. From nightclubs to dive bars to jazz lounges, New Orleans nightlife caters to every visitor. This place carries its own identity of “One that knows how to party”. For some live music, you can show up to jazz clubs that line Frenchmen Street to watch local musicians jam.

4) New York City

New York has a wider variety of nightlife options than any other city in the United States. With Stylish cocktail lounges in SoHo, rooftop bars in midtown Manhattan, pub crawls in the East village and beer gardens in Brooklyn, there are numerous ways to enjoy a night out in the Big Apple. Majority of clubs and bars stay open till 4:00 A.M. which means you can keep the party going all night.

5) Los Angeles

L.A. has set high standards for world-class nightlife because of some of the most stylish see-and-be-seen spots in the U.S..For music and dancing you can head downtown to find clubs playing everything from EDM to Latin music to pop.

6) San Francisco

San fran having a scene in almost every neighborhood, makes it easy to access spots according to your preferences. Along with that san francisco is also home to some of the best gay bars and clubs in the country,

7) Chicago

A city known for live music and theatrical performances.There are a fair number of rooftop lounges, swanky hotel bars and booming clubs, around the city makes it a night out worthy city. In the months of summer you can pop in the beer gardens and patio bars and enjoy some sunshine. While in cool weather you can pick a cozy place with fire.

8) Austin The other name of Austin is “Live music capital of the world.” and the slogan here is “Keep Austin Weird.” Visitors will find everything from cocktail lounges to cowboy bars.’

9) San Diego

In San Diego there are more than 6000 bars, several nightclubs and event venues. In the neighbourhood there is The Gaslamp Quarter which features spots with live music, flamenco (fluh meng koh) dancing and even burlesque (buh lesk) shows. Also the city has excellent weather year-round, so visitors can enjoy numerous rooftop bars.

10) Boston The city of Boston is popular among beer lovers as it is the home to several breweries. There are also aesthetic wine bars, taverns (ta vn) in the North End and downtown, comedy clubs, opera houses. For the unforgettable view of the city along with the food and music you can visitTop of the Hub on the 52nd floor of the Prudential Tower.The United States of America is one of the greatest countries in the world. The US is not only famous for technological innovation, popular movies, television, and music but also for hopping nightlife.

[halsteadproperty]

Small Business Spotlight Series: LIVE Music Venues in NY Metro Area 

Curated by Our Halstead Agents 

Since the beginning of time, music has connected us with other human beings, our inner spirits, and our history in a way that words alone cannot. Music is the human language that bridges cultures, genders, and generations. The power of music grows as we age. 

Everyone has a taste in one form or genre of music, however nothing beats hearing live music up-close. Sure, you can buy tickets to a concert or musical, but the authentic vibe that comes with listening to live music in a small, intimate setting is unattainable at your typical festival.

Our Agents, as hard as they work, know the best-of-the-best to unwind, grab some food, and get groovy. As experts in their neighborhoods, we decided to center our Small Business Blog Series around live music venues in the NY Metro area. Take it from our agents on where to go to connect your inner spirit and dance the night away!

Music Hall of Williamsburg Williamsburg 66 N 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

This triple-tiered club has three bars and is the ultimate spot for Indie-rock fans looking to groove to live music. According to agent Maxfield S. Wiseltier, the venue attracts big artists and gives concert-goers a unique ability to see their favorite musicians in an intimate setting. “I love the Jazz standard, which sits below Blue Smoke BBQ. Nothing makes a jazz concert better than some of the best barbeque in the city,” Wiseltier says.

(Recommended by Maxfield S. Wiseltier of our Park Avenue Office)

White Eagle Hall Jersey City 337 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07302

Newly renovated White Eagle Hall recently opened in May, and the historic theater is thriving. As one of the most unique live-performance and event spaces in the Northeast, it adds to the growing scene in Downtown Jersey City, NJ. White Eagle Hall presents live music, theatre, comedy, dance, film, family shows and other performances while serving food and drinks. When you aren’t catching a performance, there are two restaurants on the ground level –  Cellar 335 and Madame Claude Bis.

(Recommended by Matt Brown of our Hoboken Office)

The Bitter End Greenwich Village 147 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012

When Broadway’s most talented musicians are not playing with celebrities, you’ll find most of them at The Bitter End playing their own original music with other established musicians. “It is the Woodstock of Manhattan,” says agent Amelia S. Gewirtz. “It’s the smallest place on any list with this much talent sitting so close to you.” Gewirtz also plays at the venue, playing out herself as Amelia’s Dream, and believes the opportunity to sit and chat with musicians after they perform is what separates this venue from the rest.  

(Recommended by Amelia S. Gewirtz of our West Side Office)

Joe’s Pub Lower Manhattan 425 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10003

Amelia’s husband, who is a professional musician himself, has a fortunate advantage when it comes to exploring unique musical venues. Joe’s Pub is one venue not to forget about. The pub includes a wide & eclectic range of musical performances offered over dinner & drinks in an intimate space. “Joe’s Pub consistently offers top notch music and is even connected to the historical Public Theater, which Hamilton started out in,” Gewirtz says.

(Recommended by Amelia S. Gewirtz of our West Side Office)

Mezzrow Greenwich Village 163 W 10th St, New York, NY 10014

Agent Michael Petrosino is a professional Jazz musician on the NYC scene for almost 25 years now. According to Petrosino, Mezzrow is not to be missed by any true Jazz fan. The venue is an intimate, relaxed lounge featuring live jazz pianists & a full bar, plus a simple snack menu. “Mezzrow has quickly become not only one of the preeminent clubs to hear world class musicians, but also the spot where these musicians congregate to hear each other and make the hang,” Petrosino says. Mezzrow is an intimate venue for up close and personal listening. With an impeccably maintained Steinway model “A”, it focuses on the pianists in the city and is a truly special place. On the cutting edge of the live music scene, you can become a member of their website, where they live stream all performances!

(Recommended by Michael Petrosino of our Park Slope Office)

An Beal Bocht Café Bronx 445 W 238th St, Bronx, NY 10463

“The best, most attractive, and most comfortable place for live music in Riverdale,” says agent Marilyn B. Wegh. The true Irish pub is a gathering spot for the neighborhood and has been a venue for local artists since it’s opening. There is a rich and varied weekly schedule of events with a hefty dose of Irish, including performances by “The Poor Mouth Theater”, poets, folk singers and a regular Sunday evening set at 9:00 p.m. when new music is performed by singers/composers. Wegh’s favorite and the ‘best-of-the-best’ is Linda’s Jazz Nights, where Riverdale resident Linda Manning brings world-class jazz artists to this intimate pub setting. These artists have extensive discographies, careers across continents, and Riverdale roots.

(Recommended by Marilyn B. Wegh of our Riverdale Office)

Sunny’s Bar Red Hook 253 Conover St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

This saloon has been around in one guise or another since the 1890’s. It features an expected rustic décor and a fantastic view of the Manhattan skyline right outside its front door. According to agent Barbara Dahl, the music is top notch with a bent toward folk, bluegrass, country. “Seating is relatively easy to come by but it is a good idea to get there early for prime seating (before they move the tables and chairs back for dancing),” Barbara says. “A large outside patio, within earshot of the stage gives an additional option for people that want to enjoy the night air.” Sunny’s Bar also includes a large bar offering people an opportunity to step away from the music and chat, while enjoying a tier one selection of spirits, microbrews and wines. 

(Recommended by Barbara Dahl of our Cobble Hill Office)

Rockwood Music Hall Lower East Side 196 Allen St, New York, NY 10002

Agent Jill Jordan often leaves this venue feeling like she experienced something special. “With three listening rooms of various sizes (all intimate), it is easy to gamble on an unknown band because you can move next door and try another if the tunes don’t get you tapping your toes,” Jordan says. The quality of the music – heavy on the singer/songwriter, alternative rock, and progressive pop genres—is easy to love. “When it comes to quality up-and-coming musicians, paired-down famous acts, and popular regional groups (from other regions), Rockwood Music Hall is the place to go,” says Jordan.

(Recommended by Jill Jordan of our SoHo Office)

Prohibition Upper West Side 503 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10024

Comfortable/friendly neighborhood bar meets fun music roadhouse. Prohibition offers great food, elevated well beyond bar food. The venue includes a lively lounge with Jazz Age-themed decor, a long cocktail list and free nightly music performances. Agent Keith Marder says, “the signature mini cheeseburgers and show-stopping fresh jumbo pretzel (you have to see it) are a must-get and the cocktail program is top-notch.” The friendly atmosphere includes excellent bartenders and the bands attract crowds and crowds of people who really get into the music. “With football season in full swing, it is a place you don’t want to miss,” says Marder. 

(Recommended by Keith Marder of our West Side Office)

Fairfield Theater Company Fairfield 70 Sanford St, Fairfield, CT 06824

The multi-faceted Fairfield Theatre Company is agent Robyn Kammerer’s go-to venue for a relaxed and enjoyable experience. FTC has two venues on site, right next to the Fairfield train station. “StageOne is consistently voted as the best place to hear live music in the entire region because of the quality of the sound, the intimacy of the space, and the caliber of the artists,” says Kammerer. “The Warehouse, which is bigger, has two levels with a cool bar and people can be standing or sitting depending on the artist. It’s the most versatile space in FTC.”

(Recommended by Robyn Kammerer, Exec. Director of Sales in our Darien and Rowayton offices) 

Small businesses are the fabric of authenticity and we celebrate all of our small business owners throughout the NY metro area. These live music venues are so special that they are top of mind to our Agents and for that we salute each of them.

Don’t forget to check back in for our next Small Business Spotlight.

[jamesfitz789]

So you’ve never been to... Jazz After Dark?

In a nutshell

Gaudy, art-lined bolthole and shrine to Amy Winehouse: one for the Soho bucket list.

Where is it?

On Greek Street, so just round the corner from Ronnie Scott’s jazz club. This place is more low-key, without skimping on the late-night good times.

What’s the vibe?

It’s a tiny place – even the musicians themselves spill off the stage - so prepare to be squashed in like notes in a super-hectic sax solo. Amy Winehouse’s old hangout is a bit like the late star herself: imperfect, but impossible to take your eyes off. The décor is best described as ‘1980s futuristic’.

What makes it a great venue?

It’s like strolling into a jam sesh the whole world’s been invited to. You’ll see funk, R&B, soul, and Latin from across the planet (maybe all at once). And did we mention that in the daytime it’s a gallery? The walls are filled with the owner’s paintings of celebs who’ve come through his door.

Who’s the most famous person spotted there?

Amy, Amy, Amy. She first showed up demanding a job behind the bar – only to be given a gig instead. Show after show followed, and so did noughties A-listers like Pete Doherty and Kate Moss. A VIP ‘room’ (cubby-hole) features a sofa that Winehouse supposedly wrote tunes on.

What’s the booze situation?

Glasses of wine (£5.95) and bottled beers (£4.35) are typical, but at £7.95 for cocktails, you’ve paid much worse in Soho. No prizes for guessing who the Back to Back is named after.

What’s coming up?

Part of the fun is just popping in, but if you’re after something specific, book ahead to bag the best seats. September has shows from two European vocal talents: Cheri Lyn (Sep 14 and 28) and Patricia Elizabeth (with the Rocca Brothers on Sep 8). Trumpeter and singer Karl Charity returns to the venue on Sep 23.