The Valmont Club

Does London ever sleep? A new nightclub opens in Chelsea this month aimed at the funky fashion and music crowd who've patronised Cuckoo Club in recent years. The Valmont turns its back on the corny old VIP Room mentality and promises a lively, inclusive atmosphere with the best DJs and live performers. In the 1960s and '70s, this site was the legendary Cafe des Artistes where David Bowie, Staus Quo, the Stones and Queen performed. Today, Henry from House of Holland, Luke Pritchard from the Kooks and the Rakes are already signed up to bring a new generation of talent to late-night clubbers. The interiors are very sexy with antique lighting, pictures, sculpture and furniture. There's a 60ft black glass topped bar, banquette seating separated by gold beaded curtains, velvet-curtained booths with individual music control, and gold-etched tables from Paris. This is the place for serious cocktails, supervised by General Manager, Thierry Brocher, previously at Momo and Che. Highlights from the list include REMY'S SYPHON for two people and served in an old fashioned siphon. It mixes Remy Martin VSOP with fresh apple juice, cranberry juice, apple liqueur, caramel liqueur and ginger ale, £85. Then there's DOM VALMONT for two or three people. Hennessey XO is gently stirred with cherry liqueur and Crème de Mures in an exclusive 70cl Dom Pérignon sniffer glass and filled with half a bottle of 1998 Dom Pérignon, £175. Wow! 266 Fulham Road, London SW10, 020 7352 6200 www.thevalmontclub.com

 

The Hedonist's Guide to Life

This latest instalment of the Hedonist Guide gives you all the answers delivered by a clutch of experts including Moby, Dom Joly, Queens of Noize, Miranda Sawyer, Howard Marks and Billy Childish. Find out how to blag your way backstage, eat lobster in a warzone, infiltrate a cult, be a DJ or pick a horse in the paddock. There are rules for sex party etiquette, cruising and cottaging for straight men, and how to handle a hooker. All your simple and guilty pleasures are here. Compiled by super-minx Fleur Britten, it's available online at www.hg2.com or in shops in October £13.99.

 

Sale of the century

On 26 September, the Bond Street auctioneers Bonhams are holding an extraordinary sale of paintings, prints, chandeliers, wine, furniture, and decorative shop furnishings and fittings. They all come from the vast archive at Fortnum & Mason and they are being sold off as Fortnums prepares for its 300th anniversary this winter. The store is undergoing a £24million refurb and in the bright new future, there won't be a place for exotica such as an Alice in Wonderland window display including the Mad Hatter, March Hare and a wonderfully bossy Alice. There's a three-storey doll's house modelled on the grand Piccadilly facade of the store which opens up to reveal six departments including a food hall. Here will also be garden furniture decorated with shells and pebbles, painted signs pointing to the bakery, chocolate and cheese departments, and some fine marine and naval paintings that have hung for years in the iconic St James's restaurant on the fourth floor. Prices are reasonable and it will be very tempting to buy your own little bit of history. The Fine Fortnum & Mason sale takes place at Bonhams on Wednesday 26 September. 101 New Bond Street, London W1, 020 7629 6602 www.bonhams.com Fortnum & Mason is open throughout the refurbishment and you can pop along now to see the new two-level food hall or pause for tapas style snacks and drinks at the smart bar designed by David Collins. 181 Piccadilly, London W1, 020 7734 8040