City: 

The loft is a great place for a Sunday CS Lunch! The venue was ideal for hosting a large group of hungry and probably hangover CSers with our tables ready and waiting for us, orders taken quickly and delicious food. I had the Roast Gloucester Old Spot pork belly, roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, assorted roasted vegetables, caramelised apple and homemade apple chutney from their brunch menu (check it out on The Loft website). I can honestly say it was the best Sunday roast I have had from a restaurant for a long time; not only that but it included a free glass of wine (as part of the CS Deals social) and it was for under £10 – which in Clapham for a Sunday lunch is hard to find!

The staff were accommodating to our large group and everything flowed smoothly, there was a little wait on food but it wasn’t a big problem. I’d not been to The Loft before but I could see that it was a cool South London bar, where the staff seemed to know a thing about hospitality and looked after us all. The management of this place who have planned the menu proved their attention to detail by hitting the spot with the food and drink. The fresh orange juice was literally squeezed right in front of my eyes and the banoffee pie although I didn’t have any looked out of this world. Not everybody opted for the roast and the alternative dishes on the Brunch Menu kept everybody happy, it certainly wasn’t a carvery style place.

What a really lovely group of CSers who were friendly and easy to chat to came along, great company for a Sunday afternoon. There were a handful of North Londoners who travelled to the area who said of all events listed it was the most appealing posted for Sunday afternoon!

The Loft is the best place in Clapham to spend a Sunday afternoon and even better if you are spending it with a friendly CitySocialising group’ which sums up the social – it did exactly what it said on the tin. I would, without a doubt be more than happy to return to The Loft and host another Sunday lunch here. The venue layout, atmosphere, food and drink were spot on and it really does have something different about it being on the first floor, overlooking Clapham High Street with floor to ceiling windows. I’m planning to host a Friday/Saturday night event there very soon.

Where: Gateshead

Why: Jenny was nominated by our Newscastle Community Manager Vicky because she has put up several socials recently which have always been fully booked. This is unusual as normally when Non-hosts put up socials, they are not well attended.

Jenny Says: ”CitySocialising has given me so many opportunities to get out there and meet new people who enjoy doing similar things to myself.  I’ve discovered new restaurants and pubs and it’s great to visit these places and have really good company.  There are so many socials to choose from and I think that there’s something for everyone.”

Email your nominations for CitySocialiser of the week to contact@citysocialising.com.

We get on so well that some of us have been up to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for four days, as a group of friends outside of CitySocialising events. Some have also been on camping trips and walking weekends to places like Robin Hoods Bay. Most recently four of us decided to go to Tenerife. Quite a few others wanted to come, but work time wouldn’t allow, so four of us CitySocialising friends went for a week all inclusive. We had a wonderful time and arrived back on the same day as the March CitySocialising Leeds mingle, where we caught up with our other friends and buddies! A perfect end to a wonderful week away.

Coming up, a few of us are also going to Ibiza for five days in June! One of the hosts (Richard!) has arranged this.

CitySocialising Leeds allows us all to make friends and close friends. There is always something on whatever your socialising tastes. A lot of events are planned by CitySocialising, however we also have nights out for Birthdays, Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, Halloween, picnic’s and even Divorce parties. All events attract 40+ City Socialisers new and established.

I have had the best time of my life since joining, and most of that is down to fantastic events, people and the friendships that have been built in and around the group.

We’ve put together a quick guide to the biggest happenings by the sea this month, so why not get inspired and organise a Social of your own around one of these fantastic events? Don’t forget – we’d love to know where you’re meeting – so drop us a message on Facebook or Twitter and tell us what you’ve organised.

Brighton Festival
There’s still plenty of time to get involved in Brighton’s famous three-week festival which continues until the 27th May. This year Venessa Redgrave is overseeing this celebration of the arts, including music, theatre, dance and circus, film, literature and politics. There’s something for everyone to enjoy so make sure you visit Brighton Dome concert hall, which forms the heart of the Festival. Its grand atrium foyer is open throughout May and is a great place to meet up for a Social for a drink before seeing a thrilling act like the brilliant Circus Klezmer (Fri 25 – Sat 26 May )

The Great Escape Festival
Spread over 30 venues between 10th and 12th May, Europe’s leading new music festival is a great excuse to get out there and experience Brighton’s diverse bars, pubs, night clubs and traditional venues. There are more than 300 artists playing this weekend so if you’re planning a Social there’s bound to be something to suit your taste. Check out the full list of gigs to find out what’s going on. We recommend arranging events at the Pavilion Theatre, cozy, quirky rock den The Prince Albert and seafront favourite Digital.

The Bimble Bandada
We love the sound of this mini solar-powered festival at a soon-to-be-announced secret Brighton location on 27-29th July. If you and a few other CitySocialisers fancy a bit of a chilled out hippy frolic in a pretty countryside setting this is definitely one for you. The Bimble Inn is a mobile solar-powered tipi that plays host to all sorts of weird and wacky musical acts. Alongside the Bimble Inn you’ll get to enjoy a hot tub, the Small World Solar Stage, the Lost Horizon Sauna and the Church of Perpetual Enjoyment – we don’t know what that is but it sounds good to us!

Big Beach Bootique
It wouldn’t be summer in Brighton without an injection of fun from Mr Cook and this year is no exception. FatBoy Slim, the city’s homegrown superstar, is playing two gigs on the 1st a 2nd of June at the brand spanking new American Express Community Stadium joined by a crew of equally enormous names, including Carl Cox, Annie Mac and Doorly. For more information visit FatBoySlim Move quick to book those tickets! Odds on it’ll be a sell-out.

Brighton Festival Fringe
As if the main festival wasn’t enough there’s also Brighton’s Festival Fringe. A miasma of free events and outdoor spectacles between now and 27th May. Dip Your Toe is a great example of the spirit of the fringe – an interactive performance adventure in the streets, with a series of unique theatre pieces performed in and around six Victorian-style bathing machines across the city. If comedy’s your thing, what better than some free laughs? Brighton Must See is a display of quality comedy acts featured at the Edinburgh Fringe, taking place at rock and alternative pub The Caroline of Brunswick at 5.45pm between 12th and 27th May.

Caberet at Komedia
Komedia is Brighton’s best-loved cabaret venue and an ideal spot for a Social this summer, with one of the largest and most diverse arts and entertainment programmes in the UK. Have a drink in the bar and then settle down at a table with a bottle of wine, some nachos or even some good old fish and chips while being entertained by a host of cabaret acts including eccentric, anarchic punky pantomime artists The Lovely Brothers and The Gentleman Rhymer.

Photos cutesty of BrightonFringe/Facebook, alterna2/Flickr, BrightonVisitor

Who:

Where: Bristol

Why: Anthony was nominated by our Bristol Community Manager Michelle for being a great host and a really popular and active member of CitySocialising. Michelle went on to add that Anthony is a real support and always creates fun, interesting and popular socials.

Alan Says: ”CitySocialising has made a huge difference to my social life, dragging me out of my comfort zone and into new things. A few months ago I would never have imagined myself leading countryside walks, for example. I have experienced far more restaurants and pubs in Bristol than ever I would have done without City Socialising. I am a big fan!”

Email your nominations for CitySocialiser of the week to contact@citysocialising.com.

With the London Mayoral Elections taking place this week, cycling is a key issue in the capital at the moment. After Boris Johnson partnered with Barclays in 2010 to launch cycle docks across Central London, he is now going after the bicycle-loving voters with the promise of more cycle lanes and improvements to safety.

The popularity of Pashley Cycles and the hype around Mark Cavendish in the upcoming Tour De France are also leading us to wonder if the whole of the UK are cycling obsessed! But If you’re yet to make the leap from public transport onto your bike and not sure if the roads of Briton are ready for you, we promise to have you converted by the end of this post with the top 10 reasons for getting on your bike.

1.    Don’t start off your day being squished on public transport:

We figured it’s the morning adrenaline rush that makes cyclists so happy. Whizz past traffic jams, rush to beat the big red bus, zip past cars – beats being crammed up in a rush hour tube with somebody’s chin on your shoulder and armpit in your face.

2.    Wind in your hair and a smile on your face:

Starting your day free as bird with the wind in your hair, music in the air and a smile on your face can be extremely therapeutic and instantly puts you in a good mood. It also gives you good thinking time – rather than shoving your face into a book in order to avoid eye contact with other travellers

3.    Stops global warming:

Cycling does wonders to Mother Earth. It helps to reduce your carbon footprint and with the recent hike in petrol prices and ridiculous queues at petrol stations, you don’t feel the pinch of any such hassles if you are a cyclist.  

4.    Carry anything home:

Forget all the worries of having to buy groceries and lugging them home. Particularly the worry of the bags splitting and all your food escaping down the road! Cycling means you can pack away all your items in a classic pannier or simply tie items to the rack on the back of your bike. Just be careful you don’t topple over.

5. Save money

Commuting within your city can be expensive on public transport. Cycling into work or anywhere else is cost-effective with no parking, petrol, or insurance charges. And if you don’t want to invest in a bike, and your in London you could always rent a Boris Bike to get started.

6.    Late? Me, never!

Gone are those days where you had to rely on public transport and begin your morning cursing of the public transport officials and the frequency in your area. You can now depend on just yourself to get to your destination on time without any delays.

7.    Legs of steel

Forget the gym membership or your circuit training classes, biking everyday can get you fit this summer. So whether it’s legs of steel or some serious calorie burning you are after then cycling is the answer.

Studies show that cycling protects you against heart disease, stroke, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and some cancers, while supporting healthy bones, muscles, joints and even sleep patterns.

8.    Impress with your cycle skills

 You can always stand apart from the crowd by being a cyclist. All your friends, family and colleagues will be impressed with your stamina and your bosses will be impressed by your dedication and passion. It’s always a good way to impress your fellow CitySocialisers too!

9. Explore your city

You may feel like you really don’t know much about your neighbourhood, let alone your entire city. Using the public transport means you miss some of the best undiscovered places like lovely pubs, green spaces you have never noticed, and new cafes and restaurants to try. If you are travelling underground, the only thing you get to see is black walls, sparks and lots of wires.

Being on a cycle gives you the flexibility to take off and see your city the way you want to see it. Stop for a photo of a scenic view or take your bike to one of the many cycle café’s popping up like Look Mum No Hands in London and Mud Dock in Bristol. You can grab a cup of coffee and get your bike serviced at the same time! Do you know any amazing spots in your city? Why not organise a cycle quest Social and share the joys with your local CitySocialisers.

10. Be a part of the cycle community and make new friends

Being a cyclist means you are instantly part of a strong community. To be a part of this community and make new friends all you have to have is the shared love for your bikes and determination to be a cyclist in the 21^st century.

If you are a cyclist in your city let us know as we are constantly looking for Socials that are enjoyed by our wider group of CitySocialisers.  Simply let us know on Twitter or Facebook, if you fancy organising a cycle themed Social.

Photos Courtesy: BikeNow.org  / garryknight(Flickr)

Who:

Where: Bath

Why: Alan was nominated by fellow member Jenny Wood for his trips to Taunton. He books hotels, trains and is always thinking of new Ideas for Socials.

Alan Says: ”I am extremely surprised that I have been nominated  for CitySocialiser of the Week because to be nominated for just having fun is great. Since joining CS in September I have meet some lovely people who have become good  friends and have been on some wonderful socials in Bath. It is always exciting catching up with fellow CS members and also meeting new members. Now I have become a host it is always interesting coming up with ideas for socials and finding new venues to hold events”

If you’d like to nominate someone for CitySocialiser of the week simply email contact@citysocialising.com with the subject line ‘CitySocialiser of the Week’, their name and one line as to why you’ve nominated them.

Worry not CitySocialisers, we are determined to make a rainy day full of fun, socialising and entertainment! So here goes our top 10 list of rainy day inspirations, guaranteed to banish the bad weather blues:

1. Let your brolly stand apart from the crowd

A gorgeous looking and sturdy umbrella can surely brighten up those rainy days. If you love being different, you will love these Paris themed or Poppy Field Umbrellas. Check them out here, and those who are charged up with all the exciting things happening around London 2012, how about these sporting the official Team GB umbrellas from Marks and Spencer’s? But if all that’s a bit too much, we also love this Dome umbrella for only £6.99

2. Load up on caffeine at the London Coffee Festival

What better way to beat the rain than a grande skinny triple-shot soy frappucino.’Bean’ up to Brick Lane this weekend, Friday 27^th – Sun 29^th April to enjoy the flagship event of UK Coffee Week.

Back for their second year,  join the 12,000 coffee lovers and foodies, professional baristas, coffee shop owners and industry experts for the UK’s most inspiring and dynamic celebration of all things roasted and ground. Also, relish some street food and other deli goods, masterclass & live music. 50% of all ticket sales will be donated to Project Waterfall, which provides clean water to communities in Tanzania. Tickets process start from at £9.50, find out more here.

3. Singin’ in the Rain

Well there’s definitely been a lot of rain to sing in recently, so go ahead and enjoy an evening of musical hit, Singin’ in the Rain, in the West End. It was nominated for 4 Olivier Awards, including best musical revival. Just watch out for the actual rain on the front row. Find out more here.

4. Plan a beach holiday

Close your eyes and picture yourself, lying on a beach, sunshine on your face and listening to the waves in the background. We bet you’re smiling already?

That’s it then, go out there look for bargain deals and book your amazing beach vacation to beat the rainy blues. Once all your bookings are done, you can begin the countdown to some sun, sand & sea.

But, if your pockets are feeling a bit empty, there are alternatives. Why not take a trip to your local outdoor swimming pool? Find your nearest outdoor pool here.

5. Bring on the aprons and chef hat

Bake, did we say Bake?! Yes, not only can it prove to be quite therapeutic, it’s also the height of fashion, so how about baking some rainy day cupcakes? We love this cupcake by Bakeitinacake, with a white vanilla buttercream cloud.

6. Movie Night

Although a rainy day calls for a perfect lie in with a giant bowl of popcorn and Notting Hill, it could turn out to be quite depressing if you are doing it all by yourself. Instead, why not organise a big movie night for you and your mates. Design movie posters, set up a popcorn and drinks bar at home and even use torches to guide your friends to their seats and let the movie begin.

Ps: Don’t forget to check for ID’s.

7. Theme Park fun!

At least once this spring, you should hit a theme park in the rain. No long queues, only plenty of laughter and adrenaline. All you got to is make sure you’ve carried some extra dry clothes for your ride back home. So gear up and head out to Alton Towers or Thorpe Park.

8. Museum peace

Yes we really are proposing the idea of visiting a museum! This could be a perfect day out for you and a group of CitySocialisers to head out to somewhere you’ve been meaning to visit for ages and have never got around to. Many of them you don’t even need to pay for. There are museums to discover science, wildlife, dress-up, history or art all over the country. So come on, bring out your inner geek!

9. Shopping day

A rainy day is a perfect excuse to head out to a big indoor shopping centre and indulge in some retail therapy. Walk around Westfield or The Trafford Centre and treat your wardrobe to some brand new clothes. Complete you day with some food or a film and continue to be totally ignorant of the weather outdoors!

10. Treat your friends 

If you havent taken advantage of this months fantastic ‘we love people’ offer then now’s the time to get your free two month membership to tastecard and treat a friend to dinner. You can get your card here and it’s completely free.

As if all that wasn’t enough to keep you entertained on these dreary, drizzly days and singing “The sun will come out tomorrow” we have plenty of indoor Socials taking place this week. From our Masquerade Mingle in London to a trip to Cadbury’s World in Birmingham and loads more all over the UK.

Simply follow us on Twitter, ‘Like’ us on Facebook or visit our website for latest updates on what’s happening in your city.

Photo courtesy of Singin’ in the Rain/Facebook 

Who?:

Where: Sheffield

Why: Yvonne has been nominated by Rachel from Manchester HQ for being a brilliantly active member of the CS Sheffield Community since January 2011. Not only has Yvonne hosted some fabulous CitySocialising events which have received 5* feedback but she has also hosted a whole heap of her own successful Socials for CitySocialising members. Recently Yvonne has become the ‘go-to’ host for members who enjoy going out and meeting members who are into their movies –creating lots of Socials at one of Europe’s largest independent cinema, Showroom.

Yvonne Says:  ”How nice to receive a nomination for something that I have enjoyed. I have made some great friends,  met some interesting people and even done things I wouldn’t normally have taken part in since joining CitySocialising.  I would recommend anyone to get involved, but remember that you only get out what you put in, and sometimes you need to take a deep breath and get out of your comfort zone”

If you’d like to nominate someone for CitySocialiser of the week simply email contact@citysocialising.com with the subject line ‘CitySocialiser of the Week’, their name and one line as to why you’ve nominated them.

Take a look at the list below for some inspiration for you to arrange your own social. If you do decide to organise one, make sure you let us know on Twitter or Facebook as we’d love to hear what you are up to!

The Edinburgh Stramash 

Love your evening glass of Scotch? Then, you are definitely going to love this. It’s the first ever Edinburgh Whisky Stramash, a fabulous event to enjoy Scotch and other worldly Whiskies in new and innovative ways. Rightly put by The Whisky Stramash crew, this is an affair that will excite the purists, tempt the interested and intrigue the indifferent. Besides an evening of sampling a huge array of Scotch, you could also expect some murky theatre and mystery music entertainment.

After the success of our cocktail and wine club Socials, we think this would be a perfect event for Scotch enthusiasts to head together and discover your common love for the tipple. Priced at £25, you can buy your tickets here.

Edinburgh Marathon festival

CitySocialisers, fancy an evening of carbs and comedy? Then join all the post Edinburgh Marathon fun at the Dynamic Earth on 26^th May, with headline acts by Des Clarke. Des has hosted BBC Scotland’s Children in Need, Club Cupid and Sportsround and currently hosts the breakfast show on Capital Radio. He is a regular at the Edinburgh Fringe hosting his sell-out show at the Gilded Balloon in 2011. Round off a great night with Ray Bradshaw & Charlie Ross, both finalists of the Scottish Comedian of The Year.

Priced at £19.99, click here to book your ticket now.

Cirque du Ciel’s ‘Shangai’ 

Due to popular demand, the highly internationally acclaimed production of Shanghi by Cirque Du Ciel returns to the UK for 2012. Originally directed in China, by Cirque Du Soleil’s Guy Caron, this has been theatrically reworked to appeal to audiences of all ages.

Get set to witness an amazing multi-talented two hour extravaganza that combines acrobatics, modern dance, martial arts, original music and many other traditional and modern Chinese elements in an amazing fantasy adventure.

Claimed as the next generation of Cirque du Soleil, this event is taking place at the Edinburgh Playhouse on the 8th – 9^th of May.

Girl’s Day Out! 

Gather your girlfriends for the biggest and most perfect girl’s day out of the year. This May, Scotland’s no.1 beauty, fashion and lifestyle show is coming to Edinburgh, bigger and better.

Fashionistas and cocktail connoisseurs, splurge on the hottest high street fashion, exclusive beauty treatments and catwalk shows all whilst being spoiled at the glam nail bar and hair salon. And how could we forget the cocktail bar and gorgeous waiters?

Clear your diaries for the 11^th-13^th of May along with your fellow CitySocialisers for a fabulous pamper day. Tickets are priced from £12-£15, find out more here.

Hopefully, we have ignited your minds with ideas for Socialising this May. However if you’d prefer to come along to one of the Socials we’ve got organised in Edinburgh, don’t miss our Mexican heritage celebrations, Cinco De Mayo at Chiquito next month.

Photo Courtesy: Girl’s Day Out / Facebook 

and blmurch/ Flickr