TUESDAY 30 JUNE, 2009

If you're reading this in a sweltering office, ineffectually fanning yourself with an old postcard and contemplating turning the defunct fax machine into an air-conditioner, fear not! We're back to help ease the pain, and NHS sunstroke warnings duly heeded, it's all about re-hydration this week. Property spy is onto £40 architects , whilst the Hendricks carriage of curiosities has rolled into London. Finally, if you're planning a beachy break, check out UJ's pick of the top Summer products to take down to the sea.

Re-hydration Nation
Drinking dens Alto and The Opera Quarter Bar open.

"Hot summer streets and the pavements are burning… The air is so heavy and dry." Bananarama may have said it best, but lyrics offer no respite from the NHS' impending sun-stroke warnings. At UJ we're taking the responsible route, with a carefully constructed re-hydration program.

We could go with water (free, plentiful), or head to Soho's latest member's den Alto (opening tomorrow) to 'be seen' in their Grand Palais drawing room, and abuse the membership concierge's promises of VIP parties and queue jumping.

However, if we had that kind of money, we'd be hot-stepping it to the nearest beach resort. Which is why we're welcoming the (slightly delayed) opening of The Opera Quarter Bar in Covent Garden on Thursday. Set in Georgian interiors, it melds art installations, music and mixology into one 'posh squat party,' open for the Summer only, and directed by Douglas Ankrah of Lab and Townhouse.

Expect guest DJ sets from top bands (including The Holloways and Reverend and The Makers), Bar Star Sets from leading mixologists, and a daily supply of cocktails embracing Tiki, Disco, and Hollywood Glam themes with Japanese Tapas dishes to share.

Our martini glass truly runneth over.

Alto, 15-21 Ganton Street, London W1F 9BN.
Opens tomorrow with a launch party at 10pm. Email reservations@alto.com for guestlist.

The Opera Quarter Bar, 13 - 15 Tavistock Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 7PA.
Open from 2nd July, daily 12pm - 1am/11pm Sundays.

From the UJ Archive: UJ’s too-cool-for-school manifesto for clubs lost somewhere between over-hype and under-the-radar cool.

UJ Recommendation: Fancy some more after-dark recommendations? Check out UJ's London Guide for bars, clubs, restaurants and more.

UJ Photos: Party Pics of the hottest happenings around town, from alcoholic architecture to mass maceration.

Yelp: Like to keep your options open? Reviewers reckon Freud Bar is the coolest little find in Covent Garden for a secretive cocktail.

Hendrick's Horseless Carriage of Curiosities
Photos of an antique train carriage.

All aboard this antique train carriage, resplendent with an array of obscure curiosities to confound and bemuse in equal measures. Throw in a generous quantity of cucumber-tinged gin and tonics and a sensitivity to alternative entertainment, and this can only be a Hendrick's Gin shindig.

Click here to read the full feature …

Property Spy: Architects for Charity
Get top RIBA architects to help redesign your home for a mere £40 - and in the name of charity to boot.

Following last month's Property Spy about good architecture and design, and the frustration of London property buyers, it seemed fitting to bring the charitable 'Architect in the House' initiative to your attention.covering anything from planning permission to loft conversions.

Click here to read the full feature…

Down By The Sea
UJ beach picks - Stuff to get sandy in.

There's nothing like the promise of a sunshine-filled beach break to get the credit card receipts flowing. After all, nobody goes on holiday without a new bag/pair of flip flops/designer shorts, do they? Even if you're only planning a trip down to the local lido, do it in style with UJ's top picks of the best summery products. Time to get sandy.

Click here to read the full feature…

Last chance to check out never before seen photographs by Guy Bourdin. Until Saturday July 4th. The Wapping Project, Wapping Hydraulic Power Station, E1W. Free.

CLIENT's electronic pop + Pam Hogg behind the decks = best excuse ever to wear a leotard. Wednesday 1st July, 7.30pm. 311 Kilburn High Road, NW6. £9.

In 1979, an unknown Madonna Ciccone posed nude for just $30. See the photos. Thursday 2nd July, 12pm-7pm. 19 Earlham Street, Seven Dials, WC2H . Free.

Forever clad in black, Indie rocker hotshots Ulterior are throwing a party to celebrate their new single. Thursday 2nd July, 8pm. Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen, 2-4 Hoxton Square, N1. £7.