The Top Floor Flat

VIP access. It’s a bit like going to Hawaii. It would be wonderful to go but you can have perfectly nice vacations in other ways. So unless someone offers you an all-expenses paid trip to the island state, completely with food, drinks, a beautiful hotel room and, say, first class airfare, that’s not something you’d shell out for on your own. Same goes for VIP access, especially at some of the clubs around London. £1250 for your birthday in the VIP room (includes drinks and canapes)? I’d say that’s a bit steep. An extensive membership application and fee before you can are even allowed to pay the £25 entry to the club? Something I can probably live without.

But like that all expenses-paid trip to Hawaii, every so often there comes an opportunity to take advantage of the VIP service and last Friday evening I had the chance to begin my birthday weekend in high style with a summer BBQ and VIP club night at the Kensington Roof Gardens in west London.

Located on over an acre of rooftop, the Kensington Roof Gardens were imagined not as a view of London, but an escape from the city. As such, high, ivy-covered walls enclose the space which, when the noise of the traffic seven stories below is quiet, I can easily imagine situated behind a villa in Spain. Live flamingos wander through the still ponds, lush greenery surrounds the paths and tables and the decadent club just inside offers a reprieve from the London elements should it get a little too cold or rainy. I tried not to act too impressed during the grand tour.

Kensington Roof Gardens, London

The club has just finished a refurbishment of their outdoor gardens and Friday evening’s event was meant as a showcase for the upgrade. While the gardens were certainly idyllic, our group’s focus was quickly overtaken by the summer BBQ, a surf and turf set of samplings ranging from steaks and giant prawns to lamb and chicken skewers. Our host for the evening described the corporate events the club can host and I can clearly see it would be the ideal celebratory company event – there was something for everyone.

There was dessert, and some overly-liberal refillings of my wine glass by our attentive waiters, and then we headed into our VIP section of the club where a DJ was already spinning tracks for the crowded dance floor. After basking in the undeserved glory of being ‘VIP’ for the night for a bit longer, it was time to go – it had been a wonderful night and a fantastic beginning to my birthday weekend.

Kensington Roof Gardens Club

So all in all, I still don’t think I could bring myself to have a £1250 VIP birthday party, but after having a taste of what VIP means at the Kensington Roof Gardens, I can see why it’s such a coveted title and can certainly see treating myself to a night out. After all, it’s high time I was recognised as a ‘very important person’ ;-).

Get more info about the Kensington Roof Gardens on their website or their blog.