A Cockney Knees Up! London Cocktail Week 5-11 October

This year's London Cocktail Week, will run from Monday, 5 October to Sunday, 11 October. Cocktail connoisseurs will be spoilt for choice with over 250 of the finest bars in London all taking part, all have been cherry-picked for their exceptional liqueurs and welcoming atmospheres.

Image and logo from London Cocktail Week

Throughout the week, London's most favoured drinking spots will be opening their doors and providing cocktail tours for gin lovers, whiskey sippers and champagne poppers alike, in much loved areas such as Shoreditch, Soho, Notting Hill, Mayfair, Covent Garden and Clapham, to name just a few.

At Alfies, we're quite partial to a fancy beverage ourselves and not only can we provide everything you would need to host a grand cocktail party, including shakers, glasses, crystal ice buckets and more, our dealers also have a beautiful range of stunning vintage dresses and accessories to complete the party. 

See below a selection of our finest offerings available from our dealers.

Assorted brass pineapple ice buckets, 1950s - 1960s. Offered by Louise Verber Antiques.

Beautiful 1930s Whitefriars glass set. Engraved with Art Deco stylised musicians by Barnaby Powell and William Hogan. Offered by Eclectic Antiques & Contemporary.

1930s Dunhill travelling cocktail set. Offered by Goldsmith & Perris.

Selection of Art Deco cocktail accessories and silverware. Offered by Robinson Antiques.

A late 1940s to early 1950s signed French champagne holder. Provenance Taillevant restaurant, Paris. Offered by Louise Verber Antiques

Bohemian liqueur glasses, tray and decanter. Offered by Nadine Okker.

Victorian to Art Deco champagne coupes and cocktail glasses. Offered by Robinson Antiques.

A superb quality Bohemian cut glass vase with gold plated rim. Offered by Travers Antiques

For any cocktail party, a dazzling statement piece of jewellery or crystal encrusted bag is a must!

Art Deco platinum sapphire and diamond ring. Offered by Kieron Reilly.

This 1940s cocktail ring is guaranteed to cause a stir. Studded with diamonds and gold bands. Offered by Pari's Jewellery

1940s brown felt embroidered and sequinned tilt cocktail hat. Betsy-co-Ed U.S.A. Offered by Carole Collier.

  A 1950s crystal pink amethyst paste evening bag/compact case and an orange Art Deco Bakelite clutch bag. Both offered by Tony Durante.

An Ace At Alfies

Wimbledon is well under way and with the sun shining, strawberries ripe and champagne flowing, who will be crowned champion this year? 

The Championships Wimbledon, also known as Wimbledon, is the oldest tennis tournament in the world. It has been held at the AELTC, the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, since 1877 and to many is widely considered the most prestigious tennis competition. It is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, the others being; the Australian Open, the French Open and the US Open. Since the Australian Open shifted to hard court in 1988, Wimbledon is the only major still played on grass.

The tournament takes place over two weeks in late June and early July, culminating with the Ladies' and Gentlemen's Singles Final, scheduled for the second Saturday and Sunday respectively. Five major, junior, and invitational events are held each year. Wimbledon traditions include a strict dress code for competitors, the eating of strawberries and cream by the spectators, and Royal patronage.

At Alfies we have plenty to cause a racket about, and you will love the wide range of antiques and vintage collectables we have to serve for your Wimbledon experience - from champagne coupes and picnic baskets to rare tennis rackets.

 The official 'The Championships Wimbledon' logo

Two 1940's tennis rackets with original Dunlop stretchers and carrying bag. Offered by Paola & Iaia - The Originals

A vintage Whipshaft tennis racket. Offered by Paola & Iaia - The Originals

A 1930s La Belle and early 20th century Queen's tennis racket. Offered by Paola & Iaia - The Originals

A collection of vintage tennis books from the 1960s and 1970s. Offered by Paola & Iaia - The Originals

A collection of tennis brooches. A silver 1950s tennis racket and ball brooch, a 1950s metal double racket pin and a 1960s Léa Stein colourful pair of tennis rackets brooch. Offered by Paola & Iaia - The Originals

Come rain or come shine, it's one of the signs that the English summer is here and Wimbledon would not be the same without its iconic strawberries and cream. The tradition of the red fruit remains part of the tournament so much so that 28,000kg of them are eaten each year. The most likely explanation of the tradition seems to be a combination of circumstances - as strawberries were in season at the time of the tournament - and the fact that during the Victorian era they were the fashionable thing to eat. They were part of afternoon tea, a daily ritual, and that carried over to Wimbledon.

A pair of mid-century carved coral strawberry and jade leaf earrings with gold wires and half pearl stones.
Offered by Gareth Brooks

A 1950s single wheel cut champagne coupe with strawberries. Offered by Robinson Antiques

A 1950s picnic set. Offered by Eclectic Antiques & Contemporary

Be sure to enjoy one of our delicious home made afternoon teas at our Roof Top Kitchen and enjoy the sunshine on the roof terrace.

Wonderful hand made cakes available at the Roof Top Kitchen on our 3rd floor at Alfies