Red Lipstick, Sloe Gin and Ration Cards

During my quest to gain some form of social life in London (without joining websites for lonely Londoners), I found myself being transported back to the 1940’s, during a black out, in a small bar in Soho last Sunday evening. Walking down a dark alleyway in the pouring rain, arm in arm with Elena, my course mate from Moscow, I was relieved to hear raucous laughter and music coming from what appeared to be a closed bar. Opening the door ‘We’ll Meet Again’ was being played on the piano whilst a number of young men and women, wearing pretty floral sundresses and suits (and to my delight the occasional uniform), sang along. Dim lights and candles lit the room and the windows were completely covered up with black curtains and black paper; preventing light from getting out, and 2010 from getting in.

The music picked up a jazzier beat and couples began energetically swing dancing together. We were given ration cards and headed to the bar where warm fruit cider and sloe gin were being served. A delicious, comforting smell wafted from the kitchen and we all sat down together at large tables chatting and sipping sloe gin whilst a choice of Woolten Pie, Lancashire Hotpot or Brown Stew and Dumplings were dished out. Being on rations the portions were small so I was glad that we had Raspberry Buns and Crumble and Custard for desert. After the meal, women re-applied their red lipstick and the dancing resumed.

This may sound like a fabricated fantasy but it really did happen. I was lucky enough to be invited to this event by Katharine, my course mate, who organizes monthly events in London based around dining experiences. As this was a 1940’s dining concept I did attempt to get an appropriate outfit, and yes, I did enter a vintage shop and try on a hat or two. Unfortunately my attempt at vintage shopping was a failure; the hats were too modern, and if they dated back to the 1940’s they were too expensive. I am not patient enough to route through boxes and boxes of old, overpriced clothes. So I settled for buying the brightest red lipstick I could find. During the eating, dancing and sing-a-longs I met many interesting people living in London. I strongly recommend attending an event like this; it was a truly wonderful experience.

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