‘New Year, New Me’ is thrown about a helluva lot, but we reckon the only new thing you’re gonna need this year is an exciting list of things to do. We’ve called on our friends at DesignMyNight to give us the low-down on the best events happening in 2018, so you can start adding some seriously cool dates to your diary. From traveling down the Thames INSIDE a killer whale to drinking cocktails in complete darkness, you’re in for a big one.
10 things to do in 2018
1 of 10Experience Cocktails In The City
Call yourself a cocktail-lover? You better make damn sure you nab a ticket for Cocktails In The City this year then. Taking place in fancy-pants locations across Liverpool, London, Leeds, Manchester and Edinburgh, the best mixologists in the business will be rolling up their sleeves to make you a heady amount of expertly crafted tipples.
2 of 10Celebrate World Gin Day On A Boat Cruise - Birmingham
If you're mad for gin, World Gin Day is obviously the biggest event on your calendar, and what better way to celebrate than with a juniper-fuelled boat cruise? You'll be floating along Birmingham's historic canals as you make five bespoke G&T's, using garnishes of your choice. The man behind Birmingham's beloved Jekyll & Hyde gin bar will be on hand to give your all the historic gin-filled facts, so you can impress when you're back on dry land.
3 of 10Take On A Multi-Sensory Experience At Pitch Black - Liverpool
Promised yourself a challenge this year? Head to Pitch Black: a completely unique sensory cocktail experience, where you'll be sipping cocktails in the dark. You heard, you'll have to rely on your senses (and hand to mouth coordination) as you dare to sip on a series of mysterious tipples. It'll be happening at a secret Liverpool location, where you'll be greeted with a sparkling reception before you venture into the unknown…
4 of 10Make Your Own Booze At Gin School - London
If you're in a perfectly healthy love affair with gin, take it to the next level and sign yourself up to gin school. The school in question is run by Camden's Half Hitch gin, where a dedicated teacher will be guiding you through distilling your own batch. There will of course be tastings along the way, with an opportunity to select your own ingredients; consider your dreams of becoming a gin connoisseur fulfilled.
5 of 10Go To A Pop-Up Cinema In A 1950's Ballroom - London
Calling all film buffs: there's a retro pop-up cinema in a 1950s ballroom in South London, and it looks like a vintage haven. It's been knocking around since 1913, so you can expect completely original décor (think plush red velvet and ornate chandeliers), and this year you can watch everything from Bridget Jones Diary to Clueless, as well as many other retro flicks.
6 of 10Head to London's First Ever Garage Brunch - London
If you've got fond memories of reciting the whole of 21 Seconds To Go, you NEED to nab a ticket to London's first ever Garage Brunch. Hosted by none other than MC PSG (Da Click), MC Creed (So Solid Crew) and the biggest garage pioneers and Djs - Dj Swiss (So Solid Crew), Lonyo (Summer of Love) and The Menendez Brothers! You'll be lining your stomach with dribble-worthy fried chicken or veggie fritters, with 'Bo' Selecta' apple pie and ice cream for pudding, before you take on an hour of bottomless cocktails. Make damn sure your garage music knowledge is up to scratch too, as there's going to be Garage Bingo and a 'Name That Tune' game.
7 of 10Have Dinner On A Retro Tube Carriage - London
Think having grub at a dinner table is overrated? Ditch the norm this year and experience Basement Galley: a tube carriage supper club. Don't panic, you'll be perfectly stationary whilst you enjoy extraordinary meals on a 1969 London Underground tube carriage in Walthamstow. Expect dinners celebrating everything from Burns Night and Valentines to Mother's Day, all created by chef Alex Cooper, who has worked in Michelin starred restaurants (no biggie).
8 of 10Sing Your Heart Out At Ultimate Power - Manchester
Forget singing in the shower, unleash your beautiful voice on the world this year at Ultimate Power. This isn't just any karaoke night, it's the pinnacle of all karaoke nights; you'll be belting your heart out to your favourite tune in the stadium-esque Manchester Ritz. Make sure you do a vocal warmup, as you'll be singing along to non-stop power ballads from the likes of Bonnie Tyler and Bon Jovi.
9 of 10Travel Down The Thames In A Killer Whale - London
Wanna channel your inner Free Willy this year? Yep, you heard us, you can now go on a ride down the Thames - inside an 18 feet long killer whale. Possibly the wackiest way to travel ever, this pulse-quickening ride will have you diving six feet under water, jumping 18 feet out of it, and speeding up to 60 miles per hour (essentially moving just like a whale would). Now all that's left to do is sit back in the F-16 fighter-grade glass cockpit and enjoy the ride.
10 of 10Visit Brighton’s Prohibition BYOC Bar - Brighton
Fancy a bar where the bartenders make cocktails using only your favourite spirits? Obvz, who wouldn't?! Head on down to BYOC in Brighton, where it's a 'you bring the vodka', 'they make the drink' kinda policy. Inspired by speakeasy prohibition vibes, you can expect 1920s-style brooding décor while cocktail creatives put your spirits to good use with homemade bitters and syrups.
For more information on what’s on in London and across the UK, visit DesignMyNight and follow them on Instagram and Twitter; @DesignMyNight.