Come up to the Bedroom

Yesterday was great. I spent the majority of the day working on three proposals for potential clients, and by the time 5.30 came round, I was decidedly ready for a drink.

I met a couple of pals in the Golden Lion in Soho, before we caught the bus East to Shoreditch. We stopped in at Floripa - a Brazilian bar/restaurant, formerly Favela Chic - for a drink. Its a place I've passed many a time but never ventured into before, despite favourable reviews. We were a little too early to catch the band but sat at a big wooden table, took in the vibrantly decorative walls and atmosphere, and naughtily ordered a Bloc Party Punch.

It came flaming, in a brilliant 'vintage' suitcase. Advertised as ideal for five to share, it's described as 'firecrackers, feathers, warm sun and drums spring to mind for that holiday-carnival feel. Finlandia Cranberry vodka, Liquor 43, citrus juice and cassis, with a generous topping of sparkling wine'. The four of us dove straight in with straws, and the boozy blend of flavours definitely shouted summer.

We moved on to the main event of the night - the Comedy Cafe Theatre at the Bedroom Bar in Shoreditch. A free monthly showcase of new comedians, the room was packed. We managed to nab some seats that weren't in the conspicuously empty front row, and in true stand-up style, were glad we had. As well as MC Jimmy James Jones, there were eight aspiring acts ranging from the good (Lynn Ruth Miller), the bad and the downright weird (Mr Beige).

My favourites were the slightly-known Gatis Kandis (of Britain's Got Talent fame) and Prince Abdi (of Show Me The Funny), that had us roaring with laughter. Although honorable mention has to go to the guy who had us in hysterics with blue cats.

After that, we fancied another drink so flitted unsuccessfully from Cargo (quiet and couldn't make us a mojito) and Callooh Callay (too busy) to Barrio East. Here we had more success; with yet more Latino vibes, we sampled a Ram Berry Jam ('Forgot your subtle flute of fizz, this baby's got edge!') and the Tropic Plunder ('a treasure of a recipe cooked up in our Caribbean holiday home'). Even for a Wednesday night it was buzzing in all its fluoro-glory. 

We called it quits soon after - after all, it was a school night. For midweek, this cocktail-come-comedy-crawl was definitely one to repeat.