The Glade Festival Returns for 2011 - EXCLUSIVE

Glade, one of the UK’s best-loved electronic dance music festival is back for 2011...

Glade Festival, which originated as an underground dance stage at Glastonbury, before becoming an  award winning independent event in its own right in 2004, is pleased to announce it will be back in 2011 on June  9^th -12^th at a stunning new (secret for now) location.



After their hiatus in 2010, due unforeseen rises in site costs, this is very welcome news for all dance fans.

As organiser Anselm Guise explains:

“ We are thrilled to be able to say that the Glade will be back in 2011. The festival is being revolutionised yet stripped back to its shiny grass roots…half the capacity that it was in the  last few years and  getting back to its original spirit but with a big step forward creatively, musically and artistically. We’ve been dying to let everyone know that it is definitely here again and with everything that’s happened we’ve had to ensure that we’ve got something to excite, that we can make happen and that will be a true celebration of life, music and art. We now can. Half the battle was finding the right home for the festival and we really have. We’ve found a belter…proper English parkland where we can do our thing…trees everywhere! The Glade is back…!”

Tier One Tickets are set to be released on January 25^th,  price tba, and available from the all new Glade Website which is also set to go live on January 25^th www.gladefestival.com



Winners: ‘Best UK Dance Festival 2008

"A dance festival with a mental village fete twist" - Louise, London.

For more information please contact:

Karen Johnson, Orbit PR, +44(0)7930391607 Karen@orbitpr.net

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Peppermint's Guide to the top 10 Christmas markets in the UK

Tens of thousands of shoppers will be hitting the country’s high streets this weekend. Want to avoid the herds and find unique, handmade gifts? Want to relax at an outdoor bar with a hot cider in hand? Then, visit one of the country’s ever-growing Christmas markets. From Chester’s Victorian village to Birmingham’s Frankfurt experience, there’s something for everyone in just about every town and city across Britain. Check out our list of the top 10 Yuletide markets below:

Bath: Wooden Christmas chalets and festive mobile bars selling mulled wine are nestled amongst the city’s World Heritage sites of Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths. Street entertainment also livens up the storybook atmosphere.

Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market: Birmingham hosts the biggest German Christmas market outside Germany and Austria. With 180 stalls of crafts, gluhwein, and bratwurst, more than 3 million visitors, and generating nearly 90 million in economic activity, it’s even bigger than the Christmas market in Berlin! The brainchild of a man tasked to advertise Frankfurt abroad, it has inspired the German market craze across the country. Check out our blog on the Teutonic phenomenon. Definitely not one to miss.

Bristol’s German Christmas Market: Decorations, nativity scenes, toys and more are sold from wooden chalets. Outside bars will serve gluhwein, bratwurst and waffles. Look out for the traditional Christmas Pyramid!

Cheltenham Christmas Market: This upmarket town on the edge of the Cotswolds hosts a market full of high quality goods, including freshwater pearls, fair trade knitwear, and costume jewelry. Wet your palette with award-winning fruit wines and don’t forget to try the ostrich burgers!

Chester’s Winter Wonderland: The festive fun includes a giant wheel, Victorian village in front of majestic Chester Castle, and an ice skating rink. Enjoy a hot drink at the Castle Courtyard Bar!

Gloucester’s “Very Victorian Christmas”: Characters in Dickensian dress sell food, drink and gifts from the city’s historic docks. Highlights include a real ale tavern, choirs, and brass bands.

Leeds German Christmas Market: Traditional wooden stalls, festive greenery, Christmas carousel rides and twinkling colourful lights all create a unique, continental-style atmosphere in the heart of the city centre.

Liverpool: The city is hosting its biggest ever Christmas market with around 100 stalls with traders from Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, Australia and Oceania. Shoppers can find everything from traditional Finnish toys to Chinese wooden dolls.

London’s Winter Wonderland: The enormous Hyde park attraction has an ice rink, giant observation wheel and carnival rides, kids’ shows, Santa land, E:Cube and Spiegel Saloon restaurants, and outdoor bars.

Manchester Christmas Markets: The city hosts five German markets that include a beer tent, a giant six-meter-high pyramid-shaped nativity scene, and an Alpine house with a multi-lingual, talking reindeer.

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The man behind the German Christmas market craze

Mince pies and mulled wine are being traded in for bratwurst and gluhwein across the country as German Christkindlmarkts give their Victorian counterparts a run for their money.
Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market is the largest German market in the world outside Germany and Austria. With 180 stalls, more than 3 million visitors, and generating nearly 90 million in economic activity, it’s even bigger than the Christmas market in Berlin, according to Birmingham city council.
So what inspired us to look to Deutschland for holiday inspiration? The big business of sausages and sauerkraut all started with one man - Kurt Stroscher - and his marketing plan.

Tasked with the job of advertising his home city of Frankfurt abroad, Stroscher decided to get away from the city’s image as a financial centre, and instead suggested exporting an authentic German Christmas market like the one running in Frankfurt since 1393.As its twin city, Birmingham seemed like the logical choice, and he persuaded skeptical German stallholders to ship their stands across the Channel and up to the Midlands. “We were the pioneers,” he told the BBC on a recent visit to a log cabin set up on Birmingham’s New Street.It turned out that Brummies loved the foreign food and festivities and the one-off event turned into an annual affair. Now, Frankfurt’s tourist office puts on four of the biggest German Christmas markets in the country – in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Manchester, and Leeds.

"Last year, almost 3 million people visited this market," Stroscher told the BBC, "and it doesn't cost Birmingham a penny."
Frankfurt pays for all the policing, trash pick-up, and administration costs in return for being allowed to sponsor the event, he said.

"Our research shows that between 2000 and 2010, there was a 30% increase in British visitors to Frankfurt's original Christmas market. And a lot of visitors decide to come when they visit German markets in the U.K. and want to see the real thing,” he told the broadcaster.

Birmingham’s Christkind bonanza is now copied across the U.K., with German, Austrian, and even French-run markets popping up from Brighton to Glasgow. Even British markets have begun to take on a Teutonic flavor.
More than a quarter of this year’s markets have only sprouted up since the recession began in 2009, according to Visit Birmingham.“It makes me proud to see what I started,” said Stroscher.

Reading, Leeds, Rockness, Bestival, Download and many more 2011 festival tickets go on sale

Dreaming of The Big Chill? No, not the arctic cold front slamming Britain but the boutique August festival that early bird tickets just went on sale for. As much of the country braves the snow, many music lovers will be jumping online to purchase their summer 2011 festival tickets this weekend. Reading and Leeds, Global Gathering, Download and many more events just opened up their online ticket offices. So, if you fancy T in the Park instead’ve snowmen and sleds, take a look at Virtual Festivals’ rundown below:

Download Festival 2011
What is it? Three-days of raucous head-banging to some of the biggest, best and undiscovered metal and rock bands in the world.
Price: £180 – adult weekend ticket with camping
Confirmed: System Of A Down, Avenged Sevenfold
Click here to buy Download Festival tickets.

Reading Festival 2011 and Leeds Festival 2011
What is it? The nation's premier August bank holiday blowouts, with rock, indie, punk, dance and endless campsite shenanigans.
Price: £180 – adult weekend ticket with camping
Rumoured: Muse, The Strokes, Green Day,Soundgarden, Linkin Park
Click here to buy Reading Festival tickets.
Click here to buy Leeds Festival tickets.

Isle of Wight Festival 2011
What is it? Rock and pop old and new, mixing its 60s/70s origins with big names and a family atmosphere.
Price: £175 – adult weekend ticket with camping
Confirmed: Foo Fighters, Kings of Leon, Kasabian,Pulp, Tom Jones, The British Pink Floyd Show
Click here to buy Isle Of Wight Festival tickets.

T In The Park 2011
What is it? Scotland's biggest festival, with household name headliners and surely The Proclaimers on the Main Stage once again. Nice toilets as well.
Price: £180 – adult weekend ticket with camping
Rumoured: Foo Fighters, Biffy Clyro
Click here to buy T In The Park tickets.

Rock Ness 2011
What is it? Originally more of a dance festival, has expanded into something more eclectic. Winner of Best Line-up at the Festival Awards 2010, expect a few curve-balls.
Price: £149 – adult weekend ticket with camping
Confirmed: Kasabian, The Chemical Brothers,Paolo Nutini
Click here to buy Rock Ness tickets.

Bestival 2011
What is it? Winner of Best Major Festival at the UK Festival Awards, Rob da Bank picks a quirky, varied line-up. Worth it for the fancy dress alone.
Price: £160 – adult weekend ticket with camping
Confirmed: The Cure, Primal Scream, Magnetic Man
Click here to buy Bestival tickets.

The Big Chill 2011
What is it? Legends and new talent of every possible musical hue mix together at a picturesque location.
Price: £155 – adult weekend ticket with camping
Click here to buy The Big Chill tickets.

Camp Bestival 2011
What is it? Winner of Best Family Festival at the Festival Awards, Bestival's kid-friendly sister event takes place in the grounds of Lulworth Castle, Dorset, with a mix of music, art, comedy, fancy dress and even an animal farm.
Price: £160 – adult weekend ticket with camping
Click here to buy Camp Bestival tickets.

Latitude 2011
What is it? Three days of music, art, comedy, literature, theatre, film, poetry and family fun in idyllic surroundings. Also watch out for special surprise guests.
Price: £155 – adult weekend ticket with camping
Rumoured: The National, The Flaming Lips, Elbow
Click here to buy Latitude tickets.

Global Gathering 2011
What is it? A huge dance festival with world-class DJs and electronic music artists playing to 50,000 people. Global is now into its 11th year.
Price: £99 – adult weekend ticket with camping
Rumoured: The Chemical Brothers, Deadmau5
Click here to buy Global Gathering tickets.

Creamfields 2011
What is it? The original dance festival and the UK Festival Awards' Best Dance Event 2010. Top DJ's and live performers are spread out across a live outdoor stage and ten arenas.
Price: £100 – adult weekend ticket with camping
Rumoured: Swedish House Mafia, Magnetic Man,Leftfield
Click here to buy Creamfields tickets.

Escape Into The Park 2011
What is it? Wales' biggest dance event, with DJ's spinning trance, drum n bass, techno, house, and hardcore all weekend.
Price: £41.50 – General Admission, £57.50 - VIP
Click here to buy Escape Into The Park tickets.

Evolution Festival 2011
What is it? Rock, pop, dance and DJ's entertain 60,000 people over two days along Newcastle's quayside.
Price: £35 – weekend ticket, £25 - day ticket.
Confirmed: Iggy And The Stooges, Plan B
Click here to buy Evolution Festival tickets.

Fairport's Cropredy Convention 2011
What is it? Folk-rockers Fairport Convention's annual festival in the Oxfordshire village of Cropedy. Mainly folk based and family-friendly, a Fairport vs Cropedy cricket match serves as a Sunday afternoon finale.
Price: £85 – adult weekend (three-day) ticket with camping
Confirmed: Fairport Convention
Click here to buy Fairport's Cropredy Convention tickets.

Larmer Tree Festival 2011
What is it? Celebrating it's 21st year, this diverse jazz/blues/folk/roots festival also has comedians, DJs and activities, and all with no corporate sponsorship.
Price: £190 for a five-day ticket, £156 for a four-day ticket and £125 for a three-day ticket – with camping
Click here to buy Larmer Tree Festival tickets.

Summer Sundae Weekender 2011
What is it? Three days of everything from rock and folk to electronica and pop from huge names and emerging talent.
Price: Early bird tickets are £100 for adults and £37.50for children aged five to 15. Under-5s go free.
Click here to buy Summer Sundae Weekender tickets.

Blissfields Festival 2011
What is it? Four days of eclectic music in intimate, family-friendly surroundings, with local food and ales at reasonable prices.
Price: Adult weekend passes are £60 early bird or £65otherwise; youth weekend passes are £37 early bird or£42 on general sale. Under-5s go free. Camping for Thursday night is £10 early bird or £15 otherwise.
Click here to buy Blissfields Festival tickets.

The Cure to Headline Bestival 2011

The Bestival announced on Wednesday the first confirmed acts of 2011 with The Cure making the Isle of Wight event their only European festival performance of the year. Also on the bill will be Primal Scream playing their album Screamadelica and Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys.

“From underground heroes to worldwide heavyweights, The Cure have, over the last 30 or more years given us some of popular music’s finest moments, which is why everyone here at Bestival H.Q. is so incredibly proud that the band will be touching down in 2011 to deliver what we’re sure will be a legendary and unforgettable Saturday night headline performance,” the Bestival web site announced.

News of the band’s performance came just weeks after the event was named Best Major UK Festival at the UK Festival Awards.

DJ and Bestival curator Rob Da Bank said: “I've spent the last 20 years of my life listening to The Cure and the last five attempting to persuade Robert Smith and the crew to hop on a ferry to our magical Isle.”
Smith said, “I'm delighted and excited that our only European festival performance in 2011 will be at Bestival. We will do all we can to help make it a weekender to remember.”

Other acts listed in the first wave of confirmations were: Magnetic Man, Robyn, Crystal Castles, DJ Shadow, Katy B, LFO, Omar Souleyman, 65DaysofStatic-Live Film Score, Cranes, Boys Noize, Diplo, A Trak, Norman Jay, Grandmaster Flash, David Rodigan, 2 Bears, Carte Blanche, Pantha Du Prince, and Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain.

In addition to the eclectic line-up of musical talent, the event at Robin Hill Countryside Adventure Park boasts an original boutique campsite experience, a Bollywood Cocktail Bar, enormous fancy dress party, and even a Hidden Disco.
Bestival 2011 will take place between Thursday 8th September and Sunday 11th September.

Prices are:
Adult weekend ticket (including camping): £160
Student weekend ticket (including camping): £150 (Valid NUC or ISIC ID required)
Age 13 to 15 weekend ticket (including camping): £80 (These ticket holders must be accompanied by a ticket holding parent or guardian over the age of 21)
Age 12 and under weekend ticket (including camping): Free, but you must obtain a ticket (These ticket holders must be accompanied by a Ticket holding parent or guardian over the age of 21)
Campervan tickets: £65 pounds per vehicle

For more information see: www.bestival.net

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The UK Festival Awards 2010 Winners Revealed:

Festivals:
Best Major Festival - Bestival
Best Medium-Sized Festival - Green Man Festival
Best Small Festival - Kendal Calling
Best Overseas Festival - Snowbombing
Line Up Of The Year - RockNess
Best Metropolitan Festival - Gaymers Camden Crawl
Best Dance Event (Sponsored by Peppermint Bars) - Creamfields
The Grass Roots Festival Award - 2000 Trees Festival
The Greener Festival Award - Croissant Neuf Summer Party
Best Toilets - T in the Park
Best Family Festival - Camp Bestival
Best New Festival - Vintage at Goodwood

Artists:
Headline Performance of the Year - AC/DC at Download
Best Breakthrough Artist - Mumford and Sons
Feel-Good Act of the Summer - Paulo Nutini
Anthem of the Summer - Florence and The Machine – ‘You've Got The Love’
Virtual Festivals Critics' Choice Award - Biffy Clyro at Glastonbury Festival

Organisers:
The Lifetime Achievement Award - Geoff Ellis
Promoter of the Year – Glastonbury Festival
Outstanding Contribution to Festival Production - Neil McDonald

Brands:
Best Sponsor Activation - Coca Cola Recycling Campaign

Photos of Nottinghill Carnival & Coconut Joes

Check out some of the photos from Nottinghill Carnival and a our two month pop-up bar in Liverpool - Coconut Joes

Nottinghill Carnival 2010 - with Toob Records & Bacardi

































Coconut Joes - Our Summer Bar at Liverpool ONE

Photos courtesy of Ant Clausen photography

Nottinghill Carnival, Secret Garden Success and sold-out Bestival "Fantastic"

Feet, touched, ground. No chance.

But, what a great July we've had, blessed with great weather and some fantastic events - such as bar operations at 1234 Shoreditch, Tony Hawks in Brighton and Ben & Jerry's Summer Sundae on the Common.

An amazing return for Secret Garden Party this year and some cracking weather to boot. Camp Bestival saw everyone dive down to Dorset for a long weekend with the kids and family - we have never seen such a clean and tidy festival! Tiesto at Victoria Park didn't disappoint, once again Loudsound putting on a cracking show. Closely followed by the very-cool Field Day at the same venue headed by Marcus and another great turnout - with some fantastic music and cocktails to boot!

Our Cowes Week event saw London nightclub Raffles join our party, with their VIP bar on the Pier which attracted the likes of England Rugby legend Lawrence Dallaglio, broadsheet journalists and the Pineapple Dance studios film crew.

Coconut Joe's - our pop up bar bang in the middle of the amazing new Liverpool ONE shopping centre and complex has gone down an absolute hit with the locals - sipping cocktails on the man made beach whilst the sun goes down has been very popular. It runs until the first week in September - if you haven't been down already - check it out at www.coconutjoes.co.uk - also checkout some amazing pictures here.

Phew.

Now we've just done the bars for Hevy Festival and the simply jaw-dropping Red Bull X Fighters at Battersea Power Station -which doubled in size since last year.

All that leaves is LED Festival in Victoria Park and Nottinghill Carnival. We have been awarded the contract to run all the official bar sites within the Carnival which attracts over a million visitors over three days. We start with the Panorama Parade in Emslie Horniman's Pleasance on Saturday evening, followed by Blenheim Cresent and Westbourne Grove - where we'll be serving ice cold Mojitos on Sunday and Monday. Come see us!

Then, its back to the Isle of Wight for Bestival celebrating its 7th year. This year it's the year of the "Fantastic." We'll be running all 20 bars, including 8 cocktail bars.

800 bar staff, 4 days, 50,000 revellers - can't wait.

Peppermint Shepards Wharf builds on its strengths

Peppermint Shepards Wharf, one of Cowes Week's official events sites & marina celebrates its 7th year in the event with a raft of changes for 2010. Known for its popularity among crews, families and friends - Peppermint Shepards Wharf knows what makes the site popular and has built on it.

The official event site run by Peppermint Events (who also work with closely with Bestival on the Isle of Wight) in recent years has been moving towards 100% island-based suppliers; and this year they have taken it a step further. The on-site food operation dubbed "I Love Wight" has been taken in-house and will champion local, fresh Isle of Wight organic produce. Supporting this will be a local farmers market on both weekends of Cowes Week.

Peppermint have also sourced local island ales, affordable lagers and even Wight Vodka! "We're always looking at ways to improve. The official Cowes Week survey feedback is very useful to help us tweak our operation – such as more activities during the day and competitive drinks pricing. It's helped us build on our strengths too, such as good food and a buzzing atmosphere," comments Adam Hempenstall, Marketing Director.

New for 2010 will be day time entertainment in the form of bands every afternoon and evening inside the crew bar as well as beach games and activities. The RNLI , the official charity for 2010, will be hosting a party on Monday evening and the now established "must go" Mount Gay Cap Party returns on the Thursday evening. Club Infernos, Cowes Week's crew nightclub is back once again.

This year a luxury nightclub Raffles is welcomed into the Pier bar, where they will be hosting VIP tables that can be booked in advance as part of the nightclub.

"We are thrilled to announce that Raffles members club – the infamous Chelsea members club – will be providing a VIP pier bar and terrace, the perfect spot for a sophisticated drink or to book a late night table and enjoy the wharfs ambience in luxurious surroundings". The Pier bar will be open during the day for class receptions and private hire.

Peppermint Shepards Wharf is open from 7am until 2am every day during Cowes Week and is FREE to enter.

February...

* To keep up to date with the lastest news from Peppermint, follow us on Twitter here *


The Moose Bar - We draw the curtains on another fantastic year for the Moose Bar in Canary Wharf on Sunday Feb. 21st. Thanks to everyone that made it happen including Steve, Mark, Simon and all of the extremely hard working hardworking Moose team. Will we be back next year? Who knows... Click here to visit the Moose Bar website.


Cowes - We're already looking forward to our 7th year at Cowes Week's official Crew Enclosure, Shepards Wharf. If you are interested in getting involved visit our mini site here or contact us.

Festivals - Well, if last year was a "slow" year for festivals, then this year is set to be off the hook! Lots of exciting new events for Peppermint this year, as well as our favourite regulars of course. To keep in touch with all the festival news follow us on twitter here.

New on-line bar hire system soon to be released on this website. Browse pictures, calculate delivery charges and pay on-line, all from the click of a button. Watch this space...

January Update!

Festival Award Winners!

November 18th 2009, at the O2 in London saw the return of the "Festival Oscars"

Peppermint were there providing some essential refreshment for the Festival Awards Conference delegates and waitress service for the main event in the evening at the Indigo2 - where we were happy to see three of our clients pick up awards this year!

Congratulations from all from us at Peppermint - and we're already looking forward to 2010's awards, where you can bet we'll be helping all the attendees have a drink or two to wind down after a long and hard working festival season.
Peppermint: Proud to be working with the UK Festival Award Winners 2009:

Bestival

WINNER: Best Medium Festival

Camp Bestival

WINNER: Best Family Festival

Beach Break Live

WINNER: Best Small Festival

The Moose Bar

Our very own Moose Bar in London's Canary Wharf has had a very busy couple of months with Christmas events, corporate parties and our extremely loyal following of local professionals happy to soak up the log-cabin ambiance in the heart of London's financial district beneath No 1 Canada Square.



Jamie Oliver and Gok Wan are just a couple of celebs that have come down to see what all the fuss is about and we didn't disappoint! Unfortunately, all good things do come to and end and come the 21st Feb, we'll be pulling down those lovely log walls for another year and putting Mr Moose to hibernation over the summer. But, that's over 5 weeks away, so plenty of time to come down for a skate, a mulled wine or a Moosehead lager and see what all the fuss IS about!

Our weekly schedule has just been updated so you can see what we have on. If you want to come down and reserve and area simply visit the moose bar website and email us from there. We hope to too you there soon. Oh yes, and we havent increased our prices due to the VAT...

To view the latest Moose Bar newsletter click here

Mondays
From 17:30
Darts Night
Every Monday from 5:30pm - winner takes all K.O. darts competition Entry is £1

Tuesdays
From 18:30
The Moose Pub Quiz

Wednesdays
From 18:30
Karaoke
hosted by our very own "DJ Moose"

Thursdays
From 17:30
Live "Moosic"
Live Bands and Acts EVERY WEEK

Fridays
From 18:00
DJ Moose
Kick starts your weekend from 5pm

Saturdays
All day
Winter Warmers
our suggestions before or after you skate to keep you warm!

Sundays
All day
Read all about it
Relax with the Sunday papers whilst the kids go on the ice!

Bars at Festival - Why we're the experts

As well as our own stand-alone events like the Moose Bar and Cowes Week - we have been running bars at festival since 2002 and here's a reminder of why we're the industry choice:

* Peppermint has served over 8 million drinks to 2.5 million customers including over a million cocktails.
* We have over 8 years experience in the industry with a strong and rapidly growing portfolio of events - and the best reputation in the business: built on quality, accountability and attention to detail.
* We are the pioneers of high volume, high quality cocktail bars at outdoor events. We are able to provide cocktails, mixed perfectly, garnished beautifully and served with finesse in quantities
* We operate everything from intimate cocktail events to 75,000 capacity music festivals
* We serve over 200,000 drinks and 10,000 cocktails per day at times during the summer
* We have a team of bartenders and mixologists who are drawn from the best bars in country.

15% off ALL our fees throughout January

* Are you an event or festival looking to make more money on your bars? (We have helped countless events & festivals make MORE from their bar operation AND increase quality)
* Are you looking into raising sponsorship for the bars at your event in 2010?
* Are you looking to increase the quality of drinks at your event?

Quite simply, if you contact us between now and the 31st Jan 2010, allow us to quote for ANY event you have in the next 12 months (anything from a bar hire to a full festival bar quote) we will give you a 15% discount on our fees.

Conditions
This offer applies to new events or new clients only and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.
Mention the promo code JANPROMO15 when you call us.

Call the direct line now on: 0208 687 2774 or email info@peppermintbars.co.uk quoting JANPROMO15 in the subject line.