It’s that time of year again to don your best, hit the town and do your worst in honour of home. This year there’s no shortage of Straya Day-honouring events, parties and shows across London, so here’s our pick of a few of the very best.
Infernos, Clapham
In true TNT style, we will be hosting one of the biggest and best Australia Day parties around, and we’ll be doing it on the Sunday before Australia Day, so you can drink to your heart’s content. This beer-fuelled party (you even get a free one if you get there before miday) will be held at Infernos in the Aussie heartland of London. The 13-hour event is for all you party lovers that want to go all out this year. Don a green and gold costume and be sure to whip out your best moves on the dancefloor with classic tracks from Triple J, an Aussie DJ and live tunes from the Bondi Beach Bums.
When: Jan 25, 11am-midnight
Where: Infernos, 146 Clapham High Street, SW4 7UH
Cost: Free entry if you register online at eventbrite.co.uk (type in Australia Day Party 2015).
Tube: Clapham Common
Web: infernos.co.uk
Comedy Carnival Australia day show
These Australia Day shows are legendary, featuring some of the finest Aussie comics from over there and over here. This year’s line-up features Felicity Ward, Melbourne Comedy fest star Wayne Deakin and Edinburgh Comedy fest breakout star Damian Clark (above) alongside token Kiwi for the night Javier Jarquin.
After the show finishes at 10pm there is also an on-till-late-to-make-sure-the-next-day-is-tough club night featuring Triple J’s hottest 100, too.
When: Jan 27 / 8pm
Where: Bar Rumba, 36 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 7EP
Cost: £15
Tube: Leicester Square
Web: comedycarnival.co.uk/australia-day
The Girls From Oz
This truly one off show is going to be a cracker as the ladies in question, a trio of ex-pat, West End talent-ed Aussies – Kara Lane (The Rocky Horror Show), Simone Craddock (Jesus Christ Superstar) and Julie Yammanee (Avenue Q) – perform a shedload of ‘classic’ Aussie songs like you have never heard before Think Kylie, Men At Work and, err Vegemite. There will be loads of vintage glam, sparkly dresses and only-an-Aussie-could-do between song banter. They’ve got two London shows on the 25th and 26th but their last London gig sold out so get in there quick.
When: Jan 25 / doors open 6pm
Where: The Pheasantry, 152 Kings Road, SW3 4UT
Cost: £15
Tube: Sloane Square
When: Jan 26 / from 7pm
Where: The Crazy Coqs / 20 Sherwood Street, W1F 7ED
Cost: £20
Tube: Piccadilly Circus
Web: girlsfromozgroup.com
AusDay in the Apartment
If you don’t want to drink until you’re sick on your shoes, then this is the classy Australia Day offering for you, featuring a wealth of music, theatre, cabaret and comedy to keep you entertained, all hosted by Nick Hardcastle. It’s London’s official Aus Day celebration, so you can expect the calibre of the talent to be super high! It’s also an afternoon show so if you do fancy going out and getting on it afterwards, there’s still plenty of time.
When: Jan 25 / 2pm
Where: St James Theatre, 12 Palace Street, SW1E 5JA
Cost: £45
Tube: St James’ Park
Web: stjamestheatre.co.uk
Pick up a copy of this month’s TNT for a full run down of all the best bars, parties, gigs, shows and events happening in London this Australia Day!
