BlackBook

Over the summer, BlackBook sent seven photographers into the night to capture the energy of their home cities. Now that we're in the throws of the bitter cold, what better time to look back at the hottest parties of the year?

Lindsay Lohan will ring in the New Year in London, supposedly to continue her groupie duties for Max George of The Wanted. And in a claim I am not quite sure I believe, she's also planning to bypass the biggest party night of the year with a quiet night in.

The Italo-mania of the English dates at least to the 18th Century Grand Tour, and, if recent trends are any indication, won't end any time soon. Take, for example, the recent opening of Del Mercato in London, something not unlike the Eataly concept that has so won the hearts of NYC Italophiles.

Women are underrepresented in British theater, despite buying more tickets than male theatergoers.

Despite a creeping disregard for architectural history, Britain can still be counted on for the occasional revival of a storied destination. And like Budapest's Cafe New York or Prague's Cafe Imperial, London's legendary Cafe Royal has now been ushered into the 21st Century, having been fashioned into a full fledged luxury boutique hotel.

It’s possible this sentiment is exclusive to me, but it feels like forever since I got down to a romantic dance ballad that I was head-over-heels happy about. But a catchy tune like “Black & Gold,” with a campy video to match, off of 30-year-old Sam Sparro’s eponymous debut album, is sort of what I’m referring to. 2008 welcomed this Aussie-born, L.A.-raised singer-songwriter to the stage with the record’s release—though he was no stranger to the limelight. Indeed, Sparro got his start as a youngster, singing in the choir and appearing in fast food ads, among other things. The way I see it, this sweet diva was born to be a star.

Considering Sir Winston's not-insignificant repute for appreciating a good tipple or three at any time of the day (and also that whole thing about him leading Dear Old Blighty through the Second World War), any bar carrying his name would seem daunted to live up to the legend. Thankfully Brigitta Spinocchia's design of the new Churchill Bar & Terrace at the Hyatt Regency London steers decidedly clear of all that cliched English brandies-and-stogies kitsch, instead incorporating references to the former Prime Minister's less publicized love of animals, travel and art.

If Petraeus-gate has reminded us of anything, it's that the public appetite for political scandal is veritably insatiable. So the implied frisson of parliamentary intrigue at the new InterContinental London Westminster hotel--just a short saunter from MP HQ and the Ministry of Justice--easily bests all the chi-chi spa offerings or extravagant art collections of so many of its London competitors. Indeed, a lavish penthouse suite just begs high-level trysts and shenanigans.

The veritable epitome of pre-Millennium glitz, glamour, and decadence, the Buddha Bar brand represented all the swinging internationalism of the onset of a bright new century. Alas, its London outpost fell victim in 2010 to the sobering, post-2008 reality. But just as we witness the resurrection of the Beatrice Inn and Bungalow 8 in New York, the London Buddha-Bar has risen anew in Knightsbridge, its globally-visioned grooviness fully intact.

If you haven’t heard the masterful music of award-winning electropop prodigy Dragonette, your ears are about to be elevated to a heavenly level. Listeners can’t help but bounce around to the catchy tunes of this energetic trio, comprising singer-songwriter Martina Sorbara, her husband, bassist and producer Dan Kurtz, and their trusty drummer Joel Stouffer.