Happy Hour and Dinner

**Christmas is all about giving and spreading joy and so this year, we'll once again be teaming up with [Evolve](https://www.evolvehousing.org.uk/), a leading homeless charity for another afternoon of festive giving.** Yep on Sunday 21st December, we're hugely excited to hosting our 3rd Charity Santa Challenge. If you've not been in previous years, this can be best described as a fun hybrid of a scavenger hunt, "Supermarket Sweep" and a fast-paced Christmas shopping trip. The aim of the game is simple: **build the best sack of presents for the homeless.** Using your best creativity, resourcefulness, and negotiation skills - you’ll have approximately 3 hours to source a selection of gifts that can help add some sparkle for homeless young people. To help you do this, each team will have a team present fund that will be supplemented with presents and vouchers very kindly donated by a number of major high street brands, including **TK Maxx, ZARA, Lush and Sainsburys.** Along the way - to spice the game up, there'll be a series of live challenges designed to test creativity and speed, that can earn your team extra presents for your sack. When the time is up, we will then finish up at a pub in Central London where we'll be judging the sacks and awarding prizes, before taking the presents over to one of Evolve's shelters in the centre of the capital. Last year, we were able to create **[10 incredible sacks full](https://www.evolvehousing.org.uk/2025/01/fighting-homelessness-spreading-festive-cheer-the-great-santa-challenge/)** of thoughtful gifts, treats and much-needed essentials. It was a truly special afternoon of Xmas giving and so hopefully you can join us for what will be another fun and festive afternoon again this year. **\- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \-** **ATTENDANCE FEE** Whilst the event is free to attend, you are asked to bring a **£5 donation to contribute** to your team's present fund and so please do come with your cash donation on the day. **\- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \-** **WHERE TO MEET** Meet Point: Golden Square, London, W1F 9JJ (Exact Location: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/e6LhQTWnXLJVbM97A](https://maps.app.goo.gl/e6LhQTWnXLJVbM97A)) Closest Train/Tube stations: Piccadilly Circus (5 Min Walk) Oxford Circus (10 Min walk) Start Time: 1:30PM Finish time: 5:00PM **\- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \-** **WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?** **Last year, more than 118,000 young people approached their local council because they were at risk of homelessness - roughly one person every four minutes.** The cost of living crisis and rising youth unemployment have pushed even more young people into vulnerable situations and this Christmas, it’s estimated that over **23,500 young people will be without a home.** One of London’s amazing charities that are help tackling this issue is **[Evolve,](https://www.evolvehousing.org.uk/2025/01/fighting-homelessness-spreading-festive-cheer-the-great-santa-challenge/)** who help over 1,000 young people each year with both housing and support designed to break the cycle of homelessness for good. Their staff work daily with young Londoners who are rebuilding their lives under incredibly challenging circumstances. Sadly, demand for their services has never been higher and at Christmas, their already-stretched resources are pushed yet further, and increasingly have to seek external support. And for the young people themselves - whilst most of the city winds down, the festive period can be a stark and painful reminder of the year past and the challenges they’re contending with. And so our Charity Santa Challenge is a small and simple way to bring some joy and the sacks you create will go directly to young people that Evolve work with, and show them **they are not forgotten and that people out there care.**

Let’s celebrate Christmas early ! Enjoy Roman Sunday lunch and opera performance at this fascinating Greek restaurant ! Roman Lunch menu starts from £58 + 15% Service charge Sample menu [HERE](https://bacchanalia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Bacchanalia_SUNDAY-BRUNCH-PRANZO-DOMENICALE-25.06.2025-copy-copy.pdf) PayPal link
[https://www.paypal.me/glamlondon](https://www.paypal.me/glamlondon) Deposit £30 and £2 participation fee (total £32) is required within 2 days upon RSVP to secure your spot. The £2 participation & admin fee will contribute to the meet up group’s subscription fee and payment admin cost. £30 Deposit will go to your final bill. All participants must settle the bill balance before leaving the event. Deposit & Participation fee are not refundable in any circumstance unless organiser cancels the event . • This event has limited spots, only sign up if you are able to attend . If any changes, please update your RSVP status so other members can take your spot 
• We may take photos of the event, but if you are not comfortable being in photos, no pressure :)
We also have another Meet Up group “Lifestyle London” for all ages, cultures and and genders :
https://meetu.ps/c/52c4D/2Zzc9/

Come & join our exciting puppy cuddle and puppy play events, at the weekends! You do not need a puppy - We will bring a litter of adorable Puppies! **Please book your ticket in advance directly on our website: www.puppyluv.co.uk** Join us for a pawsome event that will surely put a smile on your face! Get ready to cuddle, play, and experience pure joy with adorable puppies. Open to all the family. Our events not only benefit us but they hugely benefit the puppies as well. Allowing each puppy to gain valuable socialisation and confidence skills, exposing them to new smells, people, and environments in a safe and secure event space. And let’s not forget, these puppies will be receiving lots and lots of love from everyone that attends! ❤️🐾 This in-person event will take place EVERY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY in Herne HIll. SE24, Just a five minute walk from Herne Hill train station. This is a paid event. Please book in advance via our website: https://puppyluv.co.uk/puppy-events/ Tickets are £40 for adults and £20 for children Please book your ticket in advance directly on our website: www.puppyluv.co.uk Come along and unleash your inner child and let the furry bundles of happiness brighten up your day. Interacting with puppies has been proven to have a positive impact on mental health and overall wellbeing. So, whether you're a dog lover or just looking for a mood boost, this event is perfect for you. Don't miss out on this tail-wagging opportunity to forget your worries and enjoy some quality time with these adorable four-legged friends. Remember to bring your camera to capture those precious moments! Mark your calendars and get ready for a wag-tastic time at our "Puppy Luv and Wellness" event: Come and play with Puppies. Boost your Happiness and Wellbeing! For more information, exclusive offers and competitions, please follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/puppyluvandwellness?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA== puppyluvandwellness Also, please visit our website: www.puppyluv.co.uk for our FAQs and Terms and Conditions.

**Join Us for an Epic Irish Night in Soho! 🎉🍻🍀** Get ready for an memorable evening at **Waxy O'Connor**, Soho's coolest Irish bar, right in the heart of London! ✨ We're gathering downstairs at the Cottage Bar for a night of pure, foot-stomping fun. 🕺💃 **What to Expect:** * **🎶 Live Folk Music**: The stage comes alive at **7 PM** with authentic folk tunes that'll have you singing along, dancing on benches, and channeling your inner leprechaun! * **🍴 Classic Irish Bites**: Dig into hearty pub grub like fish and chips, shepherd's pie, or loaded nachos—comfort food that hits all the right spots. * **🍺 Central Bar Vibes**: Sip on frosty pints of Guinness, crisp lagers, or expertly mixed Irish cocktails in a warm, buzzing atmosphere. * **🪑 Cozy Spots for All**: Claim a snug booth, pull up a bar stool, or join the crowd on communal benches—**everyone is welcome** to the craic! **📍 Where**: Waxy O'Connor, 14-16 Rupert St, London W1D 6DD. *Head downstairs to the Cottage Bar section—follow the sound of fiddles and laughter!* **📌 Pro Tip**: Arrive at the start time to snag the best area at the bar. No tickets required—free entry, first-come, first-served. **BRING ID** Come for the pints, stay for the folk, and leave with stories that'll have you grinning for days. Let's make this Irish gem roar! 🎤🍻😎 *See you downstairs—sláinte!* \*\*\*\*\*\*\* \*\*\*\*\*\*\* \*\*\*\*\*\*\* **Some Tips:** 1. **Let’s all commit to updating our RSVPs if plans change**—it helps us plan better and ensures great attendance for everyone. If you RSVP “yes” but don’t attend and don’t update your RSVP, you may be removed from the group to keep things fair. No stress, though—you can rejoin for a small £10 fee! Just send me a DM, and I’ll share the PayPal details to get you back in. 2. **Turn Up on Time at the start!** This helps the quality of the event and helps you. 3. If you are struggling with the **app**, use the web page instead, that's what I use. 4. **Attendee Numbers & Guest Lists:** We have this event listed at least on two groups and the guest list includes attendees from all. You can see the list of attendees here: [https://www.meetup.com/zensingles/](https://www.meetup.com/zensingles/) [https://www.meetup.com/cityzenlondon/](https://www.meetup.com/cityzenlondon/) [https://www.meetup.com/LoveLife](https://www.meetup.com/LoveLife) 5. Join our **social media**: **Instagram**: [https://www.instagram.com/cityzen.london/](https://www.instagram.com/cityzen.london/) **X:** https://x.com/CityZenLondon 6. **Our WhatsApp group:** [See private comment in the comments section below]. We have a few rules including no ads, no DMs unless recipient is in the "Direct Messaging List" or risk removal and £10 rejoin fee. 7. **Support Our Amazing London Event Hosts! 🙌** Our incredible crew of hosts is the heartbeat of London’s buzzing meetup scene, bringing people together for unforgettable experiences that spark connection, growth, and fun! 🌟 From museum adventures to flirty dating mixers, these rockstar hosts pour their energy, time, and passion into creating events that level up your social and communication skills. But hosting isn’t easy—it takes resources, effort, and heart. 💖 Please consider supporting our hosts with a donation to keep the good vibes flowing and help us make London the ultimate social hub! 🚀 Below, meet our hosts for this event and see how you can chip in to fuel their amazing work. 8. To encourage signing up early to events and regulate the number of attendees a late joiner/overflow fee may be applied to an event for any **additional** people wanting to join the event. This may happen on the day or even an hour before the event. So there may be people who obtained a free RSVP to network with our group and some who had to pay. If you have successfully signed up to our event on meetup paid or not then you are in. Happy networking **Zen & The Meetup Groups** *The Visionary Social Connector* Zen, our AI guru with 25 years in the game, founded these meetups to transform his own social skills and now helps others do the same. From sparking in-person networking to coordinating epic events, Zen’s passion for connection is unstoppable. Help him keep the momentum going! Support Zen: Donate to cover event planning tools, venue bookings, and more. **[Donation Link](https://paypal.me/Zenswalks)** \*\*\*\* **Disclaimer, Liability Waiver & Media Consent** By attending this event, you acknowledge and agree to the following: **Organiser Identity** – The organiser operates under the community name **“ZEN”**, which is used as an alias for privacy and branding purposes. By joining, you understand that “ZEN” refers to the organiser and/or designated hosts of this event. **Assumption of Risk** – You understand and accept that participation in any social, recreational, or group activity involves inherent risks, including but not limited to personal injury, illness, property damage, or other unforeseen incidents. You voluntarily choose to attend at your own sole risk. **Personal Responsibility** – You are solely responsible for your own safety, health, wellbeing, and personal belongings at all times. It is your responsibility to exercise good judgment, act responsibly, and take appropriate precautions before, during, and after the event. **No Organiser Liability** – The organiser, hosts, volunteers, and the community known as **ZEN** accept no responsibility and shall not be held liable for any injury, loss, damage, accident, theft, or any other issue that may arise as a result of your participation. **Guests** – If you bring guests, you accept full responsibility for their conduct, safety, and understanding of this disclaimer. **Independent Event** – This event may be held in conjunction with other social or non-singles meetup groups. ZEN is not responsible for the actions, behaviour, or arrangements of any third parties. **Media Consent** – By attending this event, you consent to being photographed, filmed, or recorded. You grant ZEN and its organisers the irrevocable right to use such images and recordings for promotional, marketing, social media, and community purposes without compensation or further approval. If you do not wish to be photographed or recorded, it is your responsibility to inform the organiser in advance and to remove yourself from areas where filming or photography is taking place. **Acceptance of Terms** – By attending, you confirm that you have read, understood, and accepted this disclaimer. You release ZEN, its organisers, hosts, volunteers, and members from all claims, demands, or causes of action, whether known or unknown, arising out of your participation or the use of photography/videography captured at the event. Your attendance at this event signifies your full acceptance of this policy. If you do not agree, you should not attend.

Walk around London see Xmas lights. Have a drink and eat if you want to

Backgammon Bingo at Gest - read updated message below Venue: Gest Restaurant, by Euston Square Underground exit Address: 152/156 N Gower St, London NW1 2LU, UK Date/Time: Sunday 21 December 3-7.30pm (and possibly beyond!) at least 15% off food and drink for our group First timers please read below about Meetup fee, Bringing boards etc ☺️ Dear Backgammon Lovers, Ready to roll the dice together again? Festive Backgammon & Games Night at Gest 🎄Join us for a cheerful evening of backgammon, laughter, and good company at Gest! We’ll be rolling the dice, moving the checkers, and hopefully squeezing in a few other favourite games too - Rummikub and Yahtzee are on the table for anyone keen to join the fun. A special congratulations to David, our Backgammon Bingo Champion, for his remarkable achievement in winning both fun games — whether shared or solo! Bravo, David! 🏆 There’s no better place to celebrate the season than at Gest, whose warm atmosphere and charming management make this venue a backgammoner's delight with plenty if good cheer! Looking forward to seeing everyone there. Please note that we will continue at the CSC but are looking at alternatives when the Club is booked or closed around Christmas. Also as our group becomes even more popular it's nice to discover alternative venues with more space and warmer vibe.. It's always a treat to catch up with our regulars and welcome new players into the mix - and this session promises more of the same great energy. Social Backgammon Whether you’re a seasoned player or completely new to the game, everyone’s welcome. Our fortnightly Sunday afternoon offers the perfect blend of friendly competition, laughter, and the occasional lucky double six! Add drinks, food, and easy conversation, and you’ve got the ingredients for a truly relaxed afternoon and early evening.. so come and join us! Gest 20pc Off Food and Drink Gest has kindly offered our group (pssst.. keep this to ourselves) a discount on their drinks and food with great dishes served up. Please support the venue, as we're expected to do, by ordering at least a drink and a bite to eat during our session at Gest. About Our Backgammon Group Our group started in June 2015 - that’s over 10 years ago! Since then, we’ve held nearly 450 official backgammon meetups and well over 200 off-grid gatherings besides. With nearly 2,000 members, we’re the largest backgammon group in the UK - what makes our group special is the warmth, humour, and friendliness everyone brings to the board. We typically meet fortnightly on Sundays, with around 20 or so regular players and new faces each time. Everyone’s welcome. Dinner, Drinks and Playing Time We usually sit for a relaxed group meal around 6pm, but you’re free to order food and drinks whenever you wish. RSVP Please RSVP as soon as you can. It helps to know numbers in advance, especially as this is a new venue for us. Bring Your Own Board If you have a backgammon board, please bring it along. Don’t worry if you don’t yet own one - just post a note on the Meetup page or message me. It’s also fun seeing the wide variety of board styles people bring. Meetup fee: £4 per person. This modest contribution helps cover rising admin, hosting, and other organisational costs. Etiquette Let’s keep things friendly with each other, and please do thank the staff at Gest for hosting us. If anything comes up during the event, just have a quiet word with me. Backgammon Rules We play under international backgammon tournament rules, with one or two small exceptions. You can find the details on our Meetup page. My Contact If you need help finding the place or have questions, call or text me on 07956 263451. (Please avoid sending Meetup messages within two hours of start time, as I might not see them.) Looking forward to rolling dice and sharing another brilliant Sunday with you all - this time at our new trial venue! Best wishes, Chris Sattaur

Our Christmas Dinner event will be held at **Little Bay** in South Croydon. This restaurant in South Croydon with quirky theatrical decor offers great Modern European and French cuisine at very reasonable prices. The menu can be found on their website [https://www.littlebaycroydon.co.uk/](https://www.littlebaycroydon.co.uk/) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- Travel: If you are arriving by public transport, please use the TFL journey planner (https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/) to review your travel time and plan your journey to the restaurant. If you are arriving by car, please use the awesome power of Google Maps (https://maps.google.co.uk/) to plot the best route - unless you have your own GPS. Important notes: * If you will be arriving after 12:45pm, please send Ben or Katherine a heads-up message. Sometimes restaurants request that unoccupied places are put up for grabs for walk-in customers so your place can't be guaranteed if you're unexpectedly late. * The organiser fee of £2 per person (including guests) will be collected on the day, so please bring the right change. We also ask that you stay until the bill is paid in full to be fair to everyone. * If you cannot come, please change your RSVP in advance. This ensures members aren't disappointed in missing out. Regular "No-Shows" - those who RSVP yes but don't turn up - will be removed from the group to enhance the experience for others. * This is a social networking event and is not the place to pitch your business, dish out fliers or sign people up to services. Please contact the organisers if you would like to collaborate on something you feel is relevant to the group.

We have been to this event before and always made to feel very welcome. The congregation are always invited to sing. There are places to wait inside, but come early if you want to meet first so that we can sit together

**Crispy Chicken & Christmas Lights Stroll** Join us for a unique festive experience that perfectly blends savory delights with seasonal sparkle! Our event kicks off with a feast of authentic **Korean fried chicken**, and karaoke (to be confirmed). After satisfying your cravings, we'll embark on a leisurely **Xmas light stroll** through a beautifully decorated local route. Take in the cheerful atmosphere and stunning light displays as you walk off the feast and soak up the holiday spirit. It's the perfect short Sunday or outing this December! Please join ONLY if you certainly can attend. Bring cash with you on the day, easy to settle group bills, budget what you normally would spend when dining out. Maximum group size 10, 15 or 20.

Christmas Lunch at the Lady Ottoline from 3pm [RESERVE YOUR SEAT HERE](https://btcpay.btc.aw/apps/rvvVwGSSSiJ7UgtzjmBdxy1Uq6a/pos) (£25 payable in cash or sats) Christmas MERRIMENT at the House from 5pm, with prizes, raffle and lightning goats... Promotional activities related to shitcoins are not permitted. No unsolicited photograhy. Stay humble.

**Come anytime during 4-8. Stay as long as you want. No set time*** It’s a chance to meet people in our age group regardless if you’re in your fifties, sixties or seventies! Retired or still working.

Join us as we kick the New Year with a fun Happy Hour and your choice of two fun, new films! Option 1 is the biographical-musical-docu-drama, SONG SUNG BLUE, which stars Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson in the story about a real-life couple and Neil Diamond Tribute Duo. Option 2 is the comedy-action-adventure ACACONDA, which stars Jack Black and Paul Rudd as part of a group of friends remaking a favorite movie from their youth. Here’s a complete description, trailer and our plan for this event: SONG SUNG BLUE: The film follows Lightning and Thunder, a Milwaukee husband and wife Neil Diamond tribute act, who experience success and heartbreak in their musical journey together. Not a tribute to Neil Diamond, but a tribute to a Neil Diamond Tribute Band! The film is based on the 2008 documentary of the same name and is directed by Craig Brewer. It stars Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, along with Michael Imperioli, Ella Anderson, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir, Hudson Hensley, Fisher Stevens and Jim Belushi. Critics call the film, “a crowd-pleaser with a ton of heart!” TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCM0Ztp3o1o ANACONDA: In this action-thriller-comedy-adventure, a group of friends going through a mid-life crisis head to the jungle to remake a favorite movie from their youth but encounter “unexpected events.” The film is directed by Tom Gormican and stars Jack Black, Paul Rudd, Selton Mello, Daniela Melchior, Thandiwe Newton and Steve Zahn. The film is a reimagining of the 1997 original. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMsFsfrPNaw PLAN: We’ll kick off the event with a pre-show Happy Hour at nearby Bravo! We’ll confirm the details and exact meeting time once we get the showtimes, but planning for 5 to 5:30pm for the Happy Hour and a 7pm-ish showing of both films. For the movies, we’ll meet inside the lobby area about 20 minutes before showtimes! Once showtimes are announced, advance ticket purchase is advised. Once you have yours, please list your Movie of Choice and seat number in the Comments below. Complete details will be confirmed and announced as the date gets closer. Look forward to seeing you there, Dan

**The National Oysters Rockefeller Day** is a day that celebrates the history of the dish, Oysters Rockefeller. Oysters have been around for years and Neolithic men consumed vast quantities of oysters 5,000 years ago. Today, Oysters Rockefeller is a luxurious baked dish crafted in the French Quarter of Louisiana. ***What?*** We'll meet and gather at [The Pearl, Dublin. ](https://thepearlrestaurant.com/locations-menus/dublin/menus/happy-hour-menu/)**[Happy Hour](https://thepearlrestaurant.com/locations-menus/dublin/menus/happy-hour-menu/)** (4-6pm) includes $3.00 oysters on the half shell, baked N'Orleans or fried. Lots of other snacks, too, plus half off cocktails and shareable appetizers. **Parking:** Two garages available, one in the same block as the Pearl, the other at the Library across the street. **Note**: MEMBERS ONLY. No guests, please.

Hey! I’m Ron K, and I’m excited to welcome you to Neighborhood Boxing Club. Kickstart your fitness journey with a FREE Beginner Class **Class Schedule** **​** **12:30 - 1:00 PM** **Hand Wrapping & Basics Tutorial** **We’ll start with a step-by-step tutorial on wrapping your hands, followed by tips on stance, footwork, and striking to get you feeling confident.** **1:00 - 1:30 PM** **Beginner Boxing Class** **Dive into a high-energy, 30-minute workout on the heavy bags, where you can practice your moves, release stress, and enjoy a great workout.** **1:30 PM** **Q&A & Membership Overview** **Stick around after class to learn about our membership options and ask any questions to help you continue your boxing journey.** **​This is the perfect opportunity to kickstart your boxing journey, enjoy the energy, and join a supportive community. I’m here to help you every step of the way!** Visit The Following Link To Sign Up [https://www.neighborhoodboxingclub.com/freebeginnersclass](https://www.neighborhoodboxingclub.com/freebeginnersclass "https://www.neighborhoodboxingclub.com/freebeginnersclass")

Help us ringing New Year’s Eve with our traditional bowling Meetup and Bar crawl with Central Ohio friends. Sequoia has reserved 8 lanes for us at $15 per Person which includes 2 hours of unlimited bowling and shoes!! Bowling begins promptly at 9 PM. Please arrive early. See you there! Yes

$5 MOVIE NIGHT! With avatar fire and Ash, James Cameron takes audiences back to Pandora in an immersive new adventure with marine turned Navi leader Jake Sully. Navi Warrior, Naytiri and the Solly family. The film has a screenplay by James Cameron and Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver. We will see the 6 PM showing and I will post my seat so that we can sit together. We can grab something to eat after if people want and chat to round out the experience. This is a MUST SEE MOVIE for me. I hope you feel the same. I will CANCEL if there are less than 5 RSVPs on the movie date.

Join us for lunch at True Food Kitchen in Easton as we celebrate the New Year and our friendships!