If a night of forties fashion and frolicking is what you desire look no further than Shoreditch’s very own Blitz Party. Set under a disused railway arch and boasting sandbags, searchlights and ration books as its decoration of choice I defy any of those suffering from golden age syndrome, myself included, not to be seduced. This monthly themed night is unrivalled in offering you a night of wartime revelry where
union jack waving is essential in a celebration of the community spirit and national pride that so defined the Blitz.
The beauty of the blitz party is the re-creation of wartime spirit and romance but without the actual threat of an attack. So whilst there’s something utterly romantic about pretending this could be your last chance to dance with a sweetheart it’s reassuring to know that in reality there’s no member of the German Luftwaffe lurking in the skies above. This allows a complete peace of mind whilst enjoying that all important G and T, or an aptly named screaming Hudson cocktail.
Needless to say costumes are imperative. So much so in fact that should the suave gentlemen on the door decide you simply haven’t made enough effort you won’t be allowed in. I struck up conversation, after admiring her land girl getup, with one lady whose friends had been turned away for wearing jeans and trainers. Fools. To some this may sound unnecessarily brutal and far from the neighbourly spirit of which the night boasts, but it is important in maintaining as much authenticity as possible. It is also for your own safety, those dressed in civilian attire would almost certainly be shunned by hard-core vintage lovers. The costumes varied from the more common tea-dress and pearls combination to high flying fighter pilots to heroic G.Is. All complete, on the ladies part at least, with extra lashings of red lipstick. On my visit I even spied the inspired choice of an evacuee complete with gas mask, luggage label and teddy. How delightful. So whether you consider yourself to be more Rosie the Riveter than Veronica Lake it doesn’t matter, anything goes.
Whilst it is on no account essential to have perfected your lindy-hop it should be noted that the main order of the night is dancing. With sailors and dandies all keen to take to the floor ladies you will never be short of a partner or two. You shouldn’t, however, let the professional dancers on the front of the dance floor put you off from having a cheeky jive of your own (it was only after some seriously impressive lifts that I realised this level of dancing was not expected of everyone). With live swing acts dispersed throughout the night I challenge even the most reluctant feet not to start tapping.
In essence the Blitz Party celebrates a bygone era that allows men to be men and women to be women. With this glamour perhaps missing from the monotony of everyday life escapism such as this is a welcome relief. So ladies pin up those victory curls and start pencilling on those stockings, and gents start polishing your badges and don those moustaches – just make sure when the siren calls you keep calm and head to the nearest shelter for as its website states ‘careless procrastination costs tickets’. Just remember to put up the black out curtains before you leave.