Party of the Year: The Chez Mal Launch

Last month I was invited to the launch night of Chez Mal. You may remember from my blog post a few months ago that the Malmaison hotel on Newcastle's Quayside has recently undergone a beautiful transformation and a party to celebrate was definitely needed.

I hadn't planned to blog as I'd already done a post all about the relaunch and quite fancied a night off to enjoy myself. So I set off without my DSLR to what ended up being my favourite night of the year so far.  So please forgive this post full of grainy iPhone photos and official photographs but I really wanted to share the night with you!

Guests were welcomed along the red carpet and handed a glass of champagne before heading in to the hotel. The Mal had pulled out all the stops and the beautiful lit up letters promised a great night ahead.

Simon and I, enthusiastically early as always headed up to the bar and managed to bag ourselves a lovely little booth - we do like to sit down whilst partying (it's our age!).

We were soon joined by some of our favourite North East bloggers - Rachel, Sam and Laura and their plus ones. 

One of my favourite things about Chez Mal is the cocktails list and with a very generous free bar on offering we were very fortunate to be able to try whatever we liked.

We hung out with our good friends from North East Family Fun. Sam and I spent our evening enjoying Piña Coladas which, rather shamelessly, I was drinking as though they were milkshakes!  The boys favoured the Smoked Old Fashioned.

Dinner was served in the Brasserie and we were invited to take a plate and sample whatever we liked from the mountains of meat, cheese and fresh fish. Of course I also spotted the dessert table and made a beeline for that too!  

Pretty soon rumours were flying that there were some North East celebs in the house. Sting made a fleeting appearance (although we never saw him) and the Moffat family from Gogglebox were in the bar. Sam and I managed to track down the gorgeous Scarlett for a quick chat and photo.

Entertainment for the night consisted of performances by Rachel Sweeney and Annabell Pattinson before TOWIE star turned DJ Mark Wright turned up to play some classic 90s dance tunes that had us bopping in our seats. 

Of course being the very cool ladies that we are Sam and I didn't attempt to stalk Mark round the bar!

Damn that pesky official photographer capturing this embarrassing evidence!

Simon and I had planned to "stay for a few" but finally left at around midnight after the most amazing night with friends and having met some of the North East's most fabulous in the industry. 

You know you've had a good night when you can do the 20 minute walk home in your heels and they've become as comfy as slippers. 

Thanks so much to everyone at the Malmaison and Claire Barber for organising such an amazing party! Can we do it every week?

You can also be part of the Chez Mal Launch!   The Mal are offering 50% off food on the a la carte menu throughout May.  To book a table and receive the offer call 0844693 0658 or book online and use promo code ‘ChezMal50’

All watermarked pictures were taken by "I Am VIP" and appear here with their kind permission.  Make sure you head here to see all of their fabulous pictures from the night. 

Want more?  Read my previous blog posts about The Chez Mal Launch and Brunch at the Malmaison