04/02/15: Thursday saw a glittering event in Vauxhall’s most glamorous arch – Hells Kitchen-esque brasserie, bar and general playground of the queer glitterati, Counter!
It was their first birthday party, marking a year of culinary delights, and cocktail-fuelled cabaret carnage! In celebration, they had a big bash with performances, canapés and more booze than a weekend break with Tara Palmer-Tomkinson. As people sipped, smiled and susurrated, performer Ivy Paige, critically acclaimed cabaret star and a regular fixture at Counter, slunk between tables in a jewel-encrusted corset, looking like a cross between Jessica Rabbit and Mae West. The guestlist was a veritable “who’s that?” of London’s gay creatives. Within five minutes of entering, we’d already air-kissed restaurant critic Hugh Wright, spilled entrepreneur Stuart Honey’s drink, and lent photographer Thomas Baden-Clare a lighter. Team QX were out in force too of course, cackling away and swilling drinks, as we are wont to do. Anyway a BIG thankyou to owner Philip Reichestorfer for a glimmering, sequin-spattered, wonderful night! And thankyou to the rest of the Counter staff. Especially Gin the waiter. And his forearms.
Counter, Arch 50, 7-11 South Lambeth Place, Vauxhall, SW8 1SP
Words by Dylan Jones
Photos by Mark Storey
