Our First Cocktail & Book Club Meet Up in London

Yesterday, on Sunday 8th March 2026, we held our first proper Cocktail & Book Club gathering at Virgin Hotels London Shoreditch, in collaboration with Hidden Grooves.

It was a special afternoon for many reasons. For me personally, it was the first time seeing this little idea come to life in a room full of people who share the same love for books, conversation, a nice drink, and the simple pleasure of spending a few hours away from the noise of everyday life.

Around twenty of us gathered in the space, which immediately felt warm and welcoming. Some people already knew each other, others were meeting for the first time, but the atmosphere settled quickly.

Conversations started easily, drinks were flowing, and what could have felt like a formal event instead felt like a group of friends meeting for the afternoon.

Our book for the month was The Life Impossible by Matt Haig. Some people had finished it, others were still somewhere in the middle, and a few admitted they had only just started. That is perfectly fine and very much part of the spirit of the club.

We spent time discussing the ideas from the book, but also wandered into all sorts of other conversations. People spoke about the books they are currently reading, the stories that have stayed with them over the years, and the small rituals that help them slow down and reconnect with reading. It was exactly the kind of relaxed and thoughtful atmosphere I had hoped the club might create.

One small activity we introduced during the afternoon was inspired directly by the themes of the book. Each guest was invited to write a postcard to their future self. A short message, a thought, a question, or even a reminder of how they are feeling right now.

These postcards will be kept safe and posted back to their writers in one year’s time. By next March, each person will receive a little message from the version of themselves who sat in that room yesterday afternoon. A year may not sound like much, but in reality so much can change in that time. It felt like a small but meaningful way to mark the moment.

Yesterday also happened to be International Women’s Day, which made the gathering feel even more meaningful. It was lovely to look around the room and see so many women who make up such an important part of this community.

The club has always been about bringing people together through books and conversation, and it felt particularly special to celebrate that spirit on a day dedicated to recognising and uplifting women.

Of course, no Cocktail & Book Club gathering would be complete without something good to drink. A big thank you goes to Chrome Horse Society Tequila for providing the cocktails that kept the conversation flowing throughout the afternoon.

We were also very lucky to have the support of some wonderful brand partners. Xin and Voltaire provided their cocktail inspired sorbets, which were the perfect way to end the afternoon on a light and refreshing note. AWKN also joined us with their Korean apothecary inspired recovery shots, a thoughtful addition that many guests were curious to try.

A special thank you must go to Gemma and the team at Virgin Hotels London Shoreditch for welcoming us into such a beautiful space and helping make the event run so smoothly. The venue created the perfect setting for what felt like the perfect way to end the week and kickstart our events.

As the official part of the afternoon came to a close, a few of us decided to continue the conversation upstairs on the rooftop. The sun was beginning to drop, drinks were still in hand, and the conversations carried on naturally.

Looking around the room yesterday, I felt incredibly grateful. What started as a simple idea has now turned into something real, something shared.

Thank you to everyone who came along, who supported the idea, and who helped create such a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

This is only the beginning.

If you would like to see more from the afternoon, you can explore the full photo gallery below.

I already cannot wait for the next gathering.

See you inside,

Alex Latte.