Events

Mr Carter has organised some of the most highly acclaimed events in London over the last 12 years, including extravagant and theatrical life drawing evenings, parties like ‘Tart’ and ‘Coquette’ (spoiling afternoons of naughty self- indulgence, seductive style and decadent pampering for girls), the famous ‘Jacques Townhouse’ (London’s first pop-up hotel), and the inaugural meeting of the ‘Champagne Charlie Society’.

We love creating emotionally engaging and intellectually enlightening experiences, but our events are never stuffy... they are always enormous fun to attend, generally quite intoxicating and often dangerously addictive. You don’t need to be a guest at the hotel to come, but you do need to book a ticket in advance, and have something glamorous to wear!

Pre Covid, we were focusing our creative energies on our much loved 'Bedtime Story Nights' and 'Supernatural' shows. There is lots of information on both these events below, as well as a teasing selection of pictures to tempt you along in the Gallery. Hopefully we will be back with more events VERY soon (pandemic permitting).

If you would like to attend an event, receive a copy of the latest programme or join our mailing list, please email Daisy at reservations@40winks.org, or simply complete the subscription form below. Please note that while we will always post details on new dates here, our events generally sell out within A FEW HOURS of being announced so joining our exclusive mailing list really is the smart thing to do if you want to avoid tears of disappointment.

We can also organise special bespoke versions of our Bedtime Story Nights for small parties of hens or birthday girls. These generally take place on Saturday afternoons (subject to availability). Details and prices by request.

Current and past sponsors for our highly acclaimed events include MAMA Vodka, Kiss Me Deadly, Perrier-Jouet Champagne, Hendrick's Gin, Our London, Thomas Pink, LK Bennett, Stella Artois Cidre, JOOP!, Benefit Cosmetics, Murad, Godiva, What Katie Did, and Hepburn and Leigh, but we are always interested in exploring new collaborations and partnerships, so if there is something you would like to discuss with us, please don’t be shy!

Bedtime Story Nights

‘Bedtime Story Nights' have been running at 40 Winks since June 2009. They are deliciously decadent and glamorous, taking the idea of a pyjama party but infusing it with amazing stories, music and cocktails. They have had recommendations and rave reviews in The Evening Standard, The Independent, The Telegraph, The Observer, The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal, Stylist, Tatler, Marie Claire, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Le Cool, Daily Candy and too many other publications to mention without sounding immodest.... although we could also tell you that they have been included in the Saturday Times list of the '60 Best Things To Do In Britain', have had several Critics Choice awards in Time Out and even popped up in a Sunday Times Travel Magazine hot list of the 14 most amazing things to do in the world!! We have had many guests fly in to London specially for them from cities like New York, LA, Paris, Berlin and even Beijing. They are that good!

Our story nights are a totally unique experience in London, bursting with genuine charm, warmth and humour. We work with a fantastic team of professional storytellers, actors and musicians, handpicked for their virtuosity by Mr Carter. They are a much loved institution and will have you squealing with delight for months to come.

Dressiquette: A dress code of elegant and glamorous jimjams and nighties is strictly enforced, but with fabulous prizes for the most dazzling, glamorous and flirtatious, it is well worth making an effort to impress and seduce.

Supernatural

Back in 2016 we decided to conjure up some strange and spooky experiences for those who prefer their spirits served up in a sheet rather than a cocktail glass. Here are details on two of our favourite shows.

'SCREAM NIGHT' magically transports guests to King’s College, Cambridge and the rooms of M.R. James, the great master of the English ghost story. It was here that he would entertain his friends with tales of diabolical horror, recounted in near darkness with just a single candle to illuminate his face and gestures. These famous evenings have been beautifully re-imagined by the Nunkie Theatre Company, and are as deliciously terrifying now as they were when they were first performed over a century ago. Robert Lloyd Parry’s one man show has had some amazing reviews: 'Riveting… wonderful, magical storytelling. A pleasing reminder that the spoken word can be as spine-chilling as anything in the cinema' (The Daily Mail). 'Lloyd Parry is always absorbing, and catches the sense of dread that gives James his originality' (The Times). 'Parry's beautifully modulated performance is perfectly judged to send an enjoyable chill down the spine' (Metro). 'Remarkable. Lloyd Parry is a natural storyteller, well able to hold, amuse and frighten his audience' (The Stage). 'Superbly chilling!' (Country Life).

'SEANCE' is a carefully contrived reconstruction of the Victorian Seance by Vienna-based master illusionist and former theologian, Philipp Oberlohr. It is an immersive, intimate experience combining illusion, spectacle and some profound perturbation. It has toured Europe and has been performed in theatres (including the Barbican, Arcola, Yard, and Lyric Hammersmith), cemeteries and even a Masonic Temple. It has had lots of fantastic press: 'the accuracy of his guesses: genuinely spooky!' (Time Out), 'Intelligent, artistic, very funny, and a master class in impressive illusions. Unmissable. It’s mind-blowingly good. Oberlohr is a marvellous entertainer with tremendous charisma… a truly entertaining riot of amazement and amusement. Go see it.' (Everything Theatre), 'supernatural… a spooky one man show' (Irish Times).