Reasons to be cheerful

If the marketeers and opinion makers have their way, we’re all set to end today bogged down in depression and shaking at the thought of having to get up again tomorrow. But we’re almost as irritated by the idea of Blue Monday as we are by the incessant ‘Da Ba Dees’ in Eiffel 65’s Blue, which topped the charts back in 1998, yet still seems to be plaguing us some 16 years later.

Yes we’ve just tucked into a Twix (less than three full weeks into our resolution to cut out snacking), and we’ve only been to the gym a grand total of three times since joining 18 days ago, but we’re not going to let that get us down. Not today of all days, when the sun is actually shining after weeks of incessant rain.

We can’t quite believe that the blue sky will have failed to raise a smile with you, but should that be the case, we’ve sniffed out a couple of events guaranteed to thaw your frosty mood once and for all. It might be a school night, but it’s time to get back on the social bandwagon.

First up, Happy Monday at Harvey Nichols Fifth Floor Bar, where tequila cocktails courtesy of AquaRiva tequila and Benefit makeovers are the order of the night. AquaRiva’s Cleo Rocos will also be imparting gems of drinking wisdom, including how to avoid hangovers. And if tequila isn’t your spirit of choice, fear not, the bar have also introduced a range of limited edition skinny cocktails – like the Ginseng Sling – which is not just low in calories, but also loaded with essential vitamins and antioxidants. What’s not to like?

 

Looking for something more local? Call into The Blues Kitchen, where the start of the Camden-based Bourbon bar and southern diner’s Rib Festival will ensure that the mood is far from blue. Authentic Kansas Fire BBQ ribs and live acoustic blues from London Bluesmen and Sam Hare & Oliver promise to turn that frown upside down.

There’s still a few hours left at work though, so let’s survive them in fashion known and loved by generations of stiff-upper-lipped Brits, with a good old cuppa. We’ll be taking ours in this hug of a mug, which might be blue, but is oh so beautiful with it.