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£25m events ‘superyacht’ to host dinners and galas on the Thames

£25m events ‘superyacht’ to host dinners and galas on the Thames
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£25 million events “superyacht” with space for up to 1,500 guests is to start hosting dinners, receptions and product launches on the Thames from this autumn.

The Dutch built Oceandiva London will be the capital’s biggest floating venue. The 86 metre long ship will be moored at Royal Docks but guests will be able to embark from berths at London Bridge, Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, Greenwich and ExCel. It is expected to arrive in London in August.

Greg Lawson, chief executive of operators, events company Smart Group said he had already started taking bookings for events. Hire rates start from a basic of £27,000 a night with capacity for up to 1,500 guests standing and 600 seated.

The three deck ship will be powered by lithium battery packs backed up by mounted solar panels to keep C02 emissions to a minimum.

Mr Lawson said: “Oceandiva is leading the way to a net zero future for the events industry. The project is the first of its kind in the world and where better to launch it than the world-beating city of London.

“Today is the culmination of six years of planning. The journey started with an ambition to create a multi-purpose event venue on the Thames – and after listening to stakeholders reflecting and adapting to the challenges of the modern era, sustainability needs to be at the core of everything that we do.”

Tracey Halliwell, director of tourism, conventions and major events, at the Mayor’s promotion agency London & Partners, said: “Meeting planners are always looking for something new, unique, unusual – and even more so, they’re looking for something green. Our hope is that Oceandiva should tick all of those boxes.”

Oceandiva, founded by Durch entrepreneur Edwin Petersen in 2003, already has ships operating in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium but this will be the first in the UK.

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These are the 6 best food and drink events in Dallas this week

These are the 6 best food and drink events in Dallas this week


St. Patrick’s Day events dominate this week’s list, including one that’s been running for more than 40 years in downtown Arlington. Don’t forget to wear green. Also on the list is an exclusive wine tasting at a gourmet Italian wine and cheese destination, and an anime event featuring an Asian food festival. For a longer list of St. Patrick’s Day events and specials all week, go here.

Tuesday, March 15

Terra Wine Around at Eataly

Taste more than a dozen hard-to-find wines (not even available on store shelves or restaurant wine lists) during this tasting experience at Eataly in NorthPark Center. Participants will meet wine experts and producers to learn the stories behind the bottles. The $125 per-person tasting comes with chef-paired bites and starts at 6:30 pm.

Thursday, March 17

43rd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Block Party at J. Gilligan’s Bar & Grill

The Metroplex’s biggest day-of St. Patrick’s Day party happens at this time-honored downtown Arlington bar and grill. Hundreds will visit throughout the day for the 43rd edition of this annual tradition. Arrive as early at 11 am for lunch or later at 4 pm when the fun begins outside under tents. There’ll be live music, green beer, and those famous Irish nachos that have featured on Food Network. Note that a cover charge of $6 begins after 6 pm. 

St. Patty’s Day Party at TK’s

This Addison comedy club will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with lots of festivities, including live music, specials on Irish food and drinks, and a scavenger hunt to search for shamrocks and a pot of gold. Menu items will include fish and chips, corned beef sliders, and loaded potato skins. Green beer and Irish car bombs will chase it all down. Arrive as early as 3 pm when the party begins and stay late for comedy acts beginning at 8 pm. (Tickets for the show are $25 or $40 to reserve a table.)

Dublin Downtown St. Patrick’s Day Party at The Statler

The downtown hotel will go green with green beer, green margaritas, and specials on Jameson Irish whiskey at all hotel restaurants and bars, including Scout and Primo’s MX Kitchen & Lounge. But the big party will be in the Statler ballroom, where Emerald City will rock the crowd starting at 8 pm. Tickets start at $19 for general admission, or go VIP with a $59 ticket that comes with a hosted bar of well cocktails, canned brews and house wines. Overnight hotel packages are available for those who wish to stay the night.

Saturday, March 19

Nishi Fest

The anime and Asian pop culture festival will take place at Esports Stadium in Arlington, the largest dedicated esports stadium in North America. Part of the event is an Asian food festival, featuring more than a dozen diverse vendors. Admission starts at $35, and children under 10 are free. Doors open at 10 am the event runs until 9 pm, although there is a separate ticket available for an after-party until 1:30 am.

Shamrocks & Shenanigans at Texas Live!

The Arlington entertainment complex will host a St. Patrick’s Day theme party with live music, drink ticket packages, and gold coin giveaways. Drink ticket packages start at $10 for two drink tokens and go up to $20 for five drink tokens, but expect prices to go up closer to the event. The party starts at 4 pm.