insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 23 - January 2017 | Page 22

SOCIAL

ENTER ‘WOODLANDIA’ at Patterns, Brighton
Invited to get lost in an enchanted, Narnia-themed forest without leaving the comfort and
warmth of a cosy Brighton seafront venue, who’d say no? Polly Humphris jumped at the chance
to explore Woodlandia at Patterns and discovered a taste for hot buttered rum.

Patterns, the latest cocktail bar, music and culture venue to land
on Brighton’s seafront, has, in Woodlandia, created the ultimate in
fantasy pop ups. Stepping through a transformed mystical entrance,
bedecked with huge ‘wardrobe’ doors and fur coats à la C. S. Lewis’s
Chronicles of Narnia, you immediately discover an enchanted forest
filled with nostalgic treats and immersive visual feasts inspired by
Britain’s woodlands and the wild outdoors in winter.
The ground-floor bar has been transformed into a winter
wonderland reminiscent of scenes from everyone’s favourite fantasy
tale, and brought to life by a multi-level, digitally-projected and
interlinked forest, complete with softly falling snowflakes, inquisitive
wild animals and scents of the forest air.
Explore further and you find festive treats at the bar such as inventive
hot dogs (bit messy to eat, but well worth it), a boozy hot chocolate
menu, and my personal favourite, hot buttered rum served in enamel
mugs, one of which I sipped as I stood utterly engrossed watching a

Created as an extended sequel to his two-day Digital Autumn project
at The Brighton Dome (staged during Brighton Digital Festival) by
Brighton-based digital projection artist, Thomas Buckley, Woodlandia
will be in place until late Feb, during which time the installation will
evolve and grow with the seasons. The installation will also include a
series of immersive events held in the enchanted forest, from forest
yoga and life drawing, to wild wreath making and urban foraging
cocktail masterclasses (opening times, address and further details at
www.patternsbrighton.com).
Make sure you pop in to Woodlandia to watch the forest thaw and
turn green with the first flushes of spring.

We drank…

We ate…

Turkish Delight Martini – Lanique Rose liquor, rose water,
grenadine, vodka, chocolate liquor, chocolate bitters.

Currywurst – a traditional German Christmas market favourite.
Bratwurst topped with ketchup and curried spices.

Hot Buttered Rum – a secret recipe (dammit).

Pulled Duck ‘N’ Caramelised Apple Hot Dog – pork dog
with sticky plum sauce, pulled duck, braised red cabbage and
caramelised apple spiced with star anise and cinnamon.

Black Forest Hot Chocolate – dark hot chocolate with a splash
of bourbon topped with cherry liquor, garnished with berries and
whipped cream.

22

flock of birds fly around the room and a snow fox dart across the floor
in front of me. Imagine sitting comfortably on a discarded Chesterfield
sofa in Narnia, watching the sunset with a warming cocktail in hand,
and dancing among the swirling snow in the glow of a Victorian
lamppost and you will be half way to the wonder of Woodlandia.

Santa’s Little Helper – giant pig in blanket, baked camembert,
cranberry sauce, fried Brussels sprout leaves.