Why?

Because London hasn't been this excited about a new bar launch since, oooh, way back before the Cocktail Girl's inception. Shoreditch House is a private-members' club - a concept I don't normally hold with (officially because I loathe the sneering exclusiveness; actually because PMCs tend not to recognise the importance of me; of letting me in for free, and plying me with drinks, again, for free). But Shoreditch House is the latest outpost of Soho House, focus for all manner of high decadence and media sparkle.

So you're a member?

Nope. The Cocktail Girl does not submit herself to any demeaning vetting procedure. What I do is force my mates who are members to sign me in. In this case Philippa, who is a hot media chick.

Is she indeed?

Yes! Philippa got invited to the soft launch of the club. Soft launches are my favourite things. The booze and food is often free - they're the one-off gig of the bar and restaurant world.

Go on ...

Philippa and I met on the cobbled street outside the biscuit factory that has been converted into Shoreditch House. It's big and grittily urban, with imaginatively dressed young things swarming all around.

Did you make it inside?

Oh yes. Five floors up in a tinny, stylishly un-styled lift that released us into a vast space, divided into bar, restaurant, games room and snug; with a gym and spa area; and oh, it was good! But that wasn't the best bit...

Do tell

Up above the fifth floor is the rooftop bar and ... pool! With views over East London, giant white padded sun loungers and a big bar and a griddle for upmarket barbecue-type scoff. Furthermore, the joint was pleasantly packed with seven shades of media player. I spotted fashion designer Giles Deacon, Nick Jones, head of the Soho House empire and also Jefferson 'Kate Moss Baby Father' Hack.

And was it all as free as you'd hoped?

Well, it was quite free. You never knew whether you were going to pay for drinks or not, so you'd proffer your Switch card, and sometimes they'd take it ... and sometimes they'd say: 'No no! Pierre says 'e will take care of this tonight.' Which added an edge to proceedings. All in all it was unutterably excellent. I will be making Philippa sign me in again, often.

· Shoreditch House, Ebor Street, London E1. For membership enquiries 020 7739 5040