From whips to buffets and bazaars, party hoppers had plenty on offer

Our pick of the week’s hottest parties and events

Guests at 50 Shades of Love

50 Shades of Love 
With Valentine’s Day falling on a Friday, the weekend got off to an early start. One of the ‘funnest’ parties that evening was the 50 Shades of Love (inspired by E L James’ erotic romance novel, of course) hosted by Rahoul and Shuchi Jain. At Park Hyatt’s Apartment, the party pulled out all the stops—from an invitation that read like the contract from the book to red lights, handcuffs, whips and a huge bed dominating the room and masked men in waistcoats playing waiters to DJ Savio getting people in high spirits.

Ayub Khan and Tasneem, of Chennai Food Guide, at Avenue 195

Art Chennai
On Saturday evening, Art Chennai dropped the curtains on their successful eight-day festival with a party at Park Hyatt’s Flying Elephant. Guests—a mix of artistes, organisers and socialites—were greeted with a photography exhibit, Deep Skin Skin Deep, in the hotel’s lobby and an interactive performance by Sahej Rahal, called Bootleggers Adendum, where the costumed artiste (dressed like a hunchbacked nomad) played the didgeridoo, recited poems and mingled with the crowd. Later, people relaxed with glasses of wine and hors d’oeuvres, of which salmon rolls and sushi were given a big thumbs up.

Avenue 195
Khader Nawaz Khan Road’s new restaurant, Avenue 195, announced its arrival with a big launch party on the same evening, with over 60 of the city’s A-listers sampling some of the restaurant’s best fare. With live counters, a lavish buffet and mocktails, the guests had plenty to choose from, and the galouti kebabs and crab cakes disappeared quite quickly.