Inside the Total Bath Christmas Party 2014

Having been tasked with writing about the team's antics at this year's Christmas party, I can only assume that I was deemed sober enough to recall most of the evening's festivities.

As always our Christmas party was memorable affair (depending on how much you had to drink) filled with great food, fantastic company and the odd tipple or two. 

Over the course of the evening the team enjoyed a cocktail masterclass at Revolution, dinner at Gascoyne Place, drinks at the Canary Gin Bar and our very own private party in Opium's Secret Room. 

Our evening began at Revolution Bath. As soon as we arrived at the venue we were swiftly plied with Eggnog, and Turkey & Stuffing shots before taking our seats at the bar. 

Once we were seated and sufficiently merry, Ben (our bar tender for the evening) gave us a quick breakdown of the masterclass before inviting the team and I to take our places behind the bar. 

Coached by Ben, each group took it in turns to pour and stir their chosen festive cocktail. These included a fruity Cherry Little Christmas, a tart Fine & Candy, a minty Irish Mistletoe and a Traditional Mulled Cider. 

Having mixed and muddled our way through the festive cocktail list it was time to refuel. Despite dinner being under an hour away it didn't stop the team tucking into Revolution's delicious array of party plates. On offer were a delectable selection of Chicken Skewers, Fish Gouzons, Bread Sticks with Smokey Houmous and Pepperoni and Mozzarella Pizzas. 

After a few more cocktails and a couple of drinking games, it was time to stumble to dinner. On arrival at Gascoyne Place we were delighted to learn that we'd been given our own private dining room. 

With an elegant yet casual gastro pub interior and a mouth-watering menu, the venue certainly didn't disappoint. The room featured a large candlelit table decorated with an assortment Christmas novelties and a stunning open fireplace. 

The menu included a range of seasonal delights such as Spiced Butternut Squash Soup, Free-Range Turkey Breast with Chestnut Stuffing and a Warm Christmas Sponge.  

Unlike Christmas meals that we'd had in past, each dish was elegantly presented and packed full of festive flavour. We were all incredibly impressed by the quality and freshness of each course and the fine selection of wines chosen to accompany our meal. Some of our menu's highlights were the Severn & Wye Smoked Salmon, the Pan-Roast Loin of Local Venison and the Dark Chocolate & Cherry Mousse. 

After tucking into homemade mince pies and freshly brewed coffee the team and I made our way to the city's famous Canary Gin Bar for another round of cocktails before heading to Opium for the final leg of the night.

The Secret Room was a chic and shabby affair reminiscent of an 18th century opium den, complete with mismatched furniture, antique decor and mural painted ceilings. The room also featured its very own private bar, with bartender, plasma screen TV and karaoke system - needless to say the microphone and our eardrums certainly took a pounding. 

Our evening didn't end there though, the team carried on well into the small hours with pizza and Prosecco back at the Jane Austen House, which had kindly been provided to us by Bath Boutique Stays. 

To ease our hangovers the following morning, a freshly prepared brunch of croissants, sausage rolls and granola was delivered to us by Sam's Kitchen to enjoy as we unwrapped our Secret Santa gifts in front of the tree.