Now booking Tate Modern Food and drink

A History of Britain in Twelve Drinks

18 September 2025 at 19.00–23.00

Jonathan Touati

Join Dr. Steven Parissien and Joanne Ooi for an evening of cocktails, art, and lively conversation

To celebrate the launch of Another Round: A Postwar History of Britain in Twelve Drinks (Dorling Kindersley, 2025), author and historian Dr. Steven Parissien takes the stage in conversation with cultural commentator and EA Festival founder Joanne Ooi, to discuss his new book.

Together, they’ll delve into how Britain’s social and political changes have been reflected in its drinking habits over the decades - from postwar austerity to 21st Century consumer culture. Discover the remarkable stories behind iconic drinks such as Gin & Tonic, Babycham, Beaujolais Nouveau, Guinness, and even WKD - each one a symbol of its time, and all woven into the fabric of Britain’s modern identity. Their stories are the story of postwar Britain – for better or worse.

To celebrate the occasion, guests will enjoy a gourmet dinner curated by Tate Modern’s head chef after the talk, with each course inspired by one of the drinks featured in the book.

Finally, guests will enjoy access to an exclusive after-hours viewing of Theatre Picasso – a bold re-imagining of Picasso’s work, staged as a theatrical experience by contemporary artist Wu Tsang.

This event is presented in collaboration with EA Festival

Dr. Steven Parissien is a cultural historian and author of over a dozen books on architecture, social history, and British life, including The Comfort of the Past, The Life of the Automobile Interiors: The Home Since 1700. He has held senior roles at several major heritage organisations and was formerly Director of the Compton Verney Art Gallery and Park. Known for his engaging storytelling and deep historical insight, Parissien brings Britain’s cultural history to vivid life.

Joanne Ooi is a cultural commentator, entrepreneur, and founder of EA Festival, an acclaimed event series presenting events and programming across the arts, sustainability, and innovation. A former creative director, environmental activist, and art gallerist, Ooi is known for her bold thinking and cross-disciplinary approach to history, culture and environment.

About EA Festival

EA Festival is the leading ideas festival in the East of England, celebrated for its smorgasbord approach to programming and the excellence of its speakers and moderation. The festival casts its net far and wide, encompassing everything from AI to Art to Agriculture. Besides its two biennial flagship weekend festivals, EA Festival (ideas and literature) and EA Sustain (Environment, Culture & Entrepreneurship), the organisation conducts events year-round with blue-chip partners in the East of England and London.

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