The best events and things to do this weekend, September 25-28
Going out is likely to feel a little different this weekend. Besides the Government's rule of six being strictly observed, the big news is that pubs, bars and restaurants in England must close by 10pm each night.
It's bound to affect plans, so make sure to bear in mind when booking ahead this weekend. On the plus side, during the day, London’s beer gardens and rooftop bars will be welcoming (small) groups in what's left of the sunshine. There is a whole host of outdoor arts events to enjoy, too.
If you feel like ducking inside, there are world-beating art exhibitions to check out, as well as incredible restaurant deals and much more. Be sure to support the underdogs, too – grab a table at one of our favourite small restaurants, where size really isn't everything.
Here are our picks of the best things to get up to in London this weekend.
Support Cask Ale Week at London's boozers
Pubs are facing a difficult time at the moment with the new 10pm curfew, but beer lovers can support their favourite boozers by getting involved in Cask Ale Week. A host of breweries and pubs are running giveaways and promotions until October 4 to celebrate, and others are launching new series on social media.
Among these, Fuller's is introducing its new 2020 Vintage Ale in select pubs and giving away mini-kegs via social media, while Five Points Brewery is sharing interviews with landlords about the importance of cask beer. Timothy Taylor’s is also launching a competition, inviting fans to share memories of their first pint to win a pack of 16 beers. Raise a glass and get involved this weekend.
Until October 4, various locations, caskaleweek.co.uk
Enjoy a tipple at Harry’s Dolce Vita
Harry’s Dolce Vita in Kensington is planning something special this month, teaming up with O’ndina Gin to transport Londoners to Italy with a brand new cocktail terrace and a new cocktail menu. Highlights on the drinks menu include the Basilica Sour and Fruit Of the Vineyard mixes, to go with seasonal dishes including courgette, crab and amalfi lemon risotto. Or, if you're like us, have one of their Vespers with a plate of burrata – a heavenly match.
27-31 Basil Street, Knightsbridge, SW3 1BB, harrysdolcevita.com
Head to a bottomless tapas brunch
Mix up your brunch plans this weekend with Brindisa Shoreditch, which is offering a taste of the Mediterranean and bottomless fizz. Book in for a paella and tapas feast on Saturday or Sunday, all washed down with sangria, cava or beer, for £35 per person. Make sure to check out our guide to the best bottomless brunches in London, too.
152 Curtain Road, Hackney, EC2A 3AT, brindisakitchens.com
Soak up Jesus Christ Superstar in the park
This weekend is the last chance to head to the park for Jesus Christ Superstar in London this summer. The Evening Standard Award-winning revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock musical is back against all odds, with theatre fans enjoying the show under social distancing. It’s a chance to see the popular show in new surroundings, following a summer season at the Barbican last year.
Until September 27, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, NW1, openairtheatre.com
Tuck in at Hutong
Head chef Fei Wang has slimmed down the menu at this sky-high spot in the Shard, which specialises in northern Chinese cooking. Highlights on the pared-back menu include the new ginger lobster bao, as well as a gorgeous, chilli-covered dish of slow-cooked beef ribs. The tempura eel dumpling with the shrimp and eel sauce is exclusive to the restaurant, too. More than just one for the view, this place.
33 The Shard, 31 St Thomas St, SE1 9RY, hutong.co.uk
Luxe it up at the newly reopened Savoy
A true London institution is back in business this weekend, with the Savoy Grill now available to book for breakfast, lunch and dinner after its lockdown-induced closure. It’s part of the hotel's grand reopening plans, which started this week with the Savoy now welcoming guests back for afternoon tea in the Thames Foyer, too.
Strand, WC2R 0EZ, thesavoylondon.com
Tuck into Boxpark’s new street food brunch
Boxpark is switching things up this weekend by launching the capital’s first street food-style brunch. Every last Sunday of the month from 11am to 1pm, there’ll be dishes on offer from some of Boxpark's biggest food traders. Rudie’s, Salt Shed, Eat Chay, Salad Mafia and Snog will serving up treats, to be paired with a choice of Cava Sangria, beer, cider, wine or spirit. DJ GW Harrison will be providing the tunes.
September 27, 2-10 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6GY, boxpark.co.uk
Head to a Beer Yoga Class
Head for a pint with Pop Up Yoga Club this weekend, with the Beer Yoga Class. Beer Yoga will be taking place at Neverland London in Fulham on Sunday. Small Beer Brew Co has partnered with Pop Up Yoga Club founder Cassie McClements for the special class, which kicks off at 10.30am. After mastering poses like the “Extended Swig Angle”, guests can enjoy the Neverland’s Oktoberfest Party from midday to 5pm.
September 27, Neverland, Wandsworth Bridge Road, SW6 2TY, popupyogaclub.com
Go axe-throwing at Boxpark
Boxpark Wembley has been entertaining guests all summer, welcoming back its indoor leisure series. It’s the chance to try something a little different, with axe-throwing, VR experiences and the family-friendly PlayBox area all ready to check out.
18 Olympic Way, Wembley Park, HA9 0JT, boxpark.co.uk/wembley
See Charles Dickens like never before
A flagship exhibition is bringing Charles Dickens to life with a series of brand new colourised images. Technicolour Dickens: The Living Image of Charles Dickens is the chance to see one of the nation's most beloved authors in a new light. The museum is found at 48 Doughty Street – the London residence where the author wrote Oliver Twist and Nicholas Nickleby – and is a must-see for lovers of literature in the capital.
48 Doughty Street, Holborn, WC1N 2LX, dickensmuseum.com
Get your fix at ChickNSours
Get your fried chicken fix at the Earlham Street home of ChickNSours, which is now welcoming customers to eat in on, Thursday to Sunday. They're now serving chicken toast – think prawn toast, but make it chicken – which exclusive to the Seven Dials site.
1A Earlham St, WC2H 9LL, chicknsours.co.uk
Head to the floating cinema at Merchant Square
There’s a brand new floating cinema experience to be had in London this summer. Openaire, Merchant Square and GoBoat are welcoming members of the public to Paddington's Merchants Square to enjoy screenings on Regent’s Canal under the stars. There are 16 boats waiting to take up to 128 movie lovers out onto the water, with films being shown on a 6x3m LED screen and audio enjoyed through noise cancelling headphones. Screenings this weekend include Mamma Mia!, Grease and Pirates of the Caribbean.
Merchant Square, W2, openaire.co.uk
Head down to Ladurée’s new Moët & Chandon terrace
Relax into late summer and treat yourself to a glass of fizz at the new alfresco Champagne bar at Covent Garden hotspot Ladurée. There’ll be free flowing Moët, as well as Belvedere ginger spritz and Moët Champagne julep cocktails, plus food pairings available from a menu of modern French classics.
Ladurée, 1 The Market, WC2E 8RA, laduree.co.uk
Check out Homeboy’s new Irish food offering
You’ll struggle to find a better bar in north London than Homeboy, with the Islington spot doing a great range of cocktails and a cracking pint of Guinness. There’s even more to look forward to now as well, after the venue teamed up with ex-Chiltern Firehouse chef Michael Williams to launch a brand new food offering. The menu features twists on comfort food including the "Buffalo Nuggs" - nuggets of buttermilk fried chicken with buffalo sauce made using Irish whiskey. Head down on Tuesdays and make use of the free cheese board offer for something to soak up the drinks too.
108 Essex Road, Islington, N1 8LX, homeboybar.com
Grab a late night bite at the The Breakfast Club’s Saint Elmo
The Breakfast Club has been serving perfect hangover-busting grub in the mornings for 15 years, and now it’s flipping the way it does things with a new late night sandwich bar. Saint Elmo’s sandwich bar is taking up a permanent residency at its Berwick Street location every day from 5pm. Top picks include the chicken Kiev sandwich and the flagship Saint Elmo’s Fire, described as “your local kebab shop in a sandwich”.
11 Berwick St, Soho, W1F 0PL, thebreakfastclubcafes.com
