It’s Bank Holiday Weekend: Here’s What To Do

Party it up at this new bar reopening

Bringing back its naughty reputation is Sanderson London’s Long Bar, the iconic celebrity haunt that’s seen the likes of Kate Moss host birthday bashes and BRIT after parties take place. Now returning to its former glory, the bar’s reputation lives on through its striking interiors (expect striking eye covered stools lining the bar- it’s all eyes on you), signature cocktails and DJ nights. 

Get your dance shoes ready for a bank holiday to remember, packed with DJ sets every Thursday – Saturday until midnight and expertly mixed cocktails. Sip into the night on our favourite serve, The Mysterious Fashion. It’s made with a mix of oolong tea infused Monkey Shoulder Whiskey, D.O.M. Benedictine, pear cognac, tawny port wine, cherry syrup and dry vermouth.

There are plenty of tasty treats to tuck into too: we’re talking superfood salads, grilled chicken with lemon, garlic and thyme, rib eye steak and juicy beef burgers, as well as sweets like a moreish gooey brownie sundae. 

Walk-ins and bookings are now available daily, with space on their secret Courtyard Garden available too.

Where: SANDERSON LONDON HOTEL, 50 BERNERS STREET, FITZROVIA, W1T 3NG 
Website: www.sbe.com

Wiggle your tail feathers at Notting Hill Carnival

Notting Hill Carnival returns this weekend! Expect three days packed with Caribbean flavours, live performances, vibrant parades, ruffled feathers and big crowds. 

Taking place every August Bank Holiday, the area is transformed with brilliant performances, epic sound systems, parades and more. 

Here’s everything you need to know about the event, from the history of the Carnival to the best pop-ups taking place.

When: 27.08.2022 – 29.08.2022
Where: Across Notting Hill 
Website: www.nhcarnival.org

Catch free performances at Greenwich + Docklands Festival

Returning this August is the Greenwich + Docklands International Festival. Celebrating its 27th year, Greenwich will be packed out with events going on over August and September.

Expect free outdoor performances from some of the world’s rising stars and installations, including street theatre and voguing from the House of Oak and Iron; an immersive playground with The Sky is Filled with Thunder; and Charon, a giant 32ft high rotating zoetrope with posed skeletons on the edge.

When: 26.08.2022 – 11.09.2022
Where: Across Greenwich 
Website: www.festival.org

Get into the carnival spirit with this foodie pop-up

Bodega Rita’s, the culture sandwich shop behind Soho’s Rita’s, is teaming up with Afro Caribbean food writer Riaz Phillips this week to reveal its latest one-off collaboration. 

Coinciding with Notting Hill Carnival and the launch of Riaz’s new Jamaican cookbook, the three-day collab will feature an exciting sarnie you won’t want to miss. 

They’ll be serving up a Jamaican hard dough bun stuffed with jerk chicken, slaw and a fiery scotch bonnet ketchup, as well as a vegan alternative, a jackfruit stew Ital sloppy Joe sandwich with mashed avocado and fried plantain.

WHEN: 23.08.2022 – 26.08.2022
WHERE: 91 COWCROSS STREET, EC1M 6BH
WEBSITE: WWW.RITASDINING.COM

Grab a ticket for the latest must-see exhibition

A brand new exhibition dedicated to Banksy has landed this week! On display from this week until the 15th September, the exhibition will display works from across the iconic artist’s career. 

Expect to be able to see pieces like Girl With a Red Balloon, Happy Choppers, Laugh Now and Christ With Shopping Bags in the flesh. Many will be signed with some even available to purchase (although you’ll need a pretty hefty bank balance to be able to afford them…) Find out more about the exhibition here. 

When: 25.08.2022 – 15.09.2022 
Where: Red Eight Gallery, EC3V 3LR 
Website: www.lp.redeightgallery.com

Catch an outdoor film screening

Loved the Barbican Centre’s Our Time on Earth exhibition? Well, the Barbican is launching a week-long outdoor cinema pop-up inspired by the exhibit’s themes. 

From Tuesday 23rd until Sunday 28th, they will be screening a selection of feature films that make a profound connection to their settings, from Mothra, the film centred around the Japanese character who must defend the rights of her islanders to Hayao Miyazaki’s Princess Mononoke, the war epic between forest spirits and humans.

WHEN: 23.08.2022 – 28.08.2022
WHERE: SILK STREET, BARBICAN, EC2Y 8DS
WEBSITE: WWW.BARBICAN.ORG.UK

Add some glamour with a Hollywood themed brunch

Ever dreamt of becoming a Hollywood star? It might not be an immediate reality for all of us (sigh) but that doesn’t mean you can’t partake in a little daydreaming thanks to Bounce’s Hollywood themed brunch this weekend. 

Taking place on Saturday 27th, the brunch will be hosted by blonde bombshell herself Marilyn Monroe as she sings her top hits. Their very own ‘Icon of Hollywood’ draft act will be on hand helping to make sure you have the best party packed with everything from unlimited drinks and pizza to ping pong battles. This is the ultimate way to kickstart the long weekend.

When: 27.08.2022
Where: Bounce, 241 Old Street, EC1V 9EY 
Book here

Celebrate the long weekend with Kindred

Get into the spirit of Carnival weekend with Kindred. The independent members’ club in Hammersmith is putting on a performance to remember with their next open house event. Expect a day packed with rum, BBQ food and family-friendly entertainment inside and outside of the walls at their grade two-listed home. 

Taking place on Saturday 27th August, the event will be fun for all ages – plus, it’s free entry for both Kindred members and non-members! No need to register, just turn up and have fun! 

There’ll be free rum tastings led by Skylark spirits, as well as rum cocktails from their cocktail consultant Julian de Féral who has made a special menu. As well as live music on their terrace, children’s entertainment, goodie bags and BBQ delights from award-winning chef Andrew Clarke.

When: 27.08.2022 
Where: Kindred, Bradmore House, Queen Caroline Street, W6 9BW 
Website: www.wearekindred.com

Head to a house party in Soho

There’s a house party in Soho this weekend and you’ve been invited! The newly opened Little Scarlet Door will be throwing an epic bank holiday weekender, packed with resident DJs, cocktail shakers, late night cocktails and everything in between. 

Famed for redefining the house party genre, their interiors are vibrant, electrifying and anything but ordinary – think kitchen discos, laundry rooms and even a shower… Expect the party to be going on into the wee hours of the morning.

When: 26.08.2022 – 29.08.2022 
Where: The Little Scarlet Door, 12-13 Greek Street, Soho, W1D4DL
Website: www.thelittlescarletdoor.co.uk

Grab a last minute ticket to All Points East

For those not cut out for camping, try London’s best festival All Points East. Each year the festival takes over East London’s Victoria Park and plays host to an exciting mix of artists.

This year there’ll be Gorillaz, Idles, Tame Impala, The Chemical Brothers, The National and Nick Cave.

WHEN: 19.08.2022 – 28.08.2022
WHERE: VICTORIA PARK, E3
WEBSITE: WWW.ALLPOINTSEASTFESTIVAL.COM

Dig into afternoon tea

Looking for the ultimate bank holiday weekend event? Book yourself in for afternoon tea of course! 

The weekend marks the last weekend that The Milestone Hotel will be serving up their Jubilee Royal inspired afternoon tea. Head down to tuck into everything from freshly baked scones, finger sandwiches and a selection of hand-crafted French pastries, tartlets and cakes including their President & Founder, Mrs Bea Tollman’s signature cheesecake.

When: Until 31.08.2022
Where: The Milestone Hotel, 1-3 Kensington Court, W8 5DL
Website: www.milestonehotel.com

Bring your pooch to Chelsea’s first ever dog festival

This Saturday 27th sees Chelsea welcome its first ever dog festival to celebrate Internationl Dog Day. 

In support of The Dogs Trust, the paw-some day will be filled with doggy entertainment, including brunches, teas, dog-friendly cinema screenings, ‘pawtrait’ artists, dog-friendly ice-cream, paw massages and goodies to spoil your pooch rotten with. 

There’ll also be a foodie dog market at Duke of York Square, boasting 20 food, art and accessories stalls. 

When: 27.08.2022 
Where: Duke of York’s Square, Chelsea 
Website: www.dukeofyorksquare.com

Watch the sun go down at Seabird

Looking for London’s longest oyster list, views across the city, and delicious cocktails? Head to the top of The Hoxton to Seabird for the perfect lunch or dinner spot to relax and unwind – while the sun is still shining. 

Sip on a Grey Goose Essences spritz, and tuck into their menu inspired by the tastes of Spain and Portugal. Arguably their most exciting- and unusual- offering is the Afternoon Sea, complete with lobster, oysters and an array of fresh seafood delicacies. 

Where: The Rooftop at The Hoxton Southwark, 14th Floor, South Bank, 40 Blackfriars Rd, London SE1 8NY
Website:www.seabirdlondon.com