‘Tis the weekend, hip hip hooray! Despite it verging on the colder, darker months, there’s still a sensational smorgasbord of things to do. From a new bright and bubbly V&A exhibition to the Rugger World Cup and plenty of boujee bars to while away the hours in, here’s what’s on offer…
XU Teahouse & Restaurant
Is it sacrilege to admit that I was dancing around to All I Want For Christmas Is You last night? Well, to hell with societal norms, that’s what I was doing but despite my out of whack seasonal correctness we are still most definitely only mid-autumn. To celebrate, Taiwanese restaurant Xu (pronounced shoe) has come up with several delicious ways to get us through the grieving summer period.
Xu has partnered with London-based patisserie, Lily Vanilli, to create a limited-edition Bakewell Mooncake served as part of the Lily Vanilli Mid-Autumn Afternoon Tea Takeover and as the dessert option for Xu’s Mid-Autumn Festival Set Menu which offers savoury dishes like the Taro Pancake served with Burrata and Fish Floss.
Fancy something a little stiffer? Xu has also produced a new cocktail menu, inspired by the single variety of Taiwanese teas used from the Tea Kiosk.
Well that settles it, all I want for mid-autumn is Xu.
Xu’s Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations are available 13th – 29th September.
Where: 30 Rupert Street, Soho, W1D 6DL
Website: www.xulondon.com
Flemings Mayfair
Spellbinding Fleming’s in Mayfair invites tipple-loving passers-by down to its Manetta Bar to delight in some final ‘Sips of Summer’. You’ll enjoy a nostalgic menu reminiscent of the sweet, playful flavours of childhood, including Candy Cloud featuring a pink, Instagrammable head of candyfloss and Beside the Seaside, a combo of Plantation 3 Stars rum, apricot brandy liquor, grapefruit juice, cherry bitters and more…
The delightful cocktails are available until Monday, 23rd September
Where: Flemings Mayfair Hotel, Half Moon Street, London, W1J 7BH, United Kingdom
Nearest station: Green Park (0.2 miles)
Website: www.flemings-mayfair.co.uk
London Bridge Open Kitchen Is Back!
For a foodie pop-up, head to London Bridge Open Kitchen. This celebrated food extravaganza lures in some of the capital’s top restos and bars, all of which can be enjoyed al-freso in Guy’s courtyard. The shenanigans are organised by Team London Bridge and bring a whole host of foodies together to explore the dynamic offerings of the city. Restaurants showcasing their tapestries of fare include Santo Remedio, BOB’s Lobster, The Coal Shed and many more, so don’t miss out!
Friday, 20th September (free-all day)
Where: Guy’s Courtyard at King’s College London, adjacent to Science Gallery London, St Thomas Street, SE1 9GU
Website: Food & Drink This Way...
Tim Walker: Wonderful Things At The V&A
A new V&A exhibition invites visitors to experience the fantastical imagination of Tim Walker, one of the world’s most inventive photographers.
Saturday 21st September 2019 to Sunday 8th March 2020
Where: Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road
Website: www.vam.ac.uk
London Design Fair
Are you ready for the largest collection of international exibitors, designers, brands, country pavilions, features and exhibitions including Tent London & Super Brands London in one destination during the London Design Festival? Heck yes you are!
Thursday 19th September – Sunday 22nd September
Where: Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane
Website: www.londondesignfair.co.uk
The Ivy Market Grill Collaborates With London Perfumer Miller Harris
London perfumer Miller Harris have been spreading their wings, and scents, as of late. We recently wrote about their little UK tour in the back of a very snazzy ice cream van, and now they’re popping up at The Ivy Market Grill for a tantalising takeover that’ll have you whiling away your weekend smelling great and drinking cocktails – love it!
Running until the 1st of October, you can enjoy two bespoke cocktails, a lip-smacking dessert and a floral installation that’ll be all over your Insta feed in no time. The collab comes as Miller Harris celebrate the launch of two whopping new fragrances, ‘Brighton Rock’ and ‘Blousy’ and we’re off to give it a whirl… smell ya later!
Where: The Ivy Market Grill, 1 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 8PS
Website: Book Now!
Hospitality In The Park
After crossing the globe with their Hospitality live shows, releasing and championing the very best in emerging drum and bass and standing as a pillar of independence for over 20 years, Hospitality In The Park is a vital day for underground dance in London, and a chance to celebrate an underground subculture that continues to thrive in the city where it all began.
Across 7 huge stages, Hospitality In The Park is set to celebrate the tastemakers and bass-shakers that pack out venues around the world.
Saturday 21st September
Where: Finsbury Park, Endymion Road, N4 1EE
Website: The Party Is This Way...
Worth A Try: Where To Watch The Rugby World Cup
TRY and get into the spirit of the Ruggers World Cup this weekend (geddit?) and visit one of these amazing truly SCRUM-ptious places. Gosh, enough of the puns, but seriously we’ve rounded up some of the best rugger spots and here’s where to find them…
Website: Rugger This Way...
Searcys at The Gherkin
With views spanning the entirety of the city, escape the cacophony of the streets and hide away in London’s stalwart lipstick structure, The Gherkin! Their Harvest Wine Dinner sells out speedily, with offerings that showcase the best of British produce in, let’s face, one of the best settings in the city. Proceedings begin with an aperitivo reception, like most should, complimented by live entertainment, after which you’ll take a seat and enjoy an exceptional five-course dinner, paired with paired with English sparkling wines, beers and ciders. Menu wolf whistles are awarded to roast fillet of Hampshire pork, an artisan British cheese selection, pumpkin soup and more…
Friday 20th Sep 2019 18:30 – 21:30
Where: 30 St Mary Axe (The Gherkin), Saint Mary Axe, London, United Kingdom
Nearest station: London Fenchurch Street (0.2 miles)
Website: www.searcysatthegherkin.co.uk
Gymbox Offer Londoners A Free Workout
One for next weekend…
Fancy a free work out? Course ya do! Balans, a new alcohol-infused sparkling water that pushes San Pelli to the sidelines, has joined gym-based forces with Gymbox and Londoners can benefit with a FREE workout! The iron pumping session will include a bespoke session, drinks and DJ before we bid farewell to the sunny climes of the summer months. You’ll do some HIIT training, some yoga and then grab yourself a Balans as a reward – cheers!
Saturday, 28th September
Where: Gymbox Victoria Studio, 123 Victoria Street, Westminster, SW1E 6DE
Website: Iron Pumping This Way...
The Langham
We think the time has come for an #ArtesianTakeover and it appears The Langham agrees! Join them as London’s modern cocktail bar, Artesian shakes things right up with their new internationally-influenced cocktail menu, stirred, rolled, filtered, slurped and curated by bartenders at the top of their game.
In total, 15 bars known for achieving the highest accolades within the industry will be making your cocktails, so it’s probably a little better than a Pornstar Martini from your local pub, unless they have globally-famed mixologists at the helm, that is. From Shanghai to the UK’s very own Sheffield, 15 bars will create an exclusive menu featuring five cocktails from their bar in addition to two cocktails from Artesian’s team.
This boozy newsy comes as London celebrates the 10th anniversary of London Cocktail Week (4th-13thOctober) and is surely the best way to get involved in the action.
Where: 1c Portland Place, Regent Street, W1B 1JA
Website: www.langhamhotels.com
Hotel Cafe Royal
Hotel Café Royal and Chef Laurent Tourondel has got you covered this September, proving things don’t have to be boring just because summer is over! Their banging new brunch menu features unlimited Bloody Marys, with gin, tequila or vodka (OMG) and even Veuve Clicquot Champagne… can we have both?
The brunch is inspired by the culture of New York, where Tourondel owns a handful of showstopper restaurants. From Sunday, 15th September, guests will feast on classics that include Truffle Popovers Benedict, Laurent’s famous popovers served with roasted Yorkshire ham, poached eggs, spinach and truffle hollandaise, and sweet treats such as Bitter Almond French Toast with whipped cottage cheese. Eugh, our mouths are watering!
Every Sunday
Where: 68 Regent Street, Soho, W1B 4DY
Website: www.hotelcaferoyal.com
Bassoon Bar
Aside from being London’s own slice of heaven, the utterly chic and ever so elegant The Corinthia London also houses a bar that only those in-the-know will enjoy a cocktail in. The Bassoon Bar sits snug inside the grand hotel and makes for a cosy sanctuary away from the cacophony of London’s streets.
Designed by David Collins Studio, the bar is intimate and great for a date night meet, before heading to the theatre. Frolic in a detailed cocktail list which includes classics, from a Mint Julep to a Pisco Sour, and other decadent twists like the Fleur De Lys Martini and Bassoon Hurricane. Feeling a lil’ boujee? Why not select a Champagne cocktail, and partner it with some of the delightful bar snacks on offer, be it the gorgeous seabags ceviche or the fried okra… OMG, we’re know where we’re heading this weekend!
Where: 10 Whitehall Place, Westminster, SW1A 2BD
Website: www.corinthia.com
Aqua Shard
Make sure you book these cocktails earl-y…
Coinciding with the epic release of the Downton Abbey Movie, aqua shard released an awesome menu of cocktails that can be enjoyed whilst taking in the views of the city. Whilst the views might differ to the grassy grounds of Highclere, the playful cocktail creations are inspired by Downton and include include The Lady, the Head Housekeeper and The Butler!
On the theme of Downtown Abbey, check out this experience that’ll allow one lucky Airb’n’b-er to live like Hugh Bonneville or Maggie Smith as they occupy a king-sized bed in one of the most famous stately homes in the world…
Where: Level 31, The Shard, 31 St Thomas Street, London, SE1 9RY, United Kingdom
Nearest station: London Bridge (0.1 miles)
Website: www.aquashard.co.uk
Mews of Mayfair
Groove it out with Sunset Sessions and Bulldog Gin this Saturday as we, sadly, say goodbye to the sun! However, in return for the fiery globe that is the sun will be DJ Duncan Harwood in the Mews Lounge Bar in exchange! He’ll be providing some eclectic, zesty beats during golden hour as you drink down some delicious Bulldog Gins, or a bottomless brunch if you’re feeling peckish!
Saturday 21st of September
Where: 10 Lancashire Court New Bond Street W1S 1EY
Nearest station: Bond Street (0.3 miles)
Website: www.mewsofmayfair.com
End of Summer Yard Party
Whilst we don’t want to say goodbye to summer, Five Points Brewing Co. are inserting some fun into the tear-jerking affair! Hackney’s biggest independent brewery is grabbing guests for a gulp and a boogie, as delicious beers including ‘Pining for Mangoes’ and more brimming brews delight the taste buds! You can also expect all day DJs, street food from Oli Baba’s (the halloumi fries, OMG) and, if you register in advance, you can grab a free beer – result! Its’s one last hurrah and it’s going to be a good’n!
Saturday, 21st September
Where: The Five Points Brewing Company Warehouse, 61 Mare Street, E8 4RG
Website: The Party Is This Way...
