Get planning your bank holiday weekend: from carnival to monsters
‘Does nobody at The Handbook have an actual diary?’ I hear you ask! ‘Why are you publishing a weekend guide on a Monday? You crazy cats, you! What kind of risk takers are you?’. Well, did you realise it’s a bank holiday? If you’re the sort of person who doesn’t know how to optimise their annual leave you might not have noticed that we’ve a long weekend coming up but it certainly didn’t pass us by, so here’s what’s brewing this coming weekend…
Madison Restaurant
Basically Ibiza
If there’s one place to be this bank holiday weekend it’s probably Ibiza. But if you can’t be there then Madison London have the next best thing: their four day spectacular ‘The White Isle Weekend’. Stand by for Ibiza-style parties and live DJs for four days solid on their famous rooftop overlooking St Paul’s.
And it’s not just the selection of internationally renowned DJs that will bring that holiday vibe to London, what’s a holiday without a massive all-out brunch? ‘Nothing’ is what those cats at Madison would say, before serving you their mega Sunday brunch menu.
Friday 24th August to Monday 27th August
Where: Rooftop Terrace, 1 New Change, St Pauls, London, EC4M 9AF, United Kingdom
Website: www.madisonlondon.net
The Piano Works Farringdon
Play it again Sun
Did you think we’d go a bank holiday weekend without a showing from The Piano Works? The singalong brunch specialists have brought their big Bank Holiday Sundays back and they’re going to be taking requests well into the small hours with house musicians lasting out until 1am, relieved by a DJ taking more requests through to a respectable 4am. The brunch options are bottomless in more way than one, so settle in, crack into some eggs Benedict, order a Bloody Mary and let’s get some choons on!
Sunday 26th August
Where: 113-117 Farringdon Road, corner of Ray St Farringdon, London, EC1R 3BX
Website: www.pianoworks.bar
Sardine
Al fresco, but French
Sardine, Alex Jackson’s Southern-French restaurant, has spent August outside. Not because of any infestation or water mains issue inside, but rather because in this weather who wouldn’t? Their al fresco lunches, in partnership with Mastercard’s Priceless Cities, have been taking place in the gardens of neighbouring Parasol unit foundation for contemporary art and Victoria Miro art galleries and this bank holiday is the final event. Enjoy French cooking that will transport you to the South of France and a Provence-style outdoors meal that will have you pining for the Luberon.
Sunday 26th August
Where: 15 Micawber Street, London N1 7TB, United Kingdom
Website: www.sardine.london
MAKEMORE
Make more of MAKEMORE
Fancy something that’s fun and educational? MAKEMORE, a four day event where guests can learn crafts, cooking techniques and enjoy family friendly live entertainment, sounds like a veritable Blue Peter, with something for everyone, whether your thing is gagging at comedians or learning at the chequered knee of a professional chef. The food workshops and demos taking place at MAKEMORE will include Siberian cooking with Alissa Timoshkina, botanical baking with Henrietta Inman, vegetarian and vegan Indian cooking with Maunika Gowardhan and 3-ingredients baking with Sarah Rainey.
Thursday 23rd August to Monday 27th August
Where: Victoria Park, Hackney, E3 5SN
Website: www.makemore.art
The Big Feastival
Alex James's Very Big House In The Country
Rather than sticking in London you could always spread your wings and escape to The Cotswolds (incidentally, if this is your bag, perhaps check out this guide too), but Alex James, off of Blur and cheese, will be hosting his Big Festival up Kingham way and it looks like rather a lot of fun. Not least because everyone’s favourite tequila makers Patrón will be in attendance, along with Breddos Tacos, for a perfect pairing of incredible tacos and incomparable cocktails. Of course should you need more reason to pop along (and who wouldn’t?) then the festival itself promises to be a smorgasbord of music and culture and the perfect roundoff to the summer.
Friday 24th August to Saturday 26th August
Where: Alex James’ Farm near Kingham, Oxfordshire, OX7 6UJ
Website: www.thebigfeastival.com
Jin Bo Law
No Party Here
Outside of the farmyard Grey Goose is a byword for partying, and where better to enjoy the premium vodka than at Jin Bo Law, the sky terrace in the city that’s the place to enjoy live entertainment, great music and, of course, some excellent cocktails. Join the team at Jin Bo Law for their No Party Here party in partnership with Grey Goose and enjoy not only a brilliaant night, but a spectacular view too.
Saturday 25th August
Where: 14th Floor Dorsett City, 9 Aldgate High Street, London EC3N 1AH
Website: Get tickets here...
The London Cabaret Club at The Bloomsbury Ballroom
Blooming in Bloomsbury
Looking for another way to celebrate the great message and ethos of Notting Hill Carnival without actually having to go to Notting Hill with it’s one-way escalators, jostling crowds and pickpockets? How about heading to Bloomsbury instead? The Bloomsbury Ballroom have gotten together with the London Cabaret Club to bring one of the most vibrant shows around to their beautiful surroundings. The Carnival Special will take guests on a tropical tour of immersive cabaret, all accompanied by rum-based cocktails and a tasty Caribbean menu.
Saturday 25th August
Where: Victoria House, Bloomsbury Square, Bloomsbury, WC1B 4DA
Website: www.thelondoncabaretclub.com
The Monster at Alexandra Palace
What's that coming over the hill?
If anyone’s told you this bank holiday’s going to be a monster, don’t believe them. Unless they’ve booked you into this, the actual monster. Best described as Fun House meets Gladiator, The Monster is the world’s biggest inflatable obstacle course, and it’s coming to Alexandra Palace this bank holiday weekend. Obstacles include the 6pft “Mega Slide”, the “Tunnel of Love” and “The Bouncy Cage of Doom!”. As if that wasn’t enough to ignite your inner 8 year-old, fear not: there’s face painting!
24th-27th August
Where: Alexandra Palace, Muswell Hill, N22 7AY
Website: www.themonsteruk.com
