What To Do This Weekend: 9th-11th September
This weekend we’re going to be feasting on free breakfast muffins, returning to our favourite decade, catching up with our friend Bridget and attending a burger battle – what are you doing?
Bridget Jones's Diary £1 Cinema Club
See Bridget Jones for £1
Bridget’s back and we can’t wait. So much so that before our opening night showing of Bridget Jones’s Baby we will be reminiscing over where it all began with a showing of film number one at The Grand. Part of their £1 cinema club, guests will enjoy the film on a huge screen with unlimited popcorn, photo booth, hotdogs and Bridget’s famous blue string soup. Don your best tarts and vicars outfit for the chance to win a prize and if it gets you all warm and fuzzy and wanting to party then hang around after – the club night will go on until 3am.
Friday 9th September, 8.30pm
Where: The Grand, 21-25 St.John's Hill, Clapham, SW11 1TT
Website: www.thelondongrand.com
Beer by the River
Oysters and Ale
There are few simple pleasures in life better than a chilled beer by the Thames on a sunny day. Before this involves bundling up in 25 layers and replacing your ice-cold beer with a mulled wine, head to Tooting Bec Common on Saturday and you’ll find Sambrook’s independent craft brewery pulling pints (but also Pimm’s and Prosecco) at the Beer by the River festival. Food comes in crustacean form as OysterMen step up to the mark, along with dumplings, pulled pork buns, ice cream sundaes and way more, complimenting the 50 guest casks. Live music completes the festival feel.
Saturday 10th September, midday-10pm
Where: Tooting Bec Common
Website: www.beerbytheriver.com
London Zoo Silent Cinema
Silent Cinema for Animal-Lovers
By day, London Zoo isn’t the most peaceful of places, what with the tweeting birds, roaring lions (they don’t actually roar) and screaming children (they definitely scream) but a silent cinema this weekend is a rare chance for some peace and quiet as guests watch Gorillas in the Mist, Withal and I and The Lion King on the main lawn. Bring a blanket and prepare for the show to go on whatever the weather. You will be given headphones and a guided tour of the animals, with food available for purchase on site.
Thursday 8th – Sunday 11th September
Where: London Zoo, Regent's Park, NW1 4RY
Website: www.zsl.org
Brazil Day
Brazil Comes to London
On Saturday 10th September Trafalgar Square is going to be taken over… it’s Brazil Day. Having watched the contagious Brazilian culture on our television screens over the past couple of months, it’s now time for you to experience it in person. With particular attention on the Rio Olympic and Paralympic games, Brazil Day (a carbon-neutral event) will be a vibrant celebration of the country’s diversity. Brazilian music, samba, food and drink await, as well as live sporting activities including wheelchair basketball. With all this wrapped up in a Rio street carnival atmosphere, make sure you sprint down.
Saturday 10th September
Where: Trafalgar Square, Westminster, WC2N 5DN
Website: www.london.gov.uk/brazil-day
MexiFest
Mexican-Inspired Festivities
Tequila and tacos. We’re sold. And we’re sure you are, but just in case, here’s what else MexiFest has to offer. In celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day, food and drink is merely the the tasty beginning on an immersive journey into Mexico’s culture and heritage. The entertainment looks to be a highlight with traditional Luchador wrestling matches front and centre as well as fiery dance performances from the Meztiso Mexican Folklore Group. Enough said, grab your sombrero.
Saturday 10th September, midday-6pm
Where: Bishop Square, Spitalfields Market, Spitalfields, E1 6EW
Website: www.mexifest.co.uk
Restaurant Ours
Gourmet New Sunday Lunch
It’s been one of the most talked-about restaurants since it opened back in April so when Restaurant Ours announces a new Sunday lunch menu you don’t need to hesitate. Offering inspired takes on familiar favourites, you’ll find roast chicken, roast Hereford beef sirloin and leg of lamb with rosemary and garlic, with strawberry cheesecake, creme brûlée and sherry trifle from the desserts trolley. Oh and the restaurant itself is pretty cool, complete with fairy lit trees.
Sunday 11th September
Where: 264 Brompton Road, Brompton Cross, SW3 2AS
Website: www.restaurant-ours.com
Hackney One Carnival
Hackney’s Own Carnival
In Hackney, colour, talent, music and dance are bursting at the seams and on Sunday 11th September all will be released. The meandering, vibrant procession, comprised of more than 20 carnival and community groups is back. Celebrating the borough’s diverse culture and creativity the carnival will see the best young musicians perform and feature a party at Ridley Road where global food, arts and crafts will be on offer.
Sunday 11th September
Where: Ridley Road, Hackney, E8 2NP
Website: www.hackney.gov.uk/carnival
Colourscape Music Festival
Immersive Sensory Experience
Clapham Common is seeing the return of its most trippy and colourful festival this weekend. Colourscape is this year celebrating its 27th birthday and will involve a series of pop up tunnels vibrantly illuminated by the sunlight. Participants are required to don a colourful cape before entering the installation where they’ll find musical performances.
Where: Clapham Common, Clapham, SW4 9DE
Website: www.eyemusic.org.uk
Hampstead Market
Free Muffins
If there is one we thing we love to do at the weekend other than eat food, is buy food or in the case of the new Hampstead market it’s eat food whilst buying food. Set up by Mike Norledge the man behind Primrose Hill Market, the new weekly market will be home to 45 artisan producers and farmers as well as some London favourites. You’ll be able to buy sourdough bread from Olivier’s bakery; honey from Raw Artisan Honey, jars of Pics Peanut Butter, cured meats, vegetables and macarons. You’ll also be able to start the morning with a muffin from The Muffin Man and to celebrate the launch they are giving 100 breakfast muffins away for free! Trust us you don’t want to miss this – head to the ‘Launch Day’ section on the website for details.
Saturday 10th September
Where: The market is on the grounds of Hampstead Parochial School, Hampstead, NW3 6TX
Website: www.hampsteadmarket.com
The Slider Decider
Battle of the Burgers
Are you ready for London’s best bun fight? The Slider Decider is back and it’s up to you, to get eating and get voting. Taking place at Broadgate Circle, you’ll be able to try out sliders from the likes of Hixter, Tom’s Kitchen, Dickie Fitz, Crab Tavern and a whole host of others. Priced at a very reasonable £3 each you’ll be able to try as many as you want and will then be able to award your three favourite a ‘Champion Slider’ sticker. The chef with the most stickers will win the People’s Choice Awards – so vote wisely. Of course the only way to do this is to try them all…
Saturday 10th September
Where: Broadgate Circle, EC2M 2QS
Website: www.broadgate.co.uk
The 90s Brunch
#NinetiesNeverDie
Now is great and all, but it’s not the ’90s is it? Children’s TV isn’t quite what it was, we miss the fashion – we’re looking at you platform trainers and brightly coloured tracksuits and the music, well it’s not Wannabe is it? If like us you feel just a little bit nostalgic looking back at the decade then you need to get yourself to the 90s brunch. With bottomless cocktails, a classic 90s soundtrack, lip sync battle and three courses to get stuck into, it’s a day party you can’t afford to miss. Now to unearth our cargo trousers and Walkmans…
Saturday 10th September
Where: Top Secret Location
Website: www.the90sbrunch.com
