Whoop-de-doo! It’s the weekend and we certainly have a bundle of weekend plans for you! Whether you’re after a weekend brimming with sensational ice-cream cocktails, acrobats flying above your head, or a brunch equipped with your very own dedicated s’mores table, here’s 16 ways to spend it:
The Harvey Nichols Secret Forest
Anywhere there’s a cocktail, you’ll notice we soon follow… One spot you can guarantee you’ll find a Handbooker or two this festive season is The Harvey Nichols Secret Forest. The fifth floor of their iconic Knightsbridge store has been transformed into a mystical woodland complete with a menu inspired by Nordic favourites. Oh, and a few ice-cream cocktails!
Opening Friday 8th November until Sunday 5th January
Where: 109-125 Knightsbridge, Belgravia, SW1X 7RJ
Website: www.harveynichols.com
The Winter Forest
Oh, the weather outside might be frightful but soak up the festive cheer at The Winter Forest in Broadgate Circle. From gin tastings to pub quizzes, wellbeing workshops to special visits from Mr. Christmas himself, The Winter Forest will be spreading the Christmas spirit complete with snow-covered pine trees and twinkling lights.
Thursday 6th November – Friday 20th December
Where: Broadgate Circle, Broadgate, EC2A
Website: www.broadgate.co.uk
Bloom Bar Opening
Get your dancing shoes at the ready as you boogie away at London’s newest dance floor. Taking over the former Mahiki Kensington site, Bloom strays away from your typical nightclub experiences (no mega strict dress codes over here!). Expect a playful atmosphere across the two fully stocked bars, resident resto and secret dance floor that’s awaiting your arrival.
Opening Friday 8th November
Where: 2 Kensington High Street, W8 4PT
Website: www.bloomkensington.com
The Perception at W London
On your marks, get set, goooooo and run over to The Perception at W London for an extra-indulgent, sugar-stuffed candy brunch. Dive into 1.5 hours of sipping on bottomless cookie cream cocktails (fully vegan!) and Prosecco, whilst you tuck into their crabs benedict lathered with zesty Hollandaise. Or, for the veggies among the group, stuff yourselves silly with their spiced chickpea and butternut squash topped with coconut honey yoghurt, yum!
Of course, it’s no Perception brunch without a station full of limitless sweet treats so expect to find an unlimited candy, cookie and live smore-station awaiting to be devoured… Oh, go on. It’s the weekend!
Where: 10 Wardour Street, Leicester Square, London, W1D 6QF, United Kingdom
Nearest station: Piccadilly Circus (0.2 miles)
Website: www.theperceptionbar.com
The House of Machines Takeover
Kick off your weekend the right way and head over to Mark’s Bar for the ultimate Old Fashioned cocktails. In honour of Old Fashioned Week, The House of Machines from LA has flown the nest and brought over their superb cocktail skills to bring us Londoner’s bespoke Bulleit cocktails.
Friday 8th November
Where: 16 Great Guildford Street, Bankside, SE1 0HS
Website: www.hixrestaurants.co.uk
Play Well Exhibition
Do you wanna play a game? No, not with the Jigsaw Killer but with the Wellcome Collection’s at their all new play exhibition. Play Well explores how play transforms both childhood and society, investigating how play develops social bonds, emotional resilience and physical wellbeing. Unleash you inner child and get play, play, playing!
Running until March 2020
Where: Wellcome Collection, 183 Euston Road, NW1 2BE
Website: www.wellcomecollection.org
Skate Over To One Of London's Magical Igloos
The igloos are returned for another festive season with even more sheepskin, candles and fairy lights. Whether you’re looking to catch up with some old friends or wow your date with a dreamy dinner under the stars, we’ve rounded up London’s best…
Website: Ig-loose Yourself This Way
Red Palace
Journey with The Prince and his fairytale guests on an immersive cabaret adventure derived from the darkest, bewildering folk tales. Expect flashes of magic, fantasy, glitter and doom as you venture into this Gothic masquerade ball. And, don’t forget to come adorned in your finest rosy red garments.
Grab your tickets for Friday 8th & Saturday 9th, here
Where: The Vaults, Leake Street, Lambeth, SE1 7NN
Website: www.seetickets.com
Independent Schools Show
Have you bought your Christmas presents yet? Nineteen percent of the population have already bought, wrapped and hidden theirs, ready for the big day. They must be insufferable! But when it comes to your child’s education, you don’t want to be like the 1% of people who leave their Christmas gift buying until Christmas Eve. Your loved ones might be okay with stocking-fillers purchased from the local garage forecourt, but it’s crucial to plan your child’s future in a far more organised way. Which is where the Independent Schools Show comes in.
The Independent Schools Show is an annual opportunity to plan your child’s future, with over 240 schools exhibiting at the Battersea event.
Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th November.
Where: Battersea Evolution, Battersea Park, SW8 4NW
Website: www.schoolsshow.co.uk
Searcys at The Gherkin
If you are searching for the next best London dining experience, look no further than the Hedonist Dinner at The Gherkin, where guests will enjoy a five course menu, including octopus carpaccio, seasonal Rhug Estate venison with blackberries and confit duck, a cheese course with Truffled Baron Bigod and a show-stopping chocolate temptation for dessert. Head sommelier Jean-Baptiste Sory will treat guests to some of the finest prestige wines from Searcys’ cellar, all enjoyed with stunning views over the city of London. What’s not to love?
Friday 8th November
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
Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair
Looking to get your hands on a bespoke print? Then you’re going to love Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair. Running this weekend, the fair is home to so many amazing designers and printmakers all showcasing their work, as well a series of talks, tours, demonstrations and consultations. Channel your inner artist, or just head down to nab yourself a one-of-a-kind print.
Thursday 7th – Sunday 10th November
Where: No. 1 Street, Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, SE18 6ST
Website: www.woolwichprintfair.com
Spirit Of Christmas
There’s less than 48 days to go until Christmas and the pressure is on to nab the best Christmas gifts before they sell out! Here to help you out is Spirit of Christmas with over 900 independent boutique retailers and designer-makers, all under one roof. From winter workshops to festive food halls, handcrafted trinkets to home décor, this annual market helps you pick up all your Christmas presents in one quick dash.
Monday 4th – Sunday 10th November
Where: Olympia, Hammersmith Road, Hammersmith, W14 8UX
Website: www.spiritofchristmasfair.co.uk
Dulwich Literary Festival
Celebrate some of the finest names in modern literature at Dulwich Literary Festival this weekend. Running until the 13th of November, the literary festival has a glorious line-up of speakers, so catch one of your favourite authors, or discover a new literary talent.
Running until Wednesday 13th November
Where: Dulwich Common, Dulwich, SE21 7LD
Website: www.dulwichliteraryfestival.co.uk
Bunga Bunga Covent Garden
Why are circus performers so stressed? Because their job is in tents… Wow, that was bad but to soften the blow, we’ve found a circus hidden in the depths of Covent Garden that’s just waiting your discovery. Venture over to Bunga Bunga Covent Garden and watch their very own Italiano circus come to life with flips, tricks and buckles full of laughter, all while you’re diving into their Italian feasting menu. Bellissimo!
Friday 8th November
Where: 167 Drury Lane, Covent Garden, WC2B 5PG
Website: www.covent-garden.bungabunga-london.com
Kanada-Ya's Birthday Celebrations
A girl can never have too many totes. And we’ve found another free one to add to your ever-growing collection. Enter Kanada-Ya, one of London’s favourite ramen hideouts, and the restaurant is turning five this month! To celebrate, they’re giving away exclusive tote bags designed by five of the UK’s leading foodie influencers, as well as offering 50% off the entire bill across all three sites. Woohoo!
It’s not technically the weekend but grab your tote & discounted dinns on Monday 11th November
Where: Angel / Piccadilly / Covent Garden
Website: www.kanada-ya.com
Pizza Pilgrims X Dishoom
If you’ve ever tried Dishoom’s bacon naan you’re going to love this… The Bombay-inspired restaurant has teamed up with cult pizza joint, Pizza Pilgrims to launch a match made in doughy heaven. Proving it’s always breakfast time someone in the world, the Bacon & Egg naan pizza is topped with crisp roast bacon, Philadelphia (trust us, it actually works), mozzarella, gooey egg yolk, coriander, green chilli and Dishoom’s famous chilli ketchup.
Plus, the pizza has been created to support Dishoom’s long-term charity partner, Magic Breakfast, which aims to end hunger as a barrier to education by providing free, nutritious school breakfasts to vulnerable children across the UK. For every pizza sold, Pizza Pilgrims and Dishoom will each donate a meal to Magic Breakfast. Worth making the pilgrimage for.
The Dishoom Bacon and Egg Naan Pizza will be available from at Pizza Pilgrims; Soho, Carnaby Street, Covent Garden, London Bridge, The City, Exmouth Market, Shoreditch, West India Quay and Westfield until 17th November, for £12.
Where: Various Pizza Pilgrims across London
Website: www.pizzapilgrims.co.uk
