From St Patricks Parties To Mother’s Day Tea, Here’s Your Weekend Sorted
Spring is finally showing signs of life in London, and this weekend’s lineup reflects it. With Mother’s Day around the corner and St Patrick’s Day celebrations already underway, the city is packed with things to do — from skyline afternoon teas and lively brunches to new exhibitions and limited-edition pub specials.
Experience the new Giacco’s menu
Highbury wine bar Giacco’s has welcomed a new kitchen residency this week from Bordeaux-born chef Louis-Arnaud Jose, running until 17 May. Classically trained in top Bordeaux kitchens, including Le Pressoir d’Argent Gordon Ramsay, he brings rustic French cooking with Basque and Italian influences to this fabulous North London wine bar.
Where: 176 Black Stock Road N5 1H4 London
Website: www.giaccos.bar
Eat Irish food at The Porter’s Table in the Guinness Open Gate Brewery
At The Porter’s Table, celebrations revolve around comforting Irish flavours. Located inside the Guinness Open Gate Brewery London, the grill-focused restaurant will serve a special menu including Guinness-braised beef stew alongside its regular menu — perfect fuel for St Patrick’s Day festivities.
Where: 28 Shelton Street, London, WC2H 9PU
Website: www.opengatelondon.guinness.com
Have afternoon tea with a view at Pérola Battersea
For a fresh spin on a classic afternoon tea, head to Pérola. Served on weekends from noon, the experience takes inspiration from the iconic architecture of nearby Battersea Power Station, with playful pastries like the Chocolate Chimney and Pistachio Powerhouse alongside finger sandwiches, scones and loose-leaf teas.
Between the unmatched views of the Power Station and delicious sweet treats, this afternoon tea is a must-try.
Amelia, Culture & Lifestyle Writer/Creator
Where: 15th Floor, 1 Electric Blvd, Nine Elms, London SW11 8BJ
Website: www.joiabattersea.co.uk
Be the first to attend Sonido Sessions Brunch
Buenos Aires energy arrives in Canary Wharf as Gaucho Canary Wharf launches its new Sonido Sessions brunch. Running on Saturdays from 14 March to 2 May, the lively experience pairs Latin DJs with sharing plates — think Wagyu beef empanadas, salmon tacos and dulce de leche pancakes — plus free-flowing cocktails in partnership with PATRÓN.
Where: 29 Westferry Circus, Canary Wharf, London E14 8RR
Website: www.gauchorestaurants.com
Have a set lunch with skyline views at JOIA Battersea
High above the riverside neighbourhood of Battersea, JOIA Battersea serves a weekend set lunch showcasing Iberian flavours. Available Friday and Saturday, the menu includes dishes like octopus salad, bacalhau à Brás and Basque cheesecake, all enjoyed with sweeping views across London and Battersea Power Station.
Where: 15th Floor, 1 Electric Blvd, Nine Elms, London SW11 8BJ
Website: www.joiabattersea.co.uk
Have a Mother’s Day Italian feast
Celebrate Mother’s Day in style at Il Gattopardo, which is marking the occasion with a special Primavera Il Pranzo family-style sharing menu. Expect generous Italian dishes designed for the table, plus complimentary seasonal Bellinis and rose guimauve marshmallow treats for all motherly figures.
Where: 27 Albemarle Street, Mayfair, W1S 4HZ
Website: www.gattopardo.restaurant.com
Grab a Mother’s Day pastry at Don’t Tell Dad
For a sweet Mother’s Day treat, head to Don’t Tell Dad in Queen’s Park. The bakery’s seasonal Rhubarb, Toasted Coconut and Meringue Danish launches especially for the occasion — a beautifully layered pastry that’s almost too pretty to eat (arrive early, they tend to sell out).
Where: Lonsdale Road Queen’s Park NW6
Website: www.donttelldad.co.uk
Celebrate St Patrick’s Day with a toastie at The Trafalgar
Chelsea pub The Trafalgar is celebrating St Patrick’s Day with a limited-edition Irish toastie available from 13–22 March. Expect corned beef, Dubliner cheese, buttered cabbage and Guinness brown sauce pressed between toasted bread — the kind of hearty pub snack best paired with a pint of Guinness.
Where: 224-226 King’s Road, Chelsea, London
SW3 5UA
Website: www.thetrafalgarchelsea.com
Go big at Albert’s Schloss
Bavarian beer hall Albert’s Schloss Soho is going all-in on St Patrick’s Day with a month-long Irish takeover running from 2–29 March. In partnership with Guinness, Jameson and Kahlúa, expect flowing pints, themed brunches, live entertainment and indulgent Irish specials — plus a playful ‘Push for Luck’ game on key dates where guests can win prizes or even have their bill comped.
Where: 20-24 Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 7EU
Website: www.albertsschloss.com
Rattlebag x Archive & Myth
For a spirited St Patrick’s Day celebration, Belfast cocktail bar Rattlebag is popping up at Archive & Myth for one night only. On 17 March, the team will serve a playful five-drink menu spotlighting Irish ingredients — including cocktails with Poitín and Guinness — alongside complimentary Northern Irish bites like potato bread with cheese and nostalgic Fifteens.
Where: The Hippodrome Casino, Cranbourn St, Leicester Square, London WC2H 7JH
Website: www.sevenrooms.com
Score some free pours at Young’s Pubs
Throughout March, Young’s Pubs is giving away 10,000 complimentary Jameson, Ginger & Lime serves to celebrate St Patrick’s Day. Simply download the Young’s On Tap app and redeem the offer to enjoy the refreshing Irish whiskey cocktail at participating pubs across London and the South.
Where: Across London
Website: www.youngs.co.uk
Check out the Living Things x Town House nail bar pop-up
Soda brand Living Things has teamed up with Townhouse for a playful pop-up nail bar inside Waitrose Canary Wharf. Running until 14 March, shoppers can sample sodas, spin to win prizes and potentially score a free manicure from Townhouse nail artists using exclusive Living Things nail stickers.
Where: Waitrose Canary Wharf – 8th-14th March
Website: www.drinklivingthings.com
Get competitive at Electric Shuffle
In the mood for some competition? Round up a group and head to Electric Shuffle for a night of cocktails and friendly rivalry. With high-tech shuffleboard tables that automatically track scores, the lively venue puts a modern spin on the classic game. Whether it’s drinks after dark or a bottomless weekend brunch, expect great music, stylish interiors and plenty of pizza and drinks.
Where: multiple locations
Website: www.eventbrite.com
Get some Mother’s Day pampering
Luxury nail and brow salon So.Shell is celebrating Mother’s Day with a special mother-and-daughter experience running from 8–31 March. Mothers can bring younger daughters along for a complimentary nail polish application, while adult duos will receive a relaxing hand or foot spa with a warm wax candle massage — the perfect shared pampering moment.
Where: Multiple locations
Website: www.soshell.uk
Go to a vintage pop-up
East London vintage brand Olivia’s Second Chance is celebrating its first anniversary with a one-day vintage pop-up in Dalston. Taking place at The Factory on 14 March, the event will bring together a curated lineup of independent sellers, including Ethereal Treasures, Dalley Vintage and Ark A Studios, with rails of vintage fashion, jewellery, bags and art on offer.
Where: The Factory, E8DA, London
Website: www.eventbrite.com
Become a sushi expert at TOKii
Looking for something hands-on? TOKii hosts intimate sushi masterclasses led by certified chefs, where guests learn the techniques behind sashimi and nigiri. After rolling and slicing like a pro, you’ll sit down to enjoy your creations alongside miso soup and a glass of sake.
Where: 50 Great Cumberland Pl, Marble Arch, London W1H 7FD
Website: www.tokii.co.uk
Experience David Hockney’s Serpentine Gallery exhibition
One of Britain’s most celebrated living artists returns to London as David Hockney takes over the Serpentine North Gallery with a major exhibition opening today [12th March]. David Hockney: A Year in Normandie and Some Other Thoughts about Painting brings together new and recent works, including the monumental frieze A Year in Normandie, shown in London for the first time. Even better: admission is free.
Where: W Carriage Dr, London W2 2AR
Website: www.serpentinegalleries.org
Go to the cinema to watch The Bride
Writer-director Maggie Gyllenhaal reimagines the classic Frankenstein story in The Bride. Starring Jessie Buckley, the film blends horror, musical and noir influences as Mary Shelley’s iconic creation finally gets a voice of her own in this bold, genre-bending retelling.
Read more about The Bride!
