Whether you’re looking to sip martinis in style or hide away from the May showers on a lush summer terrace, this week’s lineup is all about elevated indulgence. From £1 oyster offerings to the return of starlit cinema and open-air theatre, London is officially shifting into its vibrant warm weather gear. Here is our curated guide on how to spend your weekend right:

Sip margaritas in style at this bar

Our top pick for drinks this week goes to Side Hustle for its irresistible margaritas and menu brimming with Mexican flavours. The cocktail list is a masterclass in Mexican influence, featuring a deep collection of tequilas and mezcals that pair perfectly with its lineup of tacos, tostados and quesadillas.

Set within the historic grounds of the NoMad hotel in the heart of the city, there is no better spot to sip on a margarita this weekend.

Where: 28 Bow St, London WC2E 7AW
Website: www.nomad.com

Book a luxe 3-course dinner

Soho’s glamorous spot, Dear Jackie, is embracing the element of surprise this weekend with its The No Show Dinner. Eschewing a formal schedule in favour of an evening that unfolds on its own terms, the event features a three-course feast paired with Moët Hennessy UK wines.

At £150 per person, the ticket also includes a £20 donation to Breathe Arts Health Research, supporting creative therapy for young people. There are limited

Where: 20 Broadwick St, London W1F 8TH
Website: www.broadwicksoho.com

Check out this new garden terrace

The doors to The Lanesborough’s Garden Room are officially open, meaning a visit is well in order. With the forecast promising a rainy May weekend, this covered terrace, tucked away from the hum of Hyde Park, offers the perfect sanctuary to escape the wet weather.

Executive Chef Shay Cooper has crafted a menu of refined, easy-going plates to enjoy. Think native lobster rolls with kimchi and seabass ceviche with yuzu. Whether you’re there for a crisp glass of Laurent-Perrier or a Port Wood Manhattan, it’s the ultimate spot for unhurried indulgence.

Where: Park Corner, Hyde, London SW1X 7TA
Website: www.thelanesborough.com

Enjoy £1 oysters and mini martinis

As of this weekend, Spitalfields’ favourite Mediterranean escape, Galvin Bistrot & Bar, will be serving up briny Oysters for just £1 a pop, to be washed down with indulgent £5 Mini Martinis.

All the oysters are dressed with lemon and shallots, with the option to add ponzu dressing or caviar to take the experience to the next level. Oyster happy hours fall between 2:30pm and 7pm every Friday and Saturday.

Where: Entrance on 35, Bishops Square, Spital Square, London E1 6DY
Website: www.galvinrestaurants.com

Visit this market

East London’s creative pulse has a new home beneath the Tilbury Road arches, where this vibrant event space is launching its weekly summer market series this weekend.

Kickstarting celebrations this Saturday, it’ll be serving up pizzas and quality Korean street food, while visitors can expect live music from Tom Peacock nd DJ Chris. It’s the ultimate neighbourhood hangout for those who like their street food served with a side of live music and creative flair.

This is the ultimate neighbourhood hangout for those who like their street food served with a side of live music and creative flair.

Where: Tilbury Rd, London E10 6RE
Website: www.tilburyyard.com

Get crafty at Fulham Pier

If you are on the hunt for alternative weekend plans, head over to Fulham Pier for a Sunday of bracelet making with Seven Collective. This playful, free-to-attend session invites young creatives to craft their own bespoke rose quartz crystal bracelets, with experts on hand to guide you through every bead and knot.

Once you’ve finished your masterpiece, make a day of it by diving into the Riverside Market’s diverse food stalls, or level up the afternoon with a table at Brasserie Constance, Adam Byatt’s refined British bistro, for a post-crafting feast.

Where: Fulham Pier, London SW6 6HH
Website: www.fulhampier.com

Don’t miss out on this Handbook exclusive offer

The team at Wild Nutrition understand how challenging fertility journeys can be, and, in the wake of its new landmark research, is determined to provide the support needed to help people navigate every step of the process.

It is therefore offering an exclusive, free 30-minute fertility consultation to all Handbook readers. To secure your session, click the link below.

Website: www.wildnutrition.com
Book here

Step into the bohemian world of Chat Noir

If you’re looking to swap the modern world for the smoky, velvet-draped glamour of 1890s Paris, Chat Noir is the ultimate time-travelling spot. Tucked behind a nondescript door in West Kensington, The Lost Estate has meticulously recreated the world’s first cabaret club.

It’s a one-of-a-kind immersive evening where you aren’t just a spectator, but a bohemian citizen of Montmartre, dining on a decadent three-course French feast while the show erupts all around your table.

Explore this new exhibition

For this weekend’s cultural billing, make sure to visit the National Gallery to explore its latest exhibition, Zurbarán.

Running in the Sainsbury Wing until August, this landmark showcase brings together a collection of still lifes from Francisco de Zurbarán, in a first major UK exhibition dedicated to his work. Tickets are required, so book ahead to witness this display of visionary masterpieces from 17th-century Seville.

Where: Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN
Website: www.nationalgallery.com

Watch a play in the open air

May marks the return of outdoor theatre, and this year, Regent’s Park has another thrilling line-up to keep us more than entertained. It is kickstarting its summer series with a run of Sherlock Holmes, which has already been met with rave reviews.

In this thrilling new adaptation by Joel Horwood, a bored Holmes is catapulted into a high-stakes conspiracy involving a mysterious woman and a priceless jewel. Running from May 2nd to June 6th, this isn’t one to miss.

May marks the return of outdoor theatre, and this year, Regent’s Park has another thrilling line-up to keep us more than entertained.

Where: The Regent’s Park, Inner Cir, London NW1 4NU
Book here

Join this rooftop cinema club

London’s original outdoor movieplex is back for the summer season, transforming the skylines of Peckham and Stratford into open-air theatres. Perched atop the Bussey Building and Roof East, Rooftop Cinema Club offers a high-spec cinematic experience where state-of-the-art wireless headphones and adjustable deckchairs ensure the city’s bustle never interrupts your movie magic.

This weekend’s showings include classics like Grease, Ratatouille and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind as well as the recent Oscar-winning blockbuster, Sinners.

Where: Roof A, Bussey Building, 133 Rye Ln, London SE15 4ST / Roof East Stratford Multi Storey Car Park, Level 8 Great Eastern Rd, London E15 1BB
Website: www.rooftopcinemaclub.com




Attend this wine tasting experience

For those who believe weekends were made for viticulture, a trip to the Surrey Hills is a non-negotiable this Sunday. Albury Organic Vineyard is hosting an exclusive Perfect Pairings Rosé Experience, timed perfectly to celebrate the peak of spring. Expect to spend the afternoon overlooking the rolling North Downs, and sipping on their award-winning biodynamic sparkling rosés, each expertly paired with artisanal canapés designed to make the notes of wild strawberry and rose petal sing.

Where: Silent Pool, Shere Rd, Albury, Guildford GU5 9BW
Website: www.alburyvineyard.com

Book this weekend getaway

This May weekend marks the perfect time to pack your bags and escape the city for a well-earned getaway. Few places fit the bill better than Heckfield Place in Hampshire, a boutique hotel which promises to be the ultimate weekend pilgrimage.

This Saturday, the estate is hosting one of its signature Sunrise Breakfast & Woodland Birdsong Walks. A dawn foray through the arboretum led by their resident experts, followed by a fire-cooked breakfast that redefines farm-to-table.

Where: Heckfield Place, Hampshire RG27 0LD
Website: www.heckfieldplace.com


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