Tate Modern Terrace Bar
What: Thirsty Thursday
Why: Want a pint but want some culture too? Tate have solved all your extra-curricular dilemmas with their Tate Tap Takeover which takes place on the last Thursday of every month at their Terrace Bar. This time around it’s the turn of Tiny Rebel Brewing Co. who are just about to celebrate their 5th birthday and showcase 5 of their brews to craft beer lovers. Tickets available online – choose how many thirds of beer you want and the ticket covers the cost. Thursday 27th April
Where: Level 1 Switch House, Bankside, SE1 9TG Website: www.tate.org.uk
Fu Manchu
What: Rugby Legend Turns DJ
Why: Bank holiday = night out, and where better than Clapham’s Fu Manchu? This Friday, music will come courtesy of England rugby legend, James Haskell who is taking to the decks for a house music set that will have you dancing for hours. It seems being a talented sportsman just isn’t enough for James and he’s actually quite good at the whole DJ thing – he’ll be supporting Benny Bennassi at Ministry of Sound later on in the year… Friday 30th April
Where: 15-16 Lendal Terrace, Clapham, SW4 7UX Website: fumanchu.co.uk
Model Market
What: Street Food and Cocktails
Why: Now that the days are longer, the outdoor markets continue to launch – the latest is over in SE13. Street Feast’s Model Market is back in Lewisham for a fourth year, launching for summer in style with a three day Bank Holiday celebration complete with not one but ten street food traders including a couple of new additions – Nanban and Tacos del Rey, we’re looking at you. Drinks come from five different bars, serving everything from rum cocktails to craft beer. Free entry before 7pm. Launches Friday 28th April
Where: 196 Lewisham High Street, Lewisham, SE13 6LS Website: www.streetfeast.com
Flat Iron Square
What: Go Green
Why: Flat Iron Square should be on your weekend agenda for pancakes, Portuguese food and musical performances but this weekend it will see a more green theme as it teams up with the Royal Horticultural Society for talks, workshops and stalls to encourage green fingers in the city. Free cooking talks and demos have our ears pricking up, as does floral crown making and face painting. Saturday 29th – Sunday 30th April
Where: 68 Union Street, Southwark, SE1 1TD Website: www.flatironsquare.co.uk
The Sheraton Grand London Park Lane
What: Jazzy New Afternoon Tea
Why: You may not know this, but Sunday is International Jazz Day. Celebrate in suitably jazzy fashion with a musical spin on afternoon tea. Sheraton Grand London Park Lane is behind the new limited edition tea, which will be served in the recently refurbished Palm Court and available for 90 days to mark the hotel’s 90th year. In addition to gorgeously photogenic sweet treats including an edible saxophone and chocolate sheet music, the tea will be served to the soundtrack of live jazz to transport you back to the Roaring Twenties. Launches Sunday 30th April
Where: Sheraton Grand London Park Lane, Piccadilly, London Website: www.sheratonparklane.com
London Shell Co
What: Glow in the Dark Boat Parade
Why: Illuminated boat parades are normally reserved for wanderlust-inducing Instagram posts of far-flung lands like Vietnam but this Sunday, one such parade is taking place in our very own Little Venice. Part of The Canalway Cavalcade Festival, the parade will see boats cruising down Regent’s Canal. Floating restaurant London Shell Co is welcoming guests to board The Prince Regent complete with seafood snacks and cocktails from their brand new menu. Pack your glow sticks. Sunday 30th April
Where: Sheldon Square, Little Venice, W2 6EP Website: www.londonshellco.com
ROKA Charlotte Street
What: Spring in Full Bloom
Why: Spring is in full bloom in Fitzrovia. Ok, it may not be the greenest area of central London but ROKA Charlotte Street has once again transformed it’s basement bar, Shochu, into a magical Sakura cherry blossom pop-up to celebrate the Japanese spring. Dine under the pink canopy as you enjoy exquisite Japanese cuisine and bespoke Suntory Whisky cocktails including the Sakura Sour; Hibiki Japanese Harmony, kumquat, peach and sakura. Installation up until 7th June
Where: 37 Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia, W1T 1RR Website: www.rokarestaurant.com
Tapas Brindisa Shoreditch
What: Monday Brunching
Why: If you think rice and think Spain and get ‘paella’ then it’s time to think again. Brindisa Shoreditch are launching a brand new weekend brunch on Monday and it’s all about Arroces; regional rice dishes which bring the whole family together. Try traditional Castillan dish, Arroz de Costillas, made with pork ribs and ‘morcilla’ black pudding, or a familiar favourite; Paella Marinera with prawns, cuttlefish and mussels. Grab a fork, dive straight into the pan and let the good times roll… Launches Monday 1st May, available every Saturday and Sunday thereafter
Where: 152 Curtain Road, Shoreditch, EC2A 3AT Website: www.brindisakitchens.com
Margarita Rumble
What: Margarita Competition
Why: This Sunday and without fear of a hangover at work, you can go to Margarita Rumble, a celebration of London’s best margaritas from New York City’s Craft Hospitality and Jose Cuervo. Mixologists from the likes of Tequila Mockingbird, Flight Club, El Patro and Tonteria will be battling it out to create the best margarita which you’ll get to vote for. Of course you’re going to need something to eat so Chef James Cochran of B.Y.O.C in Soho and EC3 Aldgate will be on hand to cook up dishes to line the stomach ready for more margarita sampling. Sunday 30th April
Where: The Yard, 89½ Worship Street, Shoreditch, EC2A 2BF, UK Website: www.londonmargaritarumble.com
Chang Sensory Trails
What: A Taste of Thai
Why: Back for its second year, Chang Sensory Trails will be starting its 2017 global campaign in London before travelling to San Francisco, Singapore and New York. Curated by Chef Bo and Chef Dylan, from the renowned restaurant Bo.Lan. the free event (who doesn’t love a free event?) will bring together top Thai restaurants including the likes of 101 Kitchen, Patara and Tawana as well as art and music. Saturday 29th April
Where: Old Spitalfields Market, Horner Square, Spitalfields, E1 6EW Website: www.changbeer.com
Field Day at Dinerama
What: The Party Before the Party
Why: Ahead of the main event in Victoria Park, the Field Day team are joining forces with Street Feast for a Bank Holiday party at Dinerama. Things get off to a good start with a free Field Day Five Points beer on entry and then there’ll be food from the likes of Yumpling, Yum Bun, BBQ Lab and Prawnography and sets from Django Django, Erol Alkan and Bugged Out DJs. Sunday 30th April
Where: 19 Great Eastern Street, Shoreditch, EC2A 3EJ Website: Get Tickets Here
Percy & Founders
What: Gig at Percy & Founders
Why: This Sunday sees the launch of Gig at Percy & Founders, a series of live music events hosted each Sunday which showcases the best emerging vocal talent. They’re kicking things off with Eliza and Cassa Jackson. So you can order in the cocktails tuck into a Sunday roast and listen to live music – sounds just like a Sunday afternoon should. Sunday 30th April and every Sunday thereafter
Where: Fitzroy Place, 1 Pearson Square, London, W1T 3BF Website: percyandfounders.co.uk
Dirty Martini Hanover Square
What: Dirty Martin Bank Holiday Party
Why: What better way to celebrate the fact there is no work on Monday than by drinking £6 martinis all night at Dirty Martini? They’ve extended happy hour to 10pm and their license until 3am and will have DJs on the decks until late so you can really make the most of that lie in. It’ll be a chance to try their new martini menu which includes The Mayan Lady, made from Plantation five-year-Old rum, combined with orange blossom water, fresh watermelon juice with strawberry infused sugar, Yuzu Sake and Crème de Cacao Blanc. Sunday 30th April at Dirty Martini Hanover Square, Islington, Bishopsgate, St Pauls and Covent Garden (9pm Happy Hour)
Where: 10c Hanover Square, London, W1S 1JH Website: dirtymartini.uk.com
Canopy Market
What: Monthly Market
Why: Canopy Market is returning to King’s Cross after the success of last year and this time it’s here to stay. Taking place once a month, in the Victorian West Handyside Canopy, the market will be run in collaboration with Real Food Festivals. There’ll be food from Bad Brownie, Borough Cheese
Company, The Greek Larder, live music and one-off pieces from independent designers. Running across the Bank Holiday weekend it’s the perfect way to spend the day just perusing, eating and whiling away the hours. Friday 28th April – Sunday 30th April and then the last weekend of every month.
Where: West Handyside Canopy, Kings Cross Website: www.kingscross.co.uk
Somerset House
What: The Urban Soul Orchestra
Why: As part of The House of Peroni at Somerset House, The Urban Soul Orchestra who have performed with the likes of Adele, Kanye West and Tinie Tempah will be playing laidback Balearic grooves on the alfresco terrace on Friday and Saturday evening. They’ll be joined by a DJ from music curators Euphonica and there’ll also be an Italian aperitivo menu and the chance to try the new Peroni Ambra. Now we just have to hope the sun shines and we can pretend we’re on holiday. Friday 28th – Saturday 29th April
Where: Somerset House Strand, WC2R 1LA Website: www.thehouseofperoni.com