Hooray for bank holidays! If you don’t fancy joining the rum-soaked, scantily clad scrum that is The Notting Hill Carnival, we’ve got you covered with our pick of the best places to eat, drink and party elsewhere in London.
Saturday brunch party at Bubbledogs, Fitzrovia
What: If weekends are for brunching, then bank holidays are for brunching twice as hard. Get your groove on at Bubbledog’s weekly party, featuring hot dogs topped with fried eggs, alongside Bloody Marys and old-school hip hop – just your standard lunchtime, then.
When: Every Saturday, 11.30am-4pm
Where: 70 Charlotte Street, W1T 4QG
Mighty meat at Texas Joe’s, South Bank
What: After a weekend of partying, you’ll need some hangover food. Having just reviewed this newcomer, we can happily confirm that it’s the perfect place to get your fix, via monstrous barbecue dishes: think slow-smoked beef, chicken, pork and mutton, as well as bacon-wrapped jalapeños and corn bread with chilli butter. The pecan pie is also worth a try (if you’ve got any room left).
When: Open every day 11am-11pm
Where: 8-9 Snowsfields, SE1 3SU
Jude’s Very British Ice Cream at The Kensington, South Kensington
What: If the sun is shining (fingers crossed), then ice cream this weekend is a must. Jude’s Very British Ice Cream is popping up in South Kensington, serving six of its most popular flavours. Fun fact: ice cream is less calories when eaten with a small spoon…
When: Until Monday 29 August
Where: 109-113 Queen’s Gate, SW7 5LR
Taco party at Sager + Wilde, Bethnal Green
What: Mexico is a nation that knows how to party and the food is just as fun. Join Sager + Wilde for a taco party which includes BBQ red snapper with beetroot tacos, as well as blood clam gorditas (small, doughy cakes), with a gooseberry salsa and pickled jicama. There’s also an avocado based cocktail, so this is all definitely something worth taco-ing about (sorrynotsorry).
When: Sunday 28 and Monday 29 August from 2pm
Where: 250 Paradise Row, E2 9LE
Bank holiday weekender at Maggie's, West Brompton
What: 80s-themed Maggie’s bar is hosting four days of events, so go to them all if you think you’re hard enough. Thursday sees a retro funfair, followed up by Ghostbusters-themed Friday and Saturday evenings. To round off the celebrations, there’s a Wham-tastic Club Tropicana Party on Sunday: inflatable palm trees, Hawaiian shirts and Piña Coladas served in watermelons, natch.
When: Events every day from Thursday 25 to Sunday 28 August
Where: 329 Fulham Rd, SW10 9QL
Bunga Bunga supper club, Battersea
What: Bunga Bunga is hardly a place for shy, retiring wallflowers. True to form, they will be hosting a raucous bank holiday supper club. Diners will be welcomed with pizza and glasses of Prosecco, and once that booze kicks in there’ll be karaoke and a DJ on the decks. Oh, and did we mention that the pizza is unlimited?
When: Sunday 28 August
Where: 37 Battersea Bridge Road, SW11 3BA
Caribbean carnival at Beaver Lodge, West Brompton
What: Late-night hoedown Beaver Lodge is ringing in the bank holiday with a Caribbean carnival. On Friday and Saturday night, the Lodge will transform into a Havana party with faux Cuban cigars and flamingo-shaped sunglasses. Everybody receives a complimentary cocktail, while Cuban dancers will be on hand for an early-hours spin.
When: Friday 26 and Saturday 27 August
Where: 266 Fulham Road, SW10 9EL
An evening of blues at The Gallery, City
What: If you’re looking for a chilled weekend, The Gallery in Bank is offering a soothing musical evening. London-based singer Marcus Bonfanti will be providing some bluesy tunes from 8pm, which are bound to go down well with a cocktail or two.
When: Sunday 28 August from 8pm
Where: 10-11 Austin Friars, EC2N 2HG
Oslo, Hackney
What: Three guesses for which cuisine they serve at this Hackney eatery. On bank holiday Sunday, Oslo is hosting a 'Hus Av Blues' show, featuring acoustic performers from 6pm until midnight. We recommend tucking in to the Sunday roast while you’re there; choose from rump of beef or half a roast chicken, served with roast potatoes (cooked in goose fat), parsnips, a Yorkshire pudding, kale, carrots and gravy.
When: Sunday 28 August
Where: 1a Amhurst Road, E8 1LL
This article was published 23 August 2016