When searching for the best things to do in London each weekend, it’s hard not to end up more confused and indecisive than when you started. While it’s never a bad idea to secure a booking at one of the best restaurants in the capital, spend an evening in one of the latest innovative bars on the scene, or even explore an iconic London attraction , we’re always on the lookout for new, exciting pop-ups, openings and events. Each week, we get the inside track on exciting things to do in London for the upcoming weekend to help us discover a new area of the city or explore a new address in a neighbourhood we (thought) we’d already uncovered.
31 best things to do in London this weekend 1. Sample unique cocktails at The Emory Celebrated Argentinian bartender Renato 'Tato' Giovannoni, founder of Buenos Aires’ Florería Atlántico Bar, has taken over one of the hottest hotel rooftop bars in the capital for a two-month stint. Sample concoctions inspired by Tato’s childhood in South America, including the Negroni Balestrini – a punchy homage to Tato’s grandfather Lelo made with Tato’s gin brand Principe de los Apostoles.
The most intriguing ingredient on the list is rainwater, with a few distilled drops added to one of the signature martinis. Best of all, it’s the perfect excuse to admire one of the best views in the city, as the bar is only open to hotel guests outside of the residency. Address: The Emory Rooftop Bar, Old Barrack Yard, London SW1X 7NP Website: the-emory.
co.uk Dates: Until Tuesday 5 November 2. Experience a super-sustainable supper Tuck into the UK’s most sustainable supper this weekend as Simon Rogan and Uber Eats team up to create a fabulous five-course menu.
Highlights include a salad containing 51 ingredients from Simon’s Cartmel Valley Farm, celebrating 51 years since organic certification was introduced, and a heritage breed beef short rib from Lake District Farmers. The menu is available to Uber One users on Wednesday and all Uber Eats customers on Thursday. Website: ubereats.
com Price: £80; a wine pairing is available for an additional £30 Dates: Wednesday 18 - Thursday 19 September 3. Travel back in time Number Sixteen Hotel in South Kensington is taking curious foodies through the ages at an exciting new supper club . Join charismatic food historian and author Eleanor Barnett and the hotel’s executive chef Joe Fox to dine as the Victorians did this Thursday, feasting on dishes including pea soup with bacon and herbs and a ‘croquette of fowl with devil sauce’.
It’s the first of three evenings over the next seven months – so there’s plenty of time to secure your trip back to the 1940s (November) or 1970s (March 2025). Address: Number Sixteen, 16 Sumner Place, South Kensington, London SW7 3EG Website: firmdalehotels.com Price: £85 per person Dates: Thursday 19 September 4.
Celebrate the Sri Lankan diaspora Sri Lankan Culture Collective is celebrating South Asian Heritage Month with a boutique festival showcasing the food and culture of the Sri Lankan diaspora. Highlights include a hopper-making masterclass, a sari-draping workshop and fireside chats led by founders, tastemakers, creatives and trailblazers from the creative community. Address: Battersea Barge, Nine Elms Lane, Nine Elms, London SW11 8PZ Website: eventbrite.
com Price: From £23.46 per person Dates: Sunday 22 September 5. Add to the house plant collection Immerse yourself in a botanical paradise as Green Rooms returns to Old Spitalfields Market this Sunday.
See the historic market transformed into a plant-lovers haven as some of the UK’s finest houseplant traders set up shop for the day. Pick up a new plant or two and chat with sellers for invaluable advice before exploring the fantastic food and drink stalls around the market. Address: Old Spitalfields Market, 16 Horner Square, London E1 6EW Website: oldspitalfieldsmarket.
com Dates: Sunday 22 September 6. Explore a big beauty takeover L'Oréal Paris’ biggest-ever experiential beauty event lands in Piccadilly this week, and everyone’s invited. Over the five days, expect masterclasses, panel talks and pop-up beauty stations as brand friends, including Rochelle Humes, Zara McDermott, and Val Garland, share their advice and tackle the latest conversations in beauty.
Workshops include heatless hair styling with Nicky Lazou and a ‘Brush & Bubbles’ painting workshop, and all proceeds benefit the brand’s charity cause, StandUp Against Street Harassment . The event culminates on Monday when L’Oréal Paris’ famous Paris Fashion Week show, Le Défilé, will be live-streamed onto the Piccadilly Lights. Address: Below the lights, Piccadilly Website: eventbrite.
com Dates: Thursday 19 - Monday 23 September 7. Raise a toast to a refurbished watering hole Peckham Rye’s Clock House Tavern is the hottest new(ish) boozer in town, following extensive work restoring the pub to its former glory. The revival is the work of Parched, an independent pub group founded by four local friends with a passion for preserving the rich pub culture of South London – previous projects include The Montpelier, The White Horse, and most recently, The Earl of Derby.
Sample real ales and feast on classic Sunday roasts among oak panelling, antique mirrors, and leather banquette seating. Address: Clock House Tavern, 196a Peckham Rye, London SE22 9QA Website: clockhousetavern.co.
uk Dates: Opens Thursday 19 September 8. Watch incredible short films The 17th edition of the Smalls Film Festival returns to Curzon Hoxton Cinema this weekend, showcasing the year’s finest short films. Feature-length programmes encompass animations, documentaries, dramas, and much more.
New for this year is the ‘Change’ category, which celebrates films that spotlight pressing global causes and the changemakers advocating for the future. Address: Curzon Hoxton, 55 Pitfield Street, London N1 6BU Website: thesmallsfilmfestival.com Dates: Saturday 21 - Sunday 22 September 9.
Tuck into a Chilean feast Prenay Agarwal and acclaimed Chilean culinary duo, chef Carolina Bazán and her sommelier partner Rosario Onetto, present Mareida – the latest tasty takeover of London’s Carousel. For just five days, award-winning Carolina showcases her thrilling 'New Chilean' cooking style, capturing the thrill of Chile’s vibrant dining scene. Expect dishes like scallop parmesana, fish tartare with granita in an ice cream cone, and theatrical petit fours of white chocolate, passion fruit, black sesame, and quinoa moai – a nod to the iconic Easter Island statues.
It’s a sneak peek of what’s to come ahead of Mareida’s official full-time opening as a restaurant and wine bar early next year. Address: Carousel, 19-23 Charlotte Street, London Website: carousel-london.com Price: £95 per person Dates: Tuesday 17 - Sunday 22 September 10.
Savour a sweet-scented afternoon tea There’s still time to enjoy a quintessentially British tradition with a French twist at Sofitel London St James. The limited-edition afternoon tea celebrates Memo Paris' enchanting French Leather Eau de Parfum, with esteemed pastry chef Lerrick Coelho’s sweet treats mirroring the scent’s aromas. Savour classic finger sandwiches and fragrant teas before a spread that is sure to satiate the most discerning sweet tooth.
Address: Sofitel London St James, 6 Waterloo Place, London SW1Y 4AN Website: sofitel.accor.com Price: From £70 per person Dates: Until Monday 30 September.
