30 winter things to do in London this weekend (November 16-17)

Fire and Fromage
‘Tis the season for melted cheese! (Picture: Getty Images)

That crispness in the air (the kind that tells you it’s almost December is here) means Christmas is fast approaching. And depending on how Christmas-obsessed you are, that’s either great news or bad news.

Well, whichever side of the coin you’re on, we’ve got something for all of you.

From an emotive sound project and a free exhibition of works by top-quality artists, to some of the best melted cheese feasts you can get (including Vagabond’s winter fondue sharer for just £20pp).

Read on for a whole range of recommendations for November 16 and 17, handpicked as always by The Slice.

Welcome to the Slice

The Slice is your weekly guide to what’s happening in London, so if you’re looking for restaurant reviews, drinks deals or just a great new exhibition to visit on a rainy Saturday in the capital, we’ve got you covered.

Click here for this week’s edit of the best things to do in town – and if you want get the next edition before anyone else, sign up here!

If you want to do it all on the cheap, you can also find our latest batch of exclusive hand-picked offers in partnership with Time Out here.

Don’t miss

1. Rooftop views at Kitty Hawk

By Sophie Laughton

The latest fledgling from the group behind bird-themed rooftops Aviary and Wagtail, Kitty Hawk, has found a new perch on top of chic boutique hotel Page8, with an unrivalled view of Trafalgar Square. Foodwise, it’s an all-day affair, starting from Bottomless Brunch (although you could also grab a very lovely cruffin from Page Common on the ground floor) through to a tidy set lunch menu and an A La Carte with a strong selection from the grill. But the real draw is the roof terrace. Sitting out here with one of their very strong signature cocktails – mine was the smoky, popcorn-topped Balsam – surrounded by the likes of Nelson’s Column, St Martin-in-the-Fields’ iconic spire and the London Coliseum’s glittering globe, must be a strong contender for the ultimate date night. 

Plus, don’t miss Kitty Hawk’s ‘Shuck & Slurp’ deal this month: from Monday to Thursday, 4-6pm, enjoy an iced platter of five freshly shucked oysters and a large glass of house wine for just £10 per person. Oysters at sunset? You might just end up booking a room downstairs…

Mains from £18. 8 St Martin’s Pl, West End. Book here.

2. Get served a beautiful selection of sushi at Sticks’n’Sushi’s new openings

Sticks'n'sushi perfect success set menu
Don’t leave without trying the broccoli! (Picture: Supplied)

By Lola Christina Alao

Sticks’n’Sushi’s set menus take out half the stress of making those all important decisions (deciding what to order). Their newly launched Set For Success set menu is a deliciously satisfying sharer that received plenty of wide-eyed looks from the diners next to us each time a new plate landed at our table (I’d probably have the same reaction). But the flavours delivered too, the often uninteresting broccoli is transformed into a nutty, subtly sweet side sprinkled with sesame seeds and sat in a soy-based sauce. Each bite of the tender beef tataki brought with it a fun pop from the artichoke crisp topping. Dessert was another standout, a smart reinvention of a crème brûlée topped with a healthy helping of black sesame crumble. Afterwards, stay for another drink at the bar, or simply take in the minimalist, sophisticated feel at Sticks’n’ Sushi’s new Islington branch.

Set For Success set menu, £95. Various locations. Book here

Sticks’n’Sushi also opens in Battersea this month on 30 Nov, just outside the South Entrance of the Power Station. We can expect an open plan dining room, kitchen counter, lounge and bar — and outdoor terrace perfect for when summer rolls around again.

London's best melted cheese feasts

Fire and Fromage
Oozy, cheesy goodness (Picture: Supplied)

Fire & Fromage. £35pp. Best for: raclette fiends. Book here.

What’s better than dipping things in cheese? Pouring cheese on top of things. South Bank’s ever-popular seasonal pop-up, Jimmy’s has brought back its unlimited raclette menu, sliding sizzling slices of molten Raclette cheese (they get it directly from Switzerland) on top of your personal pile of garlic butter-basted new potatoes, charcuterie and crusty bread. Wrap up warm, and leave room for nutella-stuffed mini doughnuts for dessert.

Vagabond Wines. From £20pp. Best for: bougie dunking. Book here.

Nothing says Christmas like dunking pigs in blankets in a vat of melted cheese, as part of Vagabond’s winter fondue sharer option. Throw some crispy baguette, potatoes, and wine into the mix and you’re on to a real good time. The hearty meal is accompanied by a white wine pairing — Prosecco or Rioja — both are refreshingly crisp and perfect. Though not the cheapest feast you’ll eat (note the pigs in blankets are extra), you’ll leave feeling full and festive AF.

The Cheese Barge. From £32pp. Best for: cheese with a twist. Book here.

Permanently moored in Paddington Basin, this 96ft double-decker vessel is a floating palace of cheese, serving everything from Cornish cheddar to curried cheese curds. Thursdays are Fondue night, involving two house fondues and plenty of delectable dippables. This month they’re teaming up with London’s oldest cheesemongers, Paxton & Whitfield, for a special version of the traditional Swiss Moite-Moite (half and half) style of the gooey stuff. Fondue available every Thursday until March.

3. Do some sippin’ (with free-flowing alcohol) and paintin’

If you fancy sippin’ and paintin’ next week (but with bottomless drinks and a food hall with plenty of cuisines to choose from), keep reading. At Canteen’s newly designed ambient terrace, you can do just that for £50pp. Have fun pottery painting all while happily sipping the evening away. Book here.

5. Share the love this World Kindness Day

World Kindness Day treasure hunt billboard
Spread some kindness today (Picture: MM Resources GmbH, Switzerland)

Drop Dead Generous are giving cash grants (equivalent of $500) to everyone who applies to do something generous. Think small, big, or wild. It doesn’t matter! The goal is to start an infectious movement. The only ask is the recipients of the cash capture the good work they do! Submit their drop dead generous ideas here.

4. Try some Pan-Asian flavours at Straits Kitchen

Straits Kitchen
‘Gula Melaka Crème Brûlée, a blend of French technique and Southeast Asian sweetness.’ (Picture: Supplied)

By Anushka Suharu

Straits Kitchen at Pan Pacific hotel offers an adventurous dining experience in an elegant, quaint setting. The 5-course Experience menu features dishes that marry Southeast Asian flavours with British ingredients: Scottish smoked salmon, beautifully balanced with sweet miso; chicken satay skewers with a rich peanut sauce; and oh-so-delicate prawn and chive dumplings. The standout, Akashi-Tai Shiraume Umeshu Sake, was the perfect finisher, along with the Gula Melaka Crème Brûlée, a blend of French technique and Southeast Asian sweetness. You’re sure to be left craving more.

Experience menu, £65pp (£100pp with wine pairing). Pan Pacific, Bishopsgate. Book here.

5. See performers living with voice loss tell their stories

Sometimes we can take our voices for granted, but what is the value of the human voice and how does it affect our identity? In this powerful 25-minute installation, The Sound Voice Project sees performers living with voice loss let us into their world. Expect music, documentary and immersive sound design alongside the voices of professional opera singers and musicians. 14-20 November, tickets from £10. Find out more.

6. See vibrant art at The ING Discerning Eye exhibition

 The ING Discerning Eye
See free vibrant art from 15 November (Picture: Nicole Farhi, Repose, 2018. Supplied)

The ING Discerning Eye (FREE) exhibition is back in London this year, spotlighting 685 works by 398 artists. Visitors can expect a vibrant mix of art in all media, subjects, and styles.

A key part of the British art space for 26 years, it’s set to be a beautiful celebration of contemporary art. 15-23 November. More info here.

7. Watch emotive theatre show Hadestown

Hadestown
‘The theatre design is so masterfully utilised that it becomes a character in itself.’ (Picture: Marc Brenner)

By Jeremy Ullmann

Telling the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice through American folk and New Orleans jazz is a hell of a premise — and fortunately, Hadestown delivers the idea faultlessly. The collective scenes are so devilishly good, while the music is both catchy and emotional. You’re expertly guided through the metaphorical storytelling by Hermes (Melanie La Barrie), and the theatre design is so masterfully utilised that it becomes a character in itself – the gasps as the stage transitions from earth to Hadestown’s underworld said it all.

The performances truly deliver. Trevor Dion Nicholas’s Hades manages the impossible, taking over from the sinister voice of the original Hades (Patrick Page) with a more charismatic version. Part Disney villain, part Hannibal Lecter, he grins menacingly one minute and then breaks your heart through his love of Persephone the next. The dazzling Bella Brown, who plays Fate, brings a battling and passionate force to Eurydice that holds its own against Hades the god himself. Hadestown is a spectacular, otherworldly achievement. A Word to the Wise: you haven’t seen anything like this before. Hadestown is booking to 28 Sept 2025 at the Lyric Theatre. Tickets from £20. Book here

8. Help tackle homelessness by eating at one of 600+ restaurants

4,118. That’s the number of people recorded as rough sleepers in London between January and March 2024.

But by donating £1 when you eat at one of the 600+ restaurants (including Lina Stores and Quaglino’s) taking part in StreetSmart’s scheme to tackle homelessness, you’d be making a huge difference. 

Best places to eat

London's best new pubs

William IV. Mains from £18.50. Best for: Top quality British classics. Book here.

William IV has a 200-year history on Old Street, so you’re dealing with some serious pedigree here. Their new dining room is a little more formal than the classic boozer downstairs, and they’re big on sourcing top-notch ingredients for their oyster platters, 48- hour Guiness glazed short rib. They’ve also got an impressive cellar list and an expert whiskey collection. Fit for a king – and surprisingly affordable too.

Clock House Tavern. Mains from £11.50. Best for: pub dates that go on til late. Book here.

Despite its prime spot right on Peckham Rye, this pub was always a little of a let down. Not anymore, as it’s been taken over by Parched, the team behind south London faves like The White Horse. Come here for local beers and sexy small plates from Gengelly’s – we like the salty Spanish Gildas and pillowy crab butter flatbread – and stay to boogie until 1am on Friday and Saturdays.

The Ox. Mains from £19.50. Best for: impressing the in-laws. Book here.

If you like your gastropubs with white tablecloths and swish monogrammed crockery, The Ox is for you. The A La Carte is elevated British with a little Asian flair (Beef bourguignon pie with oyster fritter and triple cooked chips or Japanese smash burger with bone marrow kewpie, you decide), but we suggest a weekend booking for one of their frankly epic-looking roasts. And don’t miss the trifle trolley…

9. Leave the tough ordering decisions to Brother Marcus…

By Sophie Laughton

I hate making decisions. So I was intruiged to visit Brother Marcus’ beautifully appointed Covent Garden site (they’ve nabbed the best spot in Slingsby Place) to try Marcus’ Choice, a £42pp sharing feast that’s completely chosen for you by the chef. A glance at their very tasty-looking menu might spark concern – how will they know that I do in fact want the pan-fried halloumi?

Don’t worry, as there is either a bit of telepathy going on in the kitchen, or they know their bestsellers very well. That, and your server will ask for your preferences. After that, sit back and salivate as your table fills with endless plates of crowd-pleasing mezze, from deep-fried ribbons of skewered aubergine to harissa roasted chicken, all liberally doused in labneh, dukkah and sticky grape molasses.

It’s a safe haven for the indecisive, and a welcome answer to the age-old dilemma of what to have for dinner. Just let Marcus decide!

£42pp. Various locations. Book here.

10. Go on a culinary journey across southern Italy at Fumo

By Jeremy Ullmann

Snugly positioned on the historic St Martin’s Lane, San Carlo’s Fumo is elegant through and through. With tables of white marble and walls of cream and gold, Fumo feels like it should be exclusively for Milan’s most fashionable. But instead (thankfully), it is an affordable culinary journey across southern Italy.

Though the food lacked ‘cooked by nonna’ quality, standouts were the arancini bursting with beef ragu and the excellent fregola with bottarga (dried mullet roe) – which had that unique Sardinian fishiness London has often fails to nail. And all this for prices that don’t cost the earth? Fantastico!

Mains from £10.50. 37 St Martin’s Ln, Covent Garden. Book here.

11. Eat at Battersea’s newest curry house Tamila

Tamila, Battersea
‘You must – I repeat, must – try the Gunpowder Margarita.’ (Picture: Supplied)

By Kitty Chrisp

Run by ex-roti King chef Prince Durairaj and Glen Leeson, Tamila is Battersea’s newest, and arguably best, curry house. Sister to Islington’s celebrated The Tamil Prince, this dimly-lit spice heaven is perfect for a date night. The buttery paneer puts even modern curry king Dishoom to shame, while the tandoori chicken is a seasoning sensation.

Don’t expect a huge bowl of bright pink British curry on a bed of mushy rice, but instead sumptuous small plates to share that pack a tasty punch, putting a welcome twist on Indian dining. You must – I repeat, must – try the Gunpowder Margarita, too. It’s the best I’ve ever had (and I’ve had many).

Expect friendly staff  – thank you Josephine – and good vibes only. Plates from £10 each, with a few recommended per person. It’s not super cheap, but damn, it’s tasty.

39 Northcote Road, Clapham Junction. Book here.

12. Go for a Michelin-starred West African lunch at Chishuru

Chishuru set lunch menu
‘Guests are told to “come as they are”, as there’s no dress code here’ (Picture: Chishuru)

By Lola Christina Alao

Chishuru goes big with the first dish on their lunch set menu – Sinasir, a fermented rice cake. It’s a deconstructed version of the well-loved jollof rice, topped with deliciously sweet cherry tomatoes, clementine & chilli dressing, and bronze fennel fronds. I quickly take a second bite in shock, as if the plate of food would run away from me. It’s hard to believe the famous dish (that has become a bit of a West African celebrity) could be topped, but I think Chishuru just might have done it. 

The next standout? Yassa, moreishly tender charcoal-grilled guinea fowl breast, accompanied by a beautiful lemon sauce. Each dish on the menu has a different texture, which makes for a consistently exciting journey. Pair yours with the Suya & Smoke cocktail, which blends pleasant bitterness from blood orange syrup with smoky Mezcal, finished with a nutty suya spice rim

The decor is elegant and pastel themed. Abstract ornaments dress the shelves and the lighting is soft. It feels noticeably homely – guests are told to ‘come as they are’, as there’s no dress code here. Chishuru is clearly not afraid to make clear what kind of restaurant it is (its own website states that despite its accolade, it’s not fine dining). This made what was my first Michelin-starred meal feel special yet inviting, a feeling sometimes missing from high-end restaurants in Fitzrovia and the surrounding areas.

Adejoké Bakare is the chef behind the restaurant, and is the first Black woman in Britain to receive a Michelin star. A huge (and well-deserved) achievement and hopefully an example of many more to come.  

Lunch set menu, £45pp. 3 Great Titchfield St, Fitzrovia. Book here.

Your perfect day out in London?

We spoke to trailblazing Black chefs like The Flygerians and LIMIN’s Sham Mahabir about their picks of the best places to visit in London. Check them out here.

13. Transport yourself to Barcelona at The Campaner

Interiors of Campaner
‘What caught me by surprise was just how tasty they have made even the simplest of traditional dishes’ (Picture: Supplied)

By Jeremy Ullmann

The Campaner’s dining hall is deceptively huge, with giant paradise plants that stretch well above human height, while enormous Basque cheesecakes sit patiently on the glass counter. It’s an impressive space that feels ill-suited to Catalan food – which is known to be wholesome but not exactly chic. The Campaner certainly is wholesome, with an astonishingly well-priced £35 lunch menu, but what caught me by surprise was just how tasty they have made even the simplest of traditional dishes.

Grilled asparagus is made rich and luxurious by nutty, tomato-based romesco sauce, while the papada iberico (translucent slices of pork cut from the fatty part of a pig’s neck) adds a smokey dimension to an already fantastic dish.

A generously-sized plate of Iberian pork rice with bravas sauce is the showstopper, finished off with a char-grilled top that is as impressive to look at as it is tasty. Chelsea rarely does food this good at this price. I’m not even convinced it tastes this good in Barcelona.

Fixed lunch menu from £35. Chelsea Barracks, 1 Garrison Sq. Book here.

14. Feast on decadent Turkish food at Leydi

Table spread at Leydi
You have to try the kunefe (Picture: Hot Sauce Presents)

By Lola Christina Alao

This all-day Turkish restaurant in Hyde London City hotel might be modern, but you won’t find teeny tiny plates here. Instead, expect beautiful dishes with complex flavours that will leave you happy and satisfied. Even the humble crisp gets a glow up, generously coated in sumac and baharat spices with an accompanying yoghurt dip. 

The dolma (vine leaves stuffed with tomato rice) are packed with flavour while the seasonal tomato salad is deliciously fresh. And the kunefe dessert, a syrupy cheese pastry which my friend tells me is a breakfast favourite in her dad’s home country of Lebanon, is sweet and decadent in the best way. For delicious Turkish food and an equally lovely atmosphere, it’s worth paying Leydi a visit.

Meze from £6. Hyde London, 15 Old Bailey, Holborn. Book here.

15. Sample the maeun saeu at Miga

Miga Outside
A homely Korean restaurant (Picture: Supplied)

By Martina Andretta

When was the last time you ordered a dish at a restaurant… Twice? And not because you and your date wanted the same starter – but because you just had to have more. That’s exactly what happened during my visit to Miga, in Hackney, when I tried their succulent japchae (glass noodles), and seriously considered a third serving.

This family-run Korean restaurant is understated and earnest (you’ll love it if open kitchens are your thing), and lets the food and service do the talking. The mood is welcoming and casual (‘You were here last month before your trip to Korea, weren’t you? How was it?’). I wholeheartedly recommend the maeun saeu (king prawns with gochujang sauce), but remember to bring your own booze if you’re going all out. If it’s not at the top of your list of new places to try, it should be. And good luck getting a spot.

£35-50pp. 1 Mare St, Hackney. Book here.

16. Learn about Burmese food at Lahpet Larder

July restaurant
‘It’s worth a visit as a solid intro to Burmese food’ (Picture: Supplied)

By Sophie Laughton

The area around Bermondsey Street was once called the ‘larder of London’, which makes sense for historical reasons (there were a lot of food warehouses here) and for modern ones (it’s home to a solid half mile of top-notch restaurants). One of the newest arrivals is Lahpet Larder, the third opening of Burmese chain, and it fits right in. Although still finding its feet, it’s cosy and unfussy, with shelves at the front selling authentic house-made and Myanmar imports for you to enjoy at home.

Steaming bowls of braised aubergine and intense, warming King Prawn Curry are brought to your table as they’re ready, but wait for a side of fresh, tangy ginger or lahpet (tea leaf) salad before you tuck in – you’ll need it to liven up all the sweet, sticky spice. It’s worth a visit as a solid intro to Burmese food – and for the frankly addictive bowl of milk tea foam that comes with the sugar-dusted paratha dessert. They should sell that at the door, seriously.

Large plates from £10. 39-45 Bermondsey St. Book here.

17. Tuck in at celeb-owned Trejo’s Tacos

Trejo's Tacos
Tacos that won’t break the bank (Picture: Supplied)

By Courtney Pochin

Can you picture Danny Trejo? You know, everyone’s favourite movie mercenary… No? Well, don’t worry, you’ll never forget his face after a visit to Trejo’s Tacos in Notting Hill, because a giant mural of the actor is plastered along the wall (and if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the star in real life).

His restaurant, which also has a site in LA, has a tasty menu, some interesting decor choices, and very friendly staff. Start with chips and cheesy bean dip, then follow up with classic carnitas or (the most popular) beer battered cod tacos. Don’t forget to order the churros for dessert (the Mexican chocolate dipping sauce is worth all the calories).

For an authentic drinks pairing, opt for a glass of the house horchata, a sweet rice beverage made with almond milk. This won’t be the cheapest meal of your life, but it’ll be good fun and you might even see someone famous.

£6-7 per taco. 299-301, Portobello Rd, Notting Hill. Book here.

18. David Bowie fan? Hit up The Thin White Duke

Thin White Duke venue
‘The Shanghai Pan Fried Chicken Dumpling and prawn toast were the standouts’ (Picture: Supplied)

By Juliet Walsh

Sprinkling a little (Ziggy) Stardust over Soho is The Thin White Duke, a David Bowie-themed bar known for its creative cocktails and tasty dim sum. If you’re looking for something sweet and floral, ‘China Girl’ is the one to give you that ‘Soul Love’. The Shanghai Pan Fried Chicken Dumpling and prawn toast were the standouts, I was really impressed by how much filling was packed in the Pan Fried Dumplings which were bursting with flavour and had the perfect amount of crisp.

The prawn toast is refined, flavorful version — not your typical chippy offering, but an elevated dish with perfectly balanced seasonings. And if that doesn’t all sound cool enough, it also houses a hidden gem — a speakeasy recording studio! With its blend of great food and world-class studios, The Thin White Duke’s homage to music history, is keeping the heart of London’s rock scene beating.

Dim sum from £3.50. 22b Great Windmill Street, Soho. Book here.

Where to go for a drink

19. Try the Hippodrome’s newest bar Archive & Myth

Archive & Myth Bar Scenery
A password to enter? It all feels very top secret (Picture: Supplied)

By Jeremy Ullmann

Like so much at the Hippodrome, Archive and Myth – the Casino’s newest bar – is quite theatrical. A password (in the form of a series of images you press) opens the door, revealing a staircase leading down below the casino.

There is little subtly to the design of the bar, with an exposed brick wall on one side, ceiling-to-floor red drapes on another, with fabric sofas dotted around on top of a patterned carpet. The cocktail menu is creative, using an interesting variety of ingredients you’ll find yourself needing to Google. ‘Daisy’ was our pick – a refreshing melange of tequila, guava, and black cardamom topped with a sweet coconut foam. 

Cocktails from £11 (half size). The Hippodrome Casino, Leicester Square. Book here.

20. May Fair Bar

This one’s for when you’re feeling bougie… (Picture: Supplied)
This one’s for when you’re feeling bougie… (Picture: Supplied)

If you’re feeling bougie but don’t fancy fiddly fine dining, head to the newly reopened May Fair Bar. When I say newly, I mean their doors only opened from a full refurbishment on Thursday last week and I was one of the first in. Design-wise, it’s all earthy mushroom tones and creamy neutrals, with smooth stone surfaces and comfort at its core.

Speaking of mushroom and cream, the food and drink offering is divided into ‘by day’ and ‘by night’, and within that into ‘brunch’, ‘lunch’ and ‘night bites’. Brunch is on until 3pm, with food and drink options following a theme, called ‘The Travel Edition’, delivering dishes from a Malabar King Prawn Curry to a stunningly buttery Rigatoni al Funghi. If you’re there ‘by night’, aka from 4pm, it’s suddenly a sexy cocktail bar, serving innovative cocktails like ‘The Olive’, a dry Martini made with mastiha in lieu of vermouth and an exploding molecular olive.

Chase with some night nibbles, such as their insane lobster brioche or flavour-packed Iranian keema doughnuts with minced lamb and crispy masala potatoes. It’s one of those places you’ll go to for brunch, stay for lunch and leave at sundown… or later.

The May Fair Bar, The May Fair Hotel, Stratton St (enter via Berkeley Street). Book here.

21. Raise a glass at Good Measure, beneath Tooting’s Daddy Bao

Cocktail at new bar Good Measure in Tooting, London
Check out Daddy Bao’s new intimate space (Picture: Supplied)

By Lola Christina Alao

New basement bar Good Measure is hidden in the basement of Tooting’s neighbourhood restaurant Daddy Bao. It’s all very intimate — you’re seated around one big rectangular table in the centre of the small, softly-lit space.

Expect a selection of drinks that use ingredients and flavours inspired by Taiwan’s vibrant culinary scene (our fave is the plum green delicately made with sake, whisky and green tea). And the bar snacks? They’re not just your typical fare, we’re talking succulent beef tataki, tuna tartare on nori rice crackers, and spicy furikake crisps. The old skool hip hop and low fi playlist are a great addition too. Experience Good Measure on Friday and Saturday nights.

Bar snacks from £3. Cocktails from £11. Downstairs at Daddy Bao. 113 Mitcham Road. Tooting. Walk-in only.

What’s on

22. Fly your own starship at Bridge Command

By Martina Andretta

Vauxhall is hiding a truly out-of-this-world experience underneath its railway arches. Bridge Command, an extraterrestrial immersive show, takes place in a meticulously crafted starship. The set alone makes the visit worth it – forget about VR headsets and stuffy rooms. As soon as you step in, you will be handed a uniform and asked to choose a role. Will you be in charge of navigation? Or will you look after the engines?

From dodging asteroids to battling against space pirates, every decision you and your crew make will shape the outcome of your mission. Things will go wrong, but the actors will be at hand to help you. The experience lasts roughly two hours, depending on your choices. And be careful – they will carry over to future visits.

Whether you’re a die-hard sci-fi fan, a seasoned gamer, or simply looking for a unique night out, Bridge Command is for you.

Bridge Command is at 63 Albert Embankment, London, Vauxhall, SE1 7TP. Tickets start at £40. Book here.

23. Feed your nostalgia at Stormzy’s House Party

House Party Venue
The best house party you’ll go to (Picture: Supplied)

Nothing beats a house party. Except maybe Stormzy’s House Party? Okay fine, he won’t be there in person, but the bar is his latest venture and it’s not your average night out. Open from 8pm til late, Thursday to Saturday.

Book here to secure your invitation. 

24. Check out inspiring artworks by diverse artists at Hope93

Founded by Aki Abiola, Hope93 is a brand new gallery in Fitzrovia that showcases work by historically underrepresented talent and seeks to make fine art accessible to all.

Having opened just in time for Black History Month, the ultra-cool space features include incredible paintings by self-taught Tanzanian artist Sungi Mlengeya and Tunji Adenyi-Jones’s vibrant artwork that fuses Renaissance-inspired details with Yoruba folklore.

54 Eastcastle St, Fitzrovia. Free.

25. Learn about the Black pioneers of British Ballet

The Pioneers of Black British Ballet exhibition spotlights the achievements of Black ballet dancers in a space where they had to fight for their visibility.

Celebrating trailblazers Vincent Hantam, Christian Holder, Brenda Garratt-Glassman and featuring untold stories, archive photography, film, newspaper articles and posters. 

26. Do just about everything (including learn how to twerk) at south London pub Prince of Peckham

Great things (and people) have come out of the south side of London: The Shard, Stormzy, Ian Wright. And Black owned pub Prince Of Peckham, which describes itself as a pub by south London for south London. It’s become somewhat of a hub for.. well, just about everything.

You can get food and drink here by White Men Can’t Jerk, and you can also learn how to twerk at one of their twerk after work classes. Or, join their monthly karaoke party.

27. Try your hand at Jury Duty and interrogate a defendant

Jury Duty game
How good are you at sussing out the truth? (Picture: Supplied)

By Martina Andretta

If you are the kind of person who loves a good mystery, Jury Duty is for you. Part immersive play, part puzzle, during this interactive experience you will become a juror on a criminal case.

As part of a group, you will have 90 minutes to examine all available evidence and interrogate the defendant, Harry Briggs, played by a terrific live actor who will be available via video link. Fast-paced and full of twists, the case won’t be as simple as it first seemed.

Jury Duty overdelivers – it’s brilliantly moderated by a representative of the ‘Ministry of Justice’ (who we drove to exhaustion to the point she had to ‘text her mum’. Sorry Imogen). It’s a great choice for a team-building event, an alternative night out with friends or a fun date. After breaking the ice, you’ll find yourself grilling Mr Briggs as if you did it for a living, and you’ll be sad you won’t be able to experience Jury Duty for the first time again. Unmissable.

Tickets start at £42.50. Theatre Deli, 107 Leadenhall St. Book here.

28. Enter the Bat Cave at Batman Unmasked

Batman masks in clear boxes at the Batman Unmasked immersive experience
It’s like heaven for Batman fans (Picture: Supplied)

By Sophie Laughton

The Bat is back. At least, all his cloaks, gizmos and gadgets are. In honour of the caped crusader’s 85th birthday, a new exhibition has landed in London’s Covent Garden that will delight Batfans from every generation. Beginning in Wayne Manor, journey through a brilliant series of themed rooms, each packed with a huge selection of original props, costumes and memorabilia from all the major movie adaptations.

Highlights include Uma Therman’s dazzling Poison Ivy costume, Heath Ledger’s legendary nurse outfit and clown mask as the Joker, the Batmobile from 2022’s gritty The Batman (parked fittingly in a smoke filled garage), and a tiny cowl from The LEGO Batman Movie.

Not a film buff? Get the full Gotham experience walking through eerie immersive rooms or hit up the interactive gaming room to race a Scalextric Batmobile or rescue your pals from a burning building. But you best be quick – the Batman won’t be staying for long…

Tickets £21. Until 30 December. 45 Wellington St, Covent Garden. Book here.

29. Watch a theatre show all about being single with Why Am I So Single? at the Garrick Theatre

Why Am I So Single theatre performance
Calling all zillennials… (Picture: Danny Kaan)

By Lola Christina Alao

Why Am I So Single is a silly, fun exploration of a heartwarming friendship between two (very single) best friends. The show delves into the nuances of modern life through big songs, like ‘Meet Market’ about the mostly weird and not very often wonderful world of tinder and hinge, where they poke fun at all the generic prompts by men — like ‘I like good coffee and good company’ and “south London born and bred’.

It makes its target audience very clear with references that you’d only understand if you’re a zillennial (people born three years before the end of the millennial generation or three years into Gen Z) – ‘who even uses Facebook anymore? It’s all about vine!’. Through all the humour though, they give an incredibly vulnerable performance that explores themes of grief, trauma, class and belonging.

Tickets from £20. Until Thursday 13 February 2025, Garrick Theatre, Charing Cross Road. Book here

30. Try your luck at Hijingo Bingo

Forget what you thought about bingo – old ladies in a village hall this is most definitely not. Shoreditch’s futuristic Hijingo Bingo is now on Generation 2.0, which means even more neon lights, pumping dance music, and faintly unnerving Squid Games energy.

The new version is hosted by AVA, a smooth-voiced and slightly threatening AI bot, with two faceless ‘Hijingobots’ as her grooving assistants, who’ll guide you through two hours and six games of fast-paced bingo action. And if you win? Be brave and get up on stage – it’s time to show off your best dance moves for a chance to score anything from a robot vacuum to a holiday.

Don’t worry if you think your number crunching skills aren’t up to scratch (which they very well may not be after a couple of ‘Blade-Rummer’ cocktails), all called numbers are shown on the board, while masked helpers will double check your card to make sure you’ve not missed anything (or that you’re not staying quiet to avoid going onstage). It’s very fast, very fun, and completely bonkers. 

Tickets from £12 and food and beverage packages from £29. Book here.

See you next week!

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