The best things to do in London this weekend: (June 8-9)
Now June is in full swing (and the weather is looking promising!) it seems like there’s more than ever to do in London.
You could stop by one of London’s neighbourhood festivals to try mouth watering street food, dance the night away at a Carnaby house party, or (if you’re feeling bold) get your kit off to join a world-famous bike ride around the city.
Plus, as always, there are some great deals from places like Ole & Steen and new late-night spot Little Violet Door.
Read on for a whole range of recommendations for 8 and 9 June, 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.
1. Tuck in for National Fish and Chips Day
Ahead of the weekend is National Fish and Chips (Thursday 6 June), which is basically a great excuse for a trip to your favourite chippy. This year it’s happening a day early to coincide with the 80th anniversary of D-Day (Churchill thought the old F&C were vital to the war effort apparently).
Our top chippies include the legendary Toff’s, which has been serving Muswell Hill since 1968 and is throwing in a free pot of mushy peas with every order for the occasion.
If you like your fish served with fizz, Kennedy’s of London are serving a ‘Prosecco battered cod’, chips, and a 20cl bottle of La Gioiosa’s DOC Prosecco for just £13.95 as part of their celebratory offering (available 5-21 June).
And if regular fish and chips don’t work for you, South London’s Brockley’s Rock does brilliant gluten free, vegetarian or vegan options.
2. Celebrate Pride with rainbow lights and lots of laughs
Pride month is here! We’re celebrating in Covent Garden, where a rainbow light installation will illuminate the iconic market every evening throughout June.
Meanwhile Mama Shelter London Shoreditch is hosting a Pride Comedy Club on Tuesday 11 June (tickets are going quickly – get yours here!).
3. Feast your eyes on a photography exhibition
You can almost taste this picture (Picture: Frankie Turner)
The Food Photography of the Year festival celebrates the tie between food and culture with a series of breathtaking photos from all across the world.
The free-to-enter exhibition runs from the 5-9 June at the Mall Galleries just off Trafalgar Square.
4. Enjoy the sun at a rooftop bar
What a view (Picture: Florattica)
From terraces on top of skyscrapers to vibey rooftop restaurants, London is full of high up perches to get soak up the sunshine and incredible views with a glass in hand.
We’ve rounded up some of our favourite central London suntraps here.
5. Head to a foodie festival
Soho is the quintessential London food hotspot, and this weekend over 30 of its restaurants will be taking part in Soho Food Feast – an opportunity to taste some of the best dishes and flavours from the area. Get your tickets here.
And if sun is out (we’re hoping), soak it up at the annual Marylebone Summer Festival on Sunday. Expect a mini golf course, plenty of alfresco dining and bar options, street food stalls, rides and live music.
6. Open your mind to Pink Floyd at Frameless
A Pink Floyd immersive experience called Brainstorms is coming to Frameless this weekend, with four of its stunning galleries covered with visualisations of how the human brain responds to music (specifically Pink Floyd music).
Reserve your place here.
7. Get on your bike (in the nude)
This Saturday the World Naked Bike Ride returns to London, a fun, totally nude, vaguely bonkers cycle protest through the capital which aims to bring awareness of the global dependency on oil and celebrate body positivity.
8. Pick up a free pastry at Ole & Steen
Ole & Steen, London’s favourite Danish bakeries, have launched their biggest-ever giveaway in time for the Summer Solstice (a big deal in Scandinavia), with over 250,000 free cinnamon socials up for grabs for the entire month of June.
All you need to do is download the Ole & Steen app which will give you enough points to claim your free pastry!
9. Dance the night away at Little Violet Door
Following on from its house party siblings the Little Scarlet, Yellow, Blue and Orange Doors across London, The Little Violet Door is opening in Carnaby on the 10 June.
To celebrate its launch, they are offering 50% off all food and drink until the 16 June. Book your table here.
10. See London’s most amazing buildings on a walking tour
Now 20 years old, the London Festival of Architecture is back to celebrate the city’s buildings for the entire month of June.
Get involved with walking tours, talks, debates, performances and much, much more and prepare for the way you see London’s buildings to be transformed…
11. Sip on one of Sohaila’s delicious natural wines
Just like how it sits on a row of small houses off Shoreditch High Street in the shadow of the city skyscrapers, Sohaila’s food punches way above its weight. There’s a small menu here, full of Middle Eastern-inspired dishes, all of which show off the colour, smells and earthy tastes of the region (the spiced beef and ricotta meatballs in an apricot sauce is a vibrant winner).
Ask the superbly knowledgeable staff to pair each course with a glass of natural wine and let this wonderful, quaint little restaurant transport you from the stress of Liverpool Street to the bustling streets of Lebanon.
As a heart-warming bonus, Sohalia is also part of a social enterprise scheme that aims to help Londoners out of homelessness.
12. Try one of Opium’s award-winning cocktails
Opium is 1920s-themed with a splash of sorcery – with bird cages hanging overhead, spell books and apothecary equipment placed throughout.
The drinks from the award-winning Apothecary & Peony menu are fun, creative and taste fantastic – the signature Opium No. 1 and Boba Stars (with blueberry popping pearls!) is a personal fave. An intimate, weird and wonderful experience.
13. Catch Elton John and David Furnish’s stunning photograph collection
The Victoria and Albert Museum’s latest exhibition Fragile Beauty showcases over 300 photographs from Sir Elton John and his husband David Furnish’s collection.
The collection – in partnership with Gucci – which includes fascinating images from across fashion and celebrity has already been met with rave reviews.
See you next week!
