Blue-sky thinking: Between the Bridges
(Picture: Luke Dyson)Word on the street is that there’s a mini heatwave on the way, with temperatures set to peek over the 20ºC mark this weekend.
You know the drill: good weather means it’s basically an obligation to get out there and make the most of what London’s got to offer.
First port of call should be the capital’s al fresco spots, and chief among them is the huge outdoor venue that’s just reopened for the summer down on the South Bank. Elsewhere, there’s a festival dedicated to all things beer, a new oyster menu to tuck into, a South American club night, and plenty more. Don’t forget to head up to our pick of the rooftop bars, make a trip out to belatedly celebrate Cinco de Mayo or take to the water.
That said, there’s plenty else to get up to — here’s our pick what to get up to this weekend.
The restaurant: Upstairs at 23
Mayfair pub The Guinea Grill is a living embodiment of the “ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mantra — its dining room is more of less unchanged since 1951. But away from the boozer and its backroom restaurant itself, at its site just over the road, things are set to be just a little more experimental, with the launch of Upstairs at 23. The first-floor restaurant space will offer a changing tasting menu on Thursday and Friday evenings, based on the best produce chefs can get their hands on that day. The soft launch is this weekend, costing £45-a-head for four courses, with a supplement of £10 for cheese or affrogato with sherry.
23 Bruton Place, London W1J 6ND, theguinea.co.uk
The bar: Brew//LDN
More than 150 of the finest minds in brewing, distilling, wine-making and cider production will converge on Printworks this weekend for the latest edition of Brew//LDN. Offering drinks aplenty, a variety of street food stalls, and DJ sets from the likes of former Phonox resident Esa and London stalwarts Secretsundaze, it’s shaping up to be a properly boozy blowout. It’s one of our top festivals for food lovers.
May 6-7, £24, Printworks, Surrey Quays Road, SE16 7PJ, brewldn.com
The play: Middle
David Eldridge’s new play the National Theatre is among the top tickets for this weekend — but be warned that this show about a couple in crisis will get you right in the feels. “Much of it is very sad, some of it terribly funny,” writes our critic in his four-star review, adding that lead actors Claire Rushbrook and Daniel Ryan are “heartfelt” and “nuanced”. A few seats remain for this weekend’s performances.
Until June 18, from £20, Dorfman Theatre, SE1 9PX, nationaltheatre.org.uk
The event: Between the Bridges
One of London’s biggest outdoor drinking spots is back for the summer, and is offering free entry throughout May. This weekend there are DJ sets from the ever eclectic Grainger, as well as a pop-centric night hosted by Sean Rowley’s Guilty Pleasures. Street food options will run the gamut from burgers to churros, while all manner of booze — beer, wine, spirits, cocktails, cider and beyond — will be served from the bar.
29 Queen’s Walk, South Bank, SE1, betweenthebridges.co.uk
The club night: Beat of Brazil at the Jazz Cafe
The Jazz Cafe in Camden is renowned for its intercontinental programming, and this weekend, they’ll take a trip down to Brazil for a night inspired by the country’s music. Led by DJs Poly Ritmo and D Vyzor, who’ll be playing everything from samba to disco, bossa nova to tropicália, it’ll be a slice of carnival atmosphere hidden away in north London.
May 6, £5, 5 Parkway, NW1 7PG, thejazzcafelondon.com
The wild card: Diogenes The Dog/Aspen & Meursault
Shellfish fanatics should make a beeline for south London this weekend, with two wine bars — Diogenes The Dog in Elephant and Castle, and Aspen and Meursault in Battersea — launching new oyster menus. Served up as singles or by the half dozen, with varieties ranging from Belon to Louët-Feisser, they’ll be going for £2 a pop if you order before 4pm on Friday to Sunday.
