Hooray for the bank holiday weekend! What will you do with that extra day off? There's plenty to keep you entertained in the capital, from gigs to fabulous restaurants to a very special event in... the sky! Read on for fun things to do in London.
Dine under a dome at luxury hotel L'Oscar
London has an abundance of unique places to dine but there's nothing quite like enjoying your meal in a Grade II-listed heritage building that oozes glamour and decadence. L'Oscar used to be the site of a Baptist church, but it has been converted into a plush hotel, grill, café and bar. Even if you're not staying at the hotel, The Baptist Bar & Grill restaurant by executive chef Tony Fleming is a must-visit. The setting is truly majestic, with diners seated upstairs under the dome (what used to be the chapel) and around the circular balcony that overlooks the bar. You and your guests will certainly be left impressed by your opulent surroundings, from the gilded crockery to the Baroque-style decor. The menu is equally theatrical, with main dishes including a cote de boeuf for two, a succulent, melt-in-your-mouth ribeye served with snail ravioli and Herdwick lamb cutlets that are topped with yoghurt and mint dressing. For starters, we recommend the superb coronation crab salad, which is flavoured with exotic mango and pickled lime, and the seared scallops. You can never go wrong with scallops, but the fennel, basil and strawberry vinaigrette makes it truly unique. If Baptist isn't on your bucket list, it should be now.
For more information, visit baptistgrill.com
Head to central London & dine at the new dining hotspot
After a full day of shopping, you’ll want to have a delicious dinner - and possibly a cocktail (or two!). Martha’s is situated in the heart of Soho, and has - what the cool kids call - a vibe. The swanky diner (and bar!) is cool enough to be the ultimate destination for cocktails with friends, or intimate enough to be the perfect location for a date. With an American-inspired menu, Martha’s is the talk of the town right now thanks to the amazing jazz music, the huge disco ball, neon signs and drag act entertainment.
For more information, visit Marthassoho.co.uk
Dive into a summer cocktail
For six weeks only, St-Germain is hosting a stunning cocktail pop up at the OXO Tower Bar in Waterloo. The world's first French elderflower liquer brand has created Summer in Bloom - an Instagram perfect balcony pop up where you can enjoy the delicate taste of the classic St-Germain Spritz whilst swinging in front of backdrops of beautiful flowers, and looking out across the Thames to some of London's most iconic views. There's a bespoke cocktail menu (we recommend the Due South - a blend of St-Germain, OXO Brut Champagne with lemon and raspberry ripple) and there are even a series of riverside workshops led by French florist 'June in March' and St-Germain Brand Ambassador Franck Dedieu, to introduce you to the art of cocktail making and flower arranging.
For more information, visit Harveynichols.com
Celebrate Petersham Nurseries Covent Garden's first anniversary
Happy birthday to Petersham Nurseries Covent Garden! The restaurant and stunning homeware store is celebrating its first anniversary this weekend with a whole host of events in partnership with Floral Court Festival. To kick off festivities, and of course the bank holiday weekend, the first 100 people through the door will be treated to a complimentary cocktail. On Saturday, LuluLemon will co-host a yoga brunch with movement coach Kim Hartwell, while on Sunday, Neal's Yard will open its Remedies workshop. Throughout the weekend, guests can take part in pasta masterclasses plus there's a very special afternoon tea on the Saturday. See the website for the full itinerary; tickets events can be purchased online.
For more information, visit petershamnurseries.com
Fly 100 feet up in the sky
Looking for something truly unreal to do this weekend? London in the Sky is back and playing host to several types of flights, whether you want breakfast, a boozy brunch, a special lunch or a fancy sunset dinner. Joining 20 people around the dining table and chef's kitchen, you'll be strapped into your seat (safety first!) and whisked 100 feet up into the sky where you can enjoy views of the O2 Greenwich and beyond, while you settle down for your meal. That is, if you can bear to put your phone down and resist snapping selfie after selfie of your incredible experience. For the daredevils on the flight, the chairs can also tilt back - what we do for the Gram, eh? It might feel a little discomforting to know you're suspended in the air, but after a few minutes you'll relax. The table does gently spin from time to time too, so there's no chance you'll get bored of your view. Flights must be booked in advance, but be quick, they're selling out!
For more information, visit londoninthesky.co.uk
Feast on fresh sushi at Miyako
Sushi and sashimi lovers have to head down to Miyako if you haven't been before. Officially part of the swanky Andaz London Liverpool Street hotel, the restaurant has some of the tastiest and freshest sushi in the City. Stand-out dishes include the chef's selection (pictured), which is tuna, salmon and sea bass sashimi, and the inside-out rolls, which range from the classic salmon and avocado rolls to the more unusual but equally delicious prawn tempura. There are all sorts of maki, temaki and tempura dishes on offer plus bento boxes; from sea bream to squid to octopus to scallop, the world is your oyster. If you want to get your hands sticky, Miyako has also just launched its monthly sushi and sake experience masterclasses. During the three-hour session, diners will learn how to make sushi and pick the best fish for sashimi dishes, before sitting down to tuck into it all. More into eating than cooking? Miyako also serves a bottomless menu.
For more information, visit hyatt.com
Enjoy a little slice of paradise in Richmond
For those who like the sweeter things in life, then this one is for you. In honour of the Chelsea Flower Show, The Petersham in Richmond are offering a delicious afternoon tea. The menu consists of a hand-crafted selection of exquisite floral-based desserts to be served alongside traditional homemade scones and finger sandwiches. The bespoke floral afternoon tea features botanical inspired creations such as a hibiscus Crème Brûlée, a white chocolate mousse with rose, and a playful truffle lollipop with lavender and strawberry – each beautifully decorated with edible flora and fauna inspired garnishes.
For more information, visit petershamhotel.co.uk
Bring some R&R to your home
The Hart Spa is bringing the calm zen of their retreat into your office or home all till the end of this month. Monique is offering a series of indulgent massages whilst integrating her sought after Joie de Vivre and Bonne Nuit candles and facial essences - both organic, natural and perfect for de-stressing and switching off from everyday life. With all the luxuries of a spa in the comfort of your own home or office, you can spend 30 minutes getting pampered by the industry's finest.
For more information, visit moniquehart.com
Dance the night away to Fleetwood Mac
Forget going your own way, you'll want to head straight for The Prince of Wales this Bank Holiday Friday. The Brixton rooftop is hosting a tribute night to Fleetwood Mac, with some 70s and 80s tunes thrown in for good measure. Promising street food, summery cocktails, a glitter station and three rooms of music, there's no better way to kick start the long weekend.
To book tickets, visit Designmynight.com
Go late-night dining at Duck and Waffle
Bank holidays aren’t made for early nights, so if you find yourself in the city after 11:30pm and you’re not wanting to call it a night, head to Duck and Waffle to try their new ‘Duck Lates’ menu. Except their usual iconic cocktails served alongside dishes such as fried bocconcini mozzarella, purple artichoke grilled sandwich, ‘duck ‘n’ cheese, and a truly decadent ‘francesinha’ sandwich, made from bacon, beek, sausage, Gruyere cheese, duck egg and beer sauce. It may take you all night to finish - but the restaurant is open 24/7, after all…
For more information, visit Duckandwaffle.com
Donate and dine for World Hunger Day
World Hunger Day is on Tuesday 28th May, and Quaglino’s has teamed up with The Hunger Project to offer an exclusive dinner and cocktail menu to raise money for the charity. Guests can enjoy starters of Bayonne ham ballotine or Isle of White heritage tomato salad, mains of Loch Duarte salmon or asparagus and broad bean linguini, and finish off with treacle tart or Valrhona chocolate fondant. Quaglino’s will donate £3 of every meal ordered and £1 from every cocktail to the charity, which is a global, non-profit, strategic organization committed to the sustainable end of world hunger. Their vision is a world "where every woman, man and child leads a healthy, fulfilling life of self-reliance and dignity."
Book at quaglinos-restaurant.co.uk