28.07.17: Seven Unmissable Events in London This WeekendBy Angelica Malin
There’s lots of fantastic events and activities happening in London this weekend. Why not embrace the party spirit (quite literally) with a trip to Cocktails in the City, or pick up some sweet treats at #BakeForSyria’s cake sale. Whether you’re into fitness or horse racing, we’ve got something for everyone. Here’s 7 ideas for this weekend in London:
Weekend Guide: Friday 28th July
1. For an Immersive Experience: St~Germain
What: St~Germain will be opening its doors to Londoners for a 2-day immersive experience in the heart of London in celebration of the thousands of elderflowers harvested to create the unique elderflower liqueur.
Why: Attendees will be able to begin the Maison St~Germain experience by visiting the resident florist, following which they’ll be led through a floral corridor to the pièce principale, a stunning St~Germain green room made of fresh blossom. The pièce principale will feature the Maison’s bar, where guests will be able to enjoy the St~Germain cocktail while listening to a live band. The immersive experience will then lead guests up a floral staircase to the speakeasy – here everyone will be able to sample an exclusive collection of St~Germain cocktails, artfully crafted by Global Brand Ambassador, Camille Ralph Vidal. Those looking to get more involved, will be able to take part in a bespoke series of workshops happening daily.
Price: No admission fee
Where: 2 Soho Square, London W1D 3PX
2. For a Day at The Races: King George VI Weekend at Ascot
What: The King George VI Weekend celebrates the best of the British summer. Held on Friday 28th and Saturday 29th July at Ascot racecourse, it’s one of the most prestigious race meetings outside of the Royal Meeting.
Why: Combining world-class flat racing with a quintessential English garden party experience, it’s an unmissable event steeped in history. Each of the three enclosures at the King George VI Weekend offers a unique experience. The King Edward VII Enclosure offers seated balconies which overlook both the parade ring and track. The Winning Post Enclosure is open on Saturday 29th July, located on the west end of the Grandstand’s ground-floor. A private enclave with exclusive use of the viewing lawn next to the winning post, this is the closest racegoers will get to the finishing line. And, lastly, in the Queen Anne Enclosure, alongside plenty of options for food and drink, there is the option to bring a picnic to enjoy on the lawns. Queen Anne Enclosure visitors may choose to upgrade their tickets and visit The Marquee Club – a private bar and seating area with table service
Where: Ascot Racecourse, Ascot SL5 7JX
Weekend Guide: Saturday 29th July
3. For World Class Drinks: Cocktails in the City
What: Cocktails in the City brings together London’s 25 most inventive and original cocktail bars in pop-up form, as they compete to be crowned Best Bar, seducing guests with show stopping cocktails, and vying for flavour with trend-surfing inventions.
Why: From atmospheric gin parlours, elusive rum dens, secret speakeasies, decadent party bars and elegant 5* hotel bars, Cocktails in the City is the only event where all sectors of London’s cocktail scene can be found in one place and at one time. Peruse the plethora of innovative bars and discover new neighbourhoods all in one space. Pop in for a Belvedere martini at Fitzrovia favourite Reverend JW Simpson, sip on Hixter’s clever Freya Birchwood concoction and taste-test Cocktail Trading Company’s extravagant Old Forester drinks, all set to the backdrop of live music, workshops, street-food and DJs in the leafy surroundings of London’s finest private Georgian garden.
Price: Tickets are priced at £15 and include a cocktail.
Where: Bedford Square Gardens, Bloomsbury, WC1B 4DA
4. For a Charitable Cake Sale: Bake For Syria
What: On Saturday, #CookForSyria is hosting their first ever #BakeForSyria Charity Bake Off on Columbia Road, east London in collaboration with some of the country’s very best bakers and bakeries. The aim of this event, and collaboration with renowned baker Lily Vanilli, is to celebrate Syrian culture and cuisine, which is one of the oldest in the world, and help raise funds for Syria and the region affected by one of the largest humanitarian crisis of our time via NEXTGen London.
Why: Taking place from 10am to 5pm, an exciting selection of bakeries and restaurants from around the city has been invited to take part and been asked to put a ‘Syrian inspired twist’ on one of their favourite baked goods or dishes exclusively for #BakeForSyria. Taking part are; Babelle, Bread Ahead Bakery & School, Dominique Ansel Bakery, Fatties Bakery, Lily Vanilli Bakery and Pavilion Bakery to name but a few.
Where: Columbia Rd, London E2 7RG
5. For Fitness: AK Fit Club x Ruth Tongue x Indo Board
What: On Saturday, AK Fit Club, Ruth Tongue, Island Feather, Indo Board and Urban Recovery are joining forces to bring you a morning of Skip HIIT, SUP, SUP Pilates and Indo Boarding at the unique Wake Up Docklands.
Why: The morning will involve a 35 minute SUP (Stand Up Paddle) session with professional watersports star Jason Bergin, a 35 minute SUP Pilates session with Ruth and a 35 minute Skip HIIT class with Andi and Kim. Refreshments will be provided by C Press and all attendees will also receive an exclusive healthy goodie bag plus a vest top to wear on the day.
Price: For more info and bookings, see here.
Where: Royal Victoria Beach, London E16 1AG
Weekend Guide: 30th July
6. For a Brunch Event: Ketel One x Paradise Garage
What: Ketel One Vodka has teamed up with East London restaurant Paradise Garage for a Dutch summer brunch event. Championing brunch the Ketel One Way, cocktails, including classic and quirky Bloody Marys, will be expertly paired with dishes from Robin Gill and his team, some of which have been given a Dutch twist with the help of Michael Zee from Symmetry Breakfast.
Why: The menu includes contemporary twists on traditional Dutch foods including snacks of ox cheek bitterbollen, pickled herring and sweet pampoen koekies, a light fluffy pumpkin fritter. Larger plates such as spicy rookwurst and chicory bubble and squeak, and a gouda and mushroom toastie are also available on the collaborative menu. Sweet options including ‘chocolate rain’ Hagelslag on sourdough, a traditional breakfast dish made of Dutch chocolate sprinkle covered toast, Koeksisters, a delicate confectionary made of deep fried dough infused with honey or Stroopwaffles with Speculoos Parfait, in a dessert dish of caramel waffles with biscuit flavoured cream.
Price: Tickets here
Where: 254 Paradise Row, London E2 9LE
7. For Tons of Activities: Battersea Power Station
What: Battersea Power Station is hosting a five-week festival of fun-filled activities including a pop-up beach, hip-hop classes, Edinburgh Fringe previews and much more. The Power of Summer Festival can be found at Circus West Village overlooking the River Thames at Battersea Power Station, with each week taking on a different theme.
Why: This week’s theme is Power in Young People. Expect activities for children and young people. Visitors can expect to make masks, be entertained by a three-wheeling bicyclist, take part in a Scooter Festival complete with a DJ and disco lights, or listen to some of London’s youngest and most talented musicians as part of ‘Gigs’, the Mayor of London’s annual busking competition for 11-25 year olds.Summer Sundays returns with an old school hip hop flavour featuring DJ Sarah Love alongside professional dancers. And this Sunday marks the start of Sunday the free weekly Cinema Club film. Head down for a screening of science-fiction thriller Super Eight at the Village Hall.
Price: Free entry.
Where: Battersea Power Station, Circus West Village, London, United Kingdom
