Week Guide: Things To Do in London This Week – 28/10/2019By Francesca Brooking
This week’s what’s on guide is here and we’ve got a busy schedule of events for you to enjoy. Ahead of the Halloween celebrations, we’ve got a spooky Jack The Ripper tour (check out our Halloween guide for more festivities). This weekend also marks the beginning of World Vegan Month and kicking things off is a vegan cooking masterclass and a pop-up vegan French bakery where you can get your hands on a free customisable croissant. And finally, don’t miss Patrón Tequila’s Instagram-worthy Day of the Dead festivities. Here’s the lowdown:
1. For a Contemporary Greek Art Exhibition: Varvara Roza Contemporary Greek Art Series
What: Catch leading Greek businesswoman and politician turned art curator, Varvara Roza’s series of contemporary Greek art exhibitions in the J-M Gallery from now until 20th December.
Why: In celebration of emerging and established Greek talent on the global market, Varvara’s programme of abstract art exhibitions includes a display of 56 pieces of artwork ranging from £2,300 to £10,000. This new series introduces Greek artists to the London art scene. Pop down to the J-M Gallery this week and lose yourself in Maria Chazilampou’s exhibition, Tree – Symbol of Fertility and Growth (until 11th November), featuring a series of paintings characterised by monochrome and emotional intensity. On 6th – 26th November, catch Stavros Ditsios and finally mother and daughter, Christina Papaioannou & Charoula Nikolaidou (2nd – 20th December).
Price: Free entry.
Where: 230 Portobello Rd, Notting Hill, London W11 1LJ
2. For a Networking Event: WeWork Fashion: Under the Spotlight
What: WeWork has just launched its new We, the Creators Event Series starting 30th October with Fashion: Under the Spotlight.
Why: WeWork’s new free-to-attend event series will bring London creatives, entrepreneurs and the wider business community together for four evenings discussing the future of fashion, food, entertainment industries. Kicking things off is Fashion: Under the Spotlight which will be hosted by special guests including acclaimed fashion model Erin O’Connor, stylist Anna Vitiello, NAECO sustainable swimwear founder Zak Johnson and Rixo Co-Founder Orlagh McCloskey. The evening will consist of dynamic panel discussions and thought-provoking conversations exploring themes such as the rise of influencers, fast fashion, sustainability, bricks and mortar vs online retail and the impact of emerging young British designers.
Price: Free entry. Register to confirm your place here.
Where: WeWork 10 York Road, Lambeth, London SE1 7ND
3. For a Spooky Halloween: Jack the Ripper Tour
What: Acclaimed Spitalfields cocktail bar, Discount Suit Company are partnering with award-winning London Walks to bring you a spine-chilling Jack The Ripper Tour this Halloween (31st October).
Why: The tour will commence at the former tailor’s workshop and now intimate Spitalfields bar Discount Suit Company where guests can enjoy a complimentary hot punch to warm them up before hitting the streets. Guided by blue badge holder, Simon Whitehouse and mentored by Donal Rumelow – the leading authority on Jack The Ripper – you will head out to the backstreets of Whitechapel and Spitalfields and learn about Jack’s exploits and the bungled investigations that came after. The tour will conclude right back where it started at the Discount Suit Company where you’re invited to steady their nerves with a gin-soaked Saucy Jack cocktail.
Price: Tickets are priced at £20 per person. Book your ticket here.
Where: Discount Suit Company, 29a Wentworth Street, Spitalfields, London E1 7TB
4. For a New Bar Opening: Taproom by Brixton Village
What: Brixton’s newest pint destination, Taproom by Brixton Village is opening its doors for the first time this Friday 1st November.
Why: If you’re in need of a new weekend watering hole then Taproom by Brixton Village has just the thing. Taproom is proud to be showcasing the best of local creators in the community and will be presenting an extensive range of craft beers from South London’s independent breweries. Come down, discover your new favourite craft beer and soak up the atmosphere in this brand new bar.
Price: Free entry.
Where: 43-44 Brixton Village, Coldharbour Lane, SW9 8PR
5. For a Day of the Dead Party: Patrón Tequila Día de Muertos
What: In a nod to its Mexican heritage, Tequila brand, Patrón, will be celebrating Día de Muertos this weekend (2nd – 3rd November) in London.
Why: Celebrate the Mexican Day of the Dead festival this weekend with Patrón Tequila’s first of its kind Día de Muertos. Kick off the evening with a theatrical parade through the streets of Soho to the door of 19 Greek Street where Patrón has taken over the 6-storey building for a weekend of festivities. Get Instagram at the ready because Patrón will be covering the entire face of the building with orange marigolds and inside you will find stunning immersive artworks from some of Mexico’s most influential and contemporary artists. What’s more, you will get to discover everything there is to know about tequila and even taste Patrón’s offerings in the tequila education experience or in delicious cocktails inspired by Día de Muertos.
Price: £30 for a VIP Launch night ticket or £15 for a ticket on Saturday or Sunday – both include two Patrón Tequila cocktails. Buy your tickets on Eventbrite now.
Where: 19 Greek Street, Soho, London W1D 4DT
6. For Vegan Cooking: Vegan Cookery Masterclass
What: It’s World Vegan Month in November and to celebrate pan-Indian dining destination Baluchi in The LaLit Hotel are hosting a vegan cooking masterclass on Saturday 2nd November.
Why: The vegan masterclass, hosted by Executive Chef Santosh Shah at the award-winning restaurant Balushi will give you the chance to take their plant-based culinary skills to the next level. This Saturday, treat yourself to a hands-on vegan masterclass experience with an intimate class of just 8 people. Chef Shah will teach you how to transform simple ingredients into a mouthwatering three-course meal that is bound to impress any dinner guest. The masterclass is suitable for complete novices right through to confident chefs and food fanatics. Throughout the day, you will create and taste your own three-course masterpiece complete with paired wines and be treated to plenty of tasters along the way.
Price: The masterclass is priced at £150pp and includes breakfast on arrival, as well as three-courses with paired wines, and a goody-bag to take home. Book your place here.
Where: 181, Tooley Street, London – SE12JR
7. For a Vegan French Bakery: La Plantisserie Pop-Up
What: This is not a drill. La Plantisserie, a pop-up vegan coffee shop and bakery will open its doors for one day only on Friday 1st November to celebrate the start of World Vegan Month.
Why: If you’ve ever wanted to try a vegan croissant or a vegan pain au chocolat? Well now’s your chance. From 10am to 6pm, the French bakery brand, La Boulangère is providing guests with the chance to get their hands on a free baked goodie and a cup of freshly made artisanal coffee whether they’re vegan or not. These baked goodies just as good as the real thing but with no animal derivatives and made with ethically sourced ingredients such as shea butter instead of palm oil. Pop over and customise your own croissant with a variety of all-vegan toppings and spreads to choose from curated by plant-based food stylist Kimberly Espinel of The Little Plantation.
Price: Free samples.
Where: 15 Bateman Street, Soho, W1D 3AQ
8. For a Sneak Peek at Pret’s Christmas Menu: Pret Christmas Sandwich Eve
What: Get your tickets for an exclusive chance to be the first to try Pret A Manger’s new Christmas menu for free at its Regent Street branch on Monday 4th November.
Why: Sandwich lovers can try Pret’s new Christmas menu ahead of its nationwide launch on Tuesday 5th November. Guests will be invited to get in the Christmas spirit early as they get treated to Pret’s new lineup of 4 sandwiches alongside other items on the menu. Pret’s expert Food Team will also be on-hand to guide guests through the process of making their own bespoke version of the Pret Christmas Sandwich. Spaces are limited so make sure you get your ticket as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Price: Tickets go live on Wednesday morning are free of charge with an optional £5 donation to The Pret Foundation. Apply for them here. Hurry, tickets are limited!
Where: 298 Regent St, Marylebone, London W1B 3AP
9. For a Charity 4-Course Dinner: Beyond Food Foundation at Searcys
What: Another date for the diary, tickets are now on sale for an exclusive 4-course wine dinner on Thursday 7th November at Searcys to celebrate the new partnership with the leading homeless and education charity, Beyond Food Foundation.
Why: World-renowned restaurant, champagne bar and events group, Searcys have teamed up with Beyond Food Foundation for a 4-course dinner to launch the start of a partnership that will see Searcys donating £1 on all covers across all restaurants to the charity. Join them for a ticketed wine dinner crafted by Executive Head Chef Colin Layfield and expect the best of seasonal British produce, with dishes including Farmhouse terrine, pistachio, pickled vegetables and walnut bread, seared scallops, broccoli bhaji, cumin lentils and coriander, Lake District beef cheek, Carroll’s mash potato, mushroom and red wine jus and for dessert a Pear William and almond tart with cinnamon ice cream. Each course will be paired with a wine pairing including a Greyfriars Cuvée Brut, Lanson Pere et Fils Brut and Taittinger Cuvée Nocturne.
Price: Tickets cost £69 per person and a contribution from each ticket will go towards Beyond Food Foundation. Spaces can be booked online here.
Where: Grand Terrace, St Pancras International Station, Kings Cross, London N1C 4QL
