nd here we are, the August bank holiday: the last hurrah of summer, the final warm weekend before the inevitability of early Autumn.
It’s a time for gathering friend heart-set on jollity, a time for plunging both feet first into all that London has to offer. The leaves may soon change and the nights will draw ever in, but until then, collect your comrades and rejoice in the brilliant things London is offering this weekend. This bumper bank holiday guide features multiple new openings, shows of sporting prowess and more than a few music festivals. We’ll see you out there.
The hot table: Llama Inn
The Hoxton Shoreditch is now home to this newly opened spot, which has a cult following in New York. Headed by Juan Correa and chef Erik Ramirez, it’s so new that diners are set to receive 25 per cent off until August 31, for anyone looking to bag a bargain bank holiday weekend booking. Expect an American-Peruvian mix, with dishes including a crispy squid and yuca with rocoto, chocolo, and cancha; and a pork bun with sweet potato.
1 Willow Street, EC2A 4BH, llamainnlondon.com
The other hot table: Cally Munchy
When news broke that Tatale was departing the Africa Centre, hearts sank. But news of Cally Munchy taking over the space is a restorative salve. The restaurant has been plugging away as a street food vendor for some time now, serving a menu of addictive Afro-Caribbean fusion. Chef Ebenezer Sogunro will be heading the kitchen and for fans of African staples such as suya and jollof rice, this one is a must.
66 Great Suffolk Street, SE1 0BL, callymunchy.com
The old favourite: Llewellyn’s
Railton road, the Herne Hill station approach, feels like a perfect south London promenade. It’s all artisanal bakeries, coffee shops and craft ice cream parlours, and at the end, Llewlyn’s. It’s a vision of a neighbourhood restaurant and one that has consistently offered some magical hospitality. Lounge on the small terrace out front or in a leather banquette inside and enjoy.
293-295 Railton Rd, SE24 0JP, llewelyns-restaurant.co.uk
The drinking den: Larry’s
Like all good drinking dens, Larry’s is sexier at night. It’s a slightly hidden, amber-hued bar under the revamped National Portrait Gallery, which serves some serious cocktails. Try the riff on the dirty martini, which Larry’s dubs The McBean, named for Welsh photographer Angus Mcbean. It’s made with umeshu, gin and vodka and is finished with a splash of black olive oil. McBean was a giant in his field; this might just be, too.
National Portrait Gallery, St. Martin’s Place, WC2H 0HE, daisygreenfood.com
The suntrap: Sam’s Riverside
Rooftops and alfresco joints are geared towards the hopeful pleasures of a long bank holiday weekend spent in the sun and Sam’s Riverside is one such perfect suntrap. The terrace isn’t quite on the Thames but that hardly matters, when the food and the hospitality is this good. Sam’s adept at looking after guests and his elevated neighbourhood brasserie menu lends itself perfectly to an afternoon spent in the sun. Cheers.
1 Crisp Road, London W6 9DN, samsriverside.co.uk
The culture fix: Paula Rego, Crivelli’s Garden
Paula Rego was a strikingly influential British-Portuguese painter and her 1992 commission for the National Gallery is now on display alongside its original inspiration from 15th century old master Carlo Crivelli. This urgent reassessment of the work is essential viewing, with the Standard’s art critic Ben Luke noting in his four star review: “Rego fixed upon Crivelli’s altarpiece, latched on to his distinctive vision. Now, with hers alongside it, we can see it anew.”
Until October 29, The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN, nationalgallery.org.uk
The fitness fix: Super League Triathlon
This bank holiday sees the Super League Triathlon return to West India Quay. Olympic gold medallist Jonathan Brownlee is set to compete against a host of other Olympians and professional triathletes in this afternoon of world-class competition. For the fans, this free to attend event is as close as you can come to the action without donning some lycra and getting wet. Get yourself trackside and watch the spectacle unfold.
August 27, West India Quay, E14 4AE, superleaguetriathlon.com
The music weekender: Battersea Park in Concert
For the first time in a decade, the best of jazz, classical and west-end hits fill this weekend-long open-air concert at Battersea Park. The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra open on Saturday night celebrating west-end anthems in A Night at the Musicals and return the next evening with Proms in the Park. Monday sees Gabrielle live in concert with YolanDa Brown, The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars and others in an evening of eclectic jazz and soul. Picnic hampers at the ready.
August 26 – 28, Battersea Park, SW11 4NJ, batterseaparkinconcert.com
The other music weekender: All Points East
Stormzy might have been the bigg’un last weekend, but All Points East continues. This weekend, The Yeah Yeah Yeah’s, The Strokes, Jungle, Dermot Kennedy and Haim all take to the Victoria Park stage for the second weekend in one of London’s best musical festivals. Pack a poncho to stay on the safe side, mind.
August 25 – 28, Victoria Park, E3 5TB, allpointseastfestival.com
The curveball: Choco Pro X Eve Super Show
Anti-establishment women’s punk pro wrestling? Yes please. For one night only, the Riot Grrrls of Wrestling pair thee Eve Super Show with Japan’s favourite cult wrestling figure Choco Pro. It promises to be a night studded by comedy and cabaret alongside diving arm-breakers, choke slams and single knee face-breakers. What better way to spend a bank holiday?
August 26, The Dome, 2A Dartmouth Park Hill, NW5 1HL, evewrestling.com
The ticket to book now (for later): Spoons Summer Residency at Carousel
Rahel Stephanie has been nailing plant-based Indonesian pop-ups in town for the past few years. Think of the coolest dinner parties your arty friends have been hosting, but which you’ve never got around to joining. Stephanie’s Summer Residency is coming to an end on September 1, so this is the last chance to nab a ticket (before Rahel jets off to run a pop-up in Paris). Before the bon voyage, book this.
August 31 and September 1, 19-23 Charlotte Street, W1T 1RW, carousel-london.com
