The Best Summer Pop-Ups To Book Now
Polo Lounge at The Dorchester
Gutted about not making it to your US holiday this year? This summer, famed LA restaurant The Polo Lounge at The Beverly Hills Hotel is popping up at The Dorchester Rooftop. The first time the Polo Lounge has ever held a pop-up, the concept brings a taste of California to London and has decorated the space with candy-coloured stripes and pink bougainvillea flowers. Running until the end of August, the al fresco restaurant and lounge is open daily for lunch and dinner for guests to sample The Polo Lounge’s classic dishes, including its famed ‘McCarthy Salad’. Live bands and DJs will also be in full swing during the evenings.
53 Park Lane, Mayfair, W1K 1QA; until 31st August
Visit DorchesterCollection.com
London Restaurant Festival
London Restaurant Festival has launched its first summer edition. In a show of support for the industry, the event has invited some of London’s greatest culinary talent to create over 50 exclusive experiences alongside over 250 festival menus, available to book via OpenTable. From Michelin-starred dining rooms such as Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, Hélène Darroze at The Connaught and Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley to the latest buzzy spots – such as Andy Beynon at Behind, James Knappett at the Kitchen Table and Santiago Lastra at Kol – there’s something for everyone. Those who can’t make it to London will be able to take part in a series of interactive experiences, including a wine tasting with Maison Mirabeau Rosé and Le Deli Robuchon and a cocktail masterclass with Martin Miller’s Gin.
Various locations; until 31st July
Summer By The River
London Bridge City’s ‘Summer By The River’ is back. The riverside space between London Bridge and Tower Bridge is now home to a variety of al fresco drinking and eating pop-ups. At London Bridge City Pier you’ll find ‘Piazza By the Pier’, hosted by renowned British chef Jimmy Garcia and his Jimmy’s Pop Up team, which will be serving pizzas cooked over open fires and a menu of spritzes. Jimmy’s team will also be on hand to guide guests on how to make their own sourdough pizza at its three-course interactive pizza party dining experience. Elsewhere, a huge screen will show Hollywood classics, family favourites and singalong movies, alongside all the action from the Olympics. The schedule also includes ‘Massaoke’, musical bingo and open-air fitness classes.
London Bridge, City, SE1 2DB; until September
Visit LondonBridgeCity.co.uk
Solar Pergola
Open House – the team behind popular restaurant Pantechnicon in Belgravia – has opened a pop-up bar and BBQ at Solar Pergola, a new al fresco terrace at Television Centre. Offering a seasonal menu of drinks and BBQ favourites, this is an ideal spot to order an Aperol or elderflower rosé spritz after work or during early weekend evenings. When it comes to food, burgers are what the team does best: expect the likes of 35-day dry-aged Dexter beef burger or vegan English green pea and black bean burgers, alongside a variety of sides. There’s also a programme of live music, sports and films on its outdoor screen: there are plenty of seating options, heaters and – great news for those who like to be a bit spontaneous – there’s no need to book.
1 Wood Lane, White City, W12 7DP; until 31st August
Visit TelevisionCentre.com
Summer Festival at Covent Garden
Covent Garden is running loads of fun activities and pop-ups throughout July and August, all aimed at families, friends and groups. The summer festival includes a Fever Tree Spritz Bar, street food concepts, daily music and live entertainment as well as sports screenings. Taking over the East Piazza is its 200-seat dining terrace, where guests can tuck into food from across Covent Garden, including Mrs Riot, a new all-day cocktail bar, bistro and live music venue; Ave Mario, the latest Italian restaurant from Big Mamma group; plus, Petersham Nurseries, Sushi Samba, Frenchie, Flat Iron, The Ivy Market Grill, Aubaine and The Oystermen. Elsewhere, the Royal Opera House has launched ‘ROH Unlocked’, a month-long cultural programme. The schedule offers pop-up performances, live music, workshops and creative window displays across the estate, offering families the chance to immerse themselves in the worlds of opera and ballet – all free of charge.
Various locations; until 31st August
Visit CoventGarden.London
GGARCHARD
Eastival
Looking to try something new? The team behind Dinerama, Hawker House and Giant Robot have joined forces with the founder of Eastern Electrics to create Eastival, a one-day event of food and music from London’s best street food traders and disco legends Horse Meat Disco. Expect a globe-spanning street-food selection, all in one place, such as fiery jerk chicken from White Men Can’t Jerk; buttery lobster rolls from Bob’s Lobster; aged-beef patties from Burger & Beyond; Latino fried chicken with crispy yuca fries from El Pollote; wood-fired pizza from Fundi; chilli dogs from Rocket Dogs; and vegan wings from plant-based concept No Bonez.
Three Mill Lane, Hackney Wick, E3 3DU; 7th August
Visit StreetFeastEastival.com
Summer Showtime on The Coaling Jetty
Following its popular 2020 run, ‘Summer Showtime on The Coaling Jetty’ is back for 2021. Hosted on the historic Thames-side jetty in front of Battersea Power Station, the capital’s only open-air cinema and theatre experience will feature special theatre and comedy performances from The Turbine Theatre and film screenings from The Cinema in The Arches. Visitors will be able to pick from an exciting line-up of performances, including productions of Jane Eyre, Romeo & Juliet and The Best of Frankie Valli, plus family friendly shows Wind in The Willows, Beauty in the Beast and Three Little Pigs. And ideal day out for anyone who’s been missing the buzz of live theatre.
Battersea Power Station, Battersea, SW11 8EZ; until 30th August
The Tide Summer Sessions
Artist Yinka Ilori recently unveiled his immersive installation in Greenwich. With a large open-air screen, the installation has transformed into a stage for ‘Summer Sessions’, which has screened every Wimbledon match, and is gearing up to do the same for the Olympics later this month. Park up on a deck chair and order burgers, pizzas and craft beers from the nearby street food trucks, while kids can keep themselves entertained on the crazy golf course. Visitors can also expect live jazz music and DJ sets, alongside screenings of Saturday night movies.
The Tide, Greenwich Peninsula, SE10 0ES; until 31st August
Visit GreenwichPeninsula.co.uk
Cocktails In The City
Cocktails in the City is hosting a series of al fresco cocktail weekenders in London's largest private Georgian gardens. Celebrating London's world-class bar scene, the events invite drinkers to rediscover some of the best bars in pop-up form, such as Callooh Callay, Disrepute, Nightjar, Coupette and TT Liquor. Featuring live music, award-winning street food, tastings and demonstrations, the event will take place in Bedford Square Gardens over two weekends. Cocktails in the City will be working in support of the hospitality industry, with 10% of each ticket going to The Drinks Trust, the drinks industry charity that provides support and opportunity to the people who form the drinks industry workforce.
Bedford Square Gardens, Bloomsbury, WC1B 3ES; 23rd-24th July and 20th-21st August
Visit CocktailsInTheCity.com
Taste of London
This London mainstay offers guests the chance to dine in some of the world’s most exclusive kitchens, all in one spot. Across the event, guests will be able to sample signature dishes from over 30 of London’s latest, greatest and most exciting restaurants, as well as off-menu items created exclusively for Taste – think Tamarind, La Tua Pasta, Hook, Chotto Matte, Gaucho, Napoli Gang, Flesh & Buns, Sartoria and Burger & Lobster. Make sure to book ahead for wine tastings, workshops and cooking demonstrations.
Outer Circle, Regent’s Park, NW1 5HA; 14th-18th July
Visit London.TasteFestivals.com
Hakkasan’s 20th Birthday
Since opening in Hanway Place in 2001, Hakkasan has received widespread critical acclaim for its modern take on authentic Cantonese cuisine. Now the Michelin-starred restaurant is celebrating its 20th anniversary with the launch of an exciting set menu. Available in all Hakkasan locations globally from 21st July, the menu will feature its most popular dishes from the last two decades. Costing £110, the set menu will see diners start with Hakkasan’s signature dim sum trio (scallop shumai, langoustine har gau, abalone and chicken parcel), before moving onto steamed hand-dived scallops with browned butter black bean sauce and oatmeal dover sole. This will be followed by stir-fried black pepper beef with merlot served with golden mixed vegetable yam ring with macadamia nuts; then braised lobster in an egg noodle nest, served with lobster wontons. If you’ve ever wanted to book a table at the restaurant, this is the perfect time to make a reservation.
17 Bruton Street, Mayfair, W1J 6QB and 8 Hanway Place, Soho, W1T 1HD; from 21st July
Visit Hakkasan.com
Tuck Shop West End
Tuck Shop – the UK’s only specialist production company devoted to all things drag – and the team behind the 2019 sell-out drag hit Cinderella, are set to present ‘Tuck Shop West End’, a summer festival of drag shows and performances at the Garrick Theatre. This is the first time a West End theatre has hosted a celebration of homegrown drag talent, and the season will see a selection of incredible British drag acts take to the stage, including RuPaul’s Drag Race favourites Joe Black and Ginny Lemon, who will both take to the West End stage with solo shows.
Garrick Theatre, Charing Cross Road, West End, WC2H 0HH; 27th July-8th August
Visit NimaxTheatres.com
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