What To Do This Weekend 08.05.25

Little Trinity Lane – tucked behind Vintry & Mercer hotel – has had a glow-up, and to celebrate, there’s a pop-up bar. Open weekday evenings from 5pm, the Little Trinity Champagne Bar will be pouring glasses of Charles Heidsieck in a smart outdoor setting. Ideal for a Friday wind-down or an after-work date, this smart spot brings a touch of old-school elegance to the heart of the City.

Little Trinity Lane Square, City Of London, EC4V2AR; Monday-Friday, 5pm-8pm

Visit VINTRYANDMERCER.COM

Move over Edinburgh, South London’s most original arts festival is back with a programme full of bold new voices and boundary-pushing theatre – and there are just a few days left to grab a ticket. Peckham Fringe’s 2025 line-up includes 30-plus shows across Theatre Peckham, Studio 1, and Canada Water Theatre. From zombie comedies to thought-provoking drama like Reparations and immersive performances like Brother’s Keeper, this is your chance to see the next big thing before anyone else.

Various locations across Canada Water & Peckham; until 6th June

Visit THEATREPECKHAM.CO.UK

Mr Porter (not that one) has landed in London – and it’s bringing its signature Amsterdam attitude to Park Lane. Equal parts steakhouse, bar and after-dark lounge, this subterranean spot oozes confidence. Expect serious cuts of dry-aged beef, standout seafood and a caviar selection worth loosening the tie for. Post-dinner, the slick 360° bar mixes up signature cocktails until late. Come for the food, stay for the scene.

22 Park Lane, Mayfair, W1K 1BE

Visit MRPORTERSTEAKHOUSE.COM

Camberwell’s getting a buzz-worthy new arrival in Hello JoJo – part neighbourhood bakery, part all-day restaurant from locals Jo Lavender and Rob Newlan. Head Chef Will Faris (The Ritz, The Dairy) is serving nostalgic-yet-refined dishes like bakers eggs with raclette, and pork chop with spring garlic soubisse. Meanwhile, Jo Garner (formerly of Mountain and e5 Bakehouse) is on pastry patrol, turning out treats like chocolate rye Swiss roll and pizza buns filled with spicy tomato sauce and garlic butter. Pop in for breakfast, lunch, dinner – or just a coffee and something sweet.

31 Camberwell Church Street, Camberwell, SE5 8TR

Follow @HELLOJOJOCAMBERWELL

Luxury skincare brand EVE LOM is celebrating 40 years of its cult products with a limited-time pop-up at Shreeji in Marylebone, open from Friday 9th to Saturday 11th May. Inside, visitors can enjoy complimentary one-to-one skincare consultations, alongside a discovery station to try with its hero products – including the iconic Original Cleanser and Rescue Mask. There’s also the chance to personalise your favourite products with hand-painted designs, capture the moment in a radiance-themed photo booth surrounded by affirmations, and sip on  matchas or artisanal coffee at the  bar. Arrive early to be one of the first 40 guests and receive a complimentary fresh flower posy and a goodie bag filled with luxe treats.

Tickets here EVENTBRITE.CO.UK

Hot off the heels of his Michelin win at Casa Fofó, chef Adolfo De Cecco is back with Bianca’s – a new Stoke Newington hangout serving fermented-forward sharing plates and a 100-bottle-strong natural wine list. Expect bold, unexpected combos like pork agnolotti in smoked mackerel broth and sheep’s sausage with crab curry. Bonus points for the on-site charcuterie room and chilled terrace – ideal for spring evenings.

175 Stoke Newington Road, N16 8BP

Follow @BIANCASLONDON

After a decade-long break, acclaimed Irish playwright Conor McPherson returns with a new original piece – and it’s well worth the wait. The Brightening Air is a lyrical slow burner set in a crumbling 80s farmhouse in County Sligo, where three siblings reunite to deal with the family estate. There’s sibling tension, a scheming uncle and Chris O’Dowd as the wayward brother who rolls in to stir the pot. With standout performances from Rosie Sheehy, Brian Gleeson and Seán McGinley, this is classic McPherson: atmospheric, poignant, and full of heart.

103 The Cut, Waterloo, SE1 8NB; until 14th June

Visit OLDVICTHEATRE.COM

Claude Bosi’s cult Fulham bistro now has a chic sibling in Marylebone – and this time, it’s all about Paris. The new Josephine is big on old-school brasserie vibes, with a menu full of French classics: think camembert soufflé, steak tartare, Grand Marnier soufflé and a serious seafood spread. Come breakfast, you’ll find croque monsieurs and viennoiseries served with French charm – plus a potato section that deserves your full attention.

6-8 Blandford Street, Marylebone, W1U 4AU

Visit JOSEPHINEBISTRO.COM

Skincare meets self-care at this immersive, two-day wellness experience in Kensington. AVEENO is opening the doors to its world of gentle science and nourishing rituals, inviting visitors to explore interactive rooms filled with sensorial moments, skin-loving ingredients and curated experiences. It’s not just about products – there’ll be expert talks, exclusive content previews and plenty of Instagrammable set-ups.

No.1 Cromwell Place, Kensington, SW7 2JE; 10th-11th May

Visit EVENTBRITE.CO.UK

The Barbican Music Library’s latest exhibition, Black Sound London, charts the influence of Black British music over the past century – from the early days of jazz and lover’s rock to today’s grime, jungle and drill scenes. Expect archive mixtapes, vintage mags, rare merch and more, plus a deep dive into how artists like Lord Kitchener, Soul II Soul and Dizzee Rascal have shaped not just the capital’s sound, but the global music landscape. 

Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS; until 19th July 

Visit BARBICAN.ORG.UK

If your interiors taste leans towards ‘cottagecore meets collectors’ dream’, head to Curator & Maker’s spring edition, themed around Shakespeare’s As You Like It. Hosted at Myriad Antiques, this pop-up is the antidote to fast homeware. It’s a treasure trove of handmade pieces by ten of Britain’s best independent makers. Expect hedgerow collages, whimsical ceramics, flower trugs and more. 

Myriad Antiques, Holland Park, W14 8UX; 7th-10th May

Follow @CURATOR_AND_MAKER

Looking to refresh your wardrobe without the guilt? Fashion Re:Boot is back at Old Spitalfields Market this Friday with rails of slow fashion, pre-loved gems and second-hand steals. Curated by fashion editor Ciara Elliott, this buzzy evening brings together stylists, bloggers and fashion-lovers for a live version of your dream Vinted feed – only with better lighting and a cocktail in hand. From 7pm, shoppers can browse curated collections from stylish sellers, while soaking up the Friday night vibe in one of London’s most iconic markets. Tickets are just a fiver – and if you have pieces you’re ready to part with, stalls are available too.

Old Spitalfields Market, 16 Horner Square, E1 6EW; Friday 9th May, 6.30pm-9.30pm

Visit OLDSPITALFIELDSMARKET.COM

Antony Gormley – he of Angel of the North and rooftop sculpture fame – is back on home turf with a look at where it all began. This White Cube show dives into the early days of his career, focusing on a collection of lead sculptures created between the mid-70s and the 90s. Expect raw, elemental works that laid the foundations for his now-iconic style. If you’re a fan, this is a rare chance to see how it all started – and how a fascination with the human form evolved into one of Britain’s most recognisable artistic voices.

White Cube Mason’s Yard, 25-26 Mason's Yard, St James’s, SW1Y 6BU; until 7th June

Visit WHITECUBE.COM

Blank Street is teaming up with cult tattoo studio The London Social for a two-day pop-up that blends tiny tattoos with iced lattes. Head to King’s Cross from 10.30am to try your luck at scoring a spot – scratch cards will reveal who gets inked by the pros. No appointment? No problem – you can still nab a temp tat and sip on the new Iced White Chocolate Matcha while you wait.

Battle Bridge Place, King’s Cross, N1C 4TB; 9th-10th May, 11am–7pm

Visit BLANKSTREET.COM

Following the success of their summer series last year, Guy Ritchie’s Ashcombe Estate and Carousel have teamed up again to create the ultimate food-focused weekend away. On various weekends from May to July, guests are invited to stay on the Wiltshire estate for two nights at a time, with a cracking breakfast included. Before sundown on Saturday evening, guests will be driven down to New Lake in the estate’s gun bus, where they’ll spend the evening in the company of a guest chef, eating a series of dishes cooked over fire alongside matched wines, beers and cocktails – all in one of Ritchie’s famed Wild Kitchens, a next-level, bells-and-whistles outdoor kitchen and dining space. There are also yoga classes, a sauna, wild swimming, and food and drink workshops from the Carousel team on offer. This year also sees the addition of two suites to the six elegant farmhouse en-suite doubles, each designed in the style of a 19th-century New England shooting lodge. On a recent preview, we were treated to a feast by two-Michelin-starred chef James Knappett of Kitchen Table. While his beef tartare and lobster curry will live long in the memory, the rest of the experience made it a weekend to remember. Chefs cooking for the rest of the summer include Masaki Sugisaki of Dinings SW3, Andy Beynon of Behind and Charlie Tayler of Aulis.

Visit CAROUSEL-LONDON.COM

The Affordable Art Fair returns this weekend, this time taking place in Hampstead today until Monday 12th May. It will showcase a mix of contemporary pieces from over 100 galleries. Whether you’re looking for new pieces for your home or want to discover emerging artists, you can expect everything from abstract paintings to sculpture, prints and photography, all priced between £50 and £7,500. Set in a leafy marquee on the Heath, the fair also offers curated collections, expert-led talks, and family-friendly activities. Don’t miss the late-night viewing tonight and on Friday, where you can browse with a drink in hand and enjoy live music until 9pm. 

Tickets from £14.

Visit AFFORDABLEARTFAIR.COM