What To Do This Weekend 08.08.24

After a ten-year absence, Argentinian stunt theatre group Fuerza Bruta has touched down in Camden’s Roundhouse for eight weeks only. Its Aven show is a heady mix of gravity-defying aerial acrobatics, pop music, dance sequences and impressive set design. If you managed to catch the group’s work before, this is a lot more theatrical, with new themes of the natural world and animals. It's a high-octane spectacle, all taking place overhead: you’ll see suspended dancers running around an inflatable globe, a duet performed in a tank of water high above the floor, and a giant blue whale.  A DJ starts half an hour before start time to get spectators in the mood and, on Fridays and Saturdays, continue the fiesta into the night. Tickets start from £25.

Chalk Farm Road, Camden, NW1 8EH

Visit Roundhouse.org.uk

New to the Islington dining scene is Goodbye Horses, a wine bar and restaurant founded by Alex Young and George De Vos. Named after Q Lazzarus's cult song, the venue has a backdrop of vinyl albums from its extensive 2,500-plus library, and they get played on a proper audiophile’s sound system. On to the food, chef Jack Coggins (once of Papi and Planque) brings seasonality, sustainability, creativity and fun to a menu of sharing plates. Wine director Nathalie Nelles has curated a list emphasising French, Italian and Catalonian natural wines. There are more than 20 by the glass and more than 300 by the bottle, thanks to a cellar that will open to guests later in the year.

21 Halliford Street, Islington, N1 3HB 

Visit GoodbyeHorses.London

The closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics Games takes place this weekend and if you like the magic of watching it in a crowd, there are plenty of spots all over London offering dedicated screenings. Searcys champagne has launched a takeaway package including a bottle of Searcys new English sparkling wine (£45) or its own brut champagne (£60), two travel champagne glasses and a chiller bag to keep the drinks chilled. The package is available at its Battersea Power Station branch, so you can take it to Battersea’s official GB fan zone to enjoy. 

Turbine Hall A, Circus Rd, Nine Elms, SW11 8DD; St. Pancras: St Pancras International Station, N1C 4QL

Visit StPancrasBySearcys.co.uk

Not far from Kings Cross’s dedicated Team GB fan zone, you will find a new pop-up souvenir shop. Until 8th September, the spot will offer visitors limited-edition souvenirs crafted by some of London’s coolest illustrators, designers and artists – including Lucy Loves This, MaxMadeMe and Real Hackney Dave. It will have all the trappings of a classic British seaside souvenir shop – think sticks of rock, slogan postcards, keyrings and t-shirts.

Stable Street, King’s Cross, N1C 4DQ

Visit KingsCross.co.uk
 

Twenty-five years after its first staging, Mnemonic is back on the National Theatre’s stage until the end of the week. Simon McBurney (Drive Your Plough Over the Bones of the Dead) directs, while Khalid Abdalla (The Crown, The Kite Runner) stars. The play weaves together several stories to explore the subject of memory, who we are and where we come from – and it’s as impressive in spectacle as it is thought provoking. Tickets start from £20. 

Olivier Theatre, South Bank, SE1 9PX; until 10th August 

Visit NationalTheatre.org.uk
 

Wedding season is here, which might mean you need some new fits. To help your bank balance, cool-girl go-to Reformation and statement shoe brand Sophia Webster – known for its butterfly heels – are having a sample sale this weekend. Shoppers can save up to 80% on womenswear, footwear and accessories. The majority of Sophia Webster footwear will be in a size EU 35-37 – so those with smaller feet are in luck. Booking is required. 

Showcase, Outlet Shopping at The O2, SE10 0DX; 9th-11th August

Visit Chicmi.com

Make the most of this weekend’s good weather with Turning Tides festival – set along the banks of the Thames on Greenwich’s Peninsula. Attendees can expect live music – indie band Girl Ray, afro-funk Ibibio Sound Machine and alt-rock Flamingods are all on the bill – as well as plenty of street food outlets and bars. The best part? It's free to attend.

Greenwich Peninsula, Peninsula Square, SE10 0SQ; 10th August 

Visit GreenwichPeninsula.co.uk

Sports meets style at the new Nike and Jacquemus pop-up at Selfridges. Inspired by the Paris Olympics, the third collaboration between the brands is on display in a sleek gym locker room installation, complete with a larger than life ‘Le Swoosh’ bag sculpture. The limited-edition launch includes the Nike Air Max 1 with a few Jacquemus twists – the all-silver pair have already sold out – alongside reimagined tracksuits, sports bras and t-shirts. The space will also host the new campaign short film, J’aime Paris, featuring a cross-generational cast of global athletes, French icons and contemporary muses, including Serena Williams, Juliette Binoche and Central Cee. There will also be healthy drinks on offer from a bespoke Nike x Jacquemus juice bar.

400 Oxford Street, Marylebone, W1A 1AB; until 12th August

Visit Selfridges.com 

If ice cream and cocktails are your ideal summer combination, visit the Rondo and Roebuck pop-up at The Hoxton in Holborn. There, you can indulge in inventive ice creams and sorbets paired with luxe fizz and cocktails from Roebuck Estates. Open daily from 1pm-8pm, enjoy flavours like lime and basil sherbet sorbet or classic chocolate mud pie, alongside refreshing bubbles. Our pick is the Sgroppino cocktail – a sophisticated float with sparkling wine, St-Germain, and chef’s choice sorbet.

199-206 High Holborn, Holborn, WC1V 7BD

Visit TheHoxton.com

Inspired by the arts scene of 1920s Berlin, Engel is a new cocktail bar hosting live cabaret and jazz evenings – every Wednesday and Thursday – in its art-deco performance space. If the music isn’t enough to entice you, the luxe backdrop of The Royal Exchange’s grand arches and opulent interiors will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. The perfect spot to while away the evening, sipping on martinis and sampling oysters.

North Mezzanine, First Floor, Royal Exchange, EC3V 3LQ 

Visit TheRoyalExchange.co.uk

UK Black Pride, which celebrates LGBTQ+ people from diverse backgrounds, returns to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in August. From a busload heading to Southend-on-Sea to 10,000 in Haggerston Park, it's proud to come back to Newham. Expect performers, stalls, food, workshops, and the 'biggest and boldest' edition yet, honouring diverse identities through education, arts and advocacy.

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, E20

Visit UKBlackPride.org.uk

Japanese robatayaki restaurant Roka has partnered with alcohol company Diageo to introduce a Casamigos Yatai counter on its Charlotte Street terrace. There’s a Kakigori machine, which cuts ice into a fine, fluffy texture to create the traditional Japanese shaved ice dessert. If that’s not enough, terrace attendees during Shochu hour (5:30pm-7:30pm, Wednesday-Saturday) can enjoy a complimentary Casamigos Tequila Kakigori, along with a specially curated cocktail menu. To eat, there are dishes such as crispy prawn, avocado, and dark sweet soy maki; padron pepper tempura with sweet chilli mayonnaise; grilled prawn and leek dumplings with yuzu dressing; lamb cutlets with Korean spices and more.

37 Charlotte Street, Soho, W1T 1RR

Visit RokaRestaurant.com