5 things to do in the rain: London

You can jet off to another country, but there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to evade the weather; after all, even Burning Man has seen its desert succumb to the power of torrential rain. For those of you staying at home, it’s a chance to visit some of the capital’s less frequented establishments and experience something new. Who needs the outdoors, anyway?

1. Get arty at the RA

There’s no better way to escape the rain than to lose yourself in something, and Radical Geometry, an excellent exhibition of uniquely modern South American art. has been receiving heaps of praise so far this summer. Featuring work from less well known artists, as well as renowned names such as Torres-García and Lygia Clark, this exhibition will transport you to the 1930s, an era of serious change in the art world.

The Dennis Hopper exhibition shows you the actor’s insightful photography, with subjects as diverse as Harlem, The Hells Angels, and Jane Fonda; the collection’s curator puts him on a par with other photography greats of his time.

£11.50 per exhibition, at the Royal Academy of Arts

2. BYOC (Bring Your Own Cocktail)

In this weather, rooftop bars just won’t cut it any longer. A very novel idea indeed, this bar doesn’t actually stock any alcohol; the idea is that you bring your favourite spirit, or spirits if you’re in it for the long haul, and the on-site mixologists will create all sorts of cocktails for you and your guests, providing everything but the alcohol itself. An establishment that would have flourished in the Prohibition era of its décor, BYOC is the ideal getaway for any gentleman who appreciates a good cocktail.

3. Play the sport of kings

One of the oldest sports in the world, a game of Real Tennis would be a wonderful way to get some exercise without the fear of being drenched under London’s dreary grey sky. The Queen’s Club is widely regarded as the home of Real Tennis in the UK, hosting the British Open and other important events in the sport’s calendar. If older is better, then this’ll be significantly more fun than your usual game of tennis, especially if you’re in the dry.

Available to members at The Queen’s Club

4. Experience the finest dining

If you’re not particularly fond of children, then this is the restaurant for you. Serving luxury English and Russian dishes in an impressively luxurious all-booth dining room, Bob Bob Ricard requires an elegant dress code for its diners. Dress to impress, eat, drink and be merry, all without getting that new Gieves and Hawkes three-piece ruined in the Soho rain. The restaurant’s club room is open for ‘lively dining, music and champagne’ for those gentlemen who prefer bubbles over raindrops.

Reservations available at Bob Bob Ricard

5. Shop in style

Alfred Dunhill’s Bourdon House location represents perhaps the pinnacle of customer service and the complete shopping experience. Located in a stunning Georgian mansion, the former residence of the Duke of Westminster, Bourdon House isn’t just a place to get fitted or shop for Dunhill’s impeccable products; our friend Alfred also provides services such as a barber, spa and cinema, along with a bar and humidor for those of you who enjoy the finer things in life. Although we’d expect nothing less if you were shopping there.

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