Summer is upon us and London has come alive. This month, London plays host to a whole array of events and openings. From sport that will have you on the edge of your seat to the latest restaurant openings, make the most of what the capital has to offer this month with our pick of the best things to do.
Wimbledon 2024
Whether you were lucky enough to score tickets, or content to enjoy the action from one of the many big screens around the city with a glass of Pimm’s in hand, Wimbledon 2024 is not to be missed. With the likes of Djokovic, Alcaraz and Sinner set to take to the court, there’s guaranteed to be some exciting match-ups.
When? 1-14 July
Where? Wimbledon and around London
How much? From £20 for a grounds pass, free to watch on screens around London
'A Tribute to Nature' afternoon tea at Jumeirah Carlton Tower
How better to while away a long summer afternoon than with a spot of afternoon tea? Jumeirah Carlton Tower’s fresh take on the British tradition draws inspiration from iconic British gardens, integrating botanics and local flora into each course to reflect the hotel’s commitment to seasonal, locally sourced produce.
When? From July
Where? Jumeirah Carlton Tower, Knightsbridge
How much? £75 for traditional afternoon tea, £90 for cocktail afternoon tea
Rambutan & Cousins
This month, Rambutan, the home of Sri Lankan diaspora cooking in the heart of Borough Market, is launching a collaborative dinner series called Rambutan & Cousins. Renowned London chefs are invited to raid Rambutan supplies and use Sri Lankan ingredients and recipes as cues for inspiration, but cook whatever inspires them in their own style. The series kicks off on the 28th July with rising culinary star Rahel Stephanie, founder of sell-out Indonesian supper club Spoons, taking to the pans.
When? 28 July
Where? Rambutan, Borough Market
How much? Prices vary
UEFA Euro 2024
The Euros are back, and this time the boys are battling it out on the pitch in Hamburg. If you didn’t snag tickets, fear not: it seems just about every pub in London is showing the game. Whether you’re a diehard football fan or simply here for the vibes, grab your mates and get to your nearest boozer to be a part of the action.
When? 14 June - 14 July
Where? Screening around London
How much? Free to watch
Bar Antoine Twilight Terrace
With summer in full swing, that means the parks and green spaces in the capital will be overrun on days when the temperatures soar. Escape the hoi polloi by making a beeline for Bar Antoine, overseen by multi-Michelin-starred Yannick Alléno, whose space within the Four Seasons has extended to a back terrace where a Mediterranean-style setting offers respite from city noise. Light-as-feather dishes include egg in a ‘frou frou’ jelly, Cornish lobster cooked in a wine broth with vegetables, and – for an essential taste of the season – a strawberry tart with almond cream and some strawberry Chantilly.
When? Until 29 September
Where? Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane, Park Lane
How much? Starters from £18
London Calling at Amaro
For one night only, Kensington High Street cocktail bar Amaro is playing host to London Calling, a tribute to one of London’s greatest mixology eras – the 2000s. Amaro owner Elon Soddu and acclaimed mixologist Danil Nevsky have chosen some of their favourite cocktails from the noughties to serve on the night, including the Mulata Daisy, an award-winning take on the Mulata Daiquiri by The Connaught Bar’s Agostino Perrone, and Green Park, a fresh and botanical gin cocktail created by Erik Lorincz as former head bartender at The American Bar at The Savoy.
When? 9 July, from 7pm
Where? Amaro Bar, Kensington
How much? Prices vary
Serpentine Pavilion
Each year, an internationally renowned architect is invited to design and create their first built structure in England, the Serpentine Pavilion. This year, the 23rd Serpentine Pavilion is by Minsuk Cho of Mass Studies. Titled Archipelagic Void, it envisions a unique void surrounded by a constellation of smaller, adaptable structures strategically positioned at the periphery of the lawn.
When? Until 27 October
Where? Serpentine, Kensington Gardens
How much? Free
Kaso at One Hundred Shoreditch
This July sees stylish east London hotel One Hundred Shoreditch open its doors to a brand new bar and kitchen at its iconic rooftop. Kaso, helmed by Head Chef Ilknur Celik, will feature a Mediterranean-inspired menu, with stand-out dishes including muhammara with pomegranate and walnut, grilled lamb cutlets with fig and pistachio and octopus with samphire.
When? From 5 July
Where? One Hundred Shoreditch
How much? Prices vary
Summer Exhibition 2024
Held every year since 1769, the Summer Exhibition is the Royal Academy’s annual exhibition of the art you need to know about now, featuring work by everyone from emerging artists to the biggest names in contemporary art and architecture. Most of the paintings, prints and sculptures will be available to buy, making this the perfect opportunity to start, or grow, your art collection.
When? 18 June - 18 August
Where? Royal Academy
How much? £22-24.50
Games Night at the Beaumont
On the first Tuesday of every month, The Beaumont plays host to a throwback-style games night, held within the hotel’s ground-floor Gatsby’s Room (the concept of the bolthole is that of a hideaway created for a fictional New Yorker who’s escaped prohibition for the heights of London). There’s backgammon on offer, as well as Scrabble and Rummikub (and more), all of which are produced in high-tone finishes, meanwhile the bar snacks (Hereford-beef sliders, lobster rolls), period cocktails (mint juleps, French 75s) and licks of jazz tracks contribute to the art deco feel.
When? The first Tuesday of every month (dates may change depending on bank holidays)
Where? The Beaumont, Mayfair
How much? Champagne cocktails from £20
Yoko Ono: ‘Music of the Mind’
Yoko Ono is perhaps best known for her relationship with her husband and collaborator John Lennon, but she has never let that define her. Over the past seven decades, Ono has carved out a name for herself as an artist, musician and activist in her own right, and now Tate Modern is celebrating her multidisciplinary career in the UK’s largest exhibition of Ono’s work. Yoko Ono: ‘Music of the Mind’ traces the development of her practice and features over 200 of her works including installations, films, music, photography and scores.
When? Until 1 September
Where? Tate Modern
How much? £22
Bubbledogs at 45 Park Lane
Cult Champagne and hot dogs restaurant Bubbledogs, which closed in 2020 to the chagrin of many, is making a triumphant return this May as an alfresco pop-up at Dorchester Collection’s 45 Park Lane. Highlights of the American-inspired menu will include the Native Dog, featuring crispy native lobster tempura, Marie rose sauce and beluga caviar, as well as the Fourth of July, with spicy BBQ sauce, coleslaw and crispy bacon.
When? Unti 29 September
Where? 45 Park Lane
How much? Classic dogs from £22
Gaia
Mayfair has a new restaurant to add to its expanding roster of excellent eateries. Gaia, named after a female Greek deity, is focused on providing the very best that the land and the sea have to offer. And Gaia does exactly that. Inspired by Mediterranean culture, Gaia sits in a lively and bright venue. Fresh produce is at the core of what the restaurant serves up, and lightly smoked tuna carpaccio, zucchini tempura sits alongside rigatoni pasta and slow cooked Baby goat. Our advice? Come for it all, but stay for the seafood. The fish market is unlike any other fresh seafood selection we've tried yet, and you'll be able to try out everything from giant prawns and turbot to caught-that-day lobster and monkfish. Finish off with the brownie with mastiha marshmallow or Gaia Cheesecake.
When? Ongoing
Where? 50 Dover Street
How much? Prices vary
42 Mayfair
After a lavishly opulent cocktail bar to while away the hours in? Well, 42 Mayfair is just that. Situated above the famous Michelin star restaurant Gymkhana, and actually the sister to it, 42 Mayfair is well worth a trip, even if it's just to check out the decor: extravagantly patterned tapestries and ceramic animal ornaments make it feel like you're in an aristocrats house. Meanwhile, the drinks are worth their buck. The drinks list at 42 comprise house cocktails, made with carefully sourced Indian ingredients and flavours, as well as a selection of elevated seasonal classics. There's also super rare whisky (which will cost you).
When? Ongoing
Where? 42 Albermale Street
How much? Prices vary
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