What To Do This Weekend 09.10.24

South-east London’s pub scene keeps getting better, partly thanks to the independent pub group Parched, which has made restoring London boozers to their former glory its speciality. After success with The Montpelier, The White Horse and The Earl of Derby, the group has taken on the old-school Clock House Tavern. Its interiors have been refurbished, but it has retained its charm, with oak panelling, leather banquette seating and a dartboard. From stouts to lagers, the drinks offering caters to everyone’s ‘usual’. Food is unfussy and classic, with the obligatory Sunday roast to round off the weekend.

196a Peckham Rye, Peckham, SE22 9QA 

Visit ClockHouseTavern.co.uk

The great and the good of the art world will converge in London for one of the most significant events in the art calendar this weekend. This year, more than 160 galleries from across the globe will be featured at Frieze, including London’s Arcadia Missa, Alison Jacques, Thomas Dane and the defining White Cube. Look out too for the famed outdoor sculpture garden in Regent’s Park and the return of Artist-to-Artis’, an artist-driven programme with six solo presentations selected by Hurvin Anderson, Lubaina Himid, Rashid Johnson, Glenn Ligon, Zineb Sedira and Yinka Shonibare. Tickets start from £46. For those who prefer their art made before the year 2000, its sister fair Frieze Masters offers higher-than-high-end works. 

Regent’s Park, NW1 4HA; 9th-13th October 

Visit Frieze.com 

If Frieze is the most exclusive and distinguished art fair on the London circuit, then The Other Art Fair is its antidote. Accessible, affordable and still stocked with works by exceptional, boundary-pushing artists, you can pick up a piece for as little as £100 here. Look out for Kit Lintin, known for her dreamlike realism; Hannah Gibson, an award-winning mixed-media artist; and Alec Cumming, revered for his bold and colourful pieces. As well as the art, there’ll be DJs, installations, talks, wine-tasting sessions, performances and plenty of spots to grab a drink. Tickets start from £10.50.

The Truman Brewery, Shoreditch, E1 6QL; 10th-13th October

Visit TheOtherArtFair.com

Kensington’s newest haunt is yet another pub we can’t wait to slip into. Caravel chef Lorcan Spiteri and Allsopp’s Brewery have joined forces to pay homage to the original Blue Stoops in Burton-upon-Trent, where owner Jamie Allsopp’s family have brewed since 1730. Allsopp’s cask ales will be on draught, while the food will stay true to proper pub grub – expect the likes of chicken, baby leek and black trompette pie, and cod with peperonata, chickpeas and aioli.

127-129 Kensington Church Street, Kensington, W8 7LP 

Visit TheBlueStoops.com

Bridging the gap between pub and club, hi-fi bars have been gaining traction in London. The latest comes from the team behind The Cause, All My Friends and Peckham’s The Greyhound. The Marquee Moon is more food-focused than the others, with a menu taking inspiration from Indian, Thai and Chinese cuisines supplemented with an eclectic list of cocktails. For true day-to-night vibes, the spot is open from lunch to dinner and into the early hours – soundtracked by rotating DJs on the JBL sound system. Names already confirmed to play include Rosy Ross, Giles Smith and Charlie Bones. 

48 Stoke Newington Road, Hackney, N16 7XJ 

Visit TheMarqueeMoon.uk

This new exhibition features a never-before-seen-in-the-UK collection of props, vehicles and costumes from the Batman films, spanning 1989 to 2022. Attendees can explore Gotham City-themed rooms and see the batsuits worn by Robert Pattinson, Christian Bale and Michael Keaton, along with the super-villain costumes of Uma Thurman’s Poison Ivy, Heath Ledger’s Joker and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Mr Freeze. Tickets start from £22.

45 Wellington Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 7BN; until 3rd November

Visit FeverUp.com

Looking for an afternoon pit-stop? To celebrate the launch of the Francis Bacon: Human Presence exhibition at The National Portrait Gallery, Richard Corrigan and his team at gallery restaurant The Portrait have introduced Bacon’s Butty and Bubbles. The rolls – from Bentley’s Bakery – comprise sugar pit bacon, Lincolnshire Poacher butter and bacon chilli jam – all paired with a glass of champagne for 20 per person. The butties are available from 3-8:30pm, Wednesday to Saturday.

St. Martin's Place, Westminster, WC2H 0HE; until 19th January

Visit ThePortraitRestaurant.com

For film buffs and couch critics, the BFI London Film Festival is one of the most eagerly awaited events of the year. Unlike Cannes, say, all tickets are on sale to the general public. The multi-week festival brings new movies, talks, fresh TV and premieres to the capital. This year’s curated selection – 112 films and other works – includes high-profile releases such as Steve McQueen’s Blitz and a collaboration between Sam Mendes and Armando Iannucci called The Franchise. If you need a steer, we’re booking Marielle Heller’s Nightbitch – starring six-time Oscar-nominated Amy Adams – and Anora by Steve Baker, who is known for his stormingly successful The Florida Project. 

Various locations; 9th-20th October

Visit WhatsOn.BFI.Org.uk

If you can make room in your calendar for one more arty event, the Nostalgia exhibition should be it. JG Contemporary and Lainey Sheridan-Young have collaborated on a group photography showcase that delves into the power of memory and emotion through the intimate lens of several talented photographers. Rene DuPont, Kevin Davies, Tim Brett-Day, Laura Bailey, Andrew Meredith, Yaffa and Christian Solimen will be showing their work – to name just a few. Plus, a portion of the proceeds will go to The Felix Project, a London-based charity committed to combating food insecurity and waste. 

Silverleaf House, The Verdean, Heartwood Boulevard, Acton, W3 6ZG; until 13th October

Visit JGContemporary.Art