What To Do This Weekend 13.07.22

The Spark House has been revamped into a cool new venue for gigs, art exhibitions and more. Some big-name DJs are set to perform on stage in the coming months – like Lumieux, Rupert Ellis and Kas – and the venue stays open until 2am. Here, guests go for the music and stay for the pub grub, which includes Korean cauliflower bites, chilli cheese quesadillas and burrata macaroni cheese. Make a beeline for the bar to enjoy fresh pints of craft beer from Laine Pub Company’s own kegs.

557-559 Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, E10 7EQ

Visit SparkHouse.pub

Five Points Lager Festival takes place from Thursday 21st to Saturday 23rd July at its Hackney brewery. There are 12 new lagers to choose from, including crisp Pilsners, flavoursome Kolschs and dry-hopped Helles. You can also try a selection of beers from some of the UK’s best independent breweries, as well as classic German lagers – tickets are free. 

Visit FivePointsBrewing.co.uk

Greenwich Peninsula is hosting a summer film festival throughout July and August. The Design District has been transformed with a huge outdoor cinema where guests can sit on a blanket or deck chairs to watch a movie on the grass. Choose from new blockbusters like Dune or Us, then head to the District’s Canteen for street food and cocktails. If you’ve got kids in tow, take them to see Cruella or The BFG. Tickets cost £6pp.

Peninsula Square, Greenwich, SE10 OSQ

Visit Eventbrite.com

After a big refurb, Dalston Roofpark has reopened its doors – and there’s an exciting roster of events to look forward to. Open from Wednesdays to Sundays, guests can order hard seltzers from the Fountain bar, try East End craft beers and feast on burgers from Beer + Burger – we rate its classic cheeseburger featuring American cheese, sliced gherkins, diced red onions and an 18-month aged double patty. Later in the summer, head to the rooftop for comedy nights, independent art fairs and vintage clothing markets.

18-22 Ashwin Street, Dalston, E8 3DL

Visit DalstonRoofpark.com

Belgian-born Kristof Santy is a contemporary artist who takes inspiration from folk tales to create his epic oil canvases. His first solo exhibition in the UK is at Unit London gallery and includes works centred on food and ‘gastronomic delights’. The Big Feast includes 17 oil paintings iconising the ordinary process of cooking and eating. Don’t miss the bold painting of the deli counter and the abstract take on cheese.

3 Hanover Square, Mayfair, W1S 1HD

Visit UnitLondon.com

Neighbourhood restaurant Wander in Stoke Newington is hosting a series of summer pop-ups and events to shine a light on local businesses. Throughout July and August, local brands will team up with Wander for kitchen takeovers and diners can enjoy a £10 discount on their bill. On Tuesday 19th and Wednesday 20th July, mother-daughter duo Azam will serve authentic Pakistani street food like crispy aloo tikki, pakoras and freshly made rotis with daal makhni, sabzi and other curries. Later in the summer, expect collabs with New South Wales Wine and Finley’s.

214 High Street, Stoke Newington, N16 7HU

Visit WandeRrestaurant.com

South Korean chicken bar Seoul Bird has teamed up with some famous faces for a new burger series. First up is a burger created by TV presenter and chef Big Zuu, which is inspired by his Sierra Leonean heritage – it includes crispy fried chicken dressed in a West African sauce and topped with fried plantain, lettuce and lime Kewpie mayonnaise. In September, look out for the collab with rapper Lady Leshurr made with BBQ jerk chicken thighs, corn fritters, mango and papaya slaw. Both are available from Seoul Bird’s restaurants in Canary Wharf and Westfield White City – and 50p from each sale will go to the charity Campaign Against Living Miserably, which raises awareness and helps those affected by suicide. 

Jubilee Place Retail, 24 Jubilee, Canary Wharf, E14 5NY; Food Hall, Westfield Shepherd’s Bush, W12 7GF

Visit Seoul-Bird.com

The Connaught hotel has opened a new cigar room tucked away behind a secret door in its Red Room bar. Guests can drop in and shop the collection with the help of the cigar team or settle in to try a few. There are more than 170 Cuban cigars to choose from – including rare and vintage varieties – all of which are stored in a slick Italian humidor. Once you’ve chosen your cigar, order classic cocktails from the bar or treat yourself to a rare spirit from the drink cabinet – think vintage Japanese whiskies and unique rums.

Visit The-Connaught.co.uk