What To Do This Weekend 21.06.23

Mexican taqueria El Pastor has teamed up with fried chicken joint Coqfighter to create two specials for summer. The first is a fried chicken burger (£11) available at Coqfighter’s sites across London. The burger includes Coqfighter’s signature fried thigh with El Pastor’s spiced sugar rub, a salsa verde slaw, salsa la maya mayo and sweet pickled white onions. Add on sides like fries, smashed cucumbers and cheesy corn. Plus, look out for the next special in July – details are under wraps but we’re expecting good things. 

Various sites

Visit Coqfighter.com

The National Portrait Gallery closed its doors in 2020 for a major refurbishment. It reopens next week with an exciting line-up of exhibitions and new portraits of some of Britain’s most recognisable faces, from King Charles III to Stormzy. Book ahead for the exhibition on Paul McCartney, featuring rediscovered archival images taken from 1963 to 1964 – when The Beatles were catapulted from a British sensation to a global phenomenon. It documents the band’s rise to stardom, adjusting from playing gigs on UK stages to performing to 73 million Americans on The Ed Sullivan Show. Tickets cost £22.

St Martin's Place, West End, WC2H 0HE

Visit NPG.org

Mayfair restaurant Sparrow Italia has opened a 25-person room cigar room. The space is overseen by cigar sommelier Syafiera Rosidi, who is a Master of Havana Cigars – a title only held by fewer than 40 people in the world. Head up to third floor to discover the cigar room with its wood-panelled interiors before going into the walk-in humidor to select your smoke. There’s a selection from the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Costa Rica and Mexico, as well as Cuban cigars from brands like Trinidad, Romeo y Julieta, Montecristo, Hoyo de Monterrey and Partagas. Relax in a leather armchair with a glass of whisky or cognac. 

1-3 Avery Row, Mayfair, W1K 4AJ

Visit SparrowItalia.com

London Action Festival returns to the capital this weekend for more screenings, events and talks that celebrate the best action films and TV shows. Kicking off today at various sites and cinemas across London, this year’s festival includes a screening of The Italian Job with the score performed live by a pianist (Wednesday 21st at the Royal Geographical Society), a masterclass on film directing from award-winning director Nia DaCosta (Thursday 22nd at Imperial College London) and a talk on the villains from the John Wick franchise (Saturday 24th at Kensington Conference & Events Centre). Tickets start from £25 and weekend passes start from £49.99.

Various sites

Visit LondonActionFestival.com

The Savoy’s American Bar has unveiled a new menu, created by the hotel’s head bartender. A nod to the iconic Savoy Cocktail Book, the menu has a simple index listing the inspiration behind each cocktail, from ingredients loved by the team to drinks created for notable guests. Drinks include the ‘Homecoming’ made with Lion’s Botanical, dry vermouth, St. Germain Elderflower and Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé; the ‘Jabberwock Sour’ with Hendrick’s gin, Haku vodka, Manzanilla sherry, rooibos and kola nut tea absinthe; and ‘Oh My Punch!’ featuring Bacardi Ocho rum, cachaça, spiced pear, almond grappa, Aperol, lime and celery bitters. The bar also has a selection of snacks like caviar, oysters and cheese and charcuterie boards.

Strand, WC2R 0EZ

Visit TheSavoyLondon.com