What To Book In London This May

GET CRAFTY HERE: Ace Hotel London Shoreditch

To celebrate London Craft Week, the hip Shoreditch hotel has partnered up with three brands to create a series of free workshops. Leather goods brand Laperruque will be teaching raw edge burnishing, traditional hand-stitching and gold film hot-stamping; Studio Furthermore will show attendees soap and candle-making techniques; and Timothy Hann of fragrance house Timothy Hann/Edition will have the chance to craft stories inspired by fragrance.

100 Shoreditch High St, Shoreditch E1 6JQ; 8th-11th May

Visit AceHotel.com

TAKE ACTION AGAINST HUNGER HERE: Moveable Feast

On the first day of the month, charity Action Against Hunger will be hosting its latest Moveable Feast. Focused on Mayfair, the event will take in four top restaurants (Michelin-starred Gymkhana, Francesco Mazzei’s Sartoria, Park Chinois and French restaurant Aubaine), and a course will be served in each. All funds raised will directly support Action Against Hunger’s work to end child malnutrition globally.

Gymkhana, Sartoria, Park Chinois, Aubaine; 1st May; £80pp for a drinks reception, four courses and drink pairings

Visit ActionAgainstHunger.org.uk

PRACTICE YOGA IN A TEMPLE HERE: Andaz London Liverpool Street

The Liverpool Street hotel is hosting a ‘My Body Is A Temple’ event in its hidden Masonic temple on 20th May. Kicking off with a yoga class, guests will take part in an active fitness session designed to free the mind and challenge the body, before having a nutritious brunch in the hotel’s Eastway Brasserie. Guests will also be able to enjoy full access to the hotel’s Health Club facilities, before and after the yoga session.

40 Liverpool St, City EC2M 7QN; 20 May

Visit LondonLiverpoolStreet.Andaz.Hyatt.com

HAVE A CARNIVOROUS EVENING HERE: The Vaults

Roll up, roll up for The Vault’s ‘An Evening of Meat’ series, which will run throughout May. A performance installation that focuses on the female body (its strapline is ‘Nobody is a Piece of Meat’), the event serves a six-course dinner alongside immersive entertainment. Don’t be misled by the name – veggies and vegans are catered for, too.

The Vaults, Leake St, Waterloo SE1 7NN; Tuesdays-Saturdays until 2nd June; £35pp

Visit TheVaults.london

ATTEND A HAM SCHOOL HERE: Brindisa

This May Spanish restaurant Brindisa will unveil its new Ham School, teaching eager students the prized art of carving jamón at its Borough Market home. The school will offer an exclusive opportunity for participants to try their hand at one of Spain’s most respected culinary traditions under the watchful eye of the experts to guide them. Their own sliced ham will be available to take home.

Borough Market SE1 9AF; 1st and 22nd May, from 7-9pm

Visit Brindisa.com

CELEBRATE THE ROYAL WEDDING HERE: Café de Paris

As we all tune in to watch Harry and Meghan tie the knot on 19th May, cabaret club Café de Paris will be celebrating in their own unique style with The Royal Wedding Show. The theatrical burlesque cabaret dinner will bring to life Harry and Meghan’s international love story, from clandestine dates at Soho House and jet-setting back and forth across the pond, to announcing their relationship at the Invictus Games and the romantic proposal over roast chicken. What a way to end the day.

3-4 Coventry St, Leicester Square W1D 6BL; 19th May, from 6pm

Visit CafeDeParis.com

SCOFF CHOCOLATE HERE: Canopy Market

This new food market at King’s Cross is appealing to chocoholics everywhere with the launch of a chocolate festival. Canopy Market will collaborate with Cocoa Runners to host a one-off celebration of all things cocoa, packed with craft chocolatiers such as Pump Street Bakery, and complete with chocolate fountains, tastings, talks and demonstrations. Over the weekend, guests will have the opportunity to attend specific tastings such as chocolate and beer pairings.

King’s Cross, N1C 4LW; 13th-15th May

Visit KingsCross.co.uk

LEARN HOW TO PRESS FLOWERS HERE: Pullman London St Pancras

In honour of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, London-based artist Anna Garforth will unveil an upside-down floral installation, ‘Meadow’, in the lobby of the Pullman London St Pancras hotel. Anna will also be hosting two flower-pressing workshops. Participants will be able to pick a selection of flowers to press, as well as learning tips on how to forage for flowers in some of London’s best wild spots.

100-110 Euston Rd, King’s Cross NW1 2AJ; 15th and 17th May, 6:30-8:30pm

PullmanHotels.com

CELEBRATE 40 YEARS OF GREASE HERE: 15 Bateman Street

It’s been 40 years since Grease graced our screens, and we still love it. To celebrate, Now TV is creating a series of pop-up screenings themed like Frankie’s bedroom, where slumber party guests will be able to take their pick from a Grease-inspired prop box bursting at the seams with rollers, hair nets, jackets and much more, in order to transform themselves into a Pink Lady. Retro food and drinks will also be available to munch on during the film.

15 Bateman Street, Soho W1D 3AQ; 10th-11th May at various times

Visit NowTVGrease.EventBrite.co.uk

SOAK UP SUMMER HERE: House of Apothecary

Granary Square Brasserie is just about to unveil its new Physic Garden terrace installation, and for those who want more than just a G&T in the sun, the restaurant is hosting a series of ‘House of Apothecary’ masterclasses in its private dining room. Here, guests will blend their own gin to take home from a range of aromatic distillates, in homage to the apothecaries of old, while enjoying a three-course dinner.

Granary Square, 1-3 Stable Street, King’s Cross N1C 4AB

Visit GranarySquareBrasserie.com

SEE A NEW ORLA KIELY EXHIBITION HERE: Fashion & Textile Museum

The Fashion & Textile Museum is to host an exhibition of one of the UK and Ireland’s most famous designers. Featuring over 150 patterns and products, as well as collaborations with photographers, film directors and architects, Orla Kiely: A Life in Pattern will emphasise the role of ornament and colour in our everyday lives. Highlights include the original paper sketches for her trademark ‘Stem’ graphic, created in the 1990s, plus prototypes for her early signature bags.

83 Bermondsey St, SE1 3XF; From 25th May; from £7.70

Visit FTMLondon.org

DO YOUR BIT HERE: Plastic Pledge Supper Club

On Thursday 10th May, a brigade of top chefs will collaborate to raise awareness for the endemic use of plastic in the restaurant and food industry. The evening has been masterminded by chef Rose Lloyd Owen (founder of Fare Healthy and Peardrop London), and will feature a five-course menu, cooked in an entirely plastic-free kitchen. Dishes on the night will be cooked by Rose, Jasmine Hemsley, Chantelle Nicholson (chef patron of Tredwells) Anna Barnett (chef & journalist) and eco-chef Tom Hunt.

Propercorn Offices, Unit 1, Royle Studios, 41 Wenlock Road, N1 7SG; 10th May; £35pp

Visit PearDropLondon.com

SING HAPPY BIRTHDAY HERE: Prince of Peckham

South London pub the Prince of Peckham turns one this May and is throwing a week-long birthday party to celebrate. Events will include a hip-hop vs grime karaoke night, a high-stakes hot wing competition from White Men Can't Jerk, a soft-play daytime rave for kids, a tap takeover by Lagunitas and – most intriguingly – a Reggae Royal Wedding on 19th May.

1 Clayton Road, Peckham SE15 5JA

Visit PrinceOfPeckham.co.uk

LEARN ABOUT WINE HERE: Salon Brixton

Following the success of its inaugural event in April, Salon Brixton will return with its monthly Strictly Bangers event on 3rd May. Bringing together the restaurant’s passion for wine and great music, top London sommelier Florian Siepert from Goodman will bring along his best bottles and match them with his top tunes.

18 Market Row, Brixton SW9 8LD; 3rd May

Visit SalonBrixton.co.uk

GET A TASTE FOR LA DOLCE VITA HERE: Sumosan Twiga

High-end Japanese and Italian fusion restaurant Sumosan Twiga has launched a new event that will take place every Tuesday and Wednesday in May. Hosted by Italian singer and band Alessandro Ristori & The Portofinos (described as an ‘Italian Elvis in vintage Gucci’), La Dolce Vita will transport guests to 1950s Italy as they’re serenaded by the band whilst tucking into the likes of wagyu ‘Billionaire rolls’ and the signature lobster salad. Just what we need to get us in the mood for summer.

165 Sloane St, Belgravia SW1X 9QB; Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9pm

Visit SumosanTwigaLondon.com

EXPERIENCE THE ULTIMATE SLEEPOVER HERE: Great Northern Hotel

Great Northern Hotel has launched a ‘Girl’s Night In’ package, which offers everything you need for the ultimate stylish sleepover experience. Partnering up with Desmond & Dempsey, guests can choose a set of pyjamas to wear and keep. The package also includes a night’s stay in one of the hotel’s Cubitt rooms, two signature cocktails each, and sweet and savoury snacks from the GNH Bar to be ordered in-room, plus a champagne brunch at Plum + Spilt Milk the following morning.

Pancras Rd, King’s Cross N1C 4TB; £280pp

Visit GNHLondon.com