What To Do This Weekend 26.10.23
TREAT YOURSELF:
Prêt-À-Portea at The Berkeley
Treat yourself this weekend to The Berkeley’s AW22 Prêt-à-Portea collection – a playful selection of couture cakes inspired by fashion houses and brands like Victoria Beckham, Nina Ricci and Harris Reed. Available as part of the hotel’s afternoon tea menu (£80pp), diners can try catwalk-inspired creations including Missoni’s zig zag maxi coats with mandarin mousse and almond praline, and an Alexander McQueen gown with chocolate gianduja cream, miso caramel and hazelnut sponge. The tea also includes a selection of classic canapés and sandwiches, plus a selection of loose-leaf teas.
Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RL
Visit The-Berkeley.co.uk
SEE A NEW EXHIBITION:
The Cult of Beauty at Wellcome Collection
Wellcome Collection in Euston always has interesting exhibitions, so we were excited to hear its new one on beauty opens today. It explores the great lengths people go to in order to enhance their looks, as well as the driving forces that lead people to believe in a myth of universal beauty. It features over 200 items, including historical objects, artworks, films and new commissions. Tickets are free.
183 Euston Road, Euston, NW1 2BE; until April 2024
Visit WellcomeCollection.org
POLLY TOOTAL
GET DATE NIGHT RIGHT:
20 Berkeley x Le Duc Dinner
20 Berkeley opened earlier this year and has already established itself as a buzzy, sophisticated Mayfair spot. Tonight, it’s teaming up with Paris restaurant Le Duc for a one-off supper. Guests will be given a glass of Billecart champagne on arrival, before tucking into a selection of dishes – details are under wraps until this evening but you can expect good things. The menu costs £135pp, which includes paired wines or cocktails.
20 Berkeley Street, Mayfair, W1J 8EE
Visit SevenRooms.com
GET A CULTURE FIX:
Black British Book Festival
The Black British Book Festival is the largest of its kind in Europe. It was created to celebrate new and emerging Black British authors across all genres, from crime writing and non-fiction to thrillers and children’s novels. Now in its third year, the festival takes place at the Southbank Centre later this month. Festival highlights include a talk on love, relationships and self-empowerment with author and podcaster Candice Brathwaite; a publishing talk on the world of crime writing; and an interactive event with Strictly Come Dancing champion and CBeebies host Oti Mabuse on her new children’s picture book.
Belvedere Road, South Bank, SE1 8XX; 27th-28th October
Visit SouthbankCentre.co.uk
TAKE THE KIDS OUT:
October Family Festival At The Natural History Museum
Running out of ideas to keep the kids entertained this week? The Natural History Museum has you covered with its half-term festival of family-friendly events, talks and workshops. Drop into free events like the LEGO building challenge (Fri 27th) and craft workshops (Fri 27th), or book ticketed events including a prehistoric planet trail around the museum (Sun 29th; £2.50) and a zoology tour (Sun 29th; £25). Don’t miss the T-Rex show with ‘Teach Rex’ when kids can learn about the terrifying dinosaur and its habitat (Fri 27th; £10).
Cromwell Road, South Kensington, SW7 5BD
Visit NHM.ac.uk
@MR.TRIPPER
MEET THE GIRLS:
Halloween at Stereo
Inspired by the late-night cultures of New York and Paris, Stereo is a buzzy central London bar for drinks, dinner and live music. The venue is hosting Halloween parties on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th October, when the bar will be decked out with spooky decorations. On Friday night, guests will be encouraged to dress in black to listen to live music from Damned at the Disco and a late-night DJ. Saturday night is the big one with ghoulish performances and surprise guests. Tickets are free.
35 The Piazza, Covent Garden, WC2E 8BE; 8pm to 3am
Visit DesignMyNight.com
NAB £2 OYSTERS:
Manzi's
Soho seafood restaurant Manzi's has started an oyster hour between 5.30pm and 6.30pm on weekdays. Guests can tuck into £2 Rossmore Irish oysters (or £9 for 12), which come with a selection of dressings, alongside small plates like crayfish rolls with thousand island dressing, tempura king prawns with brown crab mayo, and smoked salmon blinis with horseradish cream. The Oyster Hour menu also has cocktails from £5, like the ‘You Only Live Once’ made with Tanqueray gin, Ketel One vodka, and aromatised wine and rock samphire.
1-8 Bateman's Buildings, Soho, W1D 3EN
Visit Manzis.co.uk
BOOK AHEAD:
Spirit of Christmas, Olympia London
The Spirit of Christmas Fair is the ultimate way to launch into the festive season. Bringing together over 700 boutiques and designers-makers, the seven-day event offers everything you need to start and finish your Christmas shopping. With plenty of inspiration across fashion, jewellery, home accessories and decorations, plus toys, men’s gifts and food and drink ideas, it’s a great day out. This year, it’s bigger than ever, featuring over 700 small independent businesses, 200 new and exclusive brands and many returning favourites – think Addison Ross, Belazu, Bias Editions, Freddie’s Flowers, If Only If Nightwear, Lucy’s Dressings, Nio Cocktails and Rebecca Udall.
Olympia London, Hammersmith Road, W14 8UX; 30th October-5th November
FEEL FESTIVE:
Nutcracker at Tuff Nutt Jazz Club
Southbank Centre's new venue The Tuff Nutt Jazz Club opens a new production on Saturday 28th October. Nutcracker is a modern production, inspired by the classic ballet. Created by Olivier-winning choreographer and director Drew McOnie, it deconstructs Tchaikovsky’s score, which is performed by a live jazz band. Suitable for the whole family.
Belvedere Road, South Bank, SE1 8XX; until 6th January
Visit SouthbankCentre.co.uk
GET A MAKEOVER:
Battersea Power Station Power Parlour Pop-Up
Battersea Power Station has opened a 1950s-inspired beauty pop-up to celebrate its one-year anniversary. Guests can visit the ‘Power Parlour’ for a range of 1950s-inspired hair treatments from Blush + Blow London, makeovers from M.A.C Cosmetics and barber cuts from R.W. Wolf. Ask for a Hollywood blow dry or red lipstick tutorial from the make-up pros. Guests can also oder various cocktails. Book an appointment at the link below.
Circus Road West, Nine Elms, SW11 8DD; until Sunday 29th October
CHARLIE ROUND-TURNER
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