This bank holiday, we take you to the cinema in the 1920s, Havana in the 1950s and the disco in the 1990s. And you can drink cocktails at them all…
By Charlotte Cox
FOOD: York & Albany’s Beach Hut
Seaside things we like: 1 Sandcastles. 2.That deckchair-sitting is a valid use of a day. 3.Fish ’n’ chips ’n’ ice cream. Things we don’t like: 1. Being in Cleethorpes/ Margate/Scarborough… So, good news: York & Albany 's courtyard is being transformed into seaside heaven, with all the things we like and then some, because fish 'n chips 'n ice cream are even better when they’re gourmet-style. And we're in Camden. NOT Cleethorpes. 22 May- 31 Aug; 127 Parkway, NW1 7PS
Film: Tomorrowland
Admit it: you love a big Disney fantasy film on a bank holiday (come on, Flight of the Navigator? Honey I Shrunk The Kids? You can tell us.). Only nowadays, the visual effects are more stunning and the stars – hello, George Clooney – are too. In this ambitious flick, George plays a former boy genius who helps teen Britt Robertson discover a new reality. OK, there’s no Rick Moranis, but you can’t have everything…
In cinemas 22 May
POP-UP: Smokin’ Graciela’s Rooftop Bar
Just because we love you, we’re going to treat you all to… a ticket to Havana! Well, sort of. In that we’re letting you know about the Queen Of Hoxton’s latest pop-up, which takes a piece of the Cuban capital and plonks it on to an east London rooftop. Expect ’50s memorabilia, Latin beats snd Cuban storytellers, and – oh yes – rum. Lots of it. Open till Sept. 1 Curtain Road, London, EC2A 3JX
FILM: Motion Picture Supper Club
Now, we’ve nothing against our local multiplex (other than THAT time there were no fizzy cherries left in the pick ’n’ mix). But compared with watching a classic movie in a 1920s art deco ballroom, while enjoying a candlelit three-course meal and cocktails, before dancing to live jazz till the wee hours? There aren't enough fizzy cherries in the world to win us back from that. 22 & 23 May; £65. Bloomsbury Ballroom, Holborn, WC1B 4DA
MUSIC: Kansas Smitty’s Jazz & Julep Bar
Places that are renowned for live jazz music: New Orleans, New York, Paris, Havana. Places that aren’t: Broadway Market. That is, until now. Because this newly opened basement bar is home to a live eight-piece house band, who will be taking care of the super-cool swing sounds, while you take care of the super-tasty botanical-infused Juleps. Who needs New Orleans anyway? 63-65 Broadway Market, London E8 4PH
DRINK: London Wine Week
Now, we know what you’re thinking: isn’t EVERY week London Wine Week? Well, yes, in a way. But for the next few days, it's in a much more official capacity, meaning it’s acceptable to sip on sauvignon at any hour. It also means we’re in for all manner of grape-based events (wine masterclasses! Wine soirees! Wine pop-ups like our favourite- the Andaz Franciacorta pop up). The £10 wristband gets you £5 tasting flights at 90 bars. Sounds like a challenge… Till 24 May. Details here
ART: Photo London at Somerset House
So you love flicking through arty Instagrams? Well it’s time to think bigger. MUCH bigger. We’re talking the largest photographic fair London has ever seen, bringing together works from over 70 galleries worldwide, including pieces by David Bailey, Rankin and Annie Leibovitz, to name but a few. Taking over Somerset House, five exhibitions cover rarely seen historical photographs right up to new talent. 21-24 May; £20 Strand, London WC2R 1LA
MUSIC: Bourne & Hollingsworth’s 90s Playback Party
What wasn’t to love about the Nineties? You could play Nintendo, push it to Salt N’ Pepa and drink piña coladas without irony. So what’s not to love about B&H's 90s Playback party? The cocktail experts take over an east London warehouse armed with retro tipples, Nineties mixtapes and special guests (Reel 2 Reel featuring the Mad Stuntman!), promising a party where you can play Nintendo, push it to Salt N’ Pepa… You get the idea. 22 & 23 May, 8pm-2am; £25 The Laundry, 2-18 Warburton Rd, E8 3FN
POP-UP: British Designers Collective
Just in case you needed an excuse to make your way to Bicester Village, this year's British Designer Collective pop-up store has just opened. The line-up of labels whose archive pieces you can pick up at bargain prices is impressive; Mary Katrantzou, Peter Pilotto, Sophia Webster Henry Holland and Holly Fulton have all been enlisted by curator Yasmin Sewell. Open from 20 May for six weeks. Visit bicestervillage.com for details.
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