Words by Holly Swayne
Blue Tit Hair Salon
Blue Tit hairdresser continues to dominate London's coolest boroughs with a new salon in Streatham. Adding to the near-cult status of its existing outposts in Dalston, Clapton, East Village, Brockley and Brixton, the new branch comes with an impressive interior designed by owners Andi and Perry that mixes stripped-back wooden floors, 'infinity' mirrors and a mesmerising geometric ceiling above the washing stations. What to have done? The salon will be championing some inventive festival looks this summer, from a full head of 'macrame' braids (created by stylist Pont Smith), to the salon's newly trademarked 'tie-dye' hair colour technique (by Head Colourist Harriet Muldoon). Clichéd festival hair, this is not.
Blue Tit Streatham opens 9th July, 69 Streatham Hill, London, SW2 4TX, 0208 674 2022
Negroni Nights at The Barbican
The Brutalist architecture of the Barbican Centre might not feel like the obvious choice for an Italian cocktail, but after a couple of sips it seems to make sense. Searcys' recently opened Osteria bar overlooks the iconic Barbican Lake, and throughout the month of July it will be hosting 'Negroni Nights' - a pop-up serving Negronis, Bellinis and Martinis. Michelin-starred chef Anthony Demetre will be providing seasonal dishes to accompany the booze, with a focus on fresh Italian produce. We recommend the 'Death in Venice Bellini' (a lethal combination of Campari, orange bitters and Prosecco) with the refreshing Carpaccio of Sea bream.
Osteria by Searcys, Level 2, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS. Open throughout July 2016.
Berber & Q Shawarma Bar
Don't let the name put you off, 'shawarma' (a slow-cooked kebab) can be so much more than a greasy, post-clubbing snack. Ex-Ottolenghi chef Josh Katz is bringing his own take on shawarma to a new restaurant on London's foodie-strip Exmouth Market this month, with fresh, quality ingredients and new variations inspired by trips to Lebanon, Tel Aviv and Istanbul. Order his signature lamb recipe and you won't be disappointed, best paired with coal-baked sweet potato and Mejaderah, a lentil dish cooked in the juices from the meat. Drinks-wise there's a Middle Eastern-style cocktail menu; we loved the 'Sumac Habit' made with mezcal, chilli-infused Aperol and lime.
Berber & Q Shawarma Bar, 46 Exmouth Market, EC1R 4QE. Opens mid-July 2016.
The Basics Store
London fashion designer Marina Guergova is best known for her own label of 'silk basics', but now she's turned her eye to curation, gathering an edit of like-minded designers at a pop-up shop on Shoreditch's Redchurch Street. There's sculptural-yet-delicate jewellery from local talent Jessie Harris (perfect for doing the 'stacked' rings trend), mules and loafers from fashion editor-approved footwear label By FAR, and fun, graphic-printed pots by Islington ceramist Hannah Bould. The store will also stock Marina's own designs - think clean-cut tops, trousers and dresses, crafted from 100% sand-washed silk satin in flamingo pink and emerald green.
The Basics Store, 30a Redchurch Street, London, E2 7DP, thebasicsstore.com. Open until 27th July 2016.
Wimbledon Pop-Up at The London Edition
Anyone for tennis? With Wimbledon well underway, the ever-chic London EDITION hotel will be hosting live screenings of the men's and women's finals from 8-10th July. Matches will be shown in the hotel's basement bar and accompanied by Pimm's and strawberries and cream cocktails (naturally). You'll also have the chance to play out your own final; Cornilleau ping pong tables can be reserved for a free game of singles or mixed doubles. And if football's more your thing, the bar will also be screening the Euro Cup final on 10th July.
The London EDITION, 10 Berners St, London W1T 3NP, 020 7 781 0000. Open from 8th-10th July 2016.
