Six Things Not To Miss In London This Weekend: Feb 10-12
Buckle up, London: you're in for a helluva 48 hours
From hip-hop to Hockney, we've got it covered
MUSIC: Little Simz presents Welcome to Wonderland: The Experience
Sundays. They're for roast-potato-induced dozing, right? NOT. THIS. ONE. Because this Sunday belongs to UK grime star Little Simz. The MC, rapper and, may we say, snappy dresser, is taking over proceedings at Roundhouse Rising – the Camden venue's week-long festival of new music – and bringing together her pick of emerging artists for the ride. Expect poetic Chicago hip-hop from Mick Jenkins, sultry soul from Tiffany Gouché and jazzy RnB care of Nérija – not to mention a set from La Simz herself, performing second album Stillness in Wonderland. BOOM.
12 Feb; £17.50
Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, London, NW1 8EH
i
DRINK: The Bloody Brunch Club Valentine's Special
Fact: No one likes Valentine's. For coupled-up folks, it's too corny, expensive, fraught with disappointment (delete as appropriate). And for singles? Let's just say it most likely involves gin and move on. BUT WAIT! Here is a non-cheesy, non-pricey and downright cool thing to do, whether solo or duo. Hit pop-up the Bloody Brunch Club (bloody Marys + brunch, you'll see where its popularity lies) is putting on a special pre V-Day edition this Saturday, involving, well, bloody Marys and brunch. But also espresso martinis, DJs spinning funk, soul and disco, plus a special singles' sitting where the Brunch Club Cupid will do the hard bit for you. And hey, if all else fails, there's always pastries and hard alcohol to fall in love with.
11 Feb; from £19.50
The Bloody Brunch Club, Haunt, 182 Stoke Newington Road, N16
FOOD: L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele
So there's pizza, there's good pizza, and then there's life-changing pizza. (And we don't mean the kind you get from a takeaway at the end of a Friday night, essential though that can be.) L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele deals exclusively in 'oh-my-god-what-have-I-been-doing-with-my-time-up-till-now?' pizza. Pizza so good that the original Naples restaurant, opened in 1870, has been widely recognised as the best in the world. Pizza so good that it was the actual margherita that Julia Roberts fell for in Eat, Pray, Love (see? Life-changing). And now, pizza so good that you should drop whatever you're doing and get yourself to Stoke Newington, where what is only the second branch of the restaurant in the world has just opened up, serving the classic margherita and marinara, plus two rotating specials, cooked the traditional way. Dominos can do one, quite frankly.
L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele, 125 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0UH
ART: David Hockney
It's not many artists that have their own 'look' – and, moreover, actually look like the work they produce. But David Hockney, arguably Britain's best living painter, is one such. With his round glasses, pastel flatcaps and patterned thin ties, he has the strongest aesthetic since Warhol – followed through on to the canvas in block colours of Californian yellows, pastel blues and vivid greens. And now, Tate Britain is hosting the biggest retrospective of his career yet, from his famous LA swimming pools to his bold portraiture, his evocative Yorkshire landscapes to modern masterpieces created with an iPad. Don your specs and cap and get down there, pronto.
Until 29 May; £19.50
Tate Britain, Millbank, London, SW1P 4RG
POP-UP: BlackTail x Bloomsbury Club Bar
When you've got a bar as cool as the Bloomsbury Club (an art-deco wonderland of polished wood, candlelight and cocktails), you don't hand it over to just anyone. But then, the team from New York speakeasy BlackTail are far from that. Nope, they're the same guys who run the World's Best Bar (official) Dead Rabbit, and these boys know their drinks from their DRINKS. Bringing a special pop-up to Bloomsbury for three nights only, they'll be serving up four of BlackTail's most popular cocktails, including a 1920s take on rum and cola, with champagne instead of soda (yes!), plus cola syrup and Orinoco Bitters. There will also be BCB favourites with a BlackTail twist and a Cuban-inspired food menu. Although, let's face it, they had us at champagne rum and cokes…
9-12 Feb
The Bloomsbury Club Bar, 16-22 Great Russell Street, WC1B 3NN
SHOPPING: Valentine's DIY Art Market
*Deep breath* The time is upon us again. Next Tuesday is the day when all manner of heart-shaped inflatables, cheesy photo cards and 'I Wuv You' stuffed toys test gag reflexes the world over. But we're here to tell you it doesn't need to be this way. Because this Sunday you could instead pay a visit to Epic Dalston, where the DIY Art Market is bringing together over 70 emerging artists and independent publishers who'll be selling their far cooler takes on Valentine's gifts. We're talking art prints, ceramics, personalised illustrations, risograph prints, photography, jewellery, sewn items, comics, custom tees, home-made cassettes, screen prints, records… And cuddly-wuddly toys. Relax: we lied about that last one.
12 Feb; free
DIY Art Market, Epic Dalston, 15 Stoke Newington Road, N16 8BH
24 Of The Best Restaurants In London
A First-Timers Guide To Visiting Jamaica
The Best Romantic Staycations To Visit
How Manchester Became A Global Hotspot For Fashion
