By Charlotte Cox
This weekend we’re barbecuing on a bus, eating in the street and dating the scientific way. We strongly suggest you do too
FOOD: Anarch-Tea at W London
When Johnny Rotten sang ‘God Save the Queen’, he was aiming to spark societal revolution. Didn’t quite work (happy 90th, Ma’am), but as a pleasing alternative, four decades on the song HAS sparked a revolution in, um, afternoon teas. YEAH, have that, status quo! Because to celebrate 40 years since the punk movement, W London’s new Anarch-Tea brings you sweet treats inspired by iconic tunes from the era. So ‘Shut Up’ becomes strawberry mousse lips sealed with a silver zip, ‘21st Century Boy’ becomes Mohican-topped cake – and ‘God Save the Queen’? Well that becomes red, white and blue Battenburg, complete with marzipan crown. Just what Mr Rotten had in mind, we’re sure.
2pm-5pm daily; £30 10 Wardour St, W1D 6QF
NIGHTLIFE: Bestival presents The Future at The Bussey Building
So, this year’s Bestival is themed on – you guessed it – the future. And their vision of things to come is less about flying cars and downloadable burgers (wait, we LIKE that idea…), more about speaker-smashing sounds, hip DJs and, we quote, ‘advanced entertainment action’. And what better place to showcase exactly what that entails than Peckham’s Bussey Building? Touching down this Friday, expect space-age sets from Riton, Gotsome and Krywald & Farrer, plus a special Purple Rave tribute to Prince courtesy of Tayo and Rob Da Bank. We can predict the future too: it involves good times aplenty.
DATING: Date Lab at Coin Laundry
We’re not scientists, neither are we matchmakers. But we DO know that for either one, getting a 90% success rate is pretty darned conclusive. And 90% was just the success rate achieved by the first Date Lab speed dating event – meaning that if you’re stuck in an endless swipe-right cycle, you’ll want to give it a go. The trick is that this event takes a scientific approach to the process, meaning everything from your outfit to the activities are managed to maximise your chances of finding love. And should you be one of the other 10%? Fear not, you’re in Coin Laundry. You’ll fall for the Sodastream cocktails at least.
10 May; £15.75 70 Exmouth Market, EC1R 4QP datelab.co.uk
FILM: Florence Foster Jenkins
Some questions in life, you should always say yes to. Like, ‘More champagne?’ Or: ‘Shall we see the latest Meryl Streep film?’ And the rule holds true with Florence Foster Jenkins, in which she shines as the notoriously off-key 1900s soprano. Directed by Stephen Frears (The Queen, Philomena) and co-starring Hugh Grant on super-suave form, it’s a warm, funny must-see. You can always get that champagne after…
Out 6 May, cinemas nationwide
FOOD: Street Feast
To paraphrase those musical greats The Backstreet Boys: oh my god, it's back again... Yep, returning to the place where the street-food trend all began, Street Feast is taking over Dalston Yard once more for another season of delish dishes, cool DJs and cutlery-ditching fun. Don't miss Hawaiian sushi bowls from Poke, juicy beef from Stakehaus or Rola Bhaji Sliders from ELLE fave Rola Wala. Who should go? Well, to reference the BBs once more: everybody. YEAH.
6 May-1 Oct; free before 7pm, £3 after Hartwell Street, London, E8 3DU Streetfeastlondon.com
DRINK: Urban Garden at Urban Coterie
We like gardens as much as the next nature-appreciater, but have always felt that they lack three things: 1. Gin cocktails. 2. A menu created by a Michelin-starred chef. And 3. More gin cocktails. Luckily, this botanical-themed pop-up is addressing all of these oversights, filling new members’ club Urban Coterie not only with lush greenery and herbs, but Spanish-style Gin Mare G&Ts, snacks curated by Anthony Demetre, and nettle & fennel gimlets. Add to this to the 16th-floor city views, and you have surely the best garden there is. In your face, Titchmarsh…
From 6 May; £25 including two Gin Mare cocktails and British charcuterie to share M by Montcalm, 151-157 City Road, EC1V 1JH
POP-UP: Wünderlust
Usual way of things: moving bus good (for getting us to places and such); stationary bus bad. But not so in Deptford, oh no. Because from Friday, street-food stars Wünderlust are taking over an old Routemaster double decker bus and staying firmly put for the summer. Only they're filling it with BBQ lobster, wild garlic-stuffed lamb and grilled sea bream, plus botanical cocktails and DJs playing late into the night – making a stationary bus a very good thing indeed. Who wants to go places, anyway?
From 6 May 30 Deptford Church Street, SE8 4RZ
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