FOOD: Pop-Down To The Vaults
Pop-up is an overused term. Bars, shops, cinemas – er, story books – everything is at it. So how do you set your temporary foodie residency apart? The clever gastro folk at Cuisson have cracked it: you go in the opposite direction. You pop DOWN. To Borough Market, in fact, where the team of Michelin-level chefs are hosting five-course supper clubs featuring experimental Japanese plates and 'multi-sensory video menus'. There's also an Ikigai bar, gourmet snacks (oysters tempura, please), and an immersive experience where a Google glass headset transforms the flavour of beer. Intrigued? You know which direction to head...
Until 23 Dec
Pop-Down to the Vaults, 1 Cathedral Street, London, SE1 9DE
FUN: The London Shuffle Club
Shuffleboard. You'll either a) have never heard of it, b) have only ever heard of it in reference to pensioners playing it on cruise ships, or c) be fully aware that it was invented in the 1500s, was beloved by Henry VIII and had to be outlawed in 1542 for being too addictive. Ahem. However, soon enough all of London will know all about it, as it's the latest unlikely sport being given a hipster makeover thanks to The London Shuffle Club. Taking over the the top floor of the Old Truman Brewery, here you can experience the thrill of, well, pushing a puck down a long board with a stick. Which is actually more thrilling than it sounds. Plus there's tropical vibes, retro Americana food, craft beer – and Prosecco aplenty, of course.
13 Oct-30 Dec; £40 for a one-hour slot (irrespective of number of players)
London Shuffle Club, Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, E1 6QL
NIGHTLIFE: The Little Festival
Still suffering festival withdrawal? No need to pitch a tent in your garden just yet – the good folk at The Little Festival have come up with a far more fun way to tide us over. This Saturday they're 'bringing the festival vibe inside', taking over cavernous venue The Steelyard for a humdinger of a day-to-night party. Confetti canons, glowsticks, face paint, garlands and inflatables are all involved, as is pounding house and techno courtesy of headliners Hector and Marc Maya. All the fun of the fest, then – and with proper toilets to boot. Yes.
15 Oct; from £15
The Little Festival, 13-16 Allhallows Lane, London, EC4R 3UL
FOOD: Artisan Chocolate Market
It's a market. Of CHOCOLATE. We probably don't need to sell you on this any further, but as you're here: this Saturday, Duke of York Square will be stuffed with more sweet treats than Willy Wonka's had... well, sweet treats. Look out for high-end creations from famed Chelsea food store Partridges, plus gooey brownies, churros, cocoa doughnuts, patisserie cocktails and choco sushi (yes, that's a thing). And in the unlikely event that you STILL need persuading, we bet we can do it with two little words: Free. Samples.
15 Oct; free
Artisan Chocolate Market, Duke of York Square, London SW3 4LY
ART: Any Girl Photography Exhibition
What's in a picture? Plenty, at this photography show commissioned by Compassion UK to coincide with the International Day of the Girl Child. Because these stop-you-in-your-tracks images tell the story of 10 girls living in rural and urban poverty in Nairobi and Mashuru, Kenya, the struggles they face and the joys they share not only with each other but with any girl, anywhere. Powerful, moving – unmissable.
Until 16 Oct; free
Any Girl, G11, Oxo Tower Wharf, Barge House St, London SE1 9PH
POP-UP: Le Bun at Birthdays
There is only one thing in life that is better than a truffle cheeseburger. And that, friends, is a FREE truffle cheeseburger. With this in mind, we heartily suggest you get yourself to Dalston hangout Birthdays, tout suite. Because today sees the launch of the new residency by street-food heroes Le Bun, and to celebrate they're giving away 250 baps filled with truffley cheesy goodness, first come, first served. Of course, there's plenty more French-American fusion on offer, such as Le Duck Frites Bun, Le Bourguignon Bun – and the return of Le Mac (there it is!). So why are you still here reading this? Allez!
13 Oct-29 Jan
Le Bun, 33-35 Stoke Newington Road, London, N16 8BJ
FOOD: KERB 4th Birthday
Cast your mind back to the dark days of King's Cross, 2012. What street food could you find? Not a (gourmet) sausage. But then along came KERB market to change all that – filling King's Boulevard with all manner of delicious. The street-food pioneers turn four this Friday, and in a reversal of standard birthday etiquette, it's them giving US a present. Namely a huge foodie bash with traders including Killa Dilla, Bill or Beak, White Men Can't Jerk, BluTop, plus special birthday cocktails and live music. And in keeping with the theme of four, for every keg of beer opened, they'll be giving four pints away for free. Hip, hip, hooray indeed.
14 Oct; £4
Kerb, West Handyside Canopy, Kings Cross, N1C 4AP
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