Tonight, the final of the Eurovision Song Contest is returns to our screens yet again, this time from Malmö, Sweden. Whether you’re a Eurovision fanatic or not, the final spectacle gives the perfect excuse to get dressed up and join in with the madness.
This year’s Eurovision has been shrouded in controversy following calls for participant countries to boycott the event in solidarity with Palestine. As such, many of the venues which usually welcome hundreds of sequinned-Londoners on Grand Final night have chosen to close their doors.
That doesn’t mean everywhere has, thought. Below are five spots across the city to cheer on the UK’s representative, Olly Alexander.
Vauxhall Food and Beer Garden
Enjoy street food on the rooftop of Vauxhall Food and Beer Garden whilst dancing to performances from Aussie drag queen’s Florr and Laydee Kinmee, as well as UK RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Dedelicious.
Tickets from £11.25, from 6pm, 6 South Lambeth Place, SW8 1SP, vauxhallfoodbeergarden.com
The Sindercombe Social
Torn between Eurovision and enjoying the heatwave? The Sindercome in Shepherd’s Bush offers both. Its impressive beer garden is the perfect spot to sit back and enjoy the predicted sunny weather for this weekend, and it will be broadcasting the Grand Final on screens around the venue.
Free tickets available, from 7pm, 2 Goldhawk Road, W12 8QD, designmynight.com
The Hippodrome
For a somewhat more glam affair, head to Lola’s at the Hippodrome Casino to see the action unfold on their 10-metre video wall. Expect to party all night to tunes selected by drag queen DJ Christina Draguilera. A special guest performance from Nikki French, 2000’s Eurovision contestant for Stockholm, will be just one of many highlights. Hungry? Chop Chop, the Chinese downstairs, is cracking.
Tickets from £19.85, from 6.30pm, Leicester Square, WC2H 7JH, fw-live.com
Zodiac Bar
Drag queen Eileen Eiffell hosts tonight at Zodiac Bar, one of London’s newer additions to the LGBTQ+ club scene. The split floor venue is already known as one of the best places to party till the early hours, and tonight should be no exception.
Tickets from £10, arrive before 7pm, Hampstead Road, NW1 3EE, zodiacbar.co.uk
The Swedish Church
For something completely different and perhaps a little more subdued, the Swedish Church will be welcoming Eurovision fans into its Swedish Hall. A church? Yes, but don’t expect a snooze fest: this is Eurovision after all. Costumes are encouraged and drinks and snacks will be sold from 7.30pm.
