It’s time: get your scorecards ready, slip on a sequined outfit and buy as many European flags as you can get your hands on. On May 13, this Saturday, everyone’s favourite (and granted, only) celebration of Europop jams, camp and overtly flamboyant eccentricities returns with its grand final: Eurovision is back.
Last year, far from the usual, embarrassing “nul points”, Sam Ryder took the UK to second place, pipped only by the Ukrainian winner, the Kalush Orchestra. This year, owing to the ongoing war in Ukraine, the awards are to be held in Liverpool — and whilst London isn’t hosting the big night itself, the capital has plenty of ways to watch and get involved.
As it’s always a big night out, many of the of London’s most popular parties have already sold out — so act quickly to get involved with the below. At the time of publishing, all of the below still have tickets up for grabs and a handful of great restaurants are bringing the party to boot. As Terry Wogan once so wisely said: “There’s not enough silliness in the world. Eurovision helps to keep it balanced.”
Eurovision Party with Felix le Freak, Signature Brew Taproom
Signature Brew have been crafting a good time since 2011. Over in Haggerston, music has been at the heart of what the brewery does and the event space-cum-bar just off the canal is ripe for a Eurovision blow out. Felix le Freak — a past winner of Drag Idol UK — is hosting the Euro-banging bash which promises “glitter, glam, cocktails and the cheesiest tunes”. All the essentials, then. With the grand final screening from eight in the evening and DJ set from 10.30pm until 1am, it’s lined up to be a belter.
Tickets from £8, May 13 from 6pm, 340 Acton Mews, E8 4EA, dice.fm/event
The Grand’s Eurovision Party, The Clapham Grand
Early bird tickets, VIP tables and boxes have all sold out for this monster of a Eurovision show, but there are still a few handfuls of standard tickets left for the big bash. The Eurovision final is set to be shown on the Clapham Grand’s 25ft cinema screen from 6.30pm, followed by a DJ set till 2am. A huge line-up of drag acts on the stage will set the tone for a wildly camp evening of boisterous fun, costumes and of course, music. For the die-hard fan — or anyone after a laugh — this one is a must.
Tickets from £12-24, May 13 from 6.30pm, 21-25 St John’s Hill, SW11 1TT, claphamgrand.com
Eurovision screening party with Club de Fromage, Boxpark Croydon
Cheese? Eurovision? Never! Club de Fromage is a well-known cheese fest belting out the most crowd-pleasing classics with singalongs, confetti and an all around good time. The Eurovision bash at Boxpark in Croydon is set to the same tune with games, live performances, audience participation — whatever that entails — and lots more besides. Group table packages with food & cocktails are still on offer, as is standard admission which for £10 guarantees entry, a drink and (hopefully) a cracking party.
Tickets from £10, May 13 from 6pm, 99 George Street, CR0, boxpark.co.uk
Ultimate Eurovision Party, Canteen Food Hall
“Back to back euro trash and pop bangers” you say? Sounds about right. Free nights out in town are like gold dust and to have a full blown euro-fest to boot, even rarer. Free to book and with a free Eurovision raffle the Ultimate Eurovision Party seems aptly named. Arrive in fancy dress and they’ll even sling you a cocktail on the house. Sequins to the ready…
Free tickets available, May 13 from 6pm, Design District Canteen, Greenwich Peninsula, SE10 0AX, eventbrite.com
Eurovision Screening, Arcade Food Hall
For a slightly more grown-up affair, Arcade Food Hall is offering a civilised, food-forward approach to proceedings. Think scorecards, flag-waving and delicious food courtesy the myriad operators inside the hall. That’s not to say it won’t be bringing the party: drag performer Karla Bear will lead proceedings featuring sharing cocktails and beer towers, while the surrounding screens will show every minute of the action live from Liverpool.
Free entry with Eurovision Party dinner booking, May 13, 103-105 New Oxford Street, WC1A, arcadefoodhall.com
Eurovision Watch Party with Massaoke, Big Penny Social
Scooch, Daz Sampson and Joe and Jake might not be chart-topping regulars but these three have some serious Eurovision credentials. All three acts are previous entrants to the competition (just, er, don’t ask how they did) so know a thing or two about what it takes to get a Eurovision party started. They’ll be performing at Big Penny Social with the event hosted courtesy Massaoke, who, as the name suggests, specialise in getting the party started with mass sing-along karaoke sessions. There will also be huge Eurovision bingo, which sounds both ludicrous and amazing.
Remaining tickets from £17, May 13 from 6pm, 1 Priestly Way, E17, bigpennysocial.co.uk
Eurovision Finale Drag Bingo, Skylight Tobacco Dock
For an ideal hangout to catch the sparkling finale of Europe’s greatest (only?) pan-continental singing contest, Skylight at Tobacco Dock has you covered. The camp-lovers checklist is complete with fabulous drag queen hosts, Eurovision bingo and the screening of the main event. There will be prizes for the best fancy dress, so the perfect opportunity to let loose and get into the spirit of the day— or perhaps night, given festivities finish at 12am.
Tickets £9, May 13 from 6pm, Tobacco Dock, E1W 2SF, skylightbars.com
Eurovision Grand Final live, Everyman Cinemas
One of the more relaxed Eurovision offerings about town, Everyman Cinema is set to host Eurovision screenings across a number of London locations. Available on the big night in Borough Yards, Broadgate, Kings Cross and Chelsea, the screenings encourage dressing up, score-keeping and good old-fashioned singalongs. Less camp Euro-blowout and more composed calm to watch and enjoy the full pageantry of the evening.
Tickets from £26.95, May 13 at 7.15pm, multiple Everyman Cinemas across London, everymancinema.com
Eurovision Bitchin’ Brunch, Savage Garden
There will be those who want to revel in the glorious glam of Eurovision all day long. Any elongated session should consider a food pit stop, and the Bitchin’ Brunch at Savage Garden offers midday respite and plenty more besides. Two hours of drag performances will all feature a strong Eurovision slant, with a two-course bottomless brunch that looks to be stomach lining-ly pleasing (lighter sharing plates of smoked salmon with “savage” eggs benedict to follow).
Tickets £65, May 13 from noon, Savage Garden, Pepys Street, EC3N 4AF, savagegarden.co.uk
Drag Queen Wine Tasting, Pheonix Arts Club
Another one to consider for continuing the day-long session, the Pheonix Arts club in the heart of the west end is dubbed the home of cabaret. Quite right too. Wine tastings are often serious, even sombre occaisions, this one promises a Eurovision singalong and a drag queen host, so it’ll probably be excellent. Wine knowledge comes courtesy Beth Brickenden who teams up with Vanity von Glow for the informal (read: raucous) tasting session. Due to finish just after 5:00pm this should be a cracking stop on a day of Euro-camp splendour.
Tickets £35, May 13 from 3:45pm, Pheonix Arts Club, WC2H 8BU, phoenixartsclub.com
Eurovision: The Grand Final live, Barbican
Of all the Eurovision parties across town, this may well be the most relaxed grown-up affair: a screening of Europe’s favourite annual camp competition set in the perhaps more serious surrounds of the Barbican. It’s not a full-blown takeover but the relaxed cinema room screening of the event live from the arena in Liverpool will mean guests should enjoy this most auspicious of music-mad evenings in slightly quieter comfort.
Tickets from £15, May 13 at 7.30pm, Barbican, EC2Y 8DS, barbican.org.uk
Eurovision Extravaganza, Top Hat bar and restaurant
This thoughtful Eurovision bash is playing a gentle homage to the Ukrainian winners of last years’ competition with a new Ukrainian cocktail on offer and a donation included within the ticket cost to the war relief fund. It’s easy to forget with all the sequins and partying that there is a sombre reason this party has come to Britain. The aptly named Top Hat Bar and restaurant — which takes its moniker from the life-size Monopoly game housed adjacent — is hosting the Eurovision watch party, with interactive games throughout.
