Soak up the rays: Boundary Rooftop is one of the outdoor restaurants welcoming guests this weekend
(Picture: Handout)Invariably, London gets immeasurably more fun when the sun’s out. With a blue-skied weekend on the horizon, is the capital’s cultural offerings are looking particularly appealing — the city’s outdoor destinations are coming into their own (without the need for the heaters that saw us through the winter), and are welcoming guests all weekend.
Elsewhere, there’s an exploration of LGBTQ+ cinema taking place down by the Thames, and a little further down the river, a gathering of UK breweries pouring pints for craft beer lovers. But that’s just the start of it — here’s our pick of what to get up to over the coming days.
The restaurant: Go al fresco
Spring has sprung and not a second too soon. If you’re enjoying all this sunny weather as much as we are, then make the most of it this weekend by heading out to one of London’s best outdoor restaurants. From French fine dining to street food, the capital’s terraces, gardens and rooftops are serving up all sorts.
Head here to check out the best of the lot.
The bar: Brew By Numbers Weekender
It’s not one bar, but many. Brew By Numbers — a stalwart of the London craft beer scene and a popular fixture on the Bermondsey beer mile — is hosting a weekend-long festival at its Greenwich site. With a collection of top UK breweries in attendance, pouring pints aplenty, alongside DJs, live music and views of the Thames, it’s set to be a good one. Tickets include entry and three half-pints on the day.
£10, 12pm-10.30pm, March 25-27, Brew By Numbers, Morden Wharf Road, SE10 0NU, eventbrite.co.uk
The exhibition: The Procession at Tate Britain
Tate Britain’s latest annual commission opens to the public this week. It’s always worth a visit whenever a new one rolls into town, and especially so in 2022. Created by Hew Locke, The Procession, explores themes of colonialism, trade, culture and beyond, with a horde of hand-crafted, life-sized figures — you can read all about it in our interview with Locke.
Free (but must be pre-booked), until January 2 2023, Millbank, SW1P 4RG, tate.org.uk
The event: BFI Flare
BFI Flare, the celebration of queer cinema taking place down on the Southbank, is heading into its final weekend, but there’s still plenty to see. The programme is an exciting one — The Sound of Scars, which documents the transgender lead singer of metal band Life of Agony, is among the highlights — with screenings throughout the day and into the evening.
Until March 27, BFI Southbank, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XT, whatson.bfi.org.uk
The club night: Re-Textured
Re-Textured was one of our favourite new arrivals on the pre-pandemic festival scene, and now it’s back for the 2022 edition. Bringing together cutting-edge electronic music and some of London’s best modernist and industrial architecture, with a focus on entrancing light shows, it’s certainly worth checking out. Caterina Barbieri, Nkisi, Helena Hauff and Skee Mask are among the must-sees on this weekend’s programme, with shows at the Southbank Centre, Printworks and Fold.
