London Fashion Week rolls around once again, and while the London season is in swing, things are feeling particularly stylish.
We’ve got you covered for all things fashion, but while there’s a full program of events and runways, we’re looking at what else is on this weekend.
From a hot new restaurant in Notting Hill from one of London’s most exciting small restaurant groups, to a few reopened bars (and wine bars), all alongside the best in comedy, art and design.
As ever then, everything you need for a belter of a weekend in the capital.
The hot table: Barbary Notting Hill
Notting Hill has seen a glut of restaurant openings of late. Holy Carrot and It’s Bagels are the latest local additions but this week, Studio Paskin (the group behind the Palomar and Evelyn’s Table) throws its hat in the ring to launch the Barbary Notting Hill. The north African-leaning restaurant focuses on a region once called the Barbary coast, which spans from Tangier to Tunis and dishes will include fried artichoke with spiced labneh and hake chermoula with others of scallop aguachile and côte de boeuf indicating an wider culinary lens. Well worth a trip up to W2.
From September 12, 112 Westbourne Grove, W2 5RU, thebarbary.co.uk
The drinking den: Oriole
One of London’s best bars is back. Oriole was once a Smithfield speakeasy, sister spot to the acclaimed Nightjar. At peak times, both were impossible to get into, as two of the best bars in town, but the London bar scene has come a long way since then. So has Oriole: in plush new Covent Garden digs and now split over two floors, the bar and restaurant has grown up. You can still expect live jazz and exemplary cocktails, for those are timeless, but the newer digs feel like a more fully realised Oriole.
7-9 Slingsby Place, WC2E 9AB, oriolebar.com
The old favourite: The White Horse
The White Horse in Mayfair has recently re-established itself following a short closure as an out-and-out wine bar. The refocused menu makes sense, considering the sister brand is Hedonism Wines, that all encompassing mecca of wine on Davies Street. The rotating wine list makes better use of the best Hedonism can offer, resulting in at least 25 wines by the glass at any given time. The food has been updated too, now offering more sophisticated dining with dishes like beef cheeks and artichoke fritters. Salut!
5 White Horse Street, W1J 7LQ, whitehorsemayfair.co.uk
The weekend festival: Greenwich Comedy Festival
This weekend sees some of the UK’s finest stand ups gather in Greenwich for what must be the most star-studded comedy event in London. The full lineup includes Harry Hill, Dara Ó Briain, Phil Wang, Alan Davies, Nina Conti, Simon Amstell, Kerry Godliman, Dylan Moran and plenty more besides. With all tickets priced under £30, the only problem you’ll have is knowing which of the many combinations of comics to book.
September 11 - 15, National Maritime Museum, Romney Road, SE10 9NF, greenwichcomedyfestival.co.uk
The design fix: London Design Week
London Design Week returns this September for the annual pan-city celebration of design. Top picks not to miss include Barricade and Beacon — an installation outside the V&A which explores the concept of design in protest — and Yinka Ilori’s “Objects” pop-up shop whereby Ilori curates a unique retail environment at the Hoxton hotel to showcase his eponymous lifestyle collection. Be sure not to miss the impressive installation by Melek Zeynep Bulut at the Painted Hall in Greenwich: it should be breathtaking.
September 14 - 22, across London, londondesignfestival.com
The art fix: Come As You Really Are
Artist Hetain Patel has curated a signature show in Croydon’s Grants Centre which coalesces around objects crafted and collected by hobbyists across Britain. The exhibition sheds light on the decisions these individuals make to commit considerable amounts of their time on creating and collecting these objects, from quilting to cosplay, and comics to collectables. This exhibition, on for just a few more weeks, is a must see.
Grants Entertainment Centre, Croydon CR0 1GT, artangel.org.uk
The ticket to book now (for later): Bars of Britain at Firmdale
Each year, the brains behind the Firmdale hotel group organise a collection of the UK’s best bars for a host of one-day pop-ups and at the end of the month, boozers from Bournemouth to Glasgow are set to arrive in Soho. Included will be Schofields, one of Manchester’s best-loved bars and regarded by some as the UK’s best, alongside Kiki Lounge, an Isle of Man drinking den which has steadily gained a cult following. Each bar is in town for just one night, so book your space now.
