Events
London Cocktail Week
Various Locations
12th-22nd October 2023
A city-wide celebration of cocktail culture. London Cocktail Week began in 2010, and has become one of the most revered festivals of its kind in the world. The ‘Connoisseur’s Collection’ is new for this year, where ‘London’s most prestigious bars’ will offer an intimate service featuring tastings, unique cocktail flights and masterclasses. Buy your wristbands here and swing by our American Bar or Beaufort Bar to get involved!
London Literature Festival
Southbank Centre
18th -29th October 2023
George the Poet, Yu Miri, Teju Cole, Sir Patrick Stewart, Jada Pinkett Smith, Kerry Washington and Jacqueline Wilson are among the faces on the programme at this year’s London Literature Festival at Southbank Centre, which celebrates the written and spoken word in all its forms.
Diwali On Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square
29th October 2023
Although Diwali falls on 12 November this year, London’s official celebrations in Trafalgar Square take place on 29 October. With an exciting line up of music and dance, plus workshops, food, art and crafts for the whole family, it’s a fantastic day out for everyone to enjoy.
Exhibitions
180 Studios
Opening 11th October 2023
Designed by artist Es Devlin, Gucci Cosmos traces one of many possible constellations connecting the ideas and inventions set in motion by the creative directors and artisans over the past 102 years. Italian fashion theorist and critic Maria Luisa Frisa has drawn together treasures, many of which take their first trip outside of the archive.
Turn it Up: The Power of Music
Science Museum
Opening 19th October 2023
Delve into the science of music and how technology has helped make music more accessible to all. It’s very hands-on, with plenty of interactives including a newly commissioned “musical playground” where visitors can play with beat, melody and harmonies.
ON FOOT: An Exhibition Curated by Jonathan Anderson
17 St George Street
Closing 28th October 2023
Designer Jonathan Anderson – who helms JW Anderson and is creative director at Loewe – curates On foot pieces from his recent collections are displayed alongside iconic works of modern British art, all presented At Offer Waterman as if the visitor was walking through London.
Our Theatre Recommendations
Sunset Boulevard
Nicole Scherzinger (amazing in ‘Cats’ a few years ago) stars in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic musical tale of a faded silent-movie star desperate to relive her dreams and memories. Big songs ‘With One Look’, ‘The Perfect Year’, ‘As If We Never Said Goodbye’ are given the hefty star power they deserve in this haunting production. Nicole’s stand-in Rachel Tucker, also does an incredible job.
Hamnet
This play, based on Maggie O’Farrell’s novel, centres on the love between a young Shakespeare and farm girl Agnes (Anne). Their son, Hamnet, dies aged only 11, and we see the effects of the monumental grief that overcomes parents – any parents, famous or not. Madeleine Mantock plays Agnes with both gentle skill and roaring intensity; and Tom Varey, as William, is mesmerising, particularly in the final scene when ‘Hamlet’ is produced – his deeply moving homage to his son.
Dear England
Written by James Graham, this unusual play has as its subject Gareth Southgate, the England football team manager, with Joseph Fiennes taking on the lead role. We, the audience, are left to decide for ourselves about Southgate and his touchy-feely approach to managing the team. The writing means that the play is accessible to all, not just those with football knowledge, as it covers weighty subjects including toxic masculinity and discrimination. And, weirdly, it moves you to tears!
New Restaurant Openings
Paper Moon
Whitehall
The renowned restaurant established more than 35 years ago, will be opening its first UK restaurant at Raffles London. Paper Moon London’s design draws inspiration on a traditional Italian house, featuring olive trees, terracotta colours and travertine marble. The extensive menu comprises of many house favourites.
London Stock
Mayfair
London Stock originally opened in Wandsworth with the aim of redefining the traditional fine dining experience by Le Cordon Bleu-trained Assem Abdel Hady. Their new space is elegant and modern, featuring an open kitchen. The kitchen is run by head chef Sebastian Rast, previously of Above at Hide. Some of the dishes include cherry tomato risotto, Suffolk lamb shoulder with Mediterranean puree and cured seabream ceviche.
Lavo
Marylebone
LAVO, The BoTree’s signature restaurant, serve’s sophisticated Italian cuisine with coastal flair. Having perfected a signature style and earned a loyal following in Los Angeles, LAVO is set to delight guests at its new location with its fresh pasta made in-house; whole grain pizzas, fish and more.
