BOINNG! What's that, you say? Ahh yes, the sweet sound of this month's many pop-ups bursting into blink-and-you-miss-it brilliance. From Mexican fiestas to back-to-school supper clubs, hot tub feasts and canal-side parties, we've combed the capital to give you the cream of the crop. It looks like it's going to be a long, hot summer... Fill yours wisely.
AbraCachaça at The Well, Clerkenwell (above)
When: Until 30 September
What: A spell has been cast over The Well’s basement bar, transforming it into a boozy, Brazilian beach bar which you should probably visit. With tropical tipples form Ypióca cachaça and plenty of exotic bar snacks, shut your eyes, shake your hips and pretend you’re at Rio Carnival
Where: The Well, 180 St John Street, EC1V 4JY
How much: Cocktails £8.50
Blindfold Dinners with A Taste, Clerkenwell
When: 4, 18, 25 July
What: Trusting types will be blindfolded and then fed a top-secret menu which aims at tempting and teasing the senses. We hope you’re always polite to waiting staff, but at this event you might want to make that extra bit of effort – you’ll be at their mercy
Where: Three Little Birds, 59 Mount Pleasant, WC1X 0AY
How much: £38.50 per person
Bulmers #LiveColourful Bar, Shoreditch
When: 9-10 July
What: Bulmers cider is hosting this black and white bar, where the staff, decor, bar games and even the food have been completely stripped of colour; it’s up to you and the drinks to bring it
Where: 73a Leonard Street, EC2A 4QS
How much: Free ticket from here entitles to you to two bottles of Bulmers
BT Tower Restaurant Reopens, Fitzrovia (above)
When: Ballot opens 22 June, event runs 25 July-7 August
What: We don’t use the phrase ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ lightly, but this really is one. For two weeks only, revolving restaurant at the BT Tower (which closed due to an IRA bomb threat) will open its doors for the first time 25 years to celebrate its 50th anniversary, headed up by Compass chef Daniel Perea. Enter the ballot and keep your fingers crossed.
Where: 45 Maple Street, W1T 4JZ
How much: Four-course lunch £49.95, seven-course dinner £67.95, all proceeds will go to Childline
Cocktails in the City: Summer Edition, Fitzrovia
When: 18-19 July
What: 25 bars in one square? Yes please. Bedford Square plays host to the city’s very best boozers including The Rivoli Bar at The Ritz, Mr Foggs and Bull in a China Shop, as well as a boozy gelato bar, pulled pork from The Joint and lots of live music
Where: Bedford Square Gardens, WC1B 3ES
How much: £15 per ticket, including one drink and a cocktail booklet
Croft Kitchen takeover Vagabond Coffee (above)
When: Ongoing
What: A “seasonal British pop-up restaurant and bar" from Phil Walther (of Barrafina) and Katy Sethna (who worked under Gordon Ramsay at Claridges). Seven courses of local produce from Brockwell Gardens in dishes such as pulled lamb, lovage and burnt hay, followed by blackcurrant leaf sorbet
Where: 105 Holloway Road, London N7 8LT
How much: £30
Cyrus Todiwala’s Capital Pop-Up at London Capital Club, Bank (above)
When: Until 27 July
What: Indian chef Cyrus Todiwala OBE (of Spice Namasté) will be cooking up a spicy storm at the Walbrook Grill in this private members’ club. Expect dishes to pack a punch, with squid dynamite piri-piri and tandoori Goosnargh sausage on the cards
Where: London Capital Club, 15 Abchurch Lane, EC4N 7BW
How much: Mains from £15
Dalston Roof Park, Dalston (above)
When: Ongoing until September
What: Another rooftop affair but this one plays host to everything from gourmet foodie stalls to outdoor cinema, masterclasses to clothes swaps and DJs, with plenty of cold beer from their very own in-house brewery to accompany whichever activity you choose
Where: The Print House, 18-22 Ashwin Street, E8 3DL
How much: Summer membership £5
Darjeeling Express Residency, Soho (above)
When: Ongoing for lunch, dinner on Saturday only, July 2015 – March 2016
What: Mughlai supper-clubber Asman Khan brings family recipes from the royal kitchens of India to Soho for this pub residency, with dishes including chicken chaap Calcutta korma, paneer samosas and venison kofta
Where: The Sun & 13 Cantons, 21 Great Pulteney Street, W1F 9NG
How much: Mains £12.50
Dinerama, Shoreditch
When: Thurs-Sun until 4 October
What: A street food market with a difference: this one has purpose-built restaurants for you to sit down in, so a bit like Brixton Village. Traders will include Breddos, Smokestak, Fundi, BBQ Lab and Duck ‘n’ Roll
Where: 19 Great Eastern Street, Shoreditch, EC2A
How much: We can’t really answer that question, it depends how much you eat and drink…
Estrella Galicia at Netil House, Hackney (below)
When: Until 14 July
What: Spanish beer. On a roof. In east London. With tapas. And hammocks. What more could you want?
Where: Netil360, 1 Westgate Street, E8 3RL
How much: How many beers you gonna sink
The Fat Bear at Rising Sun, Bank
When: Ongoing
What: Indulgent southern American fare. Tuck into Maryland crab cakes, southern fried chicken and New Yorker hot dogs, followed by strawberry shortcake cheesecake
Where: Rising Sun, 61 Carter Lane, EC4V 5DY
How much: Hot dogs from £10.50
FESTIVAL at Archer Street, Soho
When: Until the end of summer
What: If you can’t make it to a real one this year, Archer Street has calculated the summer festival formula: one pop up bar + winnebagos + a backstage area + a photo booth + a camping wagon + multi-coloured bunting + live music + DJs = who needs Glastonbury?
Where: 3-4 Archer Street, W1D 7AP
How much: Cocktails £12
Flamingo Pier, Hackney (above)
When: Last Friday of every summer month, first Friday of October
What: The winning formula for a great pop-up is simple: booze, food, fun location, a DJ and something a bit weird. Well, at Flamingo Pier there’s plenty of booze, street food, DJs, it’s set on the canal, there’s a floating pontoon and a bar in a boat. They smashed it.
Where: Stour Space, 7 Roach Road, E3 2PA
How much: £15
Funthyme’s Alfresco Dinners at Spitalfields City Farm, Shoreditch (below)
When: July and August
What: Old Macdonald had a farm, and on that farm he butchered and barbecued in the name of Shoreditch. This supper club offers up pork belly with lemon and cumin, harissa lamb chops, foraged salads and summery desserts. As many of the ingredients as possible are sourced from the local farm (ee-eye ee-eye… swallow)
Where: Spitalfields City Farm, Buxton Street, E1 5AR
How much: £35 BYOB
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The Greatest Spectacle of Lucha Libre, Bethnal Green (below)
When: 9-11 July
What: ‘Lucha libre’ means ‘free fighting’, which is exactly what these badass Mexican superheroes will be doing in epic ‘good vs. evil’ shows of might. Sit back and watch cabaret, carnival dancers and prancing circus girls, while doing shots of tequila (obviously) and tucking into Mexican street food
Where: York Hall, Old Ford Road, E2 9PJ
How much: Tickets from £10
Hibiki Japanese Harmony Whisky Bar, Soho (below)
When: 8-9 July
What: The House of Suntory Whisky invites you to immerse yourself in the golden liquor, as you imbibe seasonally inspired Hibiki cocktails (including the Hibiki Cherry Blossom which features a carved ice ball) served to you by beautifully adorned geishas to the sounds of a Japanese DJ. There’s also a wish tree, so you can make a wishky for more whisky
Where: 14 Greek Street, W1D 4DP
How much: £24
Krug & Chips, Covent Garden (below)
When: 8-12 July
What: When asked to list your favourite things, we’re pretty sure that Champagne and chips would feature in most people’s top three. Michelin-starred chef Tom Sellers (of Restaurant Story) has clearly clocked onto this and is launching a luxury chippy where you can dip while you sip. But don’t be fooled: we’re talking potato ravioli with fish in tartare sauce and lobster claw wrapped in potato spaghetti
Where: East piazza
How much: £35 for a glass of Krug and a chip dish
Ketel One Vodka Kitchen Bar at The Folly, Bank
When: Until September
What: Drinks, brunch and cocktail masterclasses with vodkaaa; book into the Bloody Mary brunch followed by a Bloody Mary masterclass so you can re-create the experience chez toi
Where: The Folly, 41 Gracechurch Street, EC3V 0BT
How much: Brunch and masterclass from £15
The London Riviera, Southbank (below)
When: Until 31 October
What: If you can’t quite afford a holiday to the tropics despair not, for they have come to you. Decked out with palm trees, luxurious day-beds, giant pineapples and pink flamingos, this boutique riverside pop-up has everything you need (Cîroc cocktails (above), Mediterranean food from CERU (below), live entertainment and mixology masterclasses)
Where: Next to City Hall, nearest tube London Bridge
How much: Cocktails £10... Much cheaper than going abroad
Lucky Chip at Birthdays, Dalston and The Old Queen’s Head, Essex Road
When: Ongoing
What: Burgers, burgers and more burgers, all after celebs such as Kevin Bacon and John Belushi
Where: Birthdays, 33-35 Stoke Newington Road, N16 8BJ and The Old Queen's Head, 44 Essex Road, London N1 8LN
How much: Burgers from £7.95
The Magic Roundabout, Old Street (above)
When: Ongoing
What: A 500-capacity space offering up the freshest food, beats ‘n’ bevs in east Landaan. Eat your fill with street food from Burger Bear or Prawnography, then knock back a cocktail (or three) and get down to music from the biggest names in disco, house and techno, amidst urban design installations
Where: Old Street Roundabout, EC1Y 1BE
How much: Bring a full wallet so you can stay all day
Motherclucker at The Old Truman Brewery, Shoreditch
When: Ongoing
What: Motherclucker continue to spread the love across London, taking their tea brined, buttermilk soaked, twice battered fried chicken to east London
Where: 91 Brick Lane, E1 6QL
How much: Chicken strips £5
Nantucket Beach Club at Skylounge, City (above)
When: Until 30 September
When: A taste of the East Coast in the heart of the City, Skylounge’s roof terrace has been transformed via a lighthouse, swing bench, bowling alley and a scattering of shuffle boards to create an urban island retreat. Sip on Snow Queen vodka slushies or the Surfside Punch while indulging in lobster mac ‘n’ cheese or a ‘seafood survival bucket’
Where: Skylounge, 7 Pepys Street, EC3N 4AF
How much: Line your pockets; you'll probably want to spend the day here...
Nutrition Rocks Pop-Up Café, Soho
When: Ongoing
What: Breakfasts, lunches, juices and smoothies from celebrity nutrition guru Hala El-Shafie which promise to nourish both body and brain, while supporting Action Against Hunger and Fare Share. Could it get any more virtuous?
Where: ARTFIX, 27 Peter Street W1F 0AJ
How much: It’s for charity so don’t be thrifty!
Oink Swine Dining, Shoreditch (above)
When: Friday and Saturday night from 3 July
What: Three little piggies went to market…and were snapped up by this lot who are obsessed with all things porky. From slow-cooked shoulder to sticky ribs, sausages and even crispy ears, this is meaty madness at its very best. They also cater for vegetarians, but why you’d go we’re not sure…
Where: Café from Crisis, 66 Commercial Street, E1 6LT
How much: £25 (drinks not included)
On the Roof with Vintage Salt, Oxford Street (above)
When: Until September
What: Deckchairs, beach huts, driftwood and flowers fill the roof of Selfridges for Des McDonald’s Cornish fishing village-inspired restaurant. Dine on oysters, lobster butties and fish finger sandwiches, with a chocolate burger for pud
Where: Selfridges Roof Top, 400 Oxford Street, W1A 1AB
How much: Blow-out on lobster or count the pennies with fish fingers
Porridge Café, Victoria (above)
When: Ongoing
What: Doing exactly what it says on the tin, the Porridge Café dishes out bowls of oat-y goodness to hungry commuters (including a bacon and egg option), with ‘savoury porridges’ of risotto or quinoa and salads at lunchtime
Where: 16 Terminus Place, SW1V 1JR
How much: From £4
Red’s True Barbecue at The Old Blue Last, Shoreditch (above)
When: 11 June-4 July
What: Setting up shop at Vice’s infamous pub ahead of the launch of their restaurant in July, pop in for plenty of BBQ-d meat with weekly specials inspired by a road trip to the U.S., washed down with Red Church Brewery craft beer
Where: 38 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3ES
How much: Pulled pork sandwich from £6
Roofnic, Oxford Street (above)
When:Until September
What: Roof + picnic = Roofnic. Head up to the top of the Marriott Hotel for cocktails, beer and picnic food (think sliders, super-size sandwiches and peanut-butter jelly cookies). There‘s a marquee in case it rains (which it probably will, because it’s England)
Where: London Marriott Hotel Park Lane, 535 Oxford Street, W1C 2QW
How much: Cocktails £7
The Secret Garden, Clapham (below)
When: Until 31 August
What: You need a password to gain access to this SW hideaway, which combines green-fingered set design with barbecue food, Sunday roasts and botanical cocktails, devised by chef and serial pop-uppist Jimmy Garcia
Where: 409 Clapham Road, Clapham North, SW9 9BT
How much: Dining options include a seven-course tasting menu for £35
Sensualità by Kitchen Theory, Maida Vale (below)
When: 9-11 and 17-18 July
What: Stefano de Costanzo (who’s worked with Giorgio Locatelli and Gordon Ramsay) is bringing a sensual, sensory and very sexy six-course feast to the capital. Dive in to a strawberry and tomato gazpacho with balsamic pearls and finish by taking a bite of Sophia’s lips (a pudding of chocolate ganache and raspberry lipstick, below)
Where: Fernhead Road, Maida Hill, W9 3EY
How much: Six-course dinner from £65, three-course lunch from £32
Summer in the Square, Mayfair
When: 6-26 July
What: Fancy a picnic without the faff? Saunter down to Grosvenor Square, where a converted Citroën camper van is peddling lemon drizzle cake, muffins, brownies and strawbs to sun-seekers spreadeagled across picnic blankets and deckchairs. There's also a sports day and a children's day, as well as activities including yoga and ukele lessons...
Where: Grosvenor Square, Mayfair, London W1K
How much: How much do you like cake?
Summer Tales, Old Street (below)
When: Until 29 August
What: East London’s exceptionally popular Night Tales spreads its joy into the summer with a tropical-themed festival-cum-party, complete with DJs, dancing, food stalls (including Burger & Lobster and Pizza Pilgrims) and plenty of cocktails
Where: 288 Old Street, EC1V 9DP
How much: Entry £10 Thurs, £12 Fri-Sat
Supper Tub, Hackney
What: Calling all water babies: this canal-side pop-up has punters disrobe and climb into a jacuzzi before dining on Peruvian skewers and canapés, washed down with frozen cocktails. They also mention that ‘underwater activity will be positively encouraged.’ We’re not quite not sure what that means (it possibly refers to watery games including Submarine, Duckie and Icebergs) but we’re sure as hell going down to find out
When: 3 July-3 August
Where: 90 Main Yard, Wallis Road, E9 5LN
How much: £50 per pair, £150 whole tub (eight people)
Truman’s Brewery Yard Parties, Hackney
When: First Friday of every month throughout summer
What: London’s favourite brewery is throwing boozy parties with plenty of beer (obvz), a hefty BBQ, lots of games (think darts and skittles) and guided tours. So it’s basically like spending the day at a massive pub-party. Yes please.
Where: The Eyrie, 2-4 Stour Road, E3 2NT
How much: Beers from £3
Yeah! Burger at The Star by Hackney Downs, Hackney (above)
When: Ongoing
What: Burgers, burgers and more burgers. These ones are so good that they’re extending their residency due to popular demand. They’re celebrating their success with free sliders, a drink swap challenge, hula-hooping, hair braiding, eating challenges and a BBQ. Phew.
Where: The Star by Hackney Downs, 35 Queensdown Road, E5 8NN
How much: Burgers from £6.50
Vinn Goute bring the Seychelles to The King & Co, Clapham (above)
When: Until 2 August
What: Get a taste of the Indian Ocean islands with a kitchen takeover from Vinn Goute (meaning ‘come and taste’), who are bringing ‘oh so tasty’ curried goat, octopus coconut curry, grilled fish, tropikal brunch wraps, spicy chilli balls and plantain chips to Clapham
Where: The King & Co, 100 Clapham Park Road, SW4 7BZ
How much: If you eat all of the above, probably rather a lot…
This article was published 1 July 2015