'Super Saturday' is upon us – arguably the most significant weekend of the year so far for Londoners.
People in the capital have spent months in lockdown and now the biggests steps yet are being taken to ease restrictions, with pubs, cinemas and restaurants opening up from Saturday.
It feels like a real moment, with thousands of people heading out to responsibly spend time in their favourite haunts in the capital and seeing loved ones for socially distanced catch-ups.
If you’re looking for inspiration on how to spend the weekend, these are our picks of the best places to head in the capital, or the best things to do from home – perhaps after you’re back from the first trip to the pub.
Drink up at one of the city's best beer gardens
Only venues that are Covid-secure and can operate while maintaining the one metre rule can open their doors, but we’ve put together a handy guide to the best and biggest pub beer gardens opening this weekend. From Pub on the Park in London Fields, to the People’s Park Tavern in Hackney and The White Swan, there are plenty of fantastic places to recline with a pint this weekend – just bear in mind that many venues will require guests to book in advance. Read our full guide here. If you're keener on heading to the pub, have a read of the do's and dont's.
Hit the flicks with a trip to the cinema
There have been some fantastic options for film fans to check out online during lockdown, but nothing beats a trip to the cinema. Check if your local is open with our guide to the cinemas in London.
While some of the major chains are back in business straight away, it’s a different story for the independents – the only one we can find open this Saturday is Genesis in Whitechapel, so if you’re a cinephile in London, head down for screenings of Knives Out, Queen and Slim and A Portrait of a Lady on Fire this weekend.
Or park up at the drive in
The first drive-in film screenings are taking place across the UK this weekend, with people parking up at the pictures for a socially-distanced day out. The Luna Cinema is welcoming guests in London’s Allianz Park from July 4-19, while Rooftop Film Club’s Drive in Film Club is pitching up at Alexandra Palace from Saturday. Read our full guide here.
Book yourself a table at a ‘no reservations’ restaurant
Some of London’s restaurants are changing the way they do things and taking reservations for the first time. With walk-ins impossible during the pandemic, the likes of Barrafina (Dean Street and Coal Drops Yard) will offer an inaugural booking service. Gloria and Circolo Popolare are also taking reservations for all group sizes, after only previously allowing bookings of groups bigger than six. Read the full guide here.
Check out AngloThai at Newcomer Wines
Plenty of restaurants are opening up in the capital from this weekend. Suffering option paralysis? Try this come coming to Dalston from Friday. Great British Menu’s John and Desiree Chantarasak are the creative team behind AngloThai, a roving kitchen which is making its latest home at Newcomer Wines in east London. The inventive modern Thai menu will be open for delivery and collection from 5-9pm, with a small number of alfresco tables available each evening too.
Take a City Cruise and see London at its best
City Cruises is opening up its tours of the city under new Covid regulations, meaning Londoners can drift down the Thames this weekend and take in views of the city. Sightseeing tickets start at £19 and allow guests to see the city’s historic landmarks of London, taking place from three piers in Westminster, London Eye and Tower of London. It’s flexible too – buy an open ticket and use it any time until the end of 2021.
Catch the National Theatre Live
The National Theatre continues to dig into its archives, sharing its plays for free. This week is the turn of Les Blancs by Lorraine Hansberry. The production transports viewers to an African country on the brink of civil war, with members of society striving for independence amid rising racial tensions.
Give the Big Fat Sunday Quiz a go
Flaunt your knowledge with this weekly brainteaser with writer and critic Sudi Foodie, who hosts an online food and drink quiz every Sunday evening 7pm. Questions cover everything from identifying unusual culinary kit to recognising key ingredients in famous dishes. If you know your Bain-Marie from your Beaujolais, this is one for you.
Head to one of London’s newly open attractions
Things are beginning to open up across the capital, meaning Londoners can head for a socially distanced day out. Kew Gardens, London Zoo, Hampton Court Palace gardens, and a selection of National Trust properties have all reopened their doors, meaning some of the most idyllic spots in the capital are ready to be explored once again – read our full guide here.
Potter down the canal on a GoBoat
Head off on your own voyage of exploration with GoBoat, which runs self-drive boating experiences in London. One household or support bubble of up to eight people is allowed per boat - bear in mind that proof of address may be required – with a chance to discover views of the city from brand new perspectives, cruising along London’s canals at their own leisure. The firm operates out of two locations in Paddington and Kingston upon Thames, with hour-long sessions starting at £79.
Get your art fix at one of London’s open galleries
The National Gallery is due to open next week, but there are plenty of other places open to visitors before then. Art lovers have been starved for months, but the likes of Thomas Dane Gallery will permit four viewers per room at any one time and David Zwirner is also open to guests this weekend – check out our guide here.
Read Tim Key's love letter to pubs
Tim Key, comedian and poet extraordinaire, has teamed up with Beavertown Brewery to celebrate the big news that boozers are opening their doors across the country. Key has whipped up a new ode to pubs and that first pint back this Saturday. The poem will be available to read outside the likes of The Clissold Park Tavern, The Faltering Fullback, The Three Compasses and The Beavertown Taproom this weekend.
