It’s been tough, but London is now closer to normality than it has been in months.
Social distancing is still in place and venues are staying Covid-secure, but pubs, cinemas and restaurants are now open to the public with the government taking bigger steps to ease lockdown.
Thousands of people have been heading out to spend time in their favourite haunts and see loved ones for catch-ups. There'll be more of the same this weekend.
Still, after months indoors, if can be a touch overwhelming to work out when, where and what to get up to. Here's our pick of what to get up to this weekend.
Head to Costa Del Tottenham
There’s a new outdoor site in north London to check out, and it looks like a cracking spot. Costa Del Tottenham is a new venture from clubbing favourite The Cause, described as an “all-weather tropical industrial paradise”. The area doubles the size of the Tottenham club’s existing outdoor space, which hosted its first socially distanced DJ event last weekend.
Ashley House, Ashley Rd, Tottenham Hale, N17 9LZ, costadeltottenham.co.uk
Bring your own cocktail for a round of Plonk Golf
There’s a new crazy golf experience in town, with a boozy offer available to new players. Plonk Golf is launching in London Fields this weekend, with nine holes of golf, a tiki bar, games machines and 100 board games to play on site. Most importantly, players can help keep costs stay down by bringing their own alcohol, which staff will use to whip up summer cocktails.
Arch 407 Mentmore Terrace, Hackney, E8 3PP, plonkgolf.co.uk
Join Professor Green and Gizzi Erskine at their restaurant pop-up
Rapper and foodie Professor Green and TV chef Gizzi Erskine are launching a new restaurant pop-up with Shoreditch Italian Passo. The two pals are welcoming guests to enjoy the deep-dish stuffed crust pizzas they perfected as part of their Instagram series "Giz and Green" during lockdown, which was all about fakeaway cooking. Classic Hawaiian, pepperoni and veggie are some of the options to check out from Friday.
80 City Rd, Old Street, EC1Y 2BJ, passorestaurant.com
Hire a top bartender at home
Home cocktail making has boomed over recent times – something we’ve got Stanley Tucci to thank for, at least partly. But not in the mood to mix your own? Try Global Bartending. Cocktail lovers can now hire world class bartenders for events and experiences across the world, welcoming some of the most prestigious talents in the world of mixology.
Test your detective skills
Fancy yourself as a great detective? This immersive live experience has reopened, offering fans the chance to pull on Sherlock Holmes’ deerstalker and solve a mystery all of their own. Benedict Cumberbatch, Andrew Scott and Martin Freeman all provided content for the escape room, which was devised by show creators Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, so you're getting a taste of the real deal.
Various dates, Ground Floor, West 12 Shopping Centre, W12 8PP, thegameisnow.com
Watch live sport in the pub
We've missed catching up with sport down the pub – but now it's back. There are plenty of places showing Premier League games in London this weekend, as well as the England vs West Indies test match. The likes of Skylight in Tobacco Dock, Greenwood in Victoria and Brigadiers in the City are showing the action this weekend – read our full guide here.
Enjoy a rosé on the roof at Coq d'Argent
Some of the city’s most beautiful bars and night spots are starting to open up, and this weekend there’s the chance to sample a rosé or two on the roof at Coq d'Argent. The French restaurant has launched a new weekend brunch menu, with dishes inspired by traditional cooking from Toulouse, Nice, Saint-Tropez and other parts of southern France. It can all be enjoyed from this Saturday onwards, so book to secure your spot.
No.1 Poultry, EC2R 8EJ, coqdargent.co.uk
Grab a bite at Boxpark
Boxpark is back in action after a long time away, and the Shoreditch, Croydon and Wembley sites are welcoming guests with a free drink for punters who register with the new Boxpark Black Card . You’d better hurry – the drinks are available from Monday to Friday between 11-6pm, but the card also entitles guests to deals on food throughout the weekend; we'll be enjoying 20 per cent off vegan burgers from The Gnarbecue in Boxpark Croydon.
Shoreditch, Croydon and Wembley, boxpark.co.uk
