Here’s a list of some of London’s essential entertainment, dining and leisure activities to keep you occupied this autumn, whether you’re looking for a fun day out with the kids, want to check out a great dining destination or fancy expanding your knowledge of contemporary art.
Sing your heart out at London’s newest karaoke spot
Europe’s largest karaoke venue, BAM Karaoke Box, opened in Victoria in April this year. Originating in Paris, BAM (Boîte à Musique) combines private karaoke with Parisian style and sophistication.
With 22 private rooms, BAM bar and restaurant, an outdoor terrace and live music stage, BAM Karaoke Box is perfect for nights out, special occasions, team bonding, work functions or Christmas parties. BAM offers a variety of entertainment, including free open mic nights on Thursdays and themed free-flowing brunches every Saturday.
Themed around the 1990s, 2000s drag and icons, brunches range from £40-£60 per person. Book now to receive a 15 per cent discount off karaoke bookings with code BAMFLASH15 at uk.bam-karaokebox.com. Offer ends 31 October 2024. Code not valid on Saturdays and subject to availability.
Enjoy regional Spanish tapas, meats and wines
Camino is a vibrant Spanish restaurant and bar group offering a contemporary dining experience infused with authentic Spanish flavours at three London venues.
Founded by hispanophile Richard Bigg in 2007, Camino first launched its flagship restaurant in King’s Cross, boasting a large bar and impressive Victorian courtyard. Trained in Spain and at the Michelin-starred restaurant Bibendum, executive chef Nacho del Campo brings a blend of contemporary and traditional Spanish cuisine, with likes of solomillo ibérico (Ibérico pork with sweet potato purée) and arroz negro (black rice with cuttlefish) on the menu.
Since opening, Camino has expanded to Shoreditch and Monument. Bar Rioja, located in the King’s Cross courtyard, is dedicated solely to Rioja wines and offers a selection of 50, all of which are available by the glass. Food includes regional pinchos, complemented by dishes from Camino's main menu of tapas and aged steaks from Galician cattle. Book a table now at camino.uk.com.
Immerse yourself in London’s modern art scene
With locations in Amsterdam and Barcelona, and a newly opened London site, Moco Museum (Modern and Contemporary Museum) aims to make art accessible to everyone with its diverse collection of modern, contemporary and digital art.
The museum's collection features works by renowned artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat, KAWS, Damien Hirst, Yayoi Kusama and Andy Warhol. Housed in iconic buildings in each city, Moco provides a blend of art, architecture and atmosphere and has already welcomed over five million visitors, including celebrities such as Barack Obama and Dua Lipa.
The new London location aims to contribute to the vibrant cultural scene around Oxford Street, becoming a must-visit for art enthusiasts and lovers alike. Book now at mocomuseum.com.
Delight in a guided whiskey-tasting experience
Buffalo Trace Distillery London is an immersive, sensorial experience, bringing an authentic Kentucky atmosphere and the Buffalo Trace brand to Covent Garden.
Guests will embark on a narrative journey celebrating the history and heritage of Buffalo Trace, culminating in one of two tasting experiences, perfect for bourbon beginners and enthusiasts alike. Taste of the Trace includes a tasting of Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Sazerac Rye and Bourbon Cream. Tradition and Change: Crafting the Most Awarded American Whiskey features White Dog Mash #1, Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Eagle Rare 10-Year-Old, E.H. Taylor Small Batch and a Buffalo Trace old fashioned.
To celebrate National Bourbon Heritage Month, everyone who participates in a Taste of the Trace experience during the month of September receives a free Wee Glencairn whiskey tasting glass. No code needed, simply book your Taste of the Trace experience at buffalotracedistillery.co.uk. Offer ends 30 September 2024.
Have a great laugh at London’s newest comedy club
A comedy club run by comedians for comedians, Angel Comedy is dedicated to delivering top-class comedy at affordable prices.
Enjoy free stand-up shows every night, plus budget-friendly performances from UK comedy stars like Tim Key, Stewart Lee, Lou Sanders, Rose Matafeo, Simon Amstell, Bridget Christie, Nish Kumar, Aisling Bea, James Acaster, Dara O’Briain, Kevin Bridges and more.
The club also features mixed bill shows showcasing emerging talent, giving you the chance to see comedy stars in the making. Angel Comedy’s friendly atmosphere and stellar line-ups make it the ultimate destination for comedy-lovers. Find out more at angelcomedy.co.uk.
Solve a mystery at an immersive gameplay experience
If you’re seeking an exciting blend of puzzle gameplay and unsolved mysteries, Jury Games’ immersive murder mystery experiences for groups are the perfect chance to put your brain to the test.
Great for team building or a unique night out, the nights involve participants becoming jurors in thrilling cases, examining evidence, searching databases, scrolling through CCTV footage and receiving mysterious messages. Talented actors guide you through the experience but leave the discoveries and decisions up to you. Engage in unscripted conversations with ‘criminal suspects’ and piece together clues to uncover the truth.
At the end, you’ll vote on the verdict and find out if you’ve solved the case correctly. Book now at jurygames.com.
West End shows to see this autumn
Eager to catch the next big hit? Celebrating its 25th year, London Theatre Direct offers priority access to new shows, plus exclusive discounts and deals on the best of the West End – from exciting new productions to enduring favourites.
This year’s must-see musical, The Devil Wears Prada – featuring music by Elton John – brings the blockbuster film to life on stage; Jodie Whittaker stars in The Duchess for an 11-week run starting October 2024; Stanley Kubrick’s classic, Dr Strangelove, makes its stage debut starring comedian Steve Coogan, and Mamma Mia! marks 25 incredible years in the West End.
Meanwhile, if King of Pop, Michael Jackson, is more your vibe, see the smash-hit biopic show MJ The Musical. Book these sensational shows and more at londontheatredirect.com.
Enjoy the best of the arts with a view of the Thames
Overlooking Hammersmith Bridge and the River Thames, Riverside Studios is one of West London’s best-kept cultural secrets. Once a hub for iconic TV shows and stars, today it’s a vibrant cultural hotspot boasting state-of-the-art television studios, cinemas, two theatres, a cabaret and comedy club.
This autumn, Riverside Studios is showing world-class cinema including Jodie Comer’s Olivier Award-winning performance in NT Live’s Prima Facie. On stage, don’t miss Kim’s Convenience, the comedy behind the hit Netflix series of the same name, and The Weyard Sisters, a dark yet humorous sequel to Macbeth.
September also sees a celebration of Riverside’s past, with screenings of some iconic television and radio recorded at the studios – including The Old Grey Whistle Test, Dr Who and Hancock’s Half Hour. In October, catch French Toast, a comedy by Jean Poiret, making its English debut.
Enjoy ongoing comedy nights, workshops and classes, plus a visit to the Bar & Kitchen for fish and chips and chicken burgers or Sam’s Riverside for seafood and cocktails. Discover more at riversidestudios.co.uk.
Eat perfect pizza at an all-day restaurant
With six locations across London, Pizza Union has been redefining pizza dining since it opened its first branch on Sandy’s Row, Spitalfields, in 2013.
Open from 11am to 11pm seven days a week, Pizza Union’s high-energy, all-day service model brings a lively buzz to your dining experience. Enjoy Roman-style pizzas crafted to perfection using fresh and flavourful ingredients.
The brand’s fast-casual dining concept means no waiting staff and no bookings – just order and pay at the till, pick up your pizza and enjoy the freedom to come and go as you please. Don’t miss out on a great-value dining experience, with fresh 12-inch pizzas starting at just £5.95. Find out more at https://www.pizzaunion.com/.
Unlock the world of contemporary art
Are you interested in exploring emerging art scenes but not sure where to start? ArtRabbit is a media platform and community dedicated to promoting, discovering and appreciating contemporary art and visual culture.
With diverse backgrounds in art history, theory, design, technology and education, members of the ArtRabbit team share the same goal: making art accessible to everyone. Building on its established services in London, ArtRabbit's new collaboration with Great Western Railway (GWR) now facilitates discovery of easy routes to all the best exhibitions and performances in art-focused destinations across the South West, including Bristol, Cardiff, and Plymouth.
Dive into tailor-made Art Trails that transform your journey from London into a cultural adventure, exploring local art communities with detailed routes. ArtRabbit’s interactive platform lets you pinpoint art events on a map, track exhibitions and plan trips with updated information across a range of cities. Download your essential art discovery companion at artrabbit.com.
Adventure for kids at a soft play indoor assault course
As one of London’s premier inflatable assault courses, AirThrill offers an exciting range of activities including inflatable fun, wipeout challenges, interactive football, bungee runs and more.
Perfect for thrilling adventures for kids aged two to 14, the venue also features dedicated party areas for special occasions and group bookings. Having been recently renovated, AirThrill now boasts a cutting-edge automated candy floss machine, a slushie station and a cosy cafe where parents can relax and watch all the fun.
The venue caters to all needs with relaxed, ASN-friendly sessions every Sunday morning and special mini thrill-seeker sessions for ages two to four on Saturday mornings. Book your visit now at airthrill.co.uk.
Enrich your child’s gaming at a group activity class
The New Meta Academy offers in-person classes for young gamers aged six to 16 to develop essential life skills while engaging with their passion for gaming.
Through structured lessons, students enhance problem-solving, communication, emotional regulation and teamwork skills. Students come in for weekly 90- to 120-minute sessions that focus on themes such as communication, in-game map studies or coding basics. The New Meta Academy provides an inclusive, safe and community-oriented space where young gamers can transform their passion into valuable skills. Students leave equipped to tackle the challenges of tomorrow’s digital world.
Book now to enjoy a free trial as well as a 25 per cent discount on the first three months of membership with code SEP2024 at academy.playnewmeta.gg. Offer ends 7 October 2024.
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