Summer finally feels within reach and London is going all out this year with the arrival of pop-ups brimming with florals, food and fun.
From the return of Belgravia in Bloom to Margarita pop-up bars, read on to find out which pop-ups to visit this month.
Belgravia in Bloom
Flower lovers, this May sees the return of Belgravia in Bloom, the annual celebration of crafted floral displays and experiences showcased throughout the central London neighbourhood to coincide with the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Returning for its seventh year, the celebration will see restaurants and boutiques on Elizabeth Street, Motcomb Street, Pimlico Road and Eccleston Yards go to town with the displays, offering everything from floral-themed exhibits and experiences to promotions and dishes.
Nodding to Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, this year’s theme is ‘Beautifully British’. It’ll mark Britain’s most iconic, historical moments and national treasures reimagined in flowers with spectacular installations from neighbourhood florists including Neill Strain, Moyses Stevens and Judith Blacklock.
Taking over the area from 23rd until 29th May, expect the neighbourhood to be awash with pretty posies, standout displays and lots of family-friendly experiences to get involved with.
WHEN: 23.05.2022 – 29.05.2022
WHERE: ACROSS BELGRAVIA
WEBSITE: WWW.BELGRAVIALDN.COM
Photo London
Photo London returns to Somerset House for another celebration of the photographic medium in all of its glorious forms. Taking over the space from 12th until 15th May, this year’s fair focuses on fashion photography, showcasing two solo exhibitions from fashion photography icons, Nick Knight and Frank Horvat.
There’ll also be displays from the likes of Alexandra De Viveiros, Crane Kalman Brighton, Doyle Wham and more.
To quench your thirst, the 1857 The Bar at St. James’s Hotel & Club will be popping up, offering a range of rare and unusual wines, vintage ports, single quintas and aged tawnies, as well as cocktails too.
WHEN: 12.05.2022 – 15.05.2022
WHERE: SOMERSET HOUSE, STRAND, WC2R 1LA
WEBSITE: WWW.PHOTOLONDON.ORG
Gusbourne Michelin-Star Pop-Up Series
Escape the city this weekend and venture over to Gusbourne Estate for their Michelin-star pop-up chef series. Each year the English wine producer invites Michelin starred talent to their estate to recreate their restaurants in an intimate setting.
Last weekend saw the series kick off with The Hand and Flowers, but May will be making way for Adam Byatt’s Trinity on 20th May showcasing classic techniques and simple ingredients, and The Fordwich Arms on 24th June. Tom Sellers’ Restaurant Story will take over on 16th September.
WHEN: 29.04.2022
WHERE: GUSBOURNE ESTATE, KENARDINGTON ROAD, APPLEDORE, ASHFORD, TN26 2BE
WEBSITE: WWW.GUSBOURNE.COM
Penfolds ‘Venture Beyond’ Pop-Up
Step into space at this new immersive pop-up. Australian winemaker Penfolds has teamed up with Harrods to launch a new experience titled ‘Venture Beyond’ as part of their space exploration campaign.
The pop-up will see wine lovers invited into Penfolds spaceship. The experience will begin in the interactive cocktail and will see explorers discover Penfolds 6L Imperial St Henri vault and gifting station, before finishing with a wine tasting of three Penfolds wines: Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz (Baby Grange), Bin 311 and Bin 8.
WHEN: 01.05.2022 – 30.05.2022
WHERE: 5TH FLOOR, HARRODS, 135 BROMPTON ROAD, KNIGHTSBRIDGE
WEBSITE: WWW.PENFOLDS.COM
Yard Sale Pizza x Top Cuvée
This month sees Yard Sale Pizza and Top Cuvée partner up to create a brand new pop-up bar, Vin-Yard. Tucked inside the basement at Yard Sale’s Hackney Road restaurant, diners can tuck into award-winning pizzas paired alongside tasty tipples from the natural wine experts.
From 6th May until 25th May, Yard Sale Pizza will be serving up their classics, from the Holy Pepperoni made with slow-cooked tomato sauce, Flor di Latte Mozzarella, pepperoni, smoky gyula pepperoni and nduja sausage to their veggie favourite, the TSB loaded with tender stem broccoli, pine nuts, garlic oil and parmesan.
For drinks, Top Cuvée will be on hand, offering light options including Matassa Olla Blanc, Muscat Macbeu, or go for orange wine and try Francois Saint-Lo, Les Pouches Maceration or Chenin Blanc. There’ll also be cocktails if you’re that way inclined, including a spicy Picanté or a classic Old Fashioned.
Roof East
London’s biggest rooftop bar has returned for another summer season! Roof East, located on the 7th and 8th floor of the Stratford Multi Storey Car Park, has reopened and it’s bigger and better than ever.
The giant adult playground brings with it new games, tasty food vendors, cocktails and soaring views over East London. The playground is filled with Birdies crazy golf, Sluggers batting cages, Bowls and even an archery set up from Arrows. As well as ping pong, cornhole and jumbo topple blocks.
Grab a bite to eat at Naughty Burger, home to mouth-watering beef, chicken and plant-based burgers, or Raastawala who’ll be serving up garlic naan wraps loaded with filling. Paired with cocktails, Roof East is a great place to catch-up with friends and let out your inner competitiveness.
WHEN: ALL SUMMER LONG
WHERE: FLOOR 7 & 8, STRATFORD MULTI STOREY CAR PARK, GREAT EASTERN WAY, E15 1XE
WEBSITE: WWW.ROOFEAST.COM
Tacos Padre Summer Pop-Up
Did somebody say tacos? Yep, this month sees Tacos Padre return to Borough Market for another summer pop-up. Launching on 5th May, the popular taco join will once again be serving up its Mexican delights.
Expect to tuck into the likes of crab tostada with guajillo and tamarind; lamb chop with salsa borracha and cucumber; smoked celeriac with orange glaze and macadamia sikil pak with tortillas and salsa.
WHEN: FROM 05.05.2022
WHERE: THE BOROUGH MARKET KITCHEN, WINCHESTER WALK, JUBILEE PLACE, SE1 5AG
WEBSITE: WWW.TACOSPADRE.COM
Lyre’s Margarita Pop-Up
To celebrate Cinco de Mayo, non-alcoholic spirit brand, Lyre’s, is bringing the Mexican fiesta to cities across the country in the form of an alcohol-free Margarita bar truck. Expect an array of live music acts, special guests and alcohol-free Margaritas available for all.
Kicking off the celebrations, they’ll be at Spitalfields Market on Thursday 5th, with a live DJ set from DJ Fat Tony. Goers will be able to sip on non-alcoholic cocktails made from Lyre’s Agave Blanco Spirit, Lyre’s Orange Sec, lime juice and syrup.
5th May at Spitalfields Market, 6th May at Liverpool Street & Old Street, 7th MAy at Covent Garden & Soho, 8th May at Clapham & Chelsea, 12th May Brighton, 13th May Bristol, 14th – 15th May Manchester
WHEN: 05.05.2022 – 15.05.2022
WHERE: VARIOUS LOCATIONS
WEBSITE: WWW.LYRES.CO.UK
Max Halley x Burger & Lobster
Sandwich lovers, things just got a whole lot better. British Sandwich Week (22nd – 28th May) is around the corner but that hasn’t stopped Burger & Lobster kicking off celebrations early. They’ve teamed up with TV chef and sandwich enthusiast, Max Halley of Max’s Sandwich Shop to bring Londoners a menu to remember.
There are two delicious options to choose from, both of which are glorifications of the humble sarnie. First up is the Lobster Cocktail Roll, a new twist on the British favourite featuring fresh-picked lobster claw and knuckle meat dressed with Marie Rose sauce that’s been finished with a dash of tabasco and brandy. Garnished with iceberg lettuce, avocado, cucumber, lemon juice, chopped tarragon and crushed prawn cocktail crisps, all of which is tucked inside a brioche bap and served with fries.
Or, the Fish & Chip Lobster Roll, made up of chunks of lobster meat, tartare sauce, lime pickled onions, pea and mint puree, shredded baby gem lettuce and diced gherkins. All topped with crushed salt and vinegar crisps inside a toasted roll and served with fries. Decadence doesn’t even cut it.
WHEN: AVAILABLE FROM 04.05.2022
WHERE: VARIOUS LOCATIONS
WEBSITE: WWW.BURGERANDLOBSTER.COM
RAPS by Tinie Tempah
British rap icon Tinie Tempah has strayed from his norm and launched a fried chicken brand, RAPS. Nodding to his childhood where you’d regularly find him in South East London chicken shops after school, RAPS is a love letter to fried chicken.
Created in partnership with Kitchen Ventures, Londoners can enjoy RAPS both via home delivery and at its four-month residency at Willows on The Roof, the rooftop bar atop John Lewis Oxford Street.
The menu is made up wraps ‘raps’ including the Unruly, featuring deep fried jerk marinated corn fed chicken, plantain, jerk BBQ sauce and lime mayo slaw; Tinie’s favourite, the African Giant, combining buttermilk fried chicken, jollof salsa, plantain, lettuce, tomato and mayo; and chicken tenders and wings.
WHEN: FROM MARCH FOR 4 MONTHS
WHERE: WILLOWS ON THE ROOF, JOHN LEWIS ROOFTOP, 300 OXFORD STREET, W1C 1DX
WEBSITE: WWW.WILLOWSONTHEROOF.CO.UK
Malfy Gin Bar at Sky Garden
Running through summer from May to September, the iconic sky-high bar will be transformed into an al fresco haven, reminiscent of the Amalfi Coast and serve an exclusive menu of zesty gin and tonics by Malfy.
Cocktails will be on hand on the 36th floor at their City Garden Bar, featuring Malfy’s iconic gin flavours. Be transported to the Italian coastline, all with views of the London skyline.
WHEN: 11TH MAY- 30TH SEPTEMBER
WHERE: 1 SKY GARDEN WALK, EC3M 8AF
WEBSITE: WWW.SKYGARDEN.LONDON
Source The handbook
Summer finally feels within reach
Bloom
Photo in london
Gusbourne Michelin-Star Pop-Up Series
Penfolds Venture Beyond Pop-Up
Yard Sale Pizza x Top Cuvée
Roof East
Tacos Padre summer pop up
Lyre's Margarita pop up
Max Halley x Burgey & Lobster
RAPS by Tinie Tempah
Malfy Gin bar at Sky Garden
