Things To Do In London This Weekend: August 8-10

Before we tell you about the best events and goings on in London this weekend, we thought we’d have a quick look back through this weekend in history.

On this weekend in 1588, we’d have been celebrating the defeat of the Spanish Armada in inns up and down the English Channel.

More recently, on August 9 1979, the more daring of us would have been baring all down in Brighton at the opening of Britain’s first nudist beach.

And in 2003, we’d definitely have been heading down to Kent as temperatures soared over 100F for the first time, with Gravesend hitting 38.1C (100.6F).

But bringing us back up-to-date – here’s our round up for this weekend in London, 2014 style.

Best for: outdoor cinemas

Rooftop Film Club

The vibe:

All the fun of the cinema, with a party atmosphere thrown in. Don’t worry you won’t get “Vertigo”!

Need to know:

Who wants to head to the multiplex when during the summer you can watch some amazing films as the sun sets over London?

This weekend they have everything from recent release Sabotage (2014) to cult classics like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) on the programme.

Just sit back on your deckchair, don your wireless headphones (great sound and you can drown out the noise of people chomping on the food provided), and relax in front of the silver screen.

Check out their excellent FAQ page to get the lowdown on everything from reserving seating (you can’t, its first come first served) and as for the weather, that’s all part of the fun – but they do provide blankets and ponchos if it gets a little wet and windy.

Website and Twitter
When: See venues for individual listings and times
Getting there: The cinema has rooftop venues in Ealing, Peckham, Stratford and Shoreditch
Price: Films cost £13 each plus booking fee: Click here to book

Best for: Lates in London

Orbit Lates

Night View from ArcelorMittal Orbit

The vibe:

Reach late night Olympic heights

Need to know:

If you’re up for an ambient night of music while tucking into some freshly-cooked food and enjoying sunset views, this is the place to head to on Friday.

Music promoter Arctic Circle is using the spectacular structure of the ArcelorMittal Orbit in Olympic Park to present their “Space in this Place” night. Following on from museum nights, this new tourist attraction will host a party in the sky on their two observation decks.

The new music, much of which will be played live, is space themed, with musicians as diverse as the the Astronauts and syht-folk band Transept.

The ArcelorMittal Orbit is Britain’s largest sculpture and is made up of more than 2000 tonnes of recycled steel.

Website and Twitter – #orbitlates
When: Friday, August 8
Opening times: 7pm until midnight
Getting there:ArcelorMittal Orbit, 3 Thornton Street, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, London, E20 2AD
Nearest tube: Stratford
Price: £20 – book tickets here

Best for: Painting classes in London

Pop-up Painting

The vibe:

An art entertainment evening where you can brush up on your painting skills

Need to know:

PopUp Painting gives you the chance to pick up a palette and unleash your inner creativity, all in a relaxed atmosphere.

With professional artists on hand to give you some hints and tips, the main aim is to have fun while producing your own work of original artwork to take home.

One of the first events was hosted in the decadent surroundings of The Trafalgar Hotel, which has partnered with PopUp Painting to run some of the events in the hotel’s Rockwell Bar. They’ll be hosting another one at the end of August.

But if you can’t wait till then – check out the website to find the other venues including Peckham, Notting Hill and Hampstead.

Website and Twitter
When: Paint London! on Tuesday, August 26 (see website for other dates and venues)
Start time: 7.30pm to 10pm
Getting there: Trafalgar Hotel, 2 Spring Gardens, London, SW1A 2TS .
Price: £29 including painting materials, tuition and a glass of wine! Book this event and others

Best for: Music in London

Soundtracks Sing Along Party

Soundtracks-sing-a-long

The vibe:

Sunshine silver screen sing-a-long

Need To know:

Get yourself in the party mood on Saturday afternoon with this free event down on the Southbank.

The Soundtrack DJs will be spinning tunes from the movies, from the cool retro sounds of Pulp Fiction and The Blues Brothers to the guilty pleasures of Dirty Dancing and Grease.

Organisers would love groups to come down in the uniform or kit (props allowed) that showcases what links them together. So grab your friends, colleagues or hen party and head down for some singing and dancing in the sunshine.

Website and Twitter
When: Saturday, August 9
Opening times: 4.15pm to 6.30pm
Getting there: Riverside Terrace, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX
Nearest Tube: Waterloo
Price: Free!

Best for: Cycling in London

Prudential RideLondon FreeCycle

The vibe:

Saddle up and enjoy the freedom of the capital by bike.

Need to know:

Spend Saturday cycling round some of London’s most iconic landmarks (like Buckingham Palace and St Paul’s) without looking over your shoulder for traffic.

It’s free to register, all you need is you (plus your friends and family) and a bike. You can dip in and out of the 10 mile route and visit the four festival zones (Guildhall Yard & Leadenhall Market, Green Park, Tower Hill and St Paul’s Churchyard) which will have music and entertainment; there are areas to leave your bikes in and take a break.

For the early birds there’s also an aim to set a new Guinness World Record for the world’s biggest bike bell ensemble in Guildhall Yard in The City at 9am.

Website and Twitter
When: Saturday, August 9
Opening times: Join when you please from 9am – but expected to busiest at 11.30. Young familes are advised to join in the morning.
Getting there: See website for where to join in the fun – here is the festival route
Price: Free!

This weekend’s featured hotel

The Savoy – American Bar

Rating: Five stars

The Vibe:

Hollywood glamour meets cultured cocktails as the hotel celebrates a special birthday

Need to know:

A brand new cocktail menu celebrating the hotel’s 125th anniversary has been launched at The Savoy. The hotel first opened its doors on August 6th 1889, and has been a bastion of class ever since.

The bar as we know it was first known as The American Bar in the early 1890s.

The new cocktail menu draws inspiration from each 25 year period in chronological order, so pick an era that suits you, or even try a drink from each one. It’s basically the full flavour of the past in a cocktail glass. Each drink has a story and a link to London’s heritage; it could be the most fun history lesson you’ll ever have!

Behind the bar

American Bar’s Erik Lorincz

On a visit to The Savoy you’ll be looked after by the best in the business. Head bartender, Erik Lorincz (winner of Best International Bartender at Tales of The Cocktail in 2011), loves to develop the cocktail menu and as they look to mix classics with new concoctions. And he must be doing something right as it’s been voted World’s Best Hotel Bar in several industry lists.

It’s so good we even featured it first in our rundown of the best cocktail bars in London.

Getting there: Savoy Way, Strand, London, WC2R 0EU
Nearest Tube: Charing Cross
Opening times: Mon-Sat: 11.30am- midnight, Sun: 12pm-11pm
Dress Code: Smart casual (no trainers)