Notting Hill Carnival not your thing? Secret London doesn’t judge you. Hordes of people, daggering cops and more sequins than the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea. That’s why we’ve lined up some pretty cool alternatives happening across the capital this Bank Holiday weekend. Some are clean, some are dirty and some are just plain peculiar. We like to keep things interesting at Secret London.
1. Morning Gloryville @ MODE, Saturday 29th
Imagine the scene. It’s 9.00am on a Saturday morning, you’re in Notting Hill, the music is still pumping and party-goers are still jumping. You’re not fuelled up on rum punch and the only thing flowing around your bloodstream are endorphins. This isn’t some after-party of a Carnival pre-party. This is breakfast raving. And it’s totally clean. For over a year now Morning Gloryville has been hosting alcohol-free wake up raves around the world. With superfood smoothies and massages on offer, it’s certainly a healthier alternative to the other events on offer this Bank Holiday weekend. And just think how smug you’ll feel. Tickets cost £15 and you can purchase them here. And don’t worry, if you can’t make it this time (or if West London feels like a foreign planet to you) then they’ve also got an event in East London this September…
2. Storeys @ Television Centre Wood Lane, Friday 28th – Sunday 30th
[Storeys]Just to prove that West London can do multi-storey car parks too, Storeys have taken over the roof of the BBC’s old stomping ground, offering sweeping views of the city and the UK’s best street food market traders every weekend from Friday to Sunday. This Bank Holiday the menu is looking good: with Le Bun serving up smokey beef brisket and Crabbie Shack treating you to some of the best soft shell crab burgers in town. Oh and Bad Brownie are going to be there too, who you might have read about on Secret London a few times before (no seriously, we LOVE them). Steer away from the crowds of Notting Hill: look down over them with a Bloody Mary instead.
3. Roxx On The Roof @ The Sanctum Hotel, Saturday 29th
We like this one so much that we’ve written about it before but this Bank Holiday weekend we like it even more because it’s FREE (well, only if you download our favourite app). The Roxx boys have been throwing some unforgettable parties on the gorgeous rooftop of the Sanctum Soho Hotel all summer. They’ve been selling out every weekend (we think it might have something to do with the hot tub) and this Bank Holiday will be no exception. Get the weekend off to the right kind of start. Summer ain’t over quite yet.
4. Retro-Gaming Masquerade Penthouse Party @ The Attic, Sunday 30th
[Design My Night]Brace yourselves. This one’s a bit crazy. 500ft up at the top of a penthouse – it’s worth it for the views alone. Then throw in a Happy Hour, a silent disco, masqueraded strangers and loads and loads of retro games. We’re talking all the SEGA golden oldies. Do Crazy Taxi, Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter II ring any bells? Of course they do, you geek. In this super hybrid mega party you can play them all til your heart’s content and no one will judge. With competitions, prize giveaways and a great playlist of 90s Hip Hop and House music, we’re pretty certain you won’t go to a party like this again. Tickets cost £14 and you can purchase them in advance by downloading the Fever app. It’s one for everyone because it’s got, well, everything.
5. South West Four Weekender @ Clapham Common, Saturday 29th – Sunday 30th
[WUWO Magazine]The two-day dance music spectacular is back featuring an eclectic mix of huge stars like Eric Prydz, Skrillex, Paul Oakenfold, Sven Vath, Sub Focus, Martin Garrix and Faithless. And for those who don’t fancy calling it a night after the all-day events (and for those who didn’t manage to get a ticket to the main thang), there are three epic after parties on offer at Electric Brixton and Ministry of Sound. See their website for more details.
6. The Camden Fringe, Until Sunday 30th
[TNT Magazine]London’s answer to the Edinburgh Fringe is coming to an end this weekend and if you haven’t been yet, number one, what the hell HAVE you been doing all August, and number two, (sorry that was mean), there’s still time, young thesps! Consult their website for a full schedule for what’s going on. Our personal highlight (and Glastonbury Festival favourites) are Closing The Gap Theatre with their wonderful production about freedom of expression, Article 10. Tickets can be purchased for a discounted price if you download – yep, you guessed it – our fave events discovery app.
Now you’ve really got no excuse not to have the best Bank Holiday yet.
