The Fourth of July is just about the most American of celebrations there is. It’s a grand old excuse to get together with friends, fire up the BBQ (or the smoker for the proper southern BBQ experience), crack a few cold ones, and generally enjoy yourself. So, why are we at Secret London writing about it? Well, we know plenty of Americans live in London and read our website! And since a number of places are commemorating the day with special menus and events, why wouldn’t we share the news with you? Here are 9 super-sized ways to ring in the Fourth of July in London – regardless of whether or not you’re American:
1. Get familiar with the American spirit
Bourbon is inarguably the spirit of America. There’s nothing more American, after all, than the sweet, oak-y, grain-y flavours of the American whiskey style. And over in Islington , bourbon producer Wild Turkey is taking over the esteemed bar, Homeboy, with a special event for the Fourth of July. Guests will be welcomed with a highball cocktail, before undergoing a tasting of Wild Turkey’s spirit offerings, before ending things with a masterclass on making the perfect Old Fashioned cocktail.
Find out more and grab your tickets to the event here.
2. Try out A Taste Of Texas
Head down to The Blues Kitchen’s Brixton, Shoreditch, or Camden venues, where on the Fourth of July they’ll launch their new A Taste of Texas series of events and menus. Indulge in some bourbon cocktails, enjoy live blues, soul, and rock n roll music, and fill up on plenty of Texas-style food. If you can’t make it down, fret not, because the A Taste of Texas celebration will be running for eight weeks across Blues Kitchen sites. Chow down on limited edition menus, designed by some of the best chefs out of Texas, sip on delicious cocktails courtesy of the American South’s best mixologists, and live music from musicians flown over specially for the ocassion. You could even win a trip to Texas! Head on over to their Instagram to find out more.
3. Ride a bucking bull at a bottomless brunch
For a more weekend-friendly (and slightly delayed) celebration head to The Anthologist by Drake & Morgan’s Country Bottomless Brunch on July 8. The venue has partnered up with the UK’s leading pop-up country music bar Buck’ N Bull Saloon, and Daddy Rack Tennessee Whiskey, to treat guests to live country music, a DJ, a rodeo bull, Southern BBQ food, and bottomless drinks. With a choice of tickets, if you just want to join in the party without the bottomless drinks and food, you can do that too! How long do you think you’ll last on the rodeo bull?
4. Take it back to the 90s
Over at Covent Garden music venue, STEREO, they’re preparing to party like it’s the Fourth of July, 1999. To ring in the American Independence Day, they’ll be celebrating the biggest chart-topping hits from the States, that soundtracked our lives throughout the 90s. We’re talking Green Day, My Chemical Romance, and everything in between. All the while, you can nosh and sip on American-themed menu items like Bacon Dippers, Pecan Pie, Boilermakers, and more.
5. Dine on a big ol’ American steak dinner
Want to get a bit classy with your July 4th celebrations? Then you’ll want to head to Heliot Steak House’s one-off American-inspired dinner. Across four courses, diners will be treated to delicious cuts of meat expertly paired with wines from the US of A. Priced at £79.90 pp, things will kick off with steak tartare with truffle and dry raspberries, complemented by a glass of Scribe Winery Mains ‘Along The Palms’ Chardonnay. Then, diners will move through two mouth-watering steaks, each also complemented by a carefully-chosen wine, before finishing with the American-as-can-be Apple Pie.
Find out more, and book your table, here.
6. Or a transatlantic-inspired feast
Another incredible meal awaits July 4th revellers at The Beaumont Hotel’s The Colony Grill Room. Running from July 1-9, the special Independence Day Feasting Menu brings together influences from both sides of the pond. Guests can enjoy the likes of a Cornish Seafood Boil and a whole buttermilk fried chicken, as well as snacks and sharing dishes that range from deep fried green tomatoes, to tater tots, watermelon salad, and beyond. Amidst the restaurant’s 1920s New York inspired interiors, it’ll feel like you’ve boarded a plane and ended up on the other side of the Atlantic!
Bookings can be made here.
7. Head to Vegas without leaving London
The legendary 100 Wardour Street in Soho will be celebrating the ultra-American ocassion as part of their ‘Summer Nights in Vegas’ immersive pop-up. Step past the famous ‘Welcome to Las Vegas’ sign before heading into a neon-drenched Vegas look-alike complete with slot machines, a Wardour wedding chapel, sparklers, and live music. On the Fourth of July guests can enjoy a special July 4th dinner of three courses and a glass of bubbly for £35, or go bottomless (with the drinks, not your garments!) for an extra £20.
Find out more here.
8. Or go further west to California without crossing the pond
California-inspired dining destination Feels Like June (which clearly doesn’t close when June is over!) is offering up some delicious American fare for the day. For the sweet-toothed among us, grab some of their all-day American-style pancakes for just £12 – did someone say breakfast for dinner? Alternatvely, if you’re more savoury-inclined, their one-day-only Chipotle Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich is sure to hit the spot.
9. Catch the chicken parade
Okay, so it’s not actually a chicken parade – as in a parade of chickens – rather it’s an Independence Day Parade courtesy of US-fried chicken chain Slim Chickens. They’re celebrating the occassion, which they’ve nicknamed Slimdependence Day, outside their flagship restaurant at Cambridge Circus. The Slimdependence Day parade will kick off at 5pm, and there will be dancers, stilt walkers, performers, and cheerleaders leading the fun. Guests can also enjoy a range of discounts and offers at Slim Chickens throughout July, to keep the celebrations going. They’re even giving away a trip to New York City! Find out more at their socials.
So, there you have it. Whether you’re a proud Yank that’s crossed the pond, or you’re just looking for something to do this week, now you know just where to ring it the Fourth of July.