As we make the shift back to office life (even if it’s just a couple of days a week at the moment), we want to help you make the most of your days in central London. There’s a work/life balance out there that allows you to keep up with your lockdown hobbies while also embracing all the best social and cultural moments London has to offer.
That’s why we’re working with South Western Railway to provide you with a reinvented office day routine. From art to foodie favourites, from film to sci-fi cocktail making experiences, we’ve got suggestions to elevate your lunchtimes or post-work hour before you head for home!
Things to do with your mates
Planning a team social to help your work friends reconnect after months of working virtually and taking meetings on Zoom? We’ve got the perfect suggestion for you – The Grid’s epic sci-fi escape room-style cocktail experience. The one and a half hour session promises shocking fun, a great bonding experience and two free cocktails included with your ticket. It’s described as “real life Black Mirror” and you’ll have to take on the AI programme of an evil tech startup; but if you successfully save humanity, delicious cocktails are yours.
The Grid – London Sci-Fi Cocktail experience
Price: £32
Location: Neosight, 2 Robinson Road, Bankside Arches SE1 8BU, London
Distance from Waterloo Station: 10 min walk
Undiscovered places to explore
One great thing about being back in the city is all the incredible food and drink on offer, from restaurants and cafés, but also from street food stalls in London’s iconic markets. Lower Marsh Market is a historic favourite just a hop, skip and a jump from Waterloo station, serving up an eclectic mixture of international cuisines and specialty one-of-a-kind finds. Whether you’re after a hearty lunch or a post-work snack, you’re sure to find something to tickle your taste buds from the likes of Bibimbab, Golden Burgers, Greek Food Kitchen and more!
Lower Marsh Market
Price: Free
Location: Lower Marsh, London SE1 7RG
Distance from Waterloo Station: 4 min walk
Something free to enjoy
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again – London is full of amazing free things to do and people need to know about it! Yes, it is totally possible to keep up with your lockdown saving goals while still taking in incredible exhibitions, film screenings and more. This week, we want to tell you all about the BFI Mediatheque in the Southbank Centre. There, film buffs and history fans can browse the BFI archives featuring over 90,000 titles available to watch for free. From old silent movies, to war propaganda films, and niche horror flicks – there’s so much to choose from. Just pick a booth, settle in and hit play. Or, if you’d rather have a more conventional cinema experience, buy tickets for a screening at the BFI Southbank cinema.
BFI Mediatheque
Price: Free
Location: Belvedere Rd, London SE1
Distance from Waterloo Station: 5 min walk
An SWR reward to cash in
Did you know that you can get free access to exclusive offers and deals when you buy your train ticket with SWR. They’re unlocking amazing commuter perks across various venues in London (and beyond!) allowing you to cash in on great discounts, free drinks and more! Find out more here.
Each week we’re picking out one SWR Reward to help elevate your non-wfh days, and this time we’ve got one for the wine lovers. You can get a free glass of wine per person or a free bottle on a booking of 4 people with your meal at Le Garrick, the iconic family-owned French restaurant near Leicester Square. Cheers to that!
To help you keep your fingers firmly on the pulse of city living, South Western Railway’s winged friends, Sandy and Wes are on hand to provide their top recommendations. Sandy is a culture vulture with a love for the arts, theatre and lunching with the girls, while Wes loves clubs, pubs and going to gigs with his mates. But one thing they can both agree on is the importance of finding a good spot for a meal out with friends! They’ve joined forces to share their restaurant, café and bar suggestions for the week ahead, so you can spread your wings in style.
Wes and Sandy’s star of the week:
For delicious Vietnamese food in one of the coolest locations in London, visit Banh Bao Brothers in the Leake Street Arches. Share a couple of bao dishes and snacks with your mates, and wash it all down with a tasty cocktail or two. 20 Leake St, London SE1 7NN