Ahhhh, summer. You can almost smell it in the air. Despite the best attempts of the British climate, summer is definitely (maybe) coming to a city near you. Taking over rooftop bars, riverside pubs, and gorgeous pub gardens, London’s marvellous summer pop-ups will help you make the most of it – and we’ve wrapped them all up in one handy list!
1. Midnight Apothecary, Rotherhithe
A magical torchlit garden sitting outside the Brunel Museum, this lovingly curated event offers floral cocktails, marshmallows to toast over an open fire, and street food amid verdant surroundings. The perfect spot for a cute get-together on a balmy summer’s evening. Get more info here!
2. Roof East, Stratford
There’s a double dose of Stratford pop-ups up early. The first is a ravishing rooftop playground called Roof East, which is the perfect splash of colour that London needs over the summer. There’s plenty on the roster at London’s largest outdoor playground; old favourites Sluggers are back with their batting cages, whilst the ever-popular Birdies crazy golf and East London Bowls Club are returning to the roster of games. Find out more here.
Open 4-11pm, Tuesday to Friday, and 12-11pm Saturdays and Sundays. Find it at Stratford Multi-Storey Car Park, Great Eastern Way, E15 1BB – nearest station is Stratford.
3. Pitch, Stratford
Stuffed with tasty street food, tiki cocktails, and a DJ set from living legend Norman Jay to kick things off, it’s as fine a place as any to catch the summer vibes.
Open 6-11pm on Thursday – Friday and 12-11pm on Saturday – Sunday. Find it at Bridge Road, E15 3PA – nearest station is Stratford High Street.
4. London In The Sky
Suspended 100ft above the O2 Arena, this unusual dining experience provides a fully-featured dinner party while you dangle from a great height. It’s every bit as daring as it sounds, and this summer it’s here for its longest stint ever, running from May until late-August. Grab brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, sunset dinner or cocktails up in the sky, and toast to London’s beautiful sky. Read about it here.
Sessions will run between 9am and 9pm until August 29; tickets start at £79 per person and you can purchase yours here. Find it at Peninsula Square, London SE10 0DX — nearest station is North Greenwich.
5. Rooftop Film Club
The most dramatic of summer pop-ups is back for another round. Rooftop Film Club’s outdoor cinema screens are showing cinematic tours de force both new and old, at two London locations: Roof East Stratford and Peckham’s Bussey Building. Sink into a deckchair and enjoy Hollywood’s finest films. Read more about Rooftop Film Club here.
6. Fulham Beach Club
You won’t need to schlep out to Gatwick to get yourself on a white sand beach this summer. Fulham Beach Club is bringing summer vibes to West London with a jungle beach paradise – think cabanas, beach huts, and a jungle covered pergola. Tiki cocktail, anyone? Read more about it here.
Find it at Neverland, Wandsworth Bridge Road, SW6 2TY – nearest stations are Putney Bridge and Imperial Wharf.
7. Summer By The River, London Bridge
A summer festival amongst summer pop-ups, and it’s back for another year. For three months, Summer By The River entertains the masses with music, food, films, and big screen events. Plus, if you like free things, you’ll be glad to know that attendance is on the house, making this the biggest free outdoor festival in London. Here’s what’s happening.
Find it at London Bridge City, SE1 2DB until September 2. Nearest station is London Bridge.
8. Love Pub + Grub, Wapping
Those feeling in the pink have found their home for the summer over at Love Pub + Grub. The name pretty much describes the whole shebang in a nutshell – and it’s not a bad thing they’ve got going on. Pub = drinks flowing; Grub = all the street food you ever wanted to taste; and Love = a colourful, 360-degree, open-air setting that’s bound to be just the tonic after a winter cooped up indoors. Look forward to their doors flying open every Saturday (plus selected bank holidays) through the summer. Get more information here.
9. Jimmy’s BBQ Club, Southbank
Jimmy Garcia is a busy boy when it comes to summer pop-ups. Aside from running the food at loads of the other spots throughout the summer and the whole year, he’s also brings his BBQ Club to the South Bank every year. There’s a rooftop restaurant with cracking views of the river, two bars, plenty of picnic spots and, of course, a sea of delicious munch. No wonder it’s proved so wildly popular. Read about it here.
10. Pergola Paddington, open now
Pergolas have been the venue of choice for summer pop-ups in recent years, so the return of this huge, food-filled one to Paddington is welcome news. Right now, they’re leaning heavily into a Mexican-themed affair, with food from the likes of Crudo Cevicheria and Dos Mas Tacos, and weekly events of Margarita Mondays and Taco Tuesdays. Oh, and the beach club has a dancefloor for the first time, so you can throw some shapes after those MMs. Check it out here.
Find it at 5 Kingdom Street, W2 6PY — nearest station is Paddington.
11. Queen of Hoxton, Shoreditch
You can never go wrong with the Queen Of Hoxton, and right now it’s doused in cherry blosson decor so we suggest you check it out pronto. It’s a perfect hangout to meet friends, go on dates and get that perfect snap for the ‘gram, all while sipping on a colourful cocktail. Read about it here.
Find it at 1 Curtain Road, EC2A 3JX – nearest station is Liverpool Street.
12. The Luna Cinema, multiple locations
The Luna Cinema are back for warm season once more, offering another brilliant outdoor spot to catch your favourite movies. Think old and new films, from Harry Potter and Pretty Women to Belfast and Nightmare Alley, at venues scattered all around the city. Pick your venue and pick your film here, and you won’t leave disappointed.
13. Eataly, Liverpool Street
A paradise for those after some delightful Italian food and wine – which, let’s be honest, is everyone around about this time of year – that can be found right by Liverpool Street station. Convenent, indulgent, delicious… nothing not to like. Read about it here.
14. Markets Hall Canary Wharf Cargo
The name might be a bit of a mouthful, but there’s method behind the madness wordiness. It combines the Market Halls brand, the neighbourhood, and Cargo – after the leisure and office space the food hall is housed in. And there’s more than a mouthful of delicious food inside too. Gopal’s Corner (from the minds behind Roti King), DF Tacos, and BaoziInn are on hand offering up their fares. Read about it here.
15. Frank’s Cafe
Everyone’s favourite Peckham summer hangout is back for 2022. Franks Cafe offers rooftop views over southeast London alongside intriguing art installations and gramworthy pics at THAT pink wall. Read more about it here.
Find it at Bold Tendencies, 7th-10th Floor Multi Storey Car Park, 95A Rye Ln, SE15 4ST. Nearest station is Peckham Rye.
Also published on Medium.