Break out those flutes of the fizzy stuff because London’s summer kicks off in earnest in June, and not a moment too soon. The city is waking up for the warm season once more, with plenty of incredible things on the horizon for the sacred sixth month, including art exhibits, brunches galore, and festival season starting to enter the parks and pump up the volume. That’s just scratching the surface of all the wonderful things to do in London in June 2023 – you can find even more below.
1. Get lost in London’s lovely lavender farm
Cherry blossoms might take the crown in April, bluebells and wisteria might rule the roost in May, but come June? It’s Lavender season, and London’s Mayfield farm is the place to plant yourselves during the warm season.
A purple paradise can be found in Banstead, and it’s set to reopen in early June, and is even hosting open-air concerts later in the summer. It’s colourful, smells amazing, looks ELITE on the ‘gram, and is a damn fine place to relax during the summer. We laven-dare you to try not to pay them a visit this summer, and you’ll see that it just can’t be done. Read more about Mayfield Lavender Farm here.
2. Scale the hill up to the fabulous outdoor terrace with a view over the city
Perched on top of a hill is an undisputed God-level shout for beer garden placement. We thank our lucky stars each year when the terrace at Alexandra Palace reopens for a season of beer-and-sun-soaked fun, and it’s back for summer 2023, baby! Panoramic views out over London is even more of a guarantee of that first pint going down an absolute treat and that food order hitting the spot. It’s just science, really. Look it up. Read more about The Terrace at Alexandra Palace here.
3. And then head out to one of London’s many other brilliant beer gardens
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of marching into a London beer garden at 3:09pm when it’s exactly 26°C outside and securing the last available table. Well, except for when you enhance it with your sunny beeline away from the bar, floating back towards your table with a beer in tow. If it could stay at this exact temperature all summer, we’d be eternally thankful — though you’d have to come and find us in our new home (every London beer garden) to see express that gratitude. Here are some of the best the city has to offer.
🐂 The Bull, Highgate – a pub with a brewery in the back garden? You better believe it. Great outdoor space for beer garden shenanigans, too.
😎 People’s Park Tavern, Hackney – so you’re telling me there’s a pub… in the park? PPT is a Victoria Park cult classic, and it boasts a mean beer garden at that.
🦅 The Eagle, Shepherd’s Bush – this one has beanbags and pretty decorations, so it’s straight into the best beer gardens in London group chat.
🌱 The Faltering Fullback, Finsbury Park – the garden here has been talked about ’till the cows come home, and for good reason, Sensational garden, sensational gaff.
🍻 The Angel Oak, Peckham – lovely set of tables, barbecue and a ping pong table; otherwise known as the cherished trifecta of beer garden accolades in London.
Find out about more of London’s dandy beer gardens by checking out our handy guide.
4. Celebrate the month of Pride
June 1-30 marks the month of Pride, and even though London’s famous parade doesn’t actually take place until July 1, there’s plenty a-happening across the capital throughout the month. From talks to talent shows to sign painting, here are some events happening in June to celebrate Pride in London.
🕺Pride’s Got Talent final (June 27): PGT kicked off all the way back in March, and the next round is the final. It takes place at the Adelphi Theatre at the end of the month, with the winner taking home both a wad of prize money and a chance to perform at London’s Pride Parade on July 1.
🪧 Pre-Pride sign painting meetup (June 30): the vast array of signs is one of the many pillars of the main event, and on the eve of the Pride parade in London, you can attend a meetup to get yours ready. This sign painting event takes place at the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre, and all you’ll need to come with is your blank canvas (a piece of cardboard).
🍸 Arcade Pride Riot (all month): the new summer terrace is here, and Arcade are spending the month highlighting LGBTQ+ culture and history, collaborating with Polari Press to hold readings by queer authors and hosting a library stocked with books by LGBTQ+ authors. Plus, there’s a limited-edition Pride cocktail menu to enjoy.
🎙️ Queer Comedy Club: London’s first ever dedicated LGBTQ+ comedy club will have a brilliant roster of standup performances all throughout the month.
🍷 Queer Britain Market (June 9-11): stalls at Canopy market to celebrate Pride month with everything from jewellery to wine to coffee to ceramics.
5. Let loose at a London festival
Sure, it might feel like 10,456 years since the last time you danced in a London park, but festival season has arrived. That means buckets of glitter and doubling your online clothes orders (to bucket hat or not to bucket hat… that is the question ) in preparation for a summer of cutting shapes for seven hours without taking a break. Here are a few of the best you can attend throughout the merry month of June.
💃 Mighty Hoopla (June 3-4): Brockwell Park – Steps, Foxes, and Self Esteem are all bringing the party to south London.
🏰 Hampton Court Palace Festival (June 6-17): Hampton Court Palace – Grace Jones, Tom Jones, Rick Astley, Soft Cell, Kool & The Gang and Björn Again make up just some of the lineup at the Tudor Courtyard.
🪩 Cambridge Club Festival (June 9-11): a trip away might be required but a lineup with Grace Jones, Lionel Richie, Kool and the Gang and more is bound to tempt you.
🕺Off The Rails W12 (June 10): Shepherd’s Bush – an inaugural year for this multi-venue festival in west London, hosted by Next Door Records and featuring Jelani Blackman, Delilah Holiday, Ebi Soda and more.
🎸 BST Hyde Park (June 24–July 8): Hyde Park – legends of the game including Pink, Bruce Springsteen, Guns N’Roses, Take That, Lana Del Rey and Blackpink are all taking to the stage for BST 2023. 🎵 Can’t start a fire without a spark 🎵
6. (Truly) Feel the breeze at the World Naked Bike ride
What could be more freeing than feeling the wind against your hair as you glide along the city on your bicycle? The answer, to some, anyway, is doing just that, but with hundreds of other people… in the nude. That’s right, baby: it’s back – the World Naked Bike Ride is scooting into London on June 10 for its 18th edition, and yes, it is exactly how it’s described. To take part, all you have to do is cycle over to one of the nine rendezvous points on the day and be prepared to depart with your clothes, ready for a glorious few hours of whizzing around in your birthday suit. Read all about the World Naked Bike Ride and plan your visit here.
7. Enjoy the beauty of the National Portrait Gallery for the first time in three years
London is swimming with beautiful museums to soak in all year round, but since June 2020, one of the finest strings to its arty bow has been closed for maintenance. That’s all changing this month though, with the grand reopening date set for June 22, unveiling the most extensive revamp to the gallery since 1896. Gazing at portraits at William Shakespeare and then enjoy a tipple at their brand new cocktail bar which is part of the redevelopment? Couldn’t have asked for any more this month. Read more about the National Portrait Gallery’s reopening here.
8. Go and see the world
Okay, not quite literally. But, Gaia – Luke Jerram’s floating model of Earth – is a way to view the whole planet, and gain a new perspective on our home. It’s back in London this month after a number of successful stints in places like Greenwich’s Painted Hall and, most recently, Canary Wharf. Teddington’s Landmark Arts Centre is home to the whole world from June 16 – July 2, so you’ll want to follow the universe’s signal’s all the way over there. And hey, if you squint, you might see a tiny version of yourself wandering the streets of London (you’ll have to really want to see this, though). Read more about Gaia and plan your visit here.
9. Have a laugh at this Clapham Comedy extravaganza
A star-studded comedy bill is preparing to grace Clapham Grand with a night of laughs. A quadrant full of quips in the form of Lou Sanders, Pierre Novellie, Ahir Shah, and Glenn Moore make up the ‘No Jiggery Pokery’ night, which takes place on June 8 and is presented by Cawston Press. In between fits of laughter, guests can sip on cocktails curated for the evening, and also make a donation to charity partner Fareshare – which the comedy night is raising awareness for. Book your spot to the ‘No Jiggery Pokery’ comedy night here.
10. Take part in the glorious movie musical that is Tarantino Live
11. Soak in the views at a London Rooftop Bar
Ain’t no finer season than London rooftop season. Sure, this could just be code for summer, but regardless, there isn’t really a finer thrill than reaching the top floor of one of London’s sky-high venues and clapping eyes with the panoramic surroundings of the city’s skyline. We might be out of our bank holiday credits this month after our triple threat in May, but that doesn’t mean our weeknights and weekends can’t be marked with some opulent rooftop settings. Here are a few of the best around London.
😎 Aviary (Finsbury Square): Summer igloos and comfy sofas atop a central London rooftop paradise.
🪟 Sabine (St Pauls): metres away from the stunning Christopher Wren masterpiece, the view from Sabine is tough to beat.
🛝Roof East (Stratford): pop-up rooftop playground for adults that saunters into the city every summer boasting street food, giant jenga, and refreshing tipples.
🍸 Frank’s Café (Peckham): a tasty combination of negronis, art installations, and fabulous views.
Check out our guide to the best rooftop bars around London here.
12. Catch a flick at a glorious open-air film night in London
13. Use the force at this epic Star Wars exhibition
The Fans Strike Back exhibition has been drawing in crowds to South Kensington since it landed back in April. Star Wars buffs have been flocking like an army of droids over to the large collection of memorabilia, lightsabers in tow, to get a glimpse of the gems of a galaxy far, far away. There’s an opportunity for a staring contest with Darth Vader’s mask, scope for a shot with one of the 30 sculptures–R2d2, a giant Chewbacca, more!–and a fan-built 1:2 scale snowspeeder that’s begging to be marvelled at. Jedis, this is where the fun begins. Book your place at The Fans Strike Back exhibition here.
14. Celebrate the delicious and diverse Soho dining scene with these wonderful foodie offers
Soho Beats and Eats runs between June 16-30, and not only champions the wonderful dining scene in the area, but gives you many a promotion to help you enjoy it! Offers include, *deep breath*, 50% off a divine plate of mussels at seafood connoisseurs Maresco (where Spanish dishes meat Scottish produce); a free plate of croquetas with your meal at Ember Yard (when you quote SOHOBEATS); the return of Bone Daddies x Black Bear Ramen; a cocktail masterclass at SOMA; a limited edition set menu from Shoryu; a food hopping tour and much more. Find out more here.
15. Ramble around this free festival and family event in Brockwell Park
Lambeth Country Show is rolling back into Brockwell Park for its 49th year. While next year is the big five zero, you’ll not want to wait that long to get in on the action at the event that attracts 120,000 each year. 200 traders set up shop at one of south London’s most cherished green spaces, and you’ll be able to try out exquisite street food after browsing the extensive range of art, crafts, jewellery and much more.
Plus, you can seep through the hallmarks of a traditional country show, which include sheep steering, owl displays, homegrown vegetable competitions, horse jousting and stunt shows, and an onsite farm. Not what you’d typically associate with London, but this city never fails to surprise us in the best way, does it?
Lambeth Country Show takes place at Brockwell Park on June 10-11, and is completely free to enter. Read more about the event here.
16. Visit somewhere that you might not believe is actually in London
It might seem strange to recommend places that aren’t like London, given the nature of our publication and all, but there’s a method to the madness, promise. Many of these places, while beautiful all year round, really come alive in the summer, at a time when you’re probably counting down the days to your next holiday and might want something sooner to scratch that itch. Here are a few of the places tucked away in the city that just don’t seem like they’re in the Big Smoke.
🤩 BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir – marvel at the sheer beauty of this traditional Hindu temple in Neasden, which, upon its building in the 90s, was once the largest Hindu temple outside of India.
🔮 Painshill Park Crystal Grotto – it might take you a while to get to, but this genuine treasure that takes the form of a Crystal Grotto in Cobham is well worth the journey.
💩 Crossness Pumping Station – you’ve seriously never seen a sewage system quite like this. Crossness Pumping Station is known as the ‘Cathedral of Sewage’, and one look at its beauty will tell you why.
Read about more extraordinary places in London here.
17. Have a ball at Meltdown Festival
Now, we may have touched on music festivals already. Still, there’s no denying that the famous Meltdown, this year curated by the inimitable Christine And The Queens, deserves its own entry. Following in the footsteps of Grace Jones, Nile Rodgers, and Robert Smith, who helmed the last three Meltdown Festivals, the singer has put on a typically eclectic bill for the 10-day affair at the South Bank. Django Django, Warpaint, Sigur Rós, and more all join Christine And The Queens to make up the bill, and there’s also a range of free public events as part of the festival across two weekends. Read more about Meltdown Festival here.
18. Plan a quick day trip out of London
Look, we all love it here, but the furiously fast-paced city life is enough to grind down even the most hardened of Londoners. There are plenty of beautiful locations out there primed for a day trip out of the city. You’ll feel better for seeing somewhere new, or a familiar favourite, and, shockingly, London (your overpriced flat, your beloved housemates, and your local haunts) will still be there waiting for you when you get back.
Get your inspiration for a day trip to plan out of London here.
19. Enjoy an onsite rolling station at the brand new Kaleido Rolls flagship
Rice paper rolls stuffed with a plethora of fillings—from the maple salmon and edamame number to the off-the-wall tuna and pickle combo to the goes-with-absolutely-everything roasted aubergine edition—is the perfect summer lunch. Kailedo Rolls bring their flagship store to London on June 29 in Soho, which has their first onsite rolling station, with rolling masterclasses set to come. Keep rollin’, rollin’, rollin’, rollin’.
📍10 Kingly Street, Carnaby, W1B 5PJ
20. Attend TogethernessFest to mark Loneliness Awareness Week
TogethernessFest is a week-long celebration of the connection and value of friendship and real-life interaction. Marking Loneliness Awareness Week (June 12-18), Kindred – a community-based space in Hammersmith – is hosting a set of club nights, brunches, talks, workshops, and more. According to research, 700,000 Londoners feel lonely most or all of the time, and TogethernessFest aims to highlight this issue and provide a way for many to feel included, be it through a dog-walking session, a writers hour, or a coffee meetup. Read the full programme for TogethernessFest here.
21. Treat your old man for Father’s Day
Here’s your early, but perhaps necessary, reminder that June means Father’s Day. After all, you won’t want to be offending your dads on their dedicated day of the year, even if you do like to wind them up for the other 364. It falls on June 18, meaning you’ve (currently) got ample time to plan your day out in London or grab the perfect treat to celebrate a sunny Sunday in June with your pops.
🎂 Nab a Father’s Day cake from Hummingbird Bakery’s collection – which includes Chocolate Caramel Whoopie (a cupcake meets cookie).
🥓 Enjoy a Father’s Day barbecue at Sopwell House, with live music to compliment the grub in the gardens.
🍝 Attend a pasta-making masterclass with Pasta Evangelists, which also includes a beer-tasting.
22. Take part in a ‘detective noir-themed’ immersive experience
Should you be partial to a bit of whisky and have an interest in the world of noir inspired by the likes of Dashiell Hammet and Raymond Chandler, this event melding the two parties should be right up your street dark alley. Ardbeg is hosting a ‘detective noir-themed’ immersive experience on June 3, where guests enter the riddle-breaking and code-cracking world created by the whisky brand, as you work alongside an investigative journalist and taste a few chasers along your way. The world is inspired by the 40-page sci-fi anthology launched by Ardbeg last year, and you’ll even have a chance to win bottles of the limited edition Heavy Vapours.
📍233 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6PJ (2-7pm, June 3)
23. Eat at a new South African-inspired tapas restaurant
Little Kudu is hitting Queen’s Road in June, delivering a blend of South African-inspired tapas-style cuisine to south London. It’s the third restaurant from the husband-wife double team made up by Amy Corbin and Patrick Williams and, like Kudu and Kudu Grill, will offer diners food influenced by Chef Patron Williams’ roots, as well as dishes from South African-born Head Chef Chace Wagenhauser. Combining a striking interior, complete with a grand central table, with a distinctive array of dishes—expect peri-peri mussels, chicken liver parfait tartlet with spiced pineapple and calendula, and more—means Little Kudu should be on any foodie’s radar upon opening.
Little Kudu arrives on June 21, and you’ll find it at 133 Queen’s Road, SE15 2ND. Find out more and book (from June 7) via their website.
24. Shake your hips at a London gig
Cast aside your assumptions that June in London is exclusively about festivals. They may all be assembling like some melodic version of the Avengers, but that doesn’t mean indoor gigs call it quits for a few months. We’ve still got plenty of arena shows and sweaty club gigs to enjoy over the summer, and the warm weather also brings with it the art of the stadium show. I know there’s A Certain Romance around the Emirates and heaps of Crazy In Love fans at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, for example…
Here are some of the best gigs going down in the capital this June.
💍 Beyoncé (June 1, June 3, June 4): Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – selling out five nights (with three taking place in June) at a 62,000-capacity football ground in her sleep? Light work for Beyoncé.
🍷 UB40 (June 2): Royal Albert Hall – RED RED WINE.
😎 Burna Boy (June 3): London Stadium – no need for Burna Boy fans to send their location, as they’ll all be found right there already (packed inside an east London stadium on a bright June evening).
❤️ Simply Red (June 5): Shepherd’s Bush Empire – If You Don’t Know Me By Now you will never know that Holding Back The Years could Make Me Feel Brand New on a Monday night before Sunrise in June.
🕺Fatboy Slim (June 10): Alexandra Palace – Right About Now, it’s time to Praise You Like I Should and inform you of Fatboy Slim’s headline show at Ally Pally.
🏟️ Lewis Capaldi (June 11): Wembley Stadium – the self-proclaimed ‘Scottish Beyoncé’ also has a stadium show to be shouting about this summer…
💯 King Krule (June 11): The 100 Club – though he might sing Easy Easy, it’ll probably be anything but to try and get your hands on tickets to this intimate show…
🍉 Harry Styles (June 13, June 14, June 16, June 17): Wembley Stadium – turns out ‘that guy’ from One Direction is pretty big in his own right now. Four nights at the home of football belting out As It Was? G’warn then. Get down early for Wet Leg‘s support slot, too.
🎤 Wu-Tang Clan & Nas (June 13): The O2 – two legendary acts come together for a tour de force of hip-hop this summer.
⚽ Arctic Monkeys (June 16-18): Emirates Stadium – Arsenal are lending their dancefloor to Sheffield’s finest for three nights this summer, and I’ll bet they’ll look good on it…
⭐ Depeche Mode (June 17): Twickenham Stadium – I’m taking a ride with my best friend, I’m hoping he never lets me down again (by missing out on tickets to this corker of a show).
💃 SZA (June 17, June 18, June 25, June 26): The O2 – fresh from her smash album SOS at the tail end of 2022, SZA is hitting the road for arena shows in the summer.
🏴☠️ Rancid (June 20): Wembley Arena – first London headline show since the year two-thousand-and-twelve?! Better late than never to be belting out Roots Radical in the big smoke, lads…
🎸 Turnover (June 23): Camden Underworld – indie melded with dreamy shoegaze from the Virginia four-piece.
2️⃣1️⃣ So Solid Crew (June 24): Wembley Arena – you’ll have more than 21 Seconds to make it to the arena in time for this one, to be fair.
🎶 Japanese Breakfast (June 27): Roundhouse – the soothing and soaring tones of Japanse Breakfast is taking over Camden for a night.
25. Try the world’s best cocktail menu for one night only in London
One would normally find Juliana Bar in the city of Guayaquil in Ecuador, but in June, you can try their menu, which was named the very best in the world at the 2022 50 Best Bars awards, right here in London. The Juliana team is taking over Silverleaf for the night on June 7, and you can grasp the chance to try their unique concoctions before they head to their next tour stop (Paris) by booking your place!
View more of Juliana’s cocktails on their Instagram page.
26. Catch a spectacular authentic flamenco show
While the sun might be finally starting to show itself, you still might be longing for a trip to Spain this summer. If this isn’t possible, or you’ve just got back and are missing the Meditteranean already, you can find a dose of Spanish culture here in London at an authentic flamenco show. The Royal Opera of Madrid are touring Europe this summer, stopping off in the big smoke to present a show filled with glitz, passion, and serious dance moves. They’re in town from June 15-25, and you can book your spot now!
27. Find a hidden beach near London
If logic is anything to go by, June should deliver some pretty great days for us. Logic, however, doesn’t always apply when it comes to the weather, particularly in 2023 so far. But, I’d wager that we will get at least one sunny weekend in the month of June — and escaping to a hidden beach near the city for a day out is a near-perfect way to welcome the warm season. Escape the city buzz with a wander at West Wittering, a bounce across Botany Bay, and a meander around Mersea Island to guarantee a fresh batch of high-grade summer endorphins.
Read our guide to the hidden beaches near London here.
28. Explore and eat your way around London’s Thai Festival
London’s ultimate Thai festival is returning to King’s Cross this summer for three days of food and fun. The Thailand Showcase aims to emulate the traditional night markets of Thailand and brings together a marvellous choice of some of London’s very best Thai restaurants (from 101 Thai Kitchen to Patara). It’s completely free to attend on June 16-18 at Canopy Market, and serves up vibrant dishes from every region of the country. Plus, you’ll be able to find contemporary Thai jewellery, crafts and much more at the many stalls along the market throughout the weekend. View their page here.
29. Watch The FA Cup and Champions League finals
London might not have a bone in this fight, with none of the capital’s top-flight clubs going the distance, but you can bet your last dime that the pubs will be full for both of these games. On June 3, it’s a City vs United Manchester derby in the FA Cup final held at Wembley Stadium, and then exactly one week later it’s Manchester City (again) vs Inter Milan in the Champions League Final in Istanbul. Pep Guardiola is on the brink of a treble-winning season (Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup); a feat not achieved since their FA Cup opponents United’s milestone victories in 1999. Team talk should take care of itself for that one then, shouldn’t it?
⚽ Skylight Tobacco Dock – opulent rooftop showing both the FA Cup final and Champions League final in June.
🏆 Big Penny Social – beer garden blessed with a barbecue for the oldest fixture in English football.
🍻 Lalaland – Shoreditch hangout with DJ sets before and after the FA Cup final.
30. Or, witness the grand finale of the Croquetas Challenge 2023
Plenty of people aren’t fussed about finals in football, but dangle the proposition of an altogether more delicious variety of competition – albeit still involving (slightly) spherical objects – and you might just be onto something. A grand climax of the Croquetas Challenge at Salt Yards takes place on June 6, with three restaurants (Nanny Bills, Salt Yards Borough, Salt Yards Fitzrovia) into the finals so far, and more to book their place imminently. Head down to see the drama, and (obviously try every variety of croqueta on show. Find out more and book your spot here.
31. Embark on a sensory journey at Somerset House
The London Design Biennale is back for its fourth edition at Somerset House at the beginning of the month and will allow for an exploration of more than 40 different creations from across the world. This year’s theme is ‘The Global Game: Remapping Collaberations’, which aims to break the boundaries of borders and work towards international cooperation through design. Running from June 1-25, visitors can dive into all the pieces of work, including a look at the culture behind breadmaking; a Korean garden using VR to gain a link between the past and the future; an adaptation of a ‘village square’ in Malta; and much more.
Find out more about the London Design Biennale here.
32. Then check out one of London’s other brilliant exhibitions
Are you going to be someone who takes London’s endless stream of cultural activity for granted or will you keep on exploring all there is on offer? Good. These are some of the best exhibitions taking place in London through the month of June.
Exhibitions opening in June
❤️ Adjani Okpu-Egbe: This Is the Place and Time (June 1-30): Sulger-Buel Gallery – an exhibition featuring work by Adjani Okpu-Egbe from the last 10 years that explore a plethora of themes and calls for change by the means of activism.
🧡 Who The F**k Is Arthur? (from June 9): Camden Open Air Gallery – a free exhibition from a graffiti artist with impressive 3D sculptures and unique paintings.
💛 Marylebone Church Street Fair (June 11): Back after a four-year hiatus, visitors can check out art and antiques from over 60 different traders this summer
💚 Windrush Day Events (June 22-24): National Maritime Museum – marking the 75th anniversary of Windrush, take part in a host of activities from dominos to yoga to a family connections workshop to a talk on Tilbury Docks.
Exhibitions closing in June
💙 Brendan Lynch – A Walk (closes on June 3): OMNI – Lynch’s first London exhibition since 2014, this space presents 270 pieces of work from 40 different artists, including his own that includes a timelapse over a piece painted repeatedly over 300 times.
💜 Thin Air (closes on June 4): The Beams – a flash of colour and light like you’ve never seen before at the multi-functional venue that is The Beams by Broadwick Live, the same team behind Printworks.
🤎 HOLA by Juicy Juicy (closes on June 4): Copeland Gallery – a comprehensive Latin American exhibition featuring work from a street artist (Skore999), muralist (Moon Venture), and graffiti writer (ErrorOne).
🖤 Pilvi Takala: On Discomfort (closes on June 4): Goldsmiths CCA – works from 2008 up to now from Finnish artist Pilvi Takala which is completely free to enter and explores research on communities.
🤍 Maria Bartuszová (closes on June 27): Tate Modern – examine the abstract sculptures created by Maria Bartuszová, beginning with her work in the 1960s and moving to that in the ’80s.
Read our full guide to art exhibitions in London here.
33. Sip on a brew at London’s first-ever non-alcoholic taproom
There’s no reason for choosing to press pause on the booze, be it for life or for a few weeks, should prevent you from enjoying a few brews with your mates. An increasing number of pubs and bars are offering alcohol-free varieties in their barrels, and now London is welcoming its first ever non-alcoholic taproom. LOAH are setting up shop in Hackney Downs on June 7, with the space including an in-store record shop and plenty of spots to chill out in. Read more about LOAH here.
📍Arch D, Hackney Downs Studios, 17 Amhurst Terrace, E8 2BT (from June 7)
34. Swap the club for a boat at these parties along the Thames
Granted, some of your favourite nights out in London may have involved debuting your signature dance moves in a sweaty London basement, but maybe you’ve started to feel that these settings have become a little… static.
Maybe you’re just lacking that swashbuckling pizzaz you used to radiate, in which case we’re going to point you towards the London club nights that take place on a boat. Skyline Boat Parties allow you to enjoy all the hallmarks of a great night in London with the added glamour of gazing out along the Thames and the city lit up at night. Plus, there are even Bollywood Boat Parties coming up in June, which s every bit upbeat as it sounds. Book your spot here.
35. Attend a paw-fect bottomless brunch for dogs
When we tell you to attend a bottomless brunch, you might scoff and clap back at us, insisting that this isn’t your first rodeo and there better be some great powers of persuasion (a variant of unlimited alcohol) to get you to attend. On this occasion we’re not actually talking to you, but to your four-legged friends. Yes, a bottomless brunch for dogs is very much a thing, and it’s taking place in Battersea in June. Poke House are putting on the paw-fect event to celebrate the launch of their Poke Pup Club, and all the dogs are invited to gather together to munch down on poke bowl for pets and sip on some damn fine bottomless water. They know that hydration is key, after all. Read more about the bottomless brunch for dogs and plan your visit here.
36. Dine at this newly-returned neighbourhood restaurant in Islington
Brought back by a wave of popular local demand in 2020, Ballanger’s return to Islington is happening on June 1, when the swanky new bar area will be unveiled. Interiors are inspired by traditional French brasseries, donning sweet red leather banquette seating, while the seasonal menus will offer up a smattering of the finest produce in the southern Meditteranean regions. DJs will be present on selected days to provide an added portion of calming tones, which is sure to be just the tonic after you’ve tucked into your Andalusian fish stew. Read more about Ballanger and book your place here!
37. Sing your heart out at a London karaoke bar
In the summertime when the weather is fine, you can stretch right up and touch the sky. Correct, Mungo Jerry – it’s summer and we should all be singing about it, no longer lamenting the shuddering permanence of the dreary grey skies. Where better do that than one of London’s energetic karaoke bars? After a day out drinking lager in the sun, the karaoke urges start seeping into your veins, with the hankering to belt out The Sweet Escape by Gwen Stefani growing stronger with every passing minute. When you finally crack, these brilliant places to belt out the bangers in London will be here for you.
🎤 The Star by Liverpool Street – recently opened pub venue with over 10,000 tunes loaded up into their separate karaoke rooms.
🕺 The Old Queen’s Head – famous London boozer with a karaoke room for up to 15 people, and a play room for an audience of 70.
💃 The Exhibit – Balham venue with a stack full of tunes from pop to punk rock.
Find more great London karaoke venues by checking out our handy guide.
38. Roll into International Sushi Day
39. Laugh out loud at the new comedy play Game Night
Over at the effervescent West End space that is Wonderville, you can shuffle in on a warm June evening to be bowled over by a comedy show set in the cold winter, telling the tale of our host Michael curating a meticulously thought-over Game Night. As the dice fall, your sides will split at this hilarious stage show poking fun at the harmless organised activity that so often leads to chaos. Book your space now .
40. Or bop along to a night of swing and soul at Wonderville
A cabaret club in the heart of the west end is your canvas for an ebullient night of music in the capital. Swing to Soul Collective are marching through the doors to give you tunes to jive to through the evening, with a splash of 60s sounds, soul anthems, and American classics to keep your energy up throughout their set. Book your spot now!
41. Shuffle into one of London’s fantastic theatres for a performance
Live theatre never fails to disappoint and this month promises a royal selection of small shows to singalong extravaganzas.
New openings
🎭 Grease the Musical (starts on June 2): Dominion Theatre – summer lovin’, happened too fast. You know the drill.
🎭 The Mousetrap (starts on June 6): St Martin’s Theatre – Agatha Christie’s long-running classic is kicking off again this month.
🎭 Tambo & Bones (starts on June 16): Theatre Royal Stratford East – a deep exploration of black culture in modern society in a play that begins with the two characters trapped in a minstrel show.
🎭 A Strange Loop (starts on June 17): Barbican Centre – Michael R. Jackson’s award-winning musical kicks off a three-month run at the Barbican.
🎭 The Tempest re-imagined for everyone aged six and over (from June 30): Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre – a family-friendly re-working of the classic Shakespeare work.
Closing this month
🎭 Shirley Valentine (closes on June 3): Duke Of York’s Theatre – a brilliant one-woman play about a housewife with bigger aspirations.
🎭 Leaves Of Glass (closes on June 3): Park Theatre – Phillip Ridley’s classic tale of accusation has been adapted into a play for 2023.
🎭The Year Of Magical Thinking (closes on June 4): The Other Palace – a striking adaptation of Joan Didion’s work surrounding the loss of her close family members.
🎭 The Rocky Horror Show (closes on June 10): Peacock Theatre – a glorious month of shows of the classic picture comes to an end in June.
🎭 F**king Men (closes on June 18): Waterloo East Theatre – La Ronde adaptation following the story of 10 gay men as they navigate conflicting wishes within relationships.
42. Check out a free nature sculpture trail
Peppering beautiful sculptures of animals around the city should objectively be something we see more of. London Heritage Quarter has recently commissioned a trail that fulfills exactly that, showcasing a squirrel, a hare, and a badger that can be spotted and fawned over in Christchurch, Lower Grosvenor and Whitehall Gardens. On June 2, more animals will join the squadron, with a fox, otter and an owl due to hit the ranks. Each piece was designed by Manchester artist Cherry Chung, who used sustainable willows to create each sculpture. Once the trail is complete, it will remain in London throughout the summer.
43. Sip on an ice-cold drink for World Gin Day
The tonic-enhancing, clear-as-crystal liquid that is Gin would take the crown for best spirit in the game for many, so it’s no wonder that it has its own day. Not that you really needed an excuse for a G&T, but June 10 is that very day, which just so happens to be a Saturday night (code for consuming more than just one). London is filled with plenty of places to sip on gin, from bars with over 500 varieties to an actual ‘gin hotel’, so you won’t be in short supply of the stuff when you come to cheers World Gin Day.
Read about the best places in London to sip Gin here.
44. Grab some produce at the 20th anniversary of Marylebone Farmers Market
The spectacular Marylebone Farmers Market will be celebrating their 20th anniversary when they pop up on June 4 between 10am-2pm on June 4. Grab your seasonal vegetables, milk, hand-made cheese, and much more produce for your summer meals. What better way to celebrate the London institution, after all, than using it to stock up for the summer?
You’ll want to make sure you return the next week, as well, when the Marylebone Summer Festival fills the area with a boisterous street party on June 11. Visitors can expect plenty of activities and entertainment, as well as funfair rides, a Ferris wheel, a dog show, and of course the afore-mentioned farmers market! Pop up bars and food stalls will also keep revellers fed and watered with the best food and drink the area has to offer.
45. Transport yourself to the depths of the Amazon at this Mayfair restaurant’s club night
Amazónico, the beautiful Latin American restaurant in Berkely Square, is re-upping its Noche Tarvida night this summer, allowing guests to transport themselves into the depths of the Amazon. Until 3am on June 9, you can flitter between bottle service and cutting shapes to the guest set from DJ John Bowtie. Read more about Amazónico and plan your visit here.
46. Keep exploring this beautiful city
Sadly, we can’t list absolutely everything going on in this concrete jungle over the space of a whole month, but there is plenty more on our site that we’ve been shouting about that you may well want to go out check out.
🥩 This Nordic Steakhouse Serves Up A Sunday Roast With Never-Ending Bottomless Steak
🎉 Tickets To The High-Spirited Elrow Town Festival Are On Sale
🖼️ 23 Of The Most Spellbinding Pieces Of Public Art To Check Out In London
🍝 Big Mamma Has Opened Their Fifth London Restaurant Of Italian Indulgence
🍦 10 Of The Best Places In London To Fall In Love With Filipino Food
🍸 A Stylish New Neighbourhood Cocktail Bar Has Just Opened Up In Peckham
💖 Utter Opulance Awaits At This International Chinese Restaurant, Now In Victoria
🍹 31 Of The Prettiest Bars In London For Picture-Perfect Cocktails
🍳 26 Sun-Soaked Outdoor Brunches You Need To Try This Summer
🚶 20 Of The Greatest Things To Do Alone In London
🏖️ 22 Beautiful Beaches Near London For A Seaside Day Trip This Bank Holiday
🍽️ A Huge Outdoor Drinking And Dining Space Is Landing In Hackney
⭐ 10 Terrific Things To Do In Tooting That Are Toot-ally Brilliant
🌱 17 Glorious Garden Centres In London To Feed Your Plant Obsession
🍷 This Tapas Bar Serves Up Spanish Brunch And Bottomless Sangria Every Weekend
🌇 This Cult South London Rooftop Hangout Has Announced Their Return For Summer 2023
🥑 London Is Getting A Second Restaurant Dedicated Entirely To Avocados
More things to do inspiration…
😁 200 Fantastic and FREE Things To Do In London
🚶♀️ 50 Of The Best Things To Do In London At Least Once In Your Life
Also published on Medium.