Background Bars @ Dalston Roof Park, E8

The Background Bars team has returned to Dalston Roof Park to create an imaginative locally inspired pop-up bar to while away the summer.  Expect cocktails that draw on the venue’s edible garden shaken with a variety of teas. They have also introduced local breweries and cold-pressed cider merchants.  Street food vendors have been invited to feed the crowds, including The Wing Men and Franks Franks, whilst entertainment comes in the form of free weekly film screenings, unplugged sessions and deep house DJs.  Open Tuesday-Sunday.

www.bootstrapcompany.co.uk/13_dalston_roof_park

RAW Wine Festival, Brick Lane. 19 & 20 May

RAW is one of the largest and most exciting collections of natural, organic and biodynamic wine artisans ever to come together in the capital. The two-day celebration is organised by Isabelle Legeron MW – the first Master of Wine to focus exclusively on natural wine – and offers visitors the chance to sample over 1000 different wines from more than 200 growers.  As well as tastings, the show features talks from the world’s leading experts and a selection of incredible food by renowned artisan food producers and restaurants.  Tickets are £20 in advance from www.rawfair.com

The Slider Decider @ The Gun, E14. 16 May

Patties are under construction, buns are being glazed – battle is about to commence for London’s tastiest tournament, The Slider Decider.  25 of the UK’s finest chefs will gather at the Docklands pub to pit their slider skills against each other, including a Harissa-spiced mutton sliders from Duck & Waffle and an Iberico pork & foie gras burger from Opera Tavern.  Tickets cost £10 including a bottle of beer and two sliders, as well as the chance to try some of the contestants’ creations.  To book your ticket email vanessa@thegundocklands.com or call 020 7515 5222

The Candlelight Club presents The Great Gatsby, 10-11 May

With a 1920s speakeasy style – completely lit by candles – and their clandestine approach of locating in a secret London venue, The Candlelight Club has long had a reputation for indulging revellers in reviving the glory of the past for their parties.  Their event to celebrate the release of the Great Gatsby will bring to life this quintessential Jazz Age tale of glamour and hedonism with cocktails that feature in the novel, guests dressed in their dapper best and DJ’s and live bands to keep the party swinging.  Tickets are £15.75 from www.thecandlelightclub.com

Great Gatsby Pop-Up @ Harrods, 9-20 May

Courvoisier and Stolichnaya are set to celebrate the resurgence of the Roaring Twenties with a Great Gatsby Pop-Up.  Visitors to the Harrods Wineshop will be immersed in the glamour of the epoch by savouring the fine flavours of Courvoisier with Brandy Crusta cocktail samples and classic Stoli martinis alongside the Jazz sounds and art-deco style of the Gatsby era.  www.harrods.com

 

Bird of Smithfield , EC1

With over 15 years heading the kitchen at The Ivy and as a former Group Executive Chef at the International Soho House Group, Bird of Smithfield is the long awaited solo venture by Chef Alan Bird.  Set within a five story old Georgian town house, diners can expect classic British design featuring Harris Tweed and herringbone fabrics, a cosy lounge bar, a basement cocktail bar and a roof terrace over- looking the towers of Smithfield market.   The restaurant’s menu is inspired by the influence British food has had both historically and presently.   The drinks offering should provide cause for excitement too, with live music nights and cocktails created by bar consultancy Fluid Movement of Purl fame.   www.birdofsmithfield.com

Stories, E8

Mothership Group, the team behind The Book Club and Queen of Hoxton in Shoreditch, has landed in Broadway Market for its latest launch.  Like its sister venues, Stories provides a laid back and creative approach to socialising by teaming daytime brunching and delicious cocktails with a programme of special events and contemporary art.  Ideal for the modern East London resident, Stories provides a daytime hub for freelancers to meet, eat and work as well as fun evening bolthole to forget the toils of the day.  There will be no shortage of inspiration for creative types either, with walls that are brought to life with projected art installations.  www.storiesonbroadway.com

Retro Feasts, W1

Retro Feasts has launched in Mayfair by Mark Fuller to indulge your guilty pleasures for classic British food of the 60′s, 70′s and 80′s.  Most curiously, Luke Thomas – famed for being the youngest head chef in the country, with just 19 years to his name – has been tasked with creating 21st century updates of dishes from a time before he was even born!   Diners can expect everything from Prawn Cocktail and Sweet & Sour Chicken to the iconic kitsch dessert, Black Forest Gateau.  Classic fruity cocktails such as Tequila Sunrise and Pina Colada have also been included for the full 80′s experience.  Visit between 8-12 May and you will even pay 1983 prices!  http://retrofeasts.com

Shoryu Ramen, W1

Having launched its debut restaurant on Regent Street last year, Japan Centre’s Shoryu Ramen has opened its second restaurant on Denman Street.  The new outpost will offer the their renowned selection of Tonkotsu Ramen, as well a range of authentic Japanese side dishes including Gyoza Dumplings, Soft Shell Crab Tempura and the ever-popular Hirata Buns filled with a choice of belly pork, chicken, salmon or prawn tempura.  www.shoryuramen.com

The Great Northern Hotel, N1
The Great Northern Hotel, the world’s first great railway hotel, has re-opened for the first time in almost 12 years following a comprehensive £40 million renovation programme.  Located between King’s Cross Station and St Pancras International, the Grade II listed building houses food offerings overseen by Mark Sergeant, including their all-day dining restaurant, Plum + Spilt Milk.  Mark will also be charged with providing a stellar menu at their glamorous GNH Bar.  Evoking the sleek lines of twenties Art Deco and the cut-glass brilliance of the Belle Époque, GNH Bar serves breakfast from 7am, light bar bites from noon then changes gear for evening meetings, cocktails and stolen glances till late. www.GNHLondon.com

Chowzter World’s Seven Tastiest Fast Feasts Awards, EC2. 28 April

The Chowzter World’s Seven Tastiest Fast Feasts Awards is coming to London to announce the world’s tastiest food items as selected by top food bloggers from over 30 countries.  Hosted by comedian Alexander Armstrong and supported by Coca Cola, the Awards take entries from the Chowzter app, which shares the best fast feasts in over 100 categories from around the world.  The party will also feature some of London’s best street food stalls to feed guests, including Pizza Pilgrims, Big Apple Hot Dog and The Rib Man.  Once the winners have been announced, guests will be able to stay on for complementary drinks and enjoy music from live DJs.  Tickets are £25 from www.chowzter.com/awards

Street Feast @ Merchant Yard, E8. 5pm-Midnight every Friday  

In true East London fashion, another unassuming building has been transformed into a food lover’s paradise with the launch of Street Feast at the old Travis Perkins builder’s merchants.  Hungry visitors will have their taste buds catered for on a weekly basis by not only some of London’s best loved traders, but also a special refined street food experience dubbed ‘Stripped Back’ by rising superstar chef, Ben Spalding.  Drinks are served up at an indoor cocktail bar known as The Gin Store, whilst foodie temptations include everything from mac n’ cheese and gyoza to hotdogs and fried chicken.  www.streetfeastlondon.com

Cheese & Wine Festival, Southbank. 26-28 April

For the eighth year running Southbank Centre Square will again be filled with the unmistakable pong of cheese and the irresistible smell of fine wines.  Over 30 stalls will be present to show off their dairy delights, including Paxton & Whitfield, The French Comte and La Fromagerie. Wine merchants will include Dvine Wine Ltd, Griffinwell Wines and Vintage Roots.  Visitors will also be able to indulge in cheesy street food and take part in hands-on cookery demonstrations.  www.cheesewinefestival.com

‘A Fete Worse Than Death’ @ The Book Club, EC2. 5 May

Come celebrate spring time in all its glory as The Book Club brings the British village fete to the Shoreditch triangle, complete with bundles of bunting, live bands, Morris dancers and a maypole adorned with brightly coloured ribbons.  There will be plenty of drinks to keep spirits up, including a cider festival.  Food will be taken care of by The Foragers with their menu of home grown and freshly foraged grub, including Venison burgers with hedge garlic mayonnaise and Pastys with freshly foraged pigeon. Tickets are free. www.wearetbc.com

Campo Viejo ‘Streets of Spain’ Festival, Southbank. 3-6 May

Spanish wine brand Campo Viejo is bringing the life and colours of Spain to London’s Southbank Centre with a four day celebration of modern Spanish food, wine, art and culture.  No expense has been spared as they bring over market stall owners from Barcelona’s world-famous La Boqueria food market to the UK for the first time ever.  The festival will also offer a myriad of authentic Spanish experiences, including wine tastings; street-art demonstrations; Spanish films; and authentic Spanish tapas prepared by La Boqueria chefs.  If you’re still hungry for more, come the evening, the festival will host a restaurant by Michelin starred chef Spanish chef, Angel Pascual.  www.streetsofspain.com

London’s Brewing @ The Brewhouse, E8. 3-5 May

London’s Brewing is a brand new festival from the London Brewers Alliance (LBA) to celebrate London’s thriving and vibrant brewing scene. The festival will bring together over 40 of the capital’s oldest breweries alongside London’s freshest microbreweries to showcase over 100 beers.  Beyond beer, the event will also include a selection of the best local food producers, whilst a lively atmosphere will be created courtesy of live music by day and DJ’s into the evening.  Tickets start at £5 in advance from www.londonsbrewing.co.uk

Tucked away within two traditional pubs in London’s East End, the Capital’s newest ‘old bar’ concept has launched with a unique menu of ‘forgotten’ cocktails. Based on custom bespoke mixes that have matured over time, The Forgotten Range consists of individual self-pour vintage perfume bottles that are housed in an original apothecary cabinet. Furthermore, moving away from common bar snacks, 5cc’s unique menu consists solely of a carefully selected range of oysters that come served with unexpected and unusual accompaniments. www.5cc-london.com

The Pearson Room, E14
As if Canary Wharf’s money men didn’t already have it all, we’re even starting to envy their dining options with the recent spate of high profile openings on their doorstep. The latest to vie for their appetites is The Pearson Room on Canada Square, a restaurant and bar named after the former Noble Prize winning Canadian prime minister. Open from breakfast through to dinner, Argentinean Head Chef Vagner Matos has created an eclectic all-day menu with a few nods to his South American roots as well as well as the zeitgeist of street food. Drinks should be some of the best in the area too, with a wine list compiled by sommelier Sunaina Sethi, winner of a Zagat’s ’30 under 30′ award, and a seasonal cocktail menu that has been created in collaboration with Fluid Movement. www.thepearsonroom.co.uk

The Goat, SW10
Formerly known as a traditional boozer, The Goat in Boots has had more than just a name change to bring it into the modern era. Now simply called The Goat, the team behind Eclipse and Bumpkin has given the three-storey building an extensive refurb to transform it into an informal restaurant, stylish cocktail bar and all day lounge. The menu has also taken a fresh new approach with the focus on New York-Italian dishes, including wood fired pizzas, steaks and lobsters. www.goatchelsea.com

Beagle, E2
Set within three beautifully renovated railway arches next to Hoxton Station, Beagle houses a restaurant, bar, coffee shop and extensive outdoor terrace. One of London’s most exciting young chefs, James Ferguson, delivers seasonal British cooking, with menus changing on a daily basis. Using a traditional wood grill for much of his cooking, dishes include Pig’s head croquette with gribiche and Wild sea bass with samphire. The adjoining bar also follows the same ethos, with a focus on British spirits and seasonal cocktails courtesy of mixologist Myles Davies. www.beaglelondon.co.uk

Simmons Bar, N1
In keeping with the trend amongst London’s bars, popular watering hole, Simmons has taken a retro approach to its redesign and relaunch. The mismatched décor now includes disco balls, old school tables complete with pupil’s engravings and bookshelves laden with old English books. There is also entertainment aplenty to be had, with board games, 90′s games consoles (Sega Megadrive anyone?) and iPods docks for customers to play their own tunes. For more of a party experience, head down on the weekend and the bar also hosts a roster of DJ’s till the early hours. www.simmonsbar.com

‘Cambalache – One Night In Argentina’ @ MC Motors, E8. 18 April

Wines of Argentina will be taking over MC Motors in Dalston to create Cambalache – a totally immersive experience that not only celebrates the wine but also the culture of Argentina.  Not your typical stuffy wine event, visitors can expect tango dancers, music, live graffiti painting and even a ‘music and wine matching’ feature.  Beyond wine, Bar Galante will be on hand to shake up some inspired cocktails, whilst food will include plenty of steaks and other meaty options as well as an ice cream parlour.  Tickets cost £35, which includes all food and drink on the evening.  www.winesofargentina.org/cambalache

‘Jambalaya’ @ The Jam Tree Clapham. 16-28 April

Jambalaya is a pop-up concept taking over The Jam Tree that will bring the sights and sounds of New Orleans to the heart of Clapham.  Having travelled throughout New Orleans for inspiration, Chef James Browne’s menu will feature dishes such as Blackened Creole Hanger Steak, Battered Deep dried Catfish tails with slaw & hot sauce, and three versions of the famous Jambalaya rice dish.  With live Dixieland jazz and New Orleans funk DJs, the entertainment at the Jam Tree will provide the perfect soundtrack for the whole fortnight. www.thejamtree.com

‘Brunch Beats’ @ The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town, E1. Every Sunday from 12pm

East London isn’t short of parties that start at dusk and end long after dawn has arrived.  So it’s no surprise that The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town – the secret bar at Breakfast Club in Spitalfields – has created a place for those looking after somewhere to wind down after a heavy night.  Alongside their famous all-day menu, clubbers can expect Bloody Marys, cocktail specials, and a DJ spinning a perfectly laid-back soundtrack.  http://themayorofscaredycattown.com

 

Berwick Street ‘Record Store Day’, W1. 20 April

Berwick Street has been a destination for vinyl record collectors since the 1980s when it became known as ‘The Golden Mile of Vinyl’.  The street’s independent vinyl and record stores are joining forces with local shops and Berwick Street market to create a proper festival feel.  Music lovers can expect exclusive vinyl and CD releases as well as being treated to live bands and DJs performing from 12-7pm.  The pubs and restaurants will also be getting into the spirit, with music quizzes, in-store parties and traders on the market selling delicious fresh food and produce. www.berwickstreetlondon.co.uk

 

Aged Mai-Tai’s to Celebrate 50 Years of Trader Vics, W1

Trader Vics, London’s original Tiki rum bar, has clocked-up an impressive 50 years this April.  To celebrate, the bar has launched an aged version of a Mai-Tai cocktail as a tribute to being the original creator of the famous cocktail. The Aged Mai Tai is based on oak barrel-aged rum, combined with Trader Vic’s 60-year old signature Mai Tai syrup.  Garnished with wood fire roasted pineapple, fresh lemon juice and lime, £13.50 is a small price for a genuine taste of history!  www.tradervicslondon.com

 

Cake International @ ExCel, E16. 12-14 April

If your secret passion for pastry or craze for cake decorating has taken over your life then you can join other Londoners with your affliction at Cake International.  Returning for a second year, the event will have cake lovers drooling with the variety of features on offer, including the latest sugarcraft, cake decorating and baking supplies from over 100 exhibitors.  Visitors can also brush up on their skills with various demonstrations, whilst the ‘icing on the cake’ (pun intended!) will be the attendance of baking legends Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood, who will be on hand for question and answer sessions.  www.cakeinternational.co.uk

Lazybones, EC1

With a menu that includes gourmet dogs, slow meats and spicy wings, and a bar offering hard drinks, cold beers and cocktails, Lazybones brings much of current street food culture under one roof in Farringdon.  Taking visual inspiration from the creatives that fill the nearby offices, the walls run riot with crazy graphics, fly-posted images, stencils and hand-painted pop-culture references, matched with reincarnated furnishings and old silent movie screenings.   Guests at Lazybones can also become virtual DJs from the comfort of their booth or bar-stool, with a jukebox facility controlled from their phone.  Open for lazy lunches, take-away or post-work drinks, guest simply order from the menu at the bar and pick up their food at the open kitchen hatch, for fast service.  www.lazybones.uk.com

 

214 Bermondsey, SE1

Five hundred years after King Henry VIII introduced a charge to cross London Bridge causing the gin houses to desert the City in favour of the West End, 214 has opened to re-establish the dominance of gin in South London.  Gin connoisseurs will discover a range of around 50 established and boutique gins and those wanting to experiment can even enjoy a mystery flight of three gins to test their tastebuds.  In the quest for the ultimate G&T, the venue has even gone to the trouble of creating its own tonic, whilst cocktails also play a big role, with the classics influencing the list.  Completing the offering is a menu of light bites from renowned Italian restaurant Antico on the ground floor. www.214-bermondsey.co.uk

 

Claude’s Kitchen, SW6

With an impressive CV to his name, including roles at Petersham Nurseries and Club Gascon as well as setting up the award-winning street food company, Green Goat Food, Claude Compton has probably earned the right to name his first restaurant after himself!  Claude’s Kitchen is tucked away upstairs above the well-known champagne bar Amuse Bouche and has opened to provide a quality neighbourhood restaurant for Parson’s Green locals.  The concise and regularly changing menu aims to provide unpretentious dishes using the best of local and seasonal produce, including Megrim sole, shaved sprouts, lambs lettuce, vanilla & mint butter; and for dessert, bitter choc parfait with boozy figs. http://amusebouchelondon.com

 

Libertine/Reason & Mankind, W1

Designed to be the ultimate playground for London’s beautiful people, Libertine has opened to provide a modern twist on the traditional West End nightclub.  First stop is Reason & Mankind, Libertine’s molecular cocktail lounge. Open from 5pm, the speakeasy-style den serves up cutting-edge drinks for those seeking a decadent post-work cocktail.  Those who want to make more of a night of it can make their way into the nightclub where glamour is the order of the day.  Custom-made solid oak tables are finished with dripped gold and framed by metallic colour changing upholstery whilst hi-tech lighting and large illuminated discs suspended from the ceiling provide a 21st century twist on the 1970′s mirror ball.  www.libertineclublondon.com

 

11 Pimlico Road, SW1 

Those familiar with Pimlico stalwart The Ebury will find that the tired gastro-pub concept has been replaced by a brand new all day bar and restaurant venue.  11 Pimlico Road provides locals with a venue to enjoy a menu of freshly cooked and great value food and drinks from morning coffee and breakfast to dinner and a nightcap.  The interior has been given a tastefully modern makeover too, with zinc topped tables, extensive use of wood and marble and comfortable furnishings designed for relaxed eating and drinking.  http://no11pimlicoroad.co.uk

 

Street Kitchen, E2

Following the success of their other locations at Broadgate Circle and Battersea, Jun Tanaka and Mark Jankel have come to Shoreditch to serve  restaurant quality, seasonal food from their trademark vintage Airstream for lunch and dinner throughout the week.  Daytime dishes take a lighter approach, including hearty salads of Hot smoked salmon and their best-selling Crispy chicken version.  Visit from 5-8pm and the menu turns decidedly more indulgent, with burgers and wings tempting hungry visitors. http://www.streetkitchen.co.uk