North London Food & Culture

MUST DO: bank holiday weekend

The first free festival of the year, free gin 'n' tonics at Boulogne Bar, a must-see gig at the Rose & Crown - and all hail the new Q

FESTIVAL: Kentish Fleet

Flyer for this year's event
A cryptic flyer for this year’s event. Not giving much away, are they?

Fancy a go at Japanese Calligraphy at Arancini Factory this weekend? Cake decorating at Tolli? A percussion workshop at Map Studio Cafe? A Fleet river walking tour starting at the Fields Beneath? A songwriting sesh at Torriano Meeting House? A drawing class at Kentish Town Health Centre? A crochet workshop at Two Doors Down? Live music at the Abbey and the Grafton? Phew. All these activities are free and part of the third Kentish Fleet Festival. More details here

FOOD: On the roof with Q?

If you like Q, give this one a go. Photo: PR
If you like Q, give this one a go. Photo: PR

Fans of Q Grill on Chalk Farm Road will rush to Des McDonald’s third pop-up, now open at Selfridges. Called On the Roof with Vintage Salt, it’s a bar and terrace “inspired by a Cornish fishing village”, and guests can escape the sun in one of two beach huts. To nibble on? Oysters, tuna tartare served with avocado and pickled cucumber, lobster buttie with truffled fries, and Camden Hell’s fish and chips. To book: roof@vintagesalt.co.uk

DRINK: free gin at the Boulogne Bar

Elegant: the new Boulogne Bar with views over Kentish Town Road. Photo: PR
Elegant: the new Boulogne Bar with views over Kentish Town Road. Photo: PR

The swanky upstairs lounge bar at Kentish Town’s newly refurbished Bull & Gate is pretty damn crazy about mother’s ruin right now. The evidence? Bombay Sapphire Masterclasses on Wednesdays (next one 3rd June, £25) which include a blurry three cocktails and sharing boards; Gin and Jazz nights on Thursdays, with a 1920s feel; and their Afternoon Tea Party on Saturdays, with cocktails served in tea cups and charcuterie and cheeses from Borough Market. But best of all? There’s a free gin and tonic for readers this bank holiday Monday if you head here. Hic.

MUSIC: Rocket Girl

Headliner:  Jon DeRosa. Photo: PR
Headliner: Jon DeRosa. Photo: PR

Finally, the long-established NW5 label is curating a night of live music and DJ-ing at one of K-Town’s topmost boozers, the Rose and Crown, on Friday 22nd May. Acoustic band Arms, singer-songwriters Jon DeRosa and Ralegh Long, and haunting duo Wide Skies all take to the stage, alongside DJ Ben Osborne, the bloke behind the Noise of Art events that appear across London. Entry £5 Friday 22nd May. 71-73 Torriano Avenue, NW5


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