If you’re a fan of Mexican food and culture and just can’t wait for the Day of the Dead celebrations next month, then you must make your way to 100 Wardour St this October. The Soho venue has had many reincarnations over the years, but in 2016 it reopened its doors as a multipurpose lounger, eatery, and dance club. This is the perfect space to put on an exciting line-up of Mexican-themed events, including a weekly Sunday Brunch with bottomless margaritas, and an immersive Day of the Dead inspired pop-up. Visitors will be delighted on arrival by a Mexican oasis, an atrium filled with Mexican décor, featuring an art wall, bringing to life the vibrancy of Mexico, you will find bunting, plants, cacti, complete with traditional poncho blankets. Starting off the Mexican vibes will be La Fiesta, a weekly Sunday brunch with a difference; namely, a roaming Mariachi band with full sugar skull face paint to accompany your margaritas! There will also be a Day of the Dead inspired pop-up called Casa Wardour, created in partnership with Don Julio tequila, where you can expect tequila-based cocktails, Mexican food, and live music. Why not don your favourite costume and head to Casa Wardour for Halloween! Full details of the month’s Mexican line-up can be found here. Written by Claire Coveney

It’s all kicking off at East Village’s The Lab E20 this month, activities for families, live music nights and if you’re still looking for that perfect Halloween outfit, make space in your diary on Sat 30th for the Halloween Make & Mend. Below are some of the events happening in October: DRINKS & DRESS UP – EVERY FRIDAY 6PM – 7.30PM Drinks, nibbles and trying on clothes with a live DJ, no booking required. FRIDAY FILM NIGHTS – FRIDAY 8, FRI 15 & FRI 29 8PM – 10PM Drop into the cinema room to watch climate action and fashion documentaries including ‘Redress The Future,’ ‘True Cost’ and horror classic ‘Scream’ on Halloween weekend. No booking required. REASONS TO SHARE – SAT 9 11AM – 12PM Join the Community Couture by sharing fashion tales and become part of the tapestry of a one-of-a-kind garment. Reasons To Share is free to book. SOFAR SOUNDS – SAT 9 & SAT 16 7.30PM – 10PM Intimate evenings of unique live performances curated by Sofar. Sofar Sounds evenings are £26 to book. REPAIR & RAVE WORKSHOP – FRI 15 6.30PM – 7.30PM Bring garments that need repairing, upcycling or customising and boogie! No booking required. MAKE TOWN WORKSHOP – SUN 17 11AM – 12.30PM Discover the beautiful, chilled-out art of embroidery – practice basic stitches and techniques before you decide on your final piece. It costs £15 to book. HALLOWEEN CLOTHES SWAP + RENT – SAT 30 11AM – 4PM Our final and spookiest clothes swap! Bring your preloved Halloween costumes at 11AM or 1.30PM. The Halloween-special clothes swap is free to book. HALLOWEEN MAKE & MEND – SAT 30 OCT 2PM – 3.30PM Recycle old costumes (or another pre-loved item) into something new, the workshop is free.

There’s nothing more enchanting than a walk down the famous Carnaby street during Christmas time. Each year, Carnaby invites the public to view their stunning light installations, which illuminates the streets while the city bustles about below. For the second year in a row, Carnaby has partnered with the charity Choose Love, recently announcing that the theme of their stunning light installation this season will be ‘Kaleidoscope.’ The installation will feature over 600 illuminated butterflies, individually decorated with vibrant neon patterns and reflective wings. The group of butterflies, which are also delightfully called a kaleidoscope, represent transformation, change, hope and life – something we’ve all experienced over the past two years. Choose Love, a charity dedicated to helping refugees and displaced people around the world, supplies essential goods and services including hot meals, necessary items for children and families, legal advice, and provides long-term solutions to refugees searching for a new life. In addition to providing life-saving support, Choose Love has the only charitable shop in the world where you can purchase real goods that go directly to refugee individuals and families in need. Find their pop-up shop at 3 Carnaby street, where you’ll be able to purchase limited edition goods that support displaced people around the globe. Additionally, look out for celebrity guests helping the cause including Laura Whitmore, Dermot O’Leary, Dawn O’Porter, Annie Mac and Carey Mulligan. Join the official launch night on November 4th, where you can enjoy 20% off Carnaby Street shops, in-store special events, goodie bags, Christmas activities, live music and more. Complete your Christmas shopping early while supporting an incredible cause. For more information visit: www.carnaby.co.uk and https://choose.love Tickets are free but must be booked via www.carnaby.co.uk/christmas Written by Joanna Finlay Photography courtesy of Carnaby London

The haven offers shoppers a transportive bay side experience in the centre of the city. It may be getting colder outside, but at the haven the summer continues. Enter through the white tented curtains and you arrive at the beach club inspired bar area. There is plenty of seating at the elegant wooden bar, or in the charming cabana, complete with storm lanterns, a beechwood table and cosy banquette seating. Perfect for post-shopping relaxation with friends. Once you have settled in, you can choose from the extensive wine list, which includes the Iconic Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc (2020) a  sophisticated style of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc made through wild fermentation and ageing in old French oak. As well as their rich 2019 Pinot Noir and aromatic 2016 Chardonnay. For those who enjoy wines with sparkle, the Pelorus Rose NV is delightfully crisp and refreshing, or for something different try one of their specialty Cloudy Bay Flights, a unique wine pairing, along with some bar snacks. Also on offer is a range of prestigious champagnes such as Veuve Clicquot and Dom Perignon, as well as classic cocktails and soft drinks. Written by Claire Bloom

In honour of Sustainable September, Oxford Street, is launching ‘Beyond Now’. The campaign – which includes 30 shops on Oxford Street including Selfridges, John Lewis, Urban Outfitters, Nike Town, H&M and New Balance – the destinations first sustainable awareness initiative showcasing the positive changes that some of the UK’s most beloved high street brands are making to create a brighter future for our high street and how we shop. The campaign, which kicks off from 15th September is supported by fashion author and presenter Candice Brathwaite, who has put together a 54 piece capsule collection using products from the responsible and conscious collections of 30 Oxford Street brands. The fashion edit has been curated into nine key Autumn/Winter looks, all of which are available in stores on Oxford Street. The looks are all highly versatile and easy-to-wear with an emphasis on bright pops of colour, classic prints and bold florals. Look out for special events, experiences and in-store promotions. For more information visit: www.oxfordstreet.co.uk Written by Lupe Castro Photography courtesy of Oxford Street

Pride in London might not be going ahead as planned this year, but that is not stopping the capital’s Uber Boat from celebrating, as they host their own event to raise money for homeless LGBTQIA+ youth. The day will offer special, family-friendly drag shows, with drag queens performing live lip-sync entertainment for Londoners and visitors alike. The celebration is part of the companies ongoing support of the Albert Kennedy Trust, and will mark the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers’ maiden drag voyage on 10th September. All proceeds from the drag journeys that day will go towards helping LGBTQIA+ youth in London. Pride at Uber teamed up with The Albert Kennedy Trust to create the special service as it commits to offering everyone the opportunity to travel safely and without fear, offering free rides for workers and individuals in need throughout the year. With the estimation that 24% of homeless youth in the UK identify as LGBTQIA+, they are committed to helping bring safety and comfort to members of the community living on the street. Those who want to attend the show should hop on at any of the following stops and can purchase a ticket using the Uber app: 17.09pm: North Greenwich Pier, Westbound 18.05pm: Westminster Pier, Eastbound 19.08pm: Woolwich Pier, Westbound (finishing at 20.25pm at Westminster Pier) Date: 10th September 2021 For more info. visit: www.uber.com/ca/en/about/diversity/pride-at-uber Written by Jordan Crowley

‘SKATE THE STRAND’ in collaboration with Westminster City Council & Somerset House, is bringing two weeks of free skateboarding events and activities to London this September, running from the 8th – 24th. Popping up on the newly pedestrianised public space between Temple and Charing Cross, the activation is part of Westminster City Council’s Inside Out Festival. The Central London festival is bringing Art, Entertainment and Culture to the streets of Westminster, hosted in association with Somerset House’s ‘No Comply: Skate Culture and Community’ exhibition, Vans®. The super cool action sports brand is staying true to its skater roots, putting on two weeks of free skate programming at a purpose-built pop-up skatepark designed by the industry-leading Betongpark, placed on the Strand Aldwych, just outside the entrance to Somerset House. What has been described as a ‘street-inspired skate friendly setup’, the park is designed to be an accessible space that can be enjoyed by skaters of any level. The programme of activities includes free skate lessons, pro demos and open public skate sessions. There will also be a celebratory event on the 18th September making the end of Somerset House’s ‘No Comply’ exhibition. For more information visit: www.westminster.gov.uk/westminster-reveals To book tickets visit: https://www.somersethouse.org.uk/whats-on/skate-strand Written by Jordan Crowley

Through my travels around the world, I have noticed how the centres of the cities have recently been transformed by new bicycle routes. This excites me, not just because of the positive environmental impact of using a bicycle instead of a car, but also because it shows what can be done when governments put their mind to it. That said, since my motorbike accident, it has taken me a bit of time to get back on two wheels. But thankfully, with the arrival of my Dashel urban bike helmet, I have been set free! Talk about exercise being a powerful motivator! Dashel’s Re-Cycle helmet is sustainably made using recyclable materials – which really gave me the push I needed to get one and get out on my bike. The helmets are all lightweight and stylish, so great for travelling and because the company is serious about not using superfluous packaging, the rucksack they sent the helmet in, is perfect for packing your helmet in when you’re not wearing it. I love that at the end of its life, the helmet can be returned and recycled, and you get a voucher towards your next purchase. With regards to styling your helmet, I really like that the logo is placed discreetly at the back of the helmet. The range of colours include black, blue, sage green and red – which might not be ‘out there’, but on the positive side this means that they can be incorporated into any of your daily outfit styles. The helmet itself has five airducts and washable coolmax pads inside. I really like the coolmax pads because not only do they keep perspiration away from your head, but they also act as a cushion that fits exactly around the shape of your head. For me this is a miracle because I normally get bad headaches, but with this it is like nada! The kinetic clasp lock might take a few attempts to get used to, but it doesn’t pinch your skin, so it’s definitely a win, win. Now all that’s left is to jump on the bike and ready, set, get riding! For more information visit: https://dashel.co.uk/collections/dashel-cycle-helmet Written by Lupe Castro

On Argyle square, just a stones throw from Kings Cross station, a very american style street basketball game is juxtaposed with a very British Victorian townhouse directly opposite. If this feels like a stark contrast, wait until you get inside. Upon entering the Gyle, your senses are tested with an exciting mix of scottish print, scientific imagery and sculptures, green and mossy textures that brings the outside in. The decor is contemporary and glossy, eclectic yet underpinned with victorian tradition, confused? Oh and your host, Archie the Scottie dog, well his face is everywhere. What sounds like a chaotic mix match of themes, is delightfully co-ordinated and sumptuously held together, each element a very purposeful nod to the establishments history, location and owner. The site itself, Argyle Square has a colourful history from Ash dumps to blitz bombs to a site for secret scientific experiments. In the most curious of experiments, it is said that scientists messed up some electromagnetic fields creating a space-time wormhole. It is these legends that account for touches such as the giant mossy crack that runs along the ceiling of the B&B lounge. The B&B lounge (Booze and Breakfast in case you were wondering) is the place to sample the Gyle’s fine single malts, regional wines, craft beers or sip on cups of tea. In the morning for breakfast, it also offers up charcuterie boards, continental breakfast, cheeses and smoked fish. You may also find that the chef has thrown in something they just fancy cooking that day. The eclectic themes of the Gyle run through all of the rooms. Victorian cast iron details, metallic and charcoal palettes accompanied by the same green, earthy and mossy textures. There are the expected quirks like airline trollies for cabinets and yes….lots of Archie. The rooms, however, all have their own feature to show off about. Fancy your own courtyard? A balcony perhaps? We preferred the enormous bathroom with a huge sunken bath and glass of cabernet of course to complement the soak. For what could have been an assault on the senses, this establishment manages to treat the senses. Helped along by the superb, friendly and knowledgeable staff, you leave the Gyle feeling rested, and strangely more educated. Wacky? Quite possibly, nourishing? Most definitely. The Gyle is open and accepting bookings. Website: www.thegyle.co.uk Written by Rick Hartley Photography courtesy The Gyle

Are you open to new experiences and iconic music, with a dash of time-travel thrown in? Described as ‘an event like no other’, Aures London has transformed its immersive tech venue into first-class seating on LexTempus – an aircraft that transports you to not one, but three legendary music periods: Jazz, Funk & Soul and Disco. Guests will be taken to some of America’s greatest cities – Chicago for the golden age of Jazz (1955 to 1965), New York (1965 to 1975) for a royal appointment with the Kings of Soul and the final destination San Francisco (1975 to 1985) for the hot hedonism of the disco era. Sashay into smoky Chicago for the golden age of Jazz and visit the famous Blue Note Club to experience titans of the genre, including Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone. Next stop, is New York and the legendary Madison Square Garden for a royal appointment with the Kings of Soul, The Temptations, Isaac Hayes, Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye and James Brown. The final destination is San Francisco, where you will experience a concert at Golden Gate Bridge Park for a glittering line-up that includes The Emotions, Chic, Sister Sledge, Donna Summer and Diana Ross. Using the highest quality sound systems, expect to hear every note like you are seeing the artists live. Breath-taking visuals and lighting complete with floor-to-ceiling screens help to create a uniquely immersive experience. A cocktail list has been carefully curated for the event, with an extensive selection to choose from that pays homage to each genre. Sip on Bourbon, Rye and Rum Punches and sit back and soak up this music and visual feast. Dates: 1st July – 19th September Location: Aures London, 18 Leake Street, London SE1 7NN UK Tickets start from £26.00, to book your ticket visit: www.aures-london.com/booktickets Written by Claire Coveney

[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1519392503248{padding-top: 18px !important;}”][vc_column] [vc_column_text] R estaurant Associates have launched their latest initiative in collaboration with their long-term partner Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and River Cottage; Way to be Well. A new evidence-based health and wellness programme. With so much conflicting advice available surrounding nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and mental health, the programme looks to demystify the information around these subjects, offering clear advice and practical sessions to help nurture your physical and mental health. Which lets face it we all need more now than ever! Believing that wellness in the 21st Century means working and living in ways that are better for our bodies, our minds, and our planet, the programme will cover: nutritious, biodiverse, seasonal menus supported by nutrition seminars, sleep tutorials, exercise inspiration, stress reduction and teaching mindfulness techniques. You will find top health and fitness experts in the industry on the site such as Gelf Anderson from River Cottage, Felicity Wood, Yoga Partner, Laura Rigden, Wellbeing Consultant and Justin Jones, Physiologist (just to name a few). Log on, find delicious recipes to cook, get reading and learn some great ways to look after your mind and body. For more information visit: https://www.waystobewell.co.uk