CELEBRATE SUMMER ON THE KING’S ROAD
WITH POP-UPS, EXHIBITIONS, NEW OUTDOOR DINING AND ART TRAIL
Pop-ups, exhibitions, experiences and new street-side dining make the King’s Road the coolest place to take in London’s summer vibes. Top seasonal picks include:
Summer in Sloane Square
Offering people-watching and imbibing at its best, Summer in Sloane Square brings together four SW1 favourites in one elegant alfresco pop-up. Great for a summer meet up with friends and family, this little oasis is positioned right outside the tube station. The Royal Court Theatre, Côte, The Botanist and new Italian seafood restaurant Azzurra have joined to offer a smorgasbord of special tasting plates and dishes, with cocktails, coolers and Champagne. Plus, to add to the atmosphere there will be live music performances every Thursday from 6-7pm until 31st August. Organised in partnership with The Pheasantry, the exciting line-up of artists can be found here. With ample seating for over 240 guests, Summer in Sloane Square is open daily from 11.30am to 10pm. https://www.kingsroad.co.uk/experience/summer-in-sloane-square-2/
Tequila on the terrace as Ixchel Restaurant embraces summer Mexican-style
A cool fusion of Mexican art, cuisine and tequila will flow onto the King’s Road this July as Ixchel, London’s hottest new restaurant and Tequilla Bar, has launched its new Patron Summer Terrace. There are six delectable new cocktails including Honey Tequila Spritz, Spicy Watermelon Margarita and Strawberries & Cream Margarita to sip in the sun-drenched setting (open daily from noon until 10pm). Lunchtime diners can also enjoy a new summer set menu created by head Chef, Ximena Gayosso. The three-course experience features the freshest tastes from Mexico and costs £28.50 per person, and is available from 12pm – 3pm, Monday – Friday every week. Sharing-plate style dishes include short rib taco, smoky adobo and pineapple salsa; also a squash blossom quesadilla with Swiss chard and courgette flower. www.ixchellondon.com
Arty kids go wild for the new free art trail
Arty, animal-loving kids will ‘Go Wild’ for the new free art trail weaving its animal magic along the King’s Road this summer. Six largescale bronze sculptures – hot from a world tour – will enjoy their new King’s Road home until 30 August. Created by British and Australian artists, Gillie and Marc and in partnership with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), the ‘Kids go Wild’ trail aims to raise awareness of endangered animals. Part of the wider Kensington and Chelsea Art Week, each statue features a supporting QR code enabling children and adults to find out about the different animals’ lives, needs, and threats. For more information visit: https://www.kcaw.co.uk/eventlisting/kids-go-wild
Bold summer line-up at the Royal Court Theatre with Jodie Whittaker, Rebecca Lucy Taylor aka Self Esteem, Jeremy O’Harris and Meera Syal live and unrehearsed
The world premiere of ECHO (Every Cold-Hearted Oxygen), runs at the Royal Court’s Jerwood Theatre Downstairs in London from 13-27th July. Performers include: Fiona Shaw, Benedict Wong, Sheila Atim, Adrian Lester, Jeremy O. Harris, Rebecca Lucy Taylor aka Self Esteem, Monica Dolan, Meera Syal, Jodie Whittaker, Mawaan Rizwan, Jessica Gunning, Nick Mohammed, Toby Jones and Kathryn Hunter.
This new work from Iranian playwright Nassim Soleimanpour (White Rabbit, Red Rabbit, NASSIM) and director Omar Elerian (NASSIM, Misty, two Palestinians go dogging), will see a different performer take to the stage at each show, completely unprepared for what they will be asked to do. The script will be their guide as they journey through the story of the playwright, connected live from his flat in Berlin. Or is he? Can we really know where or when we are? Tickets from £15 https://royalcourttheatre.com/whats-on/echolift/
Also new and running from 22 August to 21st September is G, a bold, visceral play from writer Tife Kusoro, about three Black boys living under the threat of a spirit called Baitface the Gullyman. Tickets from £15.https://royalcourttheatre.com/
An unmissable day out at The National Army Museum
A trip to the National Army Museum is a great day out, with free entry to all galleries and temporary exhibitions. Families can see life through the eyes of British soldiers and uncover the bigger picture of how the Army has shaped our world and lives.
From marching in time, beating out a rhythm and getting hands-on with gallery interactives, to enjoying a Play Base session*, there’s plenty going on.
Plus, over the summer holidays (25 July – 30 August) there’s a varied programme of events. Highlights including getting involved in a giant interactive Cold War game and learning how to make a parachute to Blitz-time storytelling, military hat making and learning all about survival skills and spying.
To find out more, please visit https://www.nam.ac.uk/plan-visit/summer
*Play Base is an immersive experience for children aged 8 and under. Entry fee is £6.50 per child, advance booking required. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Saatchi Gallery – Beyond Fashion, Lates and free summer shows
The King’s Road knows a thing or two about art and fashion – and new for summer its Saatchi Gallery has a packed creative programme. Telling the story of how fashion photography went beyond its commercial beginnings to become an art in its own right is Beyond Fashion (tickets from £6). Split into four themes: Allure, Fantasy, Realism, and Surrealism, it features works by legendary photographers such as Peter Lindbergh and Bruce Weber as well as new, up-and-coming names.
Alongside the main programme, launching on 2nd August for a summer run, the gallery has three new free exhibitions. These include Yoi, featuring works from nine artists belonging to Munupi Arts & Crafts Association of Australia’s Northern Territories, each using distinctive mark-making techniques of Tiwi Art. Also, Painting, Smoking, Eating which casts a satirical look at paintings about painting; while The Landscape, Reimagined presents a small, internationally based group of emerging and early mid-career artists who have each put a bold new spin on landscape painting.
Plus, taking art into the evening, bookending the summer programme there are two Summer Lates sessions. Open from 6:30pm-9pm, they include entry to the gallery and Beyond Fashion exhibition, a drinks bar and a guided life drawing class. Tickets from £6. On 26 July, using only fabrics and pins, models will form creative silhouettes for a Draped Drawing class; while on 6th September there will be a Strike a Pose: ‘Voguing’ life drawing. For more information www.saatchigallery.com
New opening for Mani and Pedi superstar, Townhouse Nails
The King’s Road is made for strutting and to ensure those summer nails are looking tip-top, there’s a new expert to help. Favourite of the well-groomed set, Townhouse Nails has just opened a new super-sumptuous nail bar offering the latest look in manicures, pedicures, gel nails and extensions. Townhouse Nails, 261 King’s Road https://townhouse.co.uk/locations/kings-road/
New opening for Margaret Dabbs London on the King’s Road
Fusing medical science, podiatry and beauty, Margaret Dabbs London’s swish new opening is on a sought-after spot linking the King’s Road and Beaufort Street. Clients can expect a full range of innovative treatments including the signature Medical Pedicure with Gait Analysis and 3D Foot Scanning all performed by qualified podiatrists as well as beauty manicures and pedicures in luxury surroundings. Margaret Dabbs London, 395 King’s Road https://www.margaretdabbs.co.uk/clinics/chelsea
Hotfoot to the summer sales at standalone shops rarely seen on UK high streets
A trailblazer when it comes to fashion, the King’s Road is one of those few addresses that can lure brands seldom seen on British the high street. From the likes of Alo Yoga, Varley and Farm Rio to Wyse London, Aspiga, Ganni, Luca Faloni,RIXO, Sandro and ME&EM (which styled the Prime Minister’s wife in her first official appearance on the steps of 10 Downing Street), it’s the ideal place to try-on and take home this summer without fear of the postal returns. Even high street brand H&M chose the King’s Road as the location for its first concept store recently – a handpicked curation’ of its most luxurious and fashion-forward designs, with beauty, accessories and styling services. https://www.kingsroad.co.uk/shop-kings-road-london/
For more information about all the events, what to do, where to eat and shop visit https://www.kingsroad.co.uk/
