Arts & Culture
Originally published on Tuesday, 6th December 2016
The Culturist: December
December? You crept up on us! The most festive fun month of the year is here and we’ve got so much going on. There’s everything from a winter film club, a jazz café, an Andy Warhol-inspired bar and the reopening of Queens Ice and Bowl… and that’s just the start. Enjoy!
DO I: QUEENS SKATE-DINE-BOWL
Opening 8th December, 17 Queensway, W2 4QP
Queens: Skate-Dine-Bowl is back and bigger than ever (literally, it’s 48,000sq ft). With ice skating, bowling and now Jimmy’s Diner – which has pulled pork and sticky bangers, as well as two bars – this is going to be a lot more fun than anything else on Queensway! Lace up.
DRINK: UNTITLED BAR
Opening soon, 538 Kingsland Road, E8 4AH
We may not have a confirmed opening date yet, but word on the street is Tony Conigliaro is opening a new bar in Dalston this month. It’s going to be inspired by Andy Warhol combining food, drinks, art and design. We also hear it’ll serve 12 original cocktails in bespoke vessels (one of them is called ‘Snow’) and will be open seven days a week, from 11am until late. No plastic cups here.
SEE: HEDDA GABLER
Prices vary, Upper Ground, South Bank, SE1 9PX
We’ve been contemplating a wintery walk down the Southbank ever since December hit, and the National Theatre’s winter tale has given us the perfect excuse. Ruth Wilson – who we loved in Luther and The Affair – joins Rafe Spall on stage for a contemporary adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s highly personal and intense piece. We do love a bit of drama.
SHOP: FUN FOR HER
We know it’s winter outside, but there’s no need to dress like it. Brighten things up with Stella McCartney’s rainbow iPhone Case, a Ganni T-Shirt (that’s making us hungry), and motif sweatshirts from Marc Jacobs and Lingua Franca.
GO 1: THE SANYA EDITION
Prices vary, 100 North Haitang Road, Sanya, Hainan, 572013
The latest opening from Ian Schrager has us dreaming of the beach. Set just off the coast of Southern China, on the unique location of Hainan Island, this luxe abode is oceanfront, has a salt water pool, rock-climbing wall and even a meditation forest to get in touch with your inner zen. And as it’s an EDITION, expect the usual muted tones and chic resort vibe.
HEAR: ELI & FUR: EXCLUSIVE MIX
Ahead of their new single release on 16th December, dynamic DJ duo Eli & Fur have created an exclusive mix for UJ, with electronic jams and moody vocals from John Monkman, Benno Blome, and, of course, themselves. Turn it up!
GO 2: JAZZ CAFE
Times vary, 5 Parkway, NW1 7PG
Starting next month, the Jazz Café will be mixing things up on Monday nights; ‘Milestones’ will be a weekly jazz show with some of the best young musicians on London’s jazz scene, celebrating the best albums of the genre. With cheap tickets and an easy-going atmosphere inspired by New York’s restaurant scene, expect great food and cocktails, too.
SHOP 2: FUN FOR HIM
It’s not just girls who wanna have fun. Banish the winter blues with pop-art inspired cufflinks, Neil Barrett’s shocking motifs and Saint Laurent’s jaws-themed sweatshirt and embroidered jacket.
EAT: CERU
Opens 8th December, 7-9 Bute Street, SW7 3EY
After successful pop ups last year in London, Ceru is opening their first permanent restaurant in South Ken. Having previously worked with Yalla Yalla, husband and wife duo Patricia and Barry Hilton focus on Levantine dishes; think apple, pomegranate and mint salad or zucchini and feta fritters.
BOOK NOW: WINTER FILM CLUB
Until 23rd December, £13, 133 Rye Lane, SE15 4ST
It’s not really Christmas without Elf, Home Alone and Love Actually is it? This month, the Winter Film Club gets magical and takes over the Rooftop Film Club at Peckham’s Electric Theatre with a mix of classics, new releases (Finding Dory anyone?) and Christmas favourites. Time to get in the festive spirit.
