Top Free Things to do in South Bank
You don't need to spend a fortune to enjoy a great day out sightseeing in South Bank.
Ask any Londoner about their favourite places to relax in the city during the summer and the words South Bank will undoubtedly come up! Once you've stretched your legs with a stroll along the river on the Queen's Walk, kick back with a drink or two and a bite to eat at one of South Bank’s many summer pop-ups.
Here’s a look at who’s popping up this summer to put on your radar.
The Lasdun Bar summer terrace at National Theatre presents the chance to enjoy Lasdun's signature seasonal British fare in a new, sun-soaked setting on the Weston Terrace. Seating 60 the new pop-up terrace looks right over the river and serves a light food menu, seasonal cocktails and Nyetimber sparkling wine.
Signature items on the summer terrace menu include a Dorset crab and mayonnaise bun and refreshing serves like the Lasdun Summer Cup. The Lasdun Bar summer terrace is open daily from 12pm until dusk. Popping up until 22 September.
This peaceful space on top of the Queen Elizabeth Hall (reached via those iconic yellow staircases) has become a much-loved feature of the Southbank Centre. Open throughout spring and summer the garden is home to over 200 wild native plants, a luscious lawn and some of South Bank’s best views.
There’s a casual pop-up café-bar with wines, beers, soft drinks and coffees served from an upcycled shipping container on the rooftop (open Wed-Sun). Open for the summer until 19 September.
The elegant Sea Containers Restaurant has teamed up with Laurent-Perrier so you can soak up gorgeous views across the Thames, while enjoying a crisp glass of Champagne on their riverside summer terrace. The summer terrace pop-up will also boast a delicious new summer menu inspired by seasonal ingredients. Popping up until 30 September.
The chic terrace wine bar at National Theatre, Forza Wine, is extending its offering for the summer with a second pop-up bar opening on the terrace below the permanent restaurant terrace) with plenty of extra seating for catching the sun.
Operating on a walk-ins only basis, Forza Taps will be serving on ‘tap’ drinks, alongside Forza's signature ‘Italian-ish’ snack menu with a food focus on seasonal summer dishes, plus the Forza's trademark chilled Custardo®. Popping up until late September.
Returning to South Bank for their seventh summer, Jimmy's BBQ Club is an interactive pop-up barbecue restaurant experience hosted right on the banks of the river Thames. Led by the London pop-up maestro Jimmy Garcia, this expansive summer barbecue club stretches out across the Queen’s Walk in front of the Southbank Centre skate park with prime views over the river.
There are two bars with casual seating for enjoying summer sundowners and juicy burgers flipped on the barbecue while you wait, a roof terrace, and a private dining area where Jimmy's famous six-course tasting menus are served. Find out more and reserve a table here. Popping up until 20 September.
Spreading out between Jubilee Gardens and Hungerford Bridge, Bridge, Between The Bridges is one of London's biggest pop-up destinations. The complex encompasses several indoor all-weather bar areas with stages and AV equipment for performers, arranged around a huge central courtyard. There’s a busy programme of events throughout the summer that includes drag brunches, themed DJ nights (such as the epic Swiftogedon), bingo, Barrioke and a monthly craft fair.
Arranged around the large central courtyard with its abundant al fresco tables is a choice of pop-up bars and street food stalls, a huge TV screen for catching up on summer’s biggest sports (like the Euros, Wimbledon and Olympics), plus a more low-key garden seating area tucked away beneath the trees. Open Tue–Sun. Find out more here.
This quirky pop-up bar is the perfect photo-op, sitting with a prime view of Big Ben and the London Eye. Fashioned from a salvaged vintage horsebox, the bar serves up classic British summer cocktails including Pimm's, Aperol Spritz and elderflower G&Ts, as well as fruity passionfruit margaritas, and mango and strawberry mojitos.
A small ‘cocktail garden’ faces right onto the river and is a surprisingly peaceful spot to kick back and relax just a stone’s throw from the many famous attractions at County Hall. Popping up until 22 September.
You can't miss the neon pink SNOG bus parked up right next Jubilee Gardens. Staying open late into the evening, there’s always a queue for their fat-free organic frozen yoghurt available in five mouth-watering flavours. Head upstairs to the open-air top deck and enjoy the views, find a seat on one of the riverside tables or get you froyo to go. Popping up until 22 September
Stretching along the Queen's Walk beneath Hungerford Bridge next to the Southbank Centre you'll find a variety of street food stalls and the Puzzles pop-up bar serving craft beers, craft sodas and slushies.
For a meaty feast you can't go wrong with the decadent delights served up at Truffle Burger, while new for 2024 is the all-American hot dog stall Frank! For something sweet there's ARØUND who specialise in super-sized cookies that are satisfyingly gooey in the middle. Popping up until 22 September
You don't need to spend a fortune to enjoy a great day out sightseeing in South Bank.