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, kicking back for a drink or two and a bite to eat at one of South Bank’s pop-ups and terraces is a quintessential London summer experience.
Here’s a look at who’s popping up this summer to put on your radar.
WHEN: 1 April until late 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. The lush garden is home to over 200 wild native plants, wildflowers and trees, with grassy lawns, deckchairs and some of South Bank’s best views. The garden has its own casual pop-up Roof Garden Bar & Kitchen serving wines, beers and soft drinks.
WHEN: 30 April through to Christmas
Spreading out between Jubilee Gardens and Hungerford Bridge, Between The Bridges is one of London's biggest pop-up destinations. The complex encompasses several indoor, all-weather bar areas with stages for weekend performances and parties, arranged around a huge central courtyard where a big screen shows major sporting tournaments such as Wimbledon, and a variety of street food trucks are there to satisfy your hunger. Find out more here.
WHEN: 23 April until 20 September
The BBQ Club by Jimmy Garcia is always a summer favourite, and each year the riverside spot in a prime position opposite the Southbank Skatepark gets even bigger and better! This year, the signature riverside BBQ Club cabana is back, where guests can book a sit-down multi-course set menu, or find a space on the beer garden terrace and enjoy casual street food and drinks from the Bar & Grill. Find out more here.
WHEN: mid-April until mid-September
This year’s summer pop-up by street food incubators KERB, spreads right across the National Theatre's sunny piazzas. Expect a tasty selection of guest street food traders and a huge pop-up bar with plenty of tables and deck chairs for enjoying the sun. This year's exact open date and traders are still to be confirmed, although KERB's summer space can be expected to be in full swing in mid to late April.
WHEN: 23 April until 20 September
This pretty pop-up bar is the perfect photo opportunity, 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 like Pimm's and elderflower G&Ts. A small ‘cocktail garden’ faces right onto the river and is a great spot to kick back and admire the sunset with a drink.
You don't need to spend a fortune to enjoy a great day out sightseeing in South Bank.
