What To See, Do, And Experience In October

From the new Harvey Nichols pop-up for the dogs charity, Wild at Heart Foundation, to London Cocktail week for the grown ups, and a spooky-inspired afternoon tea at Fortnum’s for the kids — here’s how to keep everyone entertained this month.

Take in some Art in Mayfair: Running until 17 October is a celebration of art, fashion and culture in the heart of Mayfair, in partnership with the Royal Academy of Arts.

For Art in Mayfair 2021, Bond Street and Mayfair’s most distinguished luxury stores from Bulgari to Burberry, Louis Vuitton to Loewe, have been showing art-inspired window installations which have been sitting alongside large scale sculptures by acclaimed artists. Notice the flags along bon? Well, they’ve been specially designed by British artist Gary Hume and have been suspended above Bond Street.

Be sure to check out the exhibition, The Paint Suits by Jake and Dinos Chapman hosted by tailoring house, Richard James. The “paint-trashed” suits will be exhibited alongside sculptures by multi-disciplinary artists and brothers, Mark and Paul Cummings.

Address: Richard James, 29 Savile Row, London, W1S 2EY

See works by acclaimed sculptor Ron Mueck: Opening in London during Frieze Week and running until 13 November is 25 Years Of Sculpture 1996—2021 by Ron Mueck, his debut exhibition at Thaddaeus Ropac. On show will be his sculptures from a career spanning two and a half decades along with new and previously unseen works that demonstate the human experience.

Address: Thaddaeus Ropac, London Ely House, 37 Dover St, London, W1S 4NJ

Partake in a tipple during London Cocktail Week: London Cocktail Week, which has actually been extended to a month (hooray) has returned for its annual tipsy celebration. The perfect excuse to sip on a selection of expertly crafted cocktails across the city, signature serves include Oscar Bar & Restaurant’s ‘Forest Plum’, the classic ‘New York Sour’ at Le Magritte Bar, ‘Beau’s Vesper’ at 45 Jermyn St., and the Corintha’s very timely Bond-inspired ‘Gold’ cocktail in ode to, yes you’ve guessed it, Goldfinger.

And for those who want to combine cocktails and Halloween at home, head to Selfridges and pick up a bottle (or two) of Crystal Head Vodka, and concoct your very own PG-18 serves, such as their decadent ‘Pumpkin Patch’, a mix of vodka, honey, coffee liqueur, cream, pumpkin pie spice, and ginger snap cookies.

Visit the Harvey Nichols charity pop-up: Harvey Nichols has partnered with Dutch watercolor artist Rop van Mierlo and dog charity, Wild at Heart Foundation for an activation that sees animal artwork in the Sloane Street windows. There’s also limited edition prints and merchandise designed by Rop, in the Wild Animals pop-up shop within.

“For our October campaign, we’re absolutely delighted to be partnering with Rob van Mierlo from Wild Animals, who has created an artistic concept for our Sloane Street windows, featuring his unique animal paintings and a video installation. I loved the feel-good factor of his work, so wanted to bring it to Harvey Nichols. A Wild Animals pop-up on the ground floor of our Knightsbridge flagship will also give our customers the opportunity to purchase his beautiful collection of prints and objects.” Laura Larbalestier, Fashion Director at Harvey Nichols

“As an illustrator you’re often trying to capture your subject in a neat way, but I always tried to imagine the animals to be out of my control. Having these displayed in the Harvey Nichols windows like this is wild and something I’d never imagined before.” Rop van Mierlo, Wild Animals Artist 

In partnership with Wild at Heart Foundation, a charity that helps protect and rehome dogs across the U.K. and abroad, will be hosting an autumnal wreath decorating with Nikki Tibbles, the Founder of the charity and Wild at Heart luxury florist. Priced at £150 per person, for every ticket sold, £50 will be donated to the charity.

Address: Harvey Nichols, 109-125 Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7RJ

Celebrate black British women in theatre: ‘Coming Together, Growing Together – Black British Women in Theatre’ is an evening that will pay homage to black British female playwrights of the ‘80s and ‘90s, featuring Munirah Theatre Company and writer, Nicola Abram.

Expect a presentation on Black British Women’s Theatre by Abram, along with a showing of the short documentary ‘Polishing Black Diamonds’ (1988) by Susannah Lopez which highlights the choreopoetry of the Munirah Theatre Company in relation to the political and social thinking at the time, as well as interactive conversations so everyone can join the discussion.

Address: Clapham Library. Mary Seacole Centre, 91 Clapham High Street, London, SW4 7DB

Try Giz ‘n’ Green’s naughty lobster macaroni cheese: Burger & Lobster has launched a limited-edition dish in collaboration with Gizzi Erskine and Professor Green a.k.a Giz ‘n’ Green and its available until 31 October.

The super indulgent Sleezey’n’Bisquey Mac & Cheese combines meat from half a lobster, a boozy lobster bisque-infused cheese sauce, macaroni, and a Gruyere and garlic breadcrumb topping.

“The Sleezey’n’Bisquey Mac & Cheese we’ve created with Burger & Lobster is everything we as Giz ‘n’ Green stand for; it’s a hearty dish that requires skill and isn’t style over substance (though it looks bloody good on the plate) – it’s proper food with added indulgence and superior ingredients that Gizzi’s tekkers and my tastebuds will forever provide!” Stephen Manderson

The Sleezey’n’Bisquey Mac & Cheese is available exclusively in eight restaurant locations, including West India Quay, Threadneedle Street and Leicester Square.

Address: Burger & Lobster, 10 Wardour Street, London, W1D 6QF

Mark London Craft Week: Craft Week is running now until 10 October, and it’s all about celebrating British and international creativity. It brings together over 250 established and emerging makers, designers, brands and galleries, one of which being Banshee of Savile Row.

Here, founders Ruby Slevin and Rocco Tullio will be demonstrating exactly how to create a woman’s suit from start to finish. At the end, there will also be a talk on the sustainable construction of Savile Row womenswear, and how this craft works in an ethical context.

Address: Banshee of Savile Row, First Floor, 13 Savile Row, London, W1S 3NE

Try a spooky afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason: Back by popular demand, the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum & Mason will be serving up its children’s ‘Spooky Top Plate’ – a collection of three sweet treats for your little monsters.

Available from the 25 October, the limited-edition Top Plate will consist of a Bat Biscuit (sable biscuit with fondant icing), Mummy Cake Pop (vanilla sponge with vanilla icing), and a Pumpkin Dessert (caramel chocolate mousse).

Address: Fortnum & Mason, 181 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London, W1A 1ER