The countdown to The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is on with events and initiatives taking place throughout the UK to mark the landmark anniversary. With so many options, we’ve rounded up the very best of what’s on offer from a celebration fit for royalty to street parties, special menus and more – get ready for a week full of festivities.
The Cadogan Arms’ ‘Right Royal Lock In’
On June 2nd, posh public house The Cadogan Arm on Chelsea’s swanky King’s Road, is kicking off the Bank Holiday celebrations with a live DJ set from acoustic duo 22stories. From 10pm, Andy Smith of Portishead will be playing nostalgic throwbacks, rock and pop taking us back through the decades. The following day, rock artist Jesse Smith will be taking to the DJ decks, followed by Richio Suzuki who will be digging through his vinyl crate for deep cuts and big vibes. 22stories will be back again on Friday with a special appearance from Viv Solak while on Sunday and Monday, a special Jubilee Sunday Roast will be served. The limited-edition menu includes Rump Steak served with bone marrow sauce, horseradish cream and all the trimmings alongside delicious trademark pub classics.
W London’s Jubilee Cocktail Menu
To celebrate Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee, W London have unveiled their ‘Yas Queen’ cocktail menu which will run for the month of June. Bringing plenty of Royal glamour, drinks include the Spill The Tea Lizzie with Bombay Gin, Grand Marnier, Gomme syrup and Earl Grey infusion and the signature Yas Queen featuring the Queen’s favourite tipple – Dubonnet, Bombay Gin, Cherry Heering, topped with Champagne. If you’re really pushing the boat out, then you’ll definitely wanna invest in the Pass the Crown cocktail with a price tag to match. This little beaut made with a combo of Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Champagne, Hennessy Paradis Imperial, Brown Sugar Cube, and Gold Leaves costs £300!
There’ll also be a one night only Drag Party at Perception Bar on Wednesday 1st June with special guests DJs Lady Lloyd and Josh Harrison and live lip syncing!
Megan’s Street Party & Bottomless Brunch
If you’re looking to raise a glass to celebrate the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee then look no further than Megan’s restaurant located at eleven spots through the capital including Battersea, Clapham Common, Wandsworth, Chelsea and Chiswick. Book ahead for your spot to sip on 90 minutes worth of bottomless Prosecco from Thursday to Sunday, with the last seatings at 8:30pm. While you’re there, you can’t go past the spicy Shakshorizo Baked Eggs or vegan pancakes topped off with coconut yoghurt, blueberry compote, dried raspberries and maple syrup. On Thursday and Friday, you can also join them at Battersea’s Britannia Party by the river, where Megan’s will be selling royal picnic boxes including fresh deli sandwiches, a side salad, homemade cakes & the choice of homemade lemonade, Prosecco or champagne.
The Jubilee Summer Series at The Londoner
Fabulous super-boutique hotel The Londoner is celebrating The Jubilee for a whopping 30 days (and why not?!) inaugural series of events, The Londoner’s programme will include Queer Queen’s Cabaret hosted by Dolly Trolley, an exclusive Omorovicza Queen’s Jubilee facial at The Retreat and a fabulous Afternoon Tea fit for a Queen. Apparently Her Majesty is quite partial to a chocolate biscuit cake, so in her honour, Amir Jati – Creative Director of Food and Beverage at Edwardian Hotels London has created the Sovereign’s Choice cake – a delightful combo of Valrhona choc and buttery shortbread. Check out the full list of events running from 16th May to 12th June, here.
Kindred – For the Hearty Foodie
West London members club, Kindred, right next to Hammersmith Station, will host an epic Jubilee party on its spacious outdoor terrace on June 2nd. Chef Andrew Clarke’s exclusive BBQ menu is perfect for afternoon nibbles with simple and confident flavours, showcasing the best of British produce. Dishes include charcoal-grilled meats, fish and vegetables as well as staples such as mackerel and celeriac. Kicking off at 12pm, international and multi-genre DJ, Sir Dj Corey, will take to the decks, having worked with the likes of Maya Jama, Katy Perry and The Who. If that wasn’t enough, you can whilst whiling away the hours sipping on inventive cocktails created by resident mixologist Julian De Feral – our stomachs are yearning just thinking about this!
The Act Bar – Themed Cocktails & Nostalgic Vibes
If your name is Elizabeth, you might want to consider dropping into Notting Hill’s chic cocktail bar The Act as they’ll have a free glass of bubbles up for grabs for anyone with that name! Also on offer is themed British cocktails including Pimms Cup, Bramble and a Raspberry and Lavender Fizz, all for £10. There’ll be no shortage of nostalgia with performances by high-energy duo and West End leading lady and TV presenter, Brenda Edwards. And the show doesn’t stop there, celebrations continue into the weekend with The Act team performing ‘Best of British’ smash hits, paying tribute to iconic British musicians such as Amy Winehouse, The Beatles, Queen and The Spice Girls – to name a few.
SUSHISAMBA’s Royal Palace in the Sky
If you’re planning on dancing the weekend away, then why not do it with sweeping views of the city? From Wednesday to Saturday, SUSHISAMBA will transform into a royal palace in the sky with an epic lineup of regal performances, grandiose processions, DJ sets and late-night dancing for all kings and queens. On Wednesday, June 1, they have the Royal Drag Parade and Thursday sees Regal Burlesque before Buckingham-inspired drag and dancing take to the floor. This all culminates on Saturday with Queens of Burlesque, Miss Fallon Dee, Didi Derriere, and Miss Kitty Bang Bang joining forces to storm the castle. While DJ Kirollus will take the party late into the night with a grand royal procession, in true Victorian style.
Ample Celebrations at Covent Garden
This June, Covent Garden will give you the royal treatment with themed celebrations, numerous photo opportunities and special retailer discounts throughout the month. Why not take part in the Great Piazza Party from June 1st – 5th featuring a pop-up Aperol bar and street food vendors serving up the best of British foods? Or if you fancy a freebie, Flora by LIMA is giving away a glass of bubbles for diners. Bullards Gin will also be sampling a Jubilee Ginboree cocktail specially created for the event – Queen Elizabeth approved, of course. There really is something royal around every corner with Jubilee-inspired afternoon teas, limited-edition menus, drinks and sweets. For a more immersive experience, you can walk the red carpet known to Royals throughout history and explore the hidden spaces of the iconic Royal Opera House or capture a regal pose with the “Queen’s Guards” guarding The Ivy Market Grill. To top it off, the estate will be adorned with 4000 Union Jack flags, bunting and swing seats, as well as eye-catching red, white and blue floral arrangements. The celebrations will continue well past the Bank Holiday so make sure you check out their website for more information.
The Standard’s Street Party in the Sky
There’ll be plenty of pomp and pageantry at The Standard with celebrations on their renowned rooftop for a Street Party in the Sky. It’s taking place on June 2nd with a crew of their Resident DJs playing tribute to the UK’s unique blend of sunshine soul, dub and house music. With cocktails on tap and tunes from Stevie Wonderland DJs, Wavefield, Hforspirit, Ri Mistry and Jamie Russo, it’s the perfect spot to soak up the sun and bank holiday buzz and celebrate the long weekend. Meanwhile if you stay at the hotel between the 2nd and 7th June, you’ll get to sample cakes made by Claire Ptak – the Royal cake baker! Find out more here.
Celebrate at The Langham
Another hotel going all out for the Bank Holiday weekend is The Langham with an assortment of special experiences. The Mayfair hotspot has been frequented by numerous royals over the years making it the perfect regal spot to celebrate 70 years of Queen Elizabeth II. Up until June 26th, you can take full advantage of a Jubilee limited-edition afternoon tea with a selection of decadent treats inspired by the Queen’s favourites. Sandwiches will include Scottish smoked salmon, sour cream and dill and Coronation chicken, whilst a Ploughman’s cheese scone will be featured as well as a traditional sweet option. There will also be three separate Jubilee cocktails including The Dubbonet that combines Sipsmith gin, Dubbonet Red and lemon. For tea lovers, there is an Earl Grey Sour, inspired by the Queen’s preferred blend of tea and comprising Bombay Sapphire, Italicus, Earl Grey, lemon and lavender. While for a more relaxed vibe, the lavish drinks offering will continue in The Langham’s traditional British pub, The Wigmore where guests are encouraged to bring their canine friends along for the day.
Three-course Brunch at Aqua Shard
At Aqua Shard, a three-course brunch menu with optional wine pairings will be accompanied by a live string quartet. Alongside live entertainment by Starlight Strings, a special Jubilee cocktail and dessert will accompany the festivities. The delicious Royal Garden cocktail, available for £19, mixes Whitley Neill Rhubarb Gin, Ketal One Vodka, Rose and Lychee. While Her Majesty’s Shard blind-and-you’ll-miss-it dessert will be available on the a la carte dinner menu from June 2nd – 5th. It’s made with Passion fruit, raspberry and guava, the dessert is inspired by The Shard’s Jubilee light show which will launch at 9.45pm on June 2nd, as beacons across the country are lit to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee. There will also be a free-flow brunch, DJ sets and live entertainment at Aqua Kyoto and Aqua Nueva starting at £40 per person.
