September events guide: ten things to do across the UK and in London this month

(Image credit: DesignMyNight)

By Leighanne Bent

published 7 September 2020

August’s mini heatwave might be over but things are far from cooling down this September.

Ten things to do outdoors in London with social distancing How to become a whisky ‘expert’ in just two hours

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Drive-in cinemas originate all the way back to the early 1910s and almost 100 years on, the on-wheels experience has witnessed a major comeback with screens popping up across the UK. If you happen to rely on London’s excellent transportation system and don’t own a car of your own, there’s always Openaire; one of the UK’s first ever cinematic experience by boat. Based in Paddington, you’ll float up to the big screen in a boat of your own to catch everything from Bohemian Rhapsody to Mamma Mia.

Company of Cooks has partnered with Colchester Oyster Fishery this month for a special one-off evening to offer up the best seafood in Britain. The three-course meal on 17 September will be accompanied by the backdrop of Chelsea’s historic botanical garden and your experience will kick-start with a complimentary glass of Chablis. The menu consists of a silky smoked salmon starter with a shellfish platter for mains - which can be upgraded to lobster for an extra £20 - and a honeycomb cheesecake for dessert.

Jimmy Garcia has built up his reputation thanks to TV appearances on the likes of Sunday Brunch, not to mention the sell-out success of his pop-up, The BBQ Club. Situated along the Southbank, the award-winning chef is bringing back his interactive experience this month so you can cook a seven-course meal right along the banks of the Thames. This time around the experience is BYOB and all tickets come with a complimentary welcome cocktail and fireside snacks.

Like pasta, flour was one of those necessities that became increasingly hard to purchase during the height of the pandemic. Baking saw a huge surge, with the chances of finding gold dust significantly higher than an ounce of McDougalls. For those who have found an undiscovered talent during lockdown, you can show off your skills at The Big Birmingham Bake. This pop-up baking experience is held in a familiar looking white tent where all participants will have 90 minutes to follow instructions and turn several ingredients into a culinary masterpiece before presenting it to the judges.

As a nation our concept of staying in has changed drastically since lockdown, birthing a flurry of new and never-seen-before online experiences, one of which is the Virtual Whisky Tasting Masterclass. This two-hour online experience is hosted on Zoom and can be enjoyed by anyone in the UK. Orchestrated by Felipe Schrieberg, whisky writer and World Whiskies Awards judge, you will nose and taste six different drams throughout the masterclass, all of which will be delivered to your door before the event.

A craft beer experience is taking place in Liverpool this September, giving ale aficionados the chance to get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at some of the city’s best breweries and taprooms. The walking tour will see you stop off at Love Lane Brewery, Hobo Kiosy and Black Lodge Brewery where you’ll get to smell, taste and touch the elements that make each beer so unique, all before trying samplers at each which equate to a total of 8⅓ pints.

Responsible for putting Canary Wharf on the map for a fun night out, Electric Shuffle has reopened its doors and is now taking bookings. With ten shuffle lanes and two floors to play across, this is an atmospheric but socially-distant evening away from your front room. Sharing cocktails and paddle board pizzas are the speciality and come the weekend you can book a bottomless brunch experience for up to eight people which includes a bottle of prosecco each and endless slices for two hours.

Immersive experiences are at the heart of London’s event scene and although many have been put on hold due to the pandemic, COLAB Theatre is back in action, this time with a 1920s underworld operation in Elephant & Castle. Inspired by the TV hit Peaky Blinders, this cloak and dagger show will encourage you to take part (whilst maintaining social distancing) as one family fights for supremacy. Dodgy deals, boxing rings and fortune telling will all play a part in the story as you rub shoulders with criminals and attempt to keep your enemies at bay.

Fuller’s has been running Shakespeare In The Garden for a total of nine years and it’s set to return to 14 beer gardens up and down the country this month. Bristol, London and Reading are just some of the cities where you can catch The Tempest, which will be run by theatre company Open Bar and this year they’re promising the boldest show yet. Original music, outlandish costumes and a hint of aerial circus will conjure the bard’s tale with an impressive modern twist.

Kitchen Theory is an award-winning experience based in an old Victorian warehouse and it’s worked with leading scientists and psychologists to bring its dining concept to life. It aims to push the boundaries of gastronomy with a combination of audio, lighting, table projections, aromas, and textures. Taking private bookings of up to 12 and running at a 40% reduced capacity for its monthly supperclub, it’s down as one of September’s best experiences.

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