Merchant House
One of the most fun places to be this month, Merchant House has plenty of masterclasses so you can become quite the cocktail expert. Choose between rum, whisky or gin, and get ready to learn about your favourite spirits.
London is on its A-game this month. The usual mix of delicious foodie pop-ups, boat parties and film nights are a given, but May also sees one-off outdoor festivals and the return of incredible brunches following their departure last year. We've been out scouting once again, and come up with this list of the best events and things to do in London this May.
Last edited by DEBBIE RICHARDSON
Last updated on 21st October 2024
One of the most fun places to be this month, Merchant House has plenty of masterclasses so you can become quite the cocktail expert. Choose between rum, whisky or gin, and get ready to learn about your favourite spirits.
Themed ball pits, fruity cocktails and party tunes are all on the menu at big kids party spot Ballie Ballerson. Grab the gang and head over to their fun-loving venue in the heart of Shoreditch for a night of hilarious, easy-going fun.
You won't be strapped for things to do at the historic and charming Milestone Hotel and Residences this May. Located opposite Kensington Palace, the gorgeous spot will be hosting a Chelsea Flower Show-inspired afternoon tea from £80 per person where you can devour the likes of honey, milk and black tea macarons or lemon meringue tartlets alongside bubbles. If you're more of a dinner kind of person, then you'll love chef Dan Putz's supper club dinner taking place on Thursday the 30th of May. Here you'll be able to indulge in gastronomic delights for £110 each.
May at Gipsy Hill Brewery sees its Spring Celebration Beer Festival in full swing on the 4th. Tickets start from £10 and include two 1/3 beer tokens and a branded glass to its 10th birthday party celebrations. Expect to tuck into its signature sips along with some special editions that have been whipped up for the event. There will be live music and DJs to keep the vibes going way into the evening.
Take your nights out up a notch with an evening on board the London Boat Party. Guaranteed to provide a fun-filled night of epic views, popular tunes and delicious drinks. these guys are bringing something a little different to the table.
@ Alcotraz Penitentiary: London on Various dates from Sunday 22nd December 2024
London's quirkiest cocktail is back this spring, ready to lock you up for another night of illicit drinks and sneaking away from the crooked warden. Don that famous orange jumpsuit to spend that night sipping on handcrafted tipples.
Can't wait to finally be let loose on the city this spring? Nab yourself a spot at Tonight Josephine as May sees the arrival of their epic bottomless afternoon tea. Join them in Shoreditch and Waterloo for free-flowing cocktails and tiers of sweet treats.
If you're searching for fun things to do this May in London, look no further than a trip to Backyard Comedy Club. From mega headliners to up-and-coming stars on the UK circuit, this event has it all. Better yet, tickets start at just £7.50.
Across two locations - a Bermondsey taproom and a meadery in Peckham - Gosnells Of London has plenty going on. Whether it's a Eurovision viewing party, tastings, tours or mead brewing workshops, the event you choose is bound to be the highlight of your calendar.
Old School R&B Brunch will be returning this May for yet more daytime antics. Tickets start at just £38 and include live DJ sets, a two-course brunch feast and an hour of unlimited cocktails - all inside a top secret London location. Plus, there's a massive fifth anniversary sesh over at IndigO2 on Sunday 26th.
Ladies and gents, it's time to Be Dope, Be Awesome. The 90s Brunch is all about letting loose and celebrating everything that was great about this glorious decade; there'll be sharing platters of brunch goods, bottomless Mimosas for an hour, lip-sync battles and a floor-slaying playlist of the greatest 90s classics on the speakers.
@ Fire & The Garden on Saturday 11th January 2025 and 22 other Saturdays
Salsa! Temple are hosting a fantastic Bougie Drag Bottomless Brunch this May, complete with lip syncing battles, dance-offs and catwalk contests alongside a delicious dish and 90 minutes of free-flowing drinks served by butlers in the buff. There will be live DJs playing throughout the four-hour party, as well as guest performances from some of the stars of RuPaul's Drag Race UK.
QUEENS Skate Dine Bowl is an awesome place to head to during May. Enjoy an evening of drinking while taking your pick between ten-pin bowling and ice skating. Plus, you can wolf down delish burgers from Meat Liquor after.
@ The Silent Disco Boat on Saturday 25th January 2025 and 13 other Saturdays
Silent Sounds Boat Party is bound to be the highlight of your May calendar, promising the chance to drink and dance the night away while cruising past historic landmarks. Choose your channel on your headphones, and head to Ballie Ballerson for the after-party once you're back on dry land.
@ Pedley Street Station on Various dates from Sunday 22nd December 2024
Get ready for an immersive experience like no other with The Murdér Express at Pedley Street Station. Find out the culprit for the murders and the mysteries, while feasting on a fabulous menu from Michelin star chef Niall Keeting.
One of the best events in London in May 2025, this brunch party is so much more than simply bubbles and some eggs benny. Get ready for bottomless cocktails, awesome games and a great vibe all round.
Just in time for the warmer weather comes the legendary Supa Dupa Fly. Beyonce brunches, old school events and terraced parties take place across some of London's coolest spaces, complete with guest DJs, top tunes and plenty of fun.
Looking for fun things to do outdoors this May? Head over to plonk, who are offering Londoners the chance to putt their golfing skills to the test. Kick-start the summer with a dose of healthy competition, as you take on quirky courses across the capital.
@ Secret London Location on Saturday 28th December 2024 and 50 other Saturdays
Add some sparkle to your spring brunching, at this awe-inspiring brunch extravaganza. You'll be amazed by five hours of musical theatre from some of the West End's biggest stars, along with a delicious bottomless brunch.
@ Southwark Brewing on Various dates from Saturday 28th December 2024
The best things to do outside in London this May? Join Alehunters as they take you on a tour of Bermondsey's best breweries. You'll be taken to four taprooms within the famous beer mile where you'll sample various pints and learn more about the different hops.
When in doubt? A bottomless brunch is always the answer to lacklustre weekends, and Barrio's is no different. The vibrant group of Latin-style bars is hosting a roster of themed events throughout May, from daytime bashes to musical bingo sessions.
This month, Proud Cabaret City are pulling out all the stops with a lineup of fantastic events all week long. Fancy a dark, circus-themed cabaret performance from talented artists? Or something a little more exclusive with their secret burlesque society? They've got both of those. And for something a little more interactive, you can even attend their drag bottomless brunches on Saturdays, complete with karaoke, boozy bingo and a tasty two-course meal.
To make your May one to remember? Check out The London Cabaret Club, who have a range of themed shows bringing glitz and glam to your month. Head over for immersive performances to accompany your luxury meal.
Do something a little different this May in London, as the official live game of Sherlock has landed. Taking place online and outdoors, this immersive mystery will have you playing detective with footage from the actors to guide you along the way.
Looking for a completely raucous and fun night out? Last Man Standing, Gospeloke, Musical Bingo and more are here to up your next night out in London. Expect an eclectic series of events with Agency Unknown.
@ Mr Fogg's Apothecary on Various dates from Saturday 28th December 2024
This May, snap up tickets from £58 per person to Mr Fogg's Cocktail Experiment and enter the mysterious Elixir Room where you can unleash your inner Victorian mad scientist and whip up your own concoctions. Begin by sipping a complimentary 'vaccine' drink before assisting in creating a potion of your own and enjoying the rest prepared for you by expert 'pharmacists'.
Looking for fun events in Shoreditch this May? Trapeze Bar is bringing the heat with a whole series of reopening parties, brunch dos and live performances from their East London haunt. Get your glad rags on, because the circus is back in town.
Queen of Hoxton is coming back to life this May, with a jam-packed event schedule of unmissable parties, brunches and more. Whether you fancy belting out hip hop anthems or soaking up the sun on a gorgeous rooftop, this place is an absolute must.
Bored of the same nights out? Hijingo hits you with hi-tech bingo, sure to leave you and your pals wanting more. Enjoy epic rounds of the game while listening to music and drinking creative cocktails from its menu. Plus, you can get the chance to win big.
@ Moonshine Saloon on Sunday 22nd December 2024 and 5 other dates
It's BYOB, Wild West style. Successfully sneak your bottle of hooch into this cool West London Saloon and watch an expert mixologist whip it into a tasty old cocktail for you. Get yourself kitted out in boots and Stetson at one of the best upcoming events in London this May.
Whatever day of the week it is, you can count on Albert's Schloss London to provide all kinds of lively entertainment. They host live music every single weekday from 4 until 7pm, alongside cabaret shows on Tuesdays, pianists taking requests on Wednesdays and Sunday roasts paired with musical performances to round off the week. All of their events are totally free, and you can enjoy all kinds of German food and beers from all over Europe while you're here.
If you're in the Balham area, The Exhibit is a cracking spot to check out this month. Enjoy an awesome lineup of events from life drawings with a professional artist to horror movie screenings and hilarious comedy acts.
Home to some of the best pop-up cinema screenings in London, Rivoli is bringing its popular pastime back this spring with a whole host of events in May. Expect all the classics; from The Goonies and Pulp Fiction to The Breakfast Club and E.T.
Whether you head to their Tooting or Haggerston outpost, The Big London Bake is here to give you a fun thing to do this May. You've got 90 minutes to whisk, roll and drizzle your way towards a winning bake. Will you make a masterpiece or a mess? Nab tickets to find out.
Hosting some of the most fun events in London in May, The Brixton Courtyard is proving you don't have to be in a dark room to get into the club vibe. Bringing in a wealth of incredible DJs, it'll be table dancing until dawn at this lively spot.
Back for good from May, Dabbers is returning to London once again. Join them for the chance to get your bingo on with a slap-up selection of incredible events including outdoor and virtual sessions as well as bottomless brunches.
Located in 20 Fenchurch Street, Sky Garden has plenty to offer this May. From epic VIP music nights with cocktails and music to morning yoga sessions and breakfasts or sunrise sessions, these folks offer the swankiest things to do (with a killer view to match).
@ Camden Town Brewery on Various dates from Sunday 22nd December 2024
Fan of the ol' beer? If so, you'll love the Camden Town Brewery Tour. Located at the much-loved brewery, this top-notch tour will have guests watching all the action, from how it's made to tasting the tipple straight from the tank. You won't want to miss out on this.
There's so much going on at The Rosemary Branch Theatre this month, but one particular highlight has to be The Dirty Thirty showcase. Degenerate Fox will head up on stage to perform 30 plays in just one hour, offering everything from dramatic monologues to comedic scenes.
@ Roscorp Laboratories on Various dates from Sunday 22nd December 2024
Avora: A New-World Cocktail Experience at Roscorp Laboratories in Hoxton is an immersive cocktail bar brought to you by the masterminds behind Alcotraz and Moonshine Saloon. Marvel at theatrical sets and glowing neon foliage as you embark on a mission over one hour and 45 minutes (from day to night), sipping on innovative concoctions and befriending local inhabitants to uncover the enchanted secrets of the land.
@ Balls Brothers- Austin Friars on Saturday 28th December 2024 and 51 other Saturdays
At Ginger's Big Drag Bottomless Brunch, you and your mates can watch drag-drenched performances while eating a delicious meal - we mean cheeseburgers, avo toast and vegan eats. Plus, you'll get to tip back prosecco for 90 minutes.
@ Backyard Comedy Club on Wednesday 1st January 2025 and 5 other Wednesdays
Looking for free things to do this May in London? The Comedy Hump is a fantastic monthly event in Bethnal Green with absolutely no entry charge. You'll find some of the biggest stand up stars gracing Backyard Comedy Club's stage, showcasing new and old material that will have you in fits of laughter throughout. Previous performers have included Rhod Gilbert, Ed Gamble, Angela Barnes and so many more, so you're bound to see some serious talent here.
@ Queen of Hoxton on Saturday 11th January 2025 and 49 other Saturdays
One of the best drag shows in London, KIKI is giving you everything you need for a hilarious evening of laughing and non-stop entertainment at the Queen of Hoxton. With a killer host, Ms Ginger Phlappage, the event, also promises prosecco and awesome music.
Sounds Familiar Music Quiz' events will have you and your mates on your feet, singing and dancing to classic party bangers in the cool surroundings of The Old Queen's Head. Blasting out everything from Stormzy to Meatloaf, Ed Sheeran to Tina, get your microphones and bevvies at the ready as you compete to guess the name of the song and artist.
Fan of all things reggae, dancehall and RnB? Then Hip Hop Brunch LDN is the place for you. Head to one of their wicked events and you'll be treated to a three-course meal, bottomless cocktails, tunes galore and bingo games.
@ Secret London Location on Saturday 11th January 2025 and 11 other Saturdays
Themed after the famed musical of a similar name, The Greatest Brunch brings together a cast of circus acts, freaks and West End singers for an all-singing, all-dancing bonanza. Expect a tasty two-course meal, immersive entertainment and bottomless cocktails.
Looking to spice things up a little this May in London? Check out what Bougie Drag & Boy Toy have to offer. From world-class drag shows to bottomless dinners and buff bingo brunches, there's a whole range of unmissable events and experiences to explore.
As the weather has finally started to improve but it's not yet sweltering, May is the perfect time to visit some of London's best attractions. Whether you're strolling around Kew Gardens, visiting one of our city's many museums or taking a trip up The Shard, there's no shortage of sights to be seen in the capital. There are lots of royal attractions to choose from too, and there's no better time for those than around the anniversary of the King's coronation.
After art exhibitions in London for May 2025? Then it's time to check out this list of the very best across the city, from museums of illusion to motion sensor-controlled projections that allow you to walk among the works of Van Gogh, Klimt, Monet and more.
@ Secret Location on Wed, 12th Oct 2022 - Tue, 31st Dec 2024
Sofar Sounds is one of the most unique events to try out this month, as everything about this intimate, musical experience is a total surprise. You'll find out the location 36 hors before, which is bound to be somewhere stunning and unusual like a museum, a church or even a rooftop. The artists are a mystery too, with three live performers who will only be revealed when they take to the stage.