In June, an incredible addition was made to the West London eatery scene. Olympia expanded its offering in the middle of the month by opening a whole host of “only-at-Olympia” bars and restaurants, all on its rooftop. Now, there’s an undisputed go-to spot for alfresco dining in West London.
Spurred on by the desire to enjoy new experiences, following the grand opening of Olympia, we’ve found that many Londoners are on the hunt for the next new venue to explore. As it happens, there’s a lot going on in London this summer, and some of these new openings will be hosting special events to mark the occasion.
New Restaurants and an Immersive Art Experience
On 5 August, West London welcomed yet another superb restaurant to its collection. Sitting within the £1.5 billion transformation project at the old Whiteleys department store, Kāio is designed to offer a deluxe experience within its distinctly designed venue, complete with a 360-degree cocktail bar and rotunda-style terrace for alfresco dining.
Those who arrive for the food best be ready for some heat! The restaurant’s philosophy is cooking with fire, utilising its transformative power to create unique dishes inspired by cultures from around the world. Having worked in the kitchen of the Michelin-starred The Cross, Sachin Mistry now takes on the head chef role at Kāio.
In August, many more intriguing restaurants will open their doors to Londoners. Saltwater opens on 13 August in Soho, joined later in the month by Soraya, It’s Bagels, Soul Mama, and the colossal rooftop bar Arcus in Bloomsbury. It’s not just fine and convenient eateries and bars that are on the way, though.
From the makers of Dream Factory in Bristol, now comes Absurd City to London. On 15 October, with tickets already for sale, it takes the form of a massive 80,000 sq ft experience of out-there art. It’s chaotic, it’s fuelled by underground artists, and has been built by robotic experts to allow you to leave reality at the door.
Promoting the New Openings
For many, an opening night event and special promotions for a venue’s first patrons are a tradition. This is especially the case when the offering isn’t seen as having pure mainstream appeal or recognition. Of course, there are also venues dotted across London that aren’t brand-new but continue to offer promotions for visitors.
While a classic form of entertainment for Friday and Saturday nights, bingo clubs now hope to continue their resurgence with some appealing promotions. Not only are there free special sessions, but there’s a new player offer called “Eat, Drink & Play for £10” that makes every night feel like opening night for newcomers.
Some new London openings see the appeal of these kinds of promotions both as a way to generate interest and to inspire loyalty going forward. Plated, the West London food hall, kicked off on 1 August with menus cutting prices for the big event. The March Hare is going big on this, offering one of everything for £95, which is 11 dishes all-in.
To see out the summer, we’re seeing a whole host of exciting new venues opening up for Londoners to explore. It’s worth keeping tabs on the launch schedule because, now and then, the first through the door gets an extra treat.
