Gallery Hopping and Eatery Exploring

Lunch

José Pizarro at The RA

London’s much-loved Spanish chef José Pizarro – who owns and runs the acclaimed José Pizarro group of restaurants has opened a new vibrant day offering at what he describes as “London’s most precious and prestigious art space”: the Royal Academy of Arts. Upstairs at The Royal Academy of Arts, José Pizarro at the RA, is a seated restaurant located in the Dorfman Senate Rooms, the perfect lunch or afternoon drinks spot for art and food lovers alike with a menu centred around high-quality produce and the best of Spanish cooking.

José Pizarro at the RA | Royal Academy of Arts, 6 Burlington Gardens 1st floor Senate Room, London W1J 0PE

Exhibition

Summer Exhibition at The RA

Celebrate the world's most joyful exhibition, Yinka Shonibare and a panel of artist have coordinated this year's collection under the theme ‘Reclaiming Magic’. Find the art you love from over 1,300 works as icons and up-and-coming artists share the stage as part of this exhibition.

A celebration of contemporary art and architecture the Summer Exhibition is an exhibition in which anyone can enter their work - leading artists, household names, new and emerging talent – and it provides a platform for the artistic community to showcase what they’re doing.

This year, you’ll find work by Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Michael Armitage, Jade Montserrat, Hew Locke, Rita Keegan and Alvaro Barrington, plus work by self-taught artists such as Frantz Lamothe, Bärbel Lange and Marie-Rose Lortet. That’s on top of an Architecture Room curated by David Adjaye RA, an accompanying sound programme, new works by Phyllida Barlow RA, William Kentridge RA and many more, not to mention brilliant art submitted by members of the public.

22 September 2021 — 2 January 2022 | Royal Academy of Arts

Drinks

Cocktails at The May Fair

To celebrate all of the Japanese seasons, the May Fair Bar has partnered with the House of Suntory's Roku Gin to create a bespoke menu of cocktails. Indulge in flavoursome botanical drinks surrounded by blooming interiors to celebrate the Japanese seasons with blush-hued cherry blossom accompanied by contemporary pan-Asian small plates to sate your appetite and feel as though you have been transported to the streets of Japan.

The May Fair Bar | Berkeley St, London W1J 8LT

Gallery Hop

West End Gallery Hop

London’s West End galleries mark the peak of the October art season with the autumn edition of the West End Gallery HOP! on Thursday 14 October.

Over 50 galleries across Mayfair, St James’s, Soho, Fitzrovia, and Marylebone will open until 8pm for visitors to ‘hop’ from gallery to gallery during the evening.

The Gallery HOP! has been a highlight of the Mayfair Art Weekend June event and Art of London is delighted to work in collaboration with Mayfair Art Weekend to present this West End Gallery HOP! Galleries will be welcoming visitors outside of their regular opening hours, and can experience a series of self-guided and guided tours to encourage visitors to see as many galleries and as much art as possible.

We will be announcing the participating galleries soon - so watch this space!

14 October | London's West End

Dinner

Aperitivo at Aquavit

Situated in the heart of St James’s Market, step-up your evenings at Aquavit London with the launch of its new Aperitivo Hour. Perfect for after-work drinks, post-shopping pit stops and long overdue catch ups with friends, head for the terrace or the bar and enjoy a dish and a drink for just £15, from 4pm – 6pm, Tuesday through to Saturday.

Welcome in the evening with the refreshing Scandinavian Lakesderyck, made with aquavit, Pimms and lemonade; or, keep it simple with a classic Aperol or Campari summertime spritz. A selection of beers and house wines is also available, alongside non-alcoholic choices.

Alongside your tempting tipple, take your pick from a range of delicious Nordic-inspired small plates. These include the Aquavit’s signature langoustine bao buns; Swedish meatballs with lingonberry jam; pickled mushrooms with parsley; and a traditional open rye sandwich topped with either shrimp skagen, gravlax with mustard & dill, or new potatoes and cod roe butter.

Aquavit | 1 St James's Market, Carlton St, St. James's, London SW1Y 4QQ