December 1st is here which means the festive season is officially in full swing, mulled wine and mince pies for everyone! ‘Tis the season, after all – it’d be rude not to. 

Perform and persevere
Queendom follows queer artist, Gena Marvin who dresses in otherworldly costumes made from junk and tape, protesting the government on the streets of Moscow. The 21-year-old hails from a remote town in Russia called Magadan, an outpost of the Soviet gulag in which anyone challenging what is considered to be the norm is subject to discrimination. Intending to alter people’s perception of beauty, queerness and the LGBTQ+ community through her public performances, often putting her own life at risk in an attempt to stop harassment of the queer community. Agniia Galdanova’s film follows Gena as she continues to perform and persevere, expressing all the inner workings of her psyche despite adversity.

Queendom is out in cinemas now. 

Pictures of Us
Curated by Lewis Dalton Gilbert, Gathering’s latest exhibition Pictures of Us is a meditation on the shared human experience. Comprised of a line-up of artists whose works sit on the spectrum between photography and film, Jess T. Dugan’s intimate portraiture is exhibited alongside the multi-faceted videography of Matthew Arthur Williams. While each artist can create a unique dialogue, working in conversation with one another equips the showcase with the ability to dissect the human condition from the inside out and leave no stone unturned.

Pictures of Us rund at Gathering until 13th January 2024, more info here. 

New opening
Opened just earlier this month, Broadwick Soho is the latest hot spot on London’s hotel scene. Of course, we’d highly recommend an overnight stay but if you’re happier in your own bed and in a not quite as fluffy robe, then the new digs have plenty of other things on offer. The basement is home to Dear Jackie which throws Italy’s Dolce Vita ethos together with the opulence of shimmering disco, and the kitchen is headed up by Harry Faddy whose credentials include stints at The River Cafe and Aquavit.

Bar Jackie is Dear Jackie’s more chilled-out counterpart, an all-day street-level bar and terrace which serves up a mean negroni. Elsewhere, the maximalist interiors of Flute Bar are a must-see and the ground floor is home to The Nook, a resident’s only lounge complete with a cosy fireplace, vintage novels and an extensive vinyl collection (all the more reason to check yourself in).

Broadwick Soho is located at 20 Broadwick Street, W1F 8HT, more info here. 

Studio portraits
London-based photographer Brynley Odu Davies’ is contributing to the canon of studio portraiture, turning a contemporary lens on an age-old tradition for Guts Gallery’s latest exhibition. Accompanied by a publication made in collaboration with Trolley Books, Davies’ studio portraits from 2020-2023 document some of the capital’s most prominent young artists at work, granting us access to the studios and psyches of London’s newest talent.

New Now runs at Guts Gallery until 7th February 2024, more info here. 

Sarnie slay
It wouldn’t be December without a little festive treat now, would it? The Sleigher is arriving on the menu at The Black Pig in Borough Market and it’s a seasonal sarnie not to be missed. Filled to the brim with all the trimmings and served between thick slices of ciabatta, fillings include slow-roasted pork, smoked turkey, cinnamon-braised red cabbage, topped with toasted pecan, sage and crispy shallot crumble, cranberry sauce and confit leek mayonnaise. To make it better than ever, this year The Black Pig has added a pot of chicken gravy so you can dunk to your heart’s content.

The Black Pig is located at Borough Market, check out their Instagram here. 

Freak Like Me
London’s newest venue Drumsheds is welcoming False Idols on a Saturday, a night celebrating the eclectic electronic music community with a line-up comprised of the likes of Shygirl, Job Jobse, Eliza Rose, Josh Caffé and everyone’s favourite 00s girl band Sugababes. If you haven’t graced the cavernous ex-IKEA warehouse just yet, we’d suggest there couldn’t be a more perfect inaugural event than one soundtracked by the banger that is Push The Button. 

More info here.  

Queeriosities
Curated by Davy Pittoors, Queeriosities is returning to the Museum of the Home for a winter edition this weekend following the success of May’s inaugural event. Bringing together over 40 LGBTQIA+ artists, makers, and small businesses, each creative will explore their relationship between identity and home through a unique lens – names to note include Ettore Larsen, Daisy Blower, Gavin Dobson and Ben Sutton.

Queeriosities will run at Museum of the Home until December 3rd, more info here. 

One-stop shop
Australian streetwear brand Ksubi is bringing artist Slawn’s famed East London cafe BeauBeau’s to Carnaby Street this weekend. A limited drop of Ksubi x BeauBeaus T-shirts designed by the man himself will be available to shop alongside Jollf Rice aplenty and free-flowing drinks.

A new gem
Opening its doors this week, Sune is the latest addition to Broadway Market’s ever-growing foodie scene. The newest venture from renowned sommelier Honey Spencer and partner Charlie Sims, Sune is setting out to offer the best of British produce for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Designed with a paired backed interior, floor-to-ceiling windows look out over Broadway Market and the Regent’s Canal and each table is dressed in a simple white tablecloth – très chic. Doors open in the morning to the smell of freshly baked bread and brewing coffee before offering up an à la carte menu of dishes such as stracciatella with charred bread and shellfish, kabocha squash with red miso and bergamot, and a dairy beef tartare Rockefeller toastie. Take your friends before everyone finds out about this one.

Sune is located at 129A Pritchard’s Road, E2 9AP, more info here. 

Paris in the city
Café Lapérouse, the Parisian destination restaurant has opened its doors to London’s Whitehall. Located in the Courtyard of the newly opened The OWO Hotel, the decadent interiors are inspired by the travels of French explorer Jean-François de Lapérouse, brought to life by Art Director Cordélia de Castellane, renowned for her work with Maison Dior. On the menu are quintessentially French classics such as Gratinée Des Halles onion soup, traditional beef tartare with matchstick fries, duck pâté en croûte with foie gras and creme brulée to finish.

Café Lapérouse is located at Courtyard at The OWO, 7 Horse Guards Ave, SW1A 2EX, more info here.