Birthday alone in London

[thinnerdinner]

I will be spending my birthday alone this year and a little sad no family or friend can spend it with me. But, I am determined to make a big deal of it for myself, so was wondering if someone had ideas on what to do in London?

Not keen on spas or anything relaxing, as I am keen to see people! Are there any outdoor eating restaurants/cafes in London that will take a single person (considering limited seating these days)? What else can I do in London that could be fun and different, and slightly special?

Regents Park open air theatre opens in June and runs until September. There’s a large bar at the theatre which serves a good Pimm’s (and champagne too, I’m sure)!
Talking of Regents Park, if you want to do something fun and different, you could do a zookeeper/animal experience at London Zoo.

I had a birthday alone in London years ago as I was having job interviews. I loved it.

Lots of seating around Covent Garden to people watch or how about a market like spitalfields, borough or south bank. They're always busy and the food is delicious. Oh and Camden market as well. And Greenwich market. There's a lovely walk to the top of the hill in Greenwich park with a fab view. It's always busy.

Not sure about restaurant bookings for one but where I live in London all the places are quite booked up especially at weekends

Hope you have a great birthday.

Some good ideas already on this thread. Can we ask when your birthday is? as that will give us an idea as to whether more lockdown restrictions will have been lifted.

Thanks everyone! The birthday is soon-ish so won’t have any more restrictions lifted. Cinema/theatre would have been nice but they won’t be open. I was hoping to do Soho/Covent Garden but outdoor seating at restaurants is so limited I don’t feel taking a table for myself! Maybe markets are a better bet.

Riverside walk followed by a delicious lunch? Boat trip? Cocktail in a fab roof top bar?

@Fivemoreminutes1

Regents Park open air theatre opens in June and runs until September. There’s a large bar at the theatre which serves a good Pimm’s (and champagne too, I’m sure)! Talking of Regents Park, if you want to do something fun and different, you could do a zookeeper/animal experience at London Zoo.

What brilliant ideas. Though zookeeper experiences are like gold dust. You have to book them months in advance.

You could go down to Borough Market and graze the food stalls there. It's very busy with people and there's everything from street food to champagne bars, chocolatiers etc. It has a fun buzzy atmosphere. Also, the walk along the river to get there is lovely. The buskers are coming back so there should be some people watching to do.

You could also stroll around Covent Garden market and have coffee at the patio cafe where the string quartet play while you read. Or go to Hatchards in Piccadilly, buy a lovely novel or notebook, head into Green Park or St James and find a sunny spot to have coffee while you read or make plans in the notebook. (My idea of heaven.)

Are you coming into London for the day? Maybe take a knapsack with a small blanket or cushion to sit on so you’ll be more independent. Markets and food stalls are your friends. I haven’t been back to the Southbank yet but friends went recently and said there is a fair bit of life. Thames clippers are running and good fun. You could get a day pass and hop on/off along the river, and walk in between when you fancy it.
The Globe Theatre offers guided tours - they can’t do shows yet but might be interesting just to see the amazing building.
The Thames clipper can then take you to Greenwich, again lots to see near the river and in the surrounding parks. Lots of people! Not the best place if you’re anxious about crowds, especially on a sunny weekend day, but it’s all in the fresh air.
Wishing you a happy birthday and nice weather!
If it rains the whole thing becomes a lot more complicated as most indoor venues are still closed to the public as far as I know.
Covered markets such as Spitalfields might be an option, there are food offerings there too and it’s an interesting area just to walk around, but I’m not sure what it currently looks like.

@Bionicname

Are you coming into London for the day? Maybe take a knapsack with a small blanket or cushion to sit on so you’ll be more independent. Markets and food stalls are your friends. I haven’t been back to the Southbank yet but friends went recently and said there is a fair bit of life. Thames clippers are running and good fun. You could get a day pass and hop on/off along the river, and walk in between when you fancy it. The Globe Theatre offers guided tours - they can’t do shows yet but might be interesting just to see the amazing building. The Thames clipper can then take you to Greenwich, again lots to see near the river and in the surrounding parks. Lots of people! Not the best place if you’re anxious about crowds, especially on a sunny weekend day, but it’s all in the fresh air. Wishing you a happy birthday and nice weather! If it rains the whole thing becomes a lot more complicated as most indoor venues are still closed to the public as far as I know. Covered markets such as Spitalfields might be an option, there are food offerings there too and it’s an interesting area just to walk around, but I’m not sure what it currently looks like.

No no I live in London but haven't really been out anywhere except gardens and parks recently. I love doing the markets (Borough market was my go-to during lockdown) and walking along the river, but it would be nice to combine something 'special' along with that..

Honestly it’s fine to take a table to yourself. I do it all the time. There’s no stigma around that at all.

@Cowbells

You could go down to Borough Market and graze the food stalls there. It's very busy with people and there's everything from street food to champagne bars, chocolatiers etc. It has a fun buzzy atmosphere. Also, the walk along the river to get there is lovely. The buskers are coming back so there should be some people watching to do.

You could also stroll around Covent Garden market and have coffee at the patio cafe where the string quartet play while you read. Or go to Hatchards in Piccadilly, buy a lovely novel or notebook, head into Green Park or St James and find a sunny spot to have coffee while you read or make plans in the notebook. (My idea of heaven.)

Wonderful ideas, thank you. I also love the idea of a novel from Hatchards, park and coffee. Entirely my comfort zone though!

Outdoor champagne is brilliant, adding that in too.

@SmidgenofaPigeon

Honestly it’s fine to take a table to yourself. I do it all the time. There’s no stigma around that at all.

I completely agree with this btw. A small table for two but just you? No problem. Especially if you order a glass of champagne and something to eat. The cafe would make more than from two people gossiping over coffees if that's what you are worried about.

You are absolutely entitled to have a table as much as anyone else. Try and treat yourself to a lovely evening meal somewhere. I would book in advance. A lovely dinner and cocktails!

During the day going on the Water taxi is amazing. I wonder if the Tate Modern have anything going on outside? Or go to Greenwich for a wander?

I hope you have a lovely birthday!

I'd be sure to not place unnecessary expectations on the day, and trying to make it extra special and instead would spend a lovely day doing exactly what I wanted but wouldn't usually treat myself to or make the time for.

Lie in, open any presents and make/receive any bday calls or texts if they come, river walk or something like the pergola gardens with some posh picnic bits from a market, stop by a lovely book shop en route to pick something up to read.

Later on I'd probably do a bit of birthday shopping and get something lovely, treat myself to a pampering bath at home and order whatever the heck I wanted on just eat.

I've spent several birthdays alone and love it, it's just about having a nice day I think and doing what you want not what you feel you should do and not using the day to dwell on what you should have or be doing. It's just another day at the end of the day, and isn't of any more or less value because a person might spend it alone.

And far more relaxing to have a table booked somewhere nice than walk around with street food finding somewhere to sit! If it were me I’d pick one of the more upmarket hotels or roof terraces, because I’d not care to sit with a big rowdy group getting pissed. The Trafalgar st James for example, and have champagne while reading something good and just taking in the view.

I haven't been to Covent garden since before the the lockdown, but if the street entertainers are there I would happily take a table on my own with a nice lunch and a glass of wine and watch the world go by.

Is it a weekend or midweek? Especially if it’s midweek you shouldn’t overthink the busyness of the restaurant, IME most places are busy but not 100% full. It’s your birthday, if they’ll let you book a table for 1 then go for it. And eat early before the streets get lairy and the temperature gets too chilly for it to be fun sitting out side.

Personally I’d go for Bao in Soho which is actually easier to get into than in the old days because they’ve taken over the street. Or Tavolino at More London which does lovely casual Italian food and has the most gorgeous view.

If you like Borough Market why not try Hawker, Kerb or Mercato Metropolitano,

What about an architectural walking tour?

@user1471538283

You are absolutely entitled to have a table as much as anyone else. Try and treat yourself to a lovely evening meal somewhere. I would book in advance. A lovely dinner and cocktails!

During the day going on the Water taxi is amazing. I wonder if the Tate Modern have anything going on outside? Or go to Greenwich for a wander?

I hope you have a lovely birthday!

Thank you!

I know, and I eat out alone all the time in London, but all restaurants seem to have gone reservation-only, and they let you reserve only for a minimum of 2.