LONDON - DS taking Girlfriend, suggestions on what to do

[Longingforthesummer]

DS is taking his girlfriend in a couple of weeks for birthday. Staying 1 night, Friday, back Saturday. Both young...18 and 19. He's asked me to help book a few things to do as neither of them really know London or whats on.

He wants to take her for a nice evening meal Sat night he says somewhere trendy, skybarish type place OR a Show.

Im trying guide him by saying...
Hotel check out on Sat is 11am...so a very long day plus they will have luggage. Last train home is 10.30pm so Show on Sat isnt doable.

Im going to suggest they do the above Friday. Go straight to hotel drop bags off
Go exploring, then maybe show Friday night or fancy meal.

They both like Harry Potter so could do on the Friday...the Cursed Child (is that the name?) I believe is 2pm then 7pm inbetween they could go for a meal. The Sat they could do a nice late lunch, then back home.

Any other suggestions!

They’d be lucky to get Cursed Child tickets this late. Visit Leavesden Studios maybe? It also gets booked up quickly.

Done the tour and plenty of tickets left for the Friday just looked

They could try the TKTS booth Leicester Square for late availability, also online a day ahead, or Todaytix. A look ahead now might give a feel for what shows are more likely, HP unlikely to be one. There are themed walks from Leicester Square though. Alternatively the restaurant/bar on the Shard is supposed to be nice. Might be worth looking at prices ahead online to avoid a nasty surprise. Where are they staying?

Borough Market for food
Bermondsey beer mile for some of the best beer brewed outside of Queens, LA or Manchester (weirdly)

I know Camden Market is quite popular for somewhere to go

Where are they staying? Which train line will they come in from?

I haven't been since pre-covid, but Aqua shard could be an option. Its a bar and restaurant in the shard. Going at lunch is cheaper than dinner, but that's £44 a head set menu, or £80 with wine pairing! This might be outside his budget though. 0024AS-Lunch-ALCD_230518.pdf (aquashard.co.uk)

A 2nd option is still going there, but just to the bar. When I last went, you didn't need a reservation just to have a drink. The views are amazing and saves on paying to go to the viewing platform further up. They could have a drink, see the views, then go somewhere more reasonably priced for a meal.

If he is wanting something a bit theatrical/different for a meal, Benihana might be an option. Its a Teppanyaki restaurant where they cook the meal on the hot plate in front of the table, balance eggs in their hat, flip things, dodge flames etc. I went to the Covent Garden branch which is near the theatres. Their early bird meal is reasonably priced, especially if going to a show afterwards. Covent Garden, UK - Benihana (benihanainternational.com)

Anymore suggestions for quirky restaurants please?

where are they staying?

French restaurant with fixed price menu www.brasseriezedel.com/our-menus/ , near Piccadilly Circus and theatres.

Kingly court is great for a wander around for food. It’s a big food court with lots of different foods. Not posh but interesting and well positioned to catch a snack on the way through.

https://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/speedboat-bar

This is a good, fun place for nice Thai food and drinks- very buzzy and also close to the Cursed Child if they do that.

https://www.inamo-restaurant.com/
https://www.wearefairgame.com/

What about Duck & Waffle for food

Bear in mind that the Curaed Child is in two parts, so they either need to see both or go back another time.

Where are they staying?

Cursed child is 2 shows so would take up a lot of time.

How about another musical on the Friday night? Hotel- should be able to store luggage.

They could do all the usual touristy things.

Borough market is cool. Walk along south bank to tower bridge.