London - Fun thing for teens to do between South Ken and Waterloo

[MrsAird]

We'll have a bit of time after the V&A / Natural History Museum before going to a show in the evening at the National Theatre.

Any suggestions for something offbeat, quirky, interesting, maybe historical (but not another museum) for teenagers?

Maybe a cool restaurant for an early dinner - any suggestions?

The London dungeon is round Waterloo - do you think they’d fancy that?

Royal Festival hall sometimes has free concerts or arty things in the lobby - worth checking out what’s on. There’s also restaurants as part of the complex - strada and giraffe are reliable chain restaurants, or there’s a restaurant round the back of the building but I can’t remember what it’s called. Or further along towards Blackfriars there’s some restaurants at Gabriel’s Wharf, or if you feel like spending £££ there’s the Oxo Tower!

Depending on the time of year, there’s sometimes a foodie market round there, and in the summer there’s a comedy stage.

All good ideas, thanks. I think I might just fill them with food and drink, generally a safe bet.
There is every chance that we will end up leaving home at least an hour later than I've planned, so I guess it's best to be relaxed about these trips!
In a few years they'll be good companions for a short stop off in a pub, but at present that would amount to me talking to myself while they fiddle with their phones.

The “Banksy” Tunnel, actually called the Leake St tunnel.

Legal graffiti area, take your own cans or just take photos.

www.google.co.uk/search?q=leake+st+tunnel&client=safari&channel=iphone_bm&prmd=minv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiurKquwILgAhUGURUIHUy2A1wQ_AUoAnoECA0QAg&biw=375&bih=553

Coolest place for Instagram pics in London. And it’s free! Under Waterloo station.

Through the other side of the tunnel in Lower Marsh are some really cool coffee shops, a couple were voted the best in London in previous years. Scooter cafe also worth a look.

Some places to eat in the tunnel too and if it’s raining you’ll keep dry!

Ah Fusioluxe that's perfect!

I seem to remember many decades ago there was a jazz club in a tunnel just by Waterloo, I wonder if it's the same place?

A short walk from the museums is the elan cafe (there are 2 in Knightsbridge) it’s the instagramable cafe of the moment! Food is nice enough ( not spectacular) but look it up on Instagram there are millions of pictures due to the very pink interiors!

This is one of the restaurants in the tunnel, Vietnamese food

www.banhbaobrothers.com/

Not sure what else is there at the moment they tend to have pop up places doing a short run. Lower marsh has some very cheap Chinese etc also.

Re Jazz place, you may be thinking of the Archduke on Concert Hall Approach. That’s still there. About 5 minutes walk from the tunnel.

That Elan cafe is bonkers!

I think you may be right about the Archduke, it's been a while since I was around there.

If you go to the Elan cafe go to the one on Hans crescent rather than the one further up, it has a fairground ride horse & the giant live heart sweets on the walls. I took Dd just for a bit of cake & so she could take selfies - it whiles away half an hour & the cake is good!

If you’re on a budget, Marie’s Cafe (Thai food and fry ups) on Lower Marsh is cheap for London. Looks dodgy (proper east end caff) but has 5 on the “scores on the doors” site for hygiene and health and safety!

mariescafe.co.uk/
mariescafe.co.uk/menu/

Make sure to go and watch the skaters on the South Bank (between the Festival
hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall). It depends who’s there but if you’re a teenager it’s very cool and unique.

Gabriel’s Wharf and the Oxo building have interesting craftspeople and shops.

these are all fab, thank you so much