Top five best summer pop-ups

As summer continues in the capital, Brummell takes a look at five of the best seasonal openings in the city

Food and Drink 15 Aug 2019

The Glasshouse at The Gherkin's Table of Tastes by Perrier-Jouët
The Lillet Terrace at OXO Tower Bar
The Art of Travel by Searcys at St Pancras
Rosé Riviera at South Place Hotel
Coppa Club Tower Bridge

As we enter into the later stages of summer, London’s bars raise their game to lure in those looking for somewhere special to celebrate the season with a tipple or two. Read on to discover our top pick of pop-ups to visit in the city this month.

The Glasshouse at The Gherkin

The Glasshouse at The Gherkin

With spectacular panoramic views of the City, Searcys’ Iris Bar at the top of The Gherkin is already an impressive place to enjoy a glass (or bottle) of bubbly. But until 1 September there’s an extra reason to visit: Perrier-Jouët Champagne has transformed the bar into a botanical glasshouse, with floral blooms and trailing foliage adding a luscious ambience to the lofty space. Perrier-Jouët vintages, botanical gin-based cocktails and champagne masterclasses – featuring a tasting flight of three different cuvées – are all available, alongside a special summertime menu based around seasonal British produce.

For a further enhanced experience, The Table of Tastes by Perrier-Jouët sees one of The Gherkin’s private dining rooms decorated with a vibrant and flamboyant floral installation, inspired by the tasting notes of Perrier-Jouët champagnes. Bookings are available for three- or five-course tasting dinners, with Perrier-Jouët’s finest champagnes matched to enhance each course.

Reservations must be made in advance to visit The Glasshouse at The Gherkin; email searcysreception@searcys.co.uk to make a booking. Perrier-Jouët champagne masterclasses start from £40pp, prices for The Table of Tastes by Perrier-Jouët private dining experience on Level 38 start from £80pp for a minimum of two guests; searcysatthegherkin.co.uk

The Lillet Terrace at OXO Tower Bar

The Lillet Terrace at OXO Tower Bar

Bringing an air of French ‘joie de vivre’ to the maritime ambience of the South Bank’s OXO Tower Wharf is this summer’s Lillet Terrace at the OXO Tower Bar.

A wine-based apéritif with fruity aromas, Lillet hails from the small village of Podensac, south of Bordeaux in France, where it has been made using the same techniques since it was first created in the 19th century. Best enjoyed in cocktails such as the Lillet Spritz or a Vesper Martini, or served neat over ice with a fruit garnish, visitors to the pop-up will have the opportunity to discover the complete range of Lillet’s aromatised wines, which consists of three classics – Lillet Blanc, Rouge and Rosé – and two premium reserves: Réserve Jean de Lillet Blanc and Rouge.

Celebrating the tradition of the pre-dinner apéritif, with views across the River Thames to St Paul’s Cathedral and the City of London, the Lillet Terrace offers a perfect location to admire the majestic beauty of the city while marking the end of the day and start of the evening.

The Lillet Terrace pop-up at OXO Tower Bar is open every day until 18 August. Reservations can be made by calling +44 (0)20 7803 3888 and walk-ins are welcome; harveynichols.com/restaurant/the-oxo-tower/whats-on/lillet-terrace

The Art of Travel by Searcys at St Pancras

The Art of Travel by Searcys at St Pancras

As if the boutiques at St Pancras station aren’t already enough to tempt you to arrive at London’s most stylish railway station with plenty of time to spare, Searcys Champagne Bar has added another reason to lure you in extra early. The Art of Travel by Searcys is a special partnership with Veuve Clicquot champagne, heritage luggage brand Globe-Trotter and Sipsmith Gin, which sees a delicious, travel-inspired afternoon tea menu served to you in a stylish suitcase from Globe-Trotter’s new Riviera collection, while you relax in a comfortable, destination-themed booth, adjacent to the Eurostar concourse.

The menu highlights St Pancras’s international ambience – as London’s gateway to the continent – taking inspiration from European delicacies such as French Opera gâteau, Belgian white chocolate mousse and passion fruit Swiss meringue pie, accompanied by British afternoon tea classics such as egg mayonnaise buns, smoked salmon crumpets, ham and mustard sandwiches and homemade scones.

Guests are invited to enjoy a leisurely pre (or post) travel dining experience, where they will be able to push the famous Searcys ‘Press for Champagne’ button to request from a menu of Veuve Clicquot champagnes – which encompasses the house’s Yellow Label, Rosé, Extra Brut Extra Old and Rich Rosé cuvées – or to try the specially created Shade of Yellow cocktail, which pairs Veuve Cliquot champagne with Sipsmith’s Lemon Drizzle Gin, for a zesty pick-me-up.

The Art of Travel summer pop-up will be at St Pancras by Searcys until 9 September. The Afternoon Tea menu is available between 3-5pm, Monday to Saturday, £26pp. A Veuve Clicquot tasting trio is available for £27pp and on Friday 16 August Globe-Trotter brand ambassador Rocky Matsuura will host a 40-minute masterclass about how to pack your bag and look after your suitcase. Tickets for this event are £19pp and include a glass of sparkling wine; stpancrasbysearcys.co.uk/events/summer-events

Rosé Riviera at South Place Hotel

Rosé Riviera at South Place Hotel

The aptly named Secret Garden at South Place Hotel has just about hacked summer. Cocooned on the first floor of D&D’s sultry first hotel venture, the stone oasis features an impressive, fully retractable roof, making it the perfect place to catch the sun post-work or get away from the world – and the British weather. For the summer season, the bar has partnered with Provençal winery, Minuty to bring a taste of Saint-Tropez to the heart of the City.

Celebrating the launch of the new limited-edition M by Minuty bottle, the Secret Garden has been transformed into the ‘Rosé Riviera’, a sunlight sud-French salon serving a selection of Minuty wines, gin and champagne under a gorgeous floral canopy. Sip on a chilled glass of light and bright M by Minuty rosé wine made with the highest-quality grapes, take in the beautiful florals and creeping vines reminiscent of Minuty’s vineyard, and be transported to the stunning South of France. Throughout August Rosé Rivieria will be also be hosting a series of Côte d’Azur- themed outdoor screenings, including Ridley Scott’s A Good Year, classic Bonjour Tristesse and The Talented Mr Ripley.

The Rosé Rivieria pop-up at South Place Hotel runs until 1 September. The Secret Garden operates on a first-come, first-served basis. To reserve a space, email chophouse@southplacehotel.com, or call +44 (0)20 3215 1270; southplacehotel.com/eat-and-drink/secret-garden

Coppa Club Tower Bridge

Coppa Club Tower Bridge

The words ‘summer in London’ and ‘cabana’ are rarely featured in the same sentence, so when they are it’s usually for something worth paying attention to. Cue Coppa Club’s riverside retreat, whose seven standalone igloos have been newly remodelled as Surfer Shacks for the summer season.

Located on the South Bank of the River Thames, the custom-made timber cabanas offer stunning views of London’s famous Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast, The Shard – and Insta-worthy sunsets. This season, tropical plants, surfboards, and sun-friendly sliding doors will take you to a surfer’s paradise.

A limited number of cabanas are available to book for groups of up to 10 people. For bookings, please visit coppaclub.co.uk/towerbridge and arrange your visit via the online portal. Walk-ins are available on a first-come, first-served basis.