Qype Does London 126: First Dates, Free Films & Fireworks

WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS WEEK?

We've been busy here at Qype HQ this week! QypeDeals will be launching in October, bringing you more ways to find it, share it and save with exclusive discounts in your area. Head here to sign up. And don't forget you can use our FollowMe feature to keep up-to-date with all the latest offers, events and news from your favourite businesses.

Elsewhere this week, we're giving away dinner for two at Hard Rock Café in Mayfair. Up for grabs is dinner from their Smokehouse range, plus Velvet Elvis cocktails, so click here for more details. The winner will be entered in a draw to win a trip to Nashville to celebrate Jack Daniels' birthday in style.

This week's banner image was taken by Isabell Schulz. Click here to take a peek at the original, or head here to see more of her photos.

FRIDAY

It’s festival Friday! This week's King's Place Festival will already be in full effect by Friday, with 100 performances at King’s Place over the weekend. Tickets are no more than £4.50 a pop, with Friday highlights including the economical '45 years of jazz in 45 minutes' show.

Meanwhile, further south, the Peckham and Nunhead Free Film Festival is the result of a group of dedicated local volunteers arranging an eclectic and exciting selection of films, with screenings at everything from cemeteries to multi-storey car parks (That's wrong on so many levels - Qype Ed).

Then there'll be a touch of the nautical but very nice at Thames Revival's yearly shindig (pictured) at St. Katherines Dock, celebrating vintage glamour, classic boats and the golden days of sailing. We have tickets up for grabs for Saturday’s splendid SS Atlantica, all aboard here to win.

SATURDAY

We’re going to the zoo, zoo, zoo and you can come too, too, too. This weekend, London Zoo make their animal-laden facilities accessible for all at their Children’s Day, with animal talks, guided 'Touch Tours' and a free bouncy castle!

Known to his mum and dad as Duncan Beiny, DJ Yoda has made something of a name for himself with his stunning live AV extravaganzas. On Saturday, he takes to the circular setting of Camden’s Roundhouse to present his myriad musical styles in exhilarating musical collages.

Later, as the clocks of Bethnal Green strike twelve, The Vintage Midnight Walk (pictured) will be traipsing the streets of east London decked out in all their vintage finery for a ten-mile charity walk in aid of two of the areas best-loved hospices.

AND BEYOND

On Sunday, South Bank will once again be rounding off a fun-packed, family-friendly weekend at the annual Mayor’s Thames Festival with a spectacular night carnival (pictured) and fireworks.

At Notting Hill’s Tabernacle on Monday, ten authors go head-to-head pitching book ideas at Unbound Live, the inaugural revolutionary publishing crowd-funding platform. Over at The Saatchi Gallery, there's a chance to Dine With Ruskin at an evening that explores his work as an art critic, social visionary, botanist, geologist and amateur artist, with a menu served up by the excellent Gallery Mess.

Finally this week, The Scoop is home to more free films as the More London Free Film Festival, with Alice In Wonderland as the first in a season of celluloid classics shown in the shadows of Tower Bridge.

QYPER OF THE WEEK

BE THE FIRST TO REVIEW

Elliot's Café is the latest addition to Borough Market's assortment of cute and quirky eateries. Brought to you by the proprietors of Victoria Park's Pavillion Café, almost all the ingredients are sourced from the market, featuring on a daily-changing menu that includes small plates, salads and sorbets.

You can't make reservations, so you'll have to amble down there early to bag a table, but they're open from 7.30am so if they're too busy by teatime, you can always nab breakfast instead, including fresh Square Mile coffee, sourdough bread and breakfast buns. Report back and tell us what we should try to be one step closer to bagging our Pioneer and Totally Wired badges.

P.S. Bravo to ErikME for getting in there first with last week's First to Review, Meatballs in Clerkenwell.

BEST OF LONDON

Got a hot date and in need of venue that's synonymous with seduction? Look no further than these ideas for that all-important first date:

For laidback but intimate boozing, try Kiss the Sky in Crouch End, or secret bar The Mayor of Scaredy Cat, hidden behind a fridge in The Breakfast Club. Avoid awkward silences with a ping pong showdown at Shoreditch's The Book Club, or head to nearby Lounge Lover for decadent décor and intoxicating cocktails.

Watch a film in one of the cosy alcoves at New Bloomsbury Set (pictured), or try Mediatheque at the BFI, where you can watch the films in their collection for free, or engage in some back row smooching at one of London's most romantic cinemas. For more suggestions, take a peek at our guide to London's most romantic places.