Gallery
Kitchen
Bar / Coffee Shop
Public Areas
Neighbourhood
Things To Do In London In May
With so much to do and see in London, it’s easy to be blinded by the possibilities and miss the good stuff. That’s where we come in: we’ve compiled a list of the 12 best things to do in London this May.
Music & Comedy
Basement Jaxx source: BBC
Whatever the weather, whatever your cup of tea, with hundreds of venues across the city, there will always be something that will tickle your fancy and get your feet moving.
The Ministry of Sound kick off May with a duo that need no introduction: UK dance institution, Basement Jaxx. We challenge you to keep your feet plastered to the floor when the dance classic ‘Do Your Thing’ drops. The night is curated by Doorly, the man who brought us The 2 Bears and joining them is Andy Butler. All 3 of these class acts will step up to the decks of the best sound system in London.
This new bi-monthly night will showcase undiscovered comedy talent, seasoned pros and big-news headliners. It kicks off on the 6th with the quirky headliner, Bec Hill, who found YouTube fame and now has cult status both in the UK and Australia. Expect big things from this line up, some of whom have performed alongside the likes of Alan Davies, Jimmy Carr and Julian Barratt.
After a sunny spring day wandering the streets of London, Belle & Sebastian’s on-point vocal harmonies and surreal melodies will ease your weary feet and revive your evening. Often revered by critics as a defining indie folk group, pre the Bon Iver and Mumford & Sons storm, Belle & Sebastian have a unique sound that has a solid underground respect. Whether you’ve heard of them or not, you won’t be disappointed – if only just because of the impressive setting of Central Hall, Westminster.
Hailing from the big smoke itself, this five-piece indie-electro band is a feast for the ears with a delectable mash of vocals, synths, guitars, percussion, drum machines, bass, flugelhorns and steel pans. Expect energy and an infectious beat from start to end in an impossibly cool venue.
Daniel Avery’s Divided Love Residency returns to Fabric. He has curated an impressive line up of artists that inspire his passion for music, including the melodic, high-energy Simian Mobile Disco and the legendary Luke Vibert. Fabric is a music institution, which showcases everything from their own resident DJs, to underground DJ talent, to internationally renowned electronic music legends. It is unpredictable and compelling and a must-visit for any electronic music heads out there.
One of the single most-important funk/punk/disco/hip-hop outfits of all time, ESG began life on the streets of Harlem. The Scroggins sisters have graced venues all over the world including the opening of the Hacienda nightclub. Their shows are nothing short of phenomenal and will never disappoint.
Exhibitions
MCM Comic Con source: geeksyndicate
This annual festival is a fantastic opportunity to explore arts, culture, history and heritage in a way you’ve never experienced before. These 3 days will be packed with inspiring after-hours events, from treasure trails to sleepovers. Although not to be mistaken for the Ben Stiller movie, you can still expect history to come alive.
House of waxworks, Madame Tussauds is bringing to life the sets and scenes of your favourite Star Wars films, in a unique, immersive experience. This exhibition opens on Saturday 16th May and will feature 16 of the most famous heroes and villains in scenes from some of the most iconic moments featured in Star Wars Episodes I – VI.
Bringing together sci-fi, movies, gaming, anime, comics and more, London’s MCM Comic Con draws in tens of thousands of pop-culture followers. Energetic fans in intricate fancy dress, from Steampunk to manga to the your classic DC and Marvel. Expect exclusive sneak previews, a friendly crowd and a buzz so electric that you’ll be as excited as a giggling school kid as you approach the entrance of the vast ExCeL Centre.
Foodies & Festivals
Urban Food Fest source: knowlondon
This beauty is right on our doorstep at The Dictionary Hostel. If you’re with us on any Saturday night in May, it’s definitely worth taking a look at this extravaganza of street food. You’ll be spoilt for choice, from Caribbean to Thai to Italian, from craft ales to cocktails, everyone will find something to their taste. If you’re lucky, you may even catch it on a theme night.
You can find this inside the Old Truman Brewery just off the cool-kid hangout of Brick Lane. Housing around 150 independent traders, this is definitely one of the most creative and imaginative markets that London has on offer. It has everything: from high fashion clothing and handmade jewellery, to Spanish paellas and hand-rolled Sushi. Prepare for achy feet, a full stomach and magpie-like yearning as you wander round this market.
Kicking off on the 4th May, the Rooftop Film Club in Shoreditch is immensely popular with tourists and Londoners alike. So, move fast if you want to grab a comfy seat and nab yourself a set of their high-quality headphones! With the likes of cult classic Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and recent releases like Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel, it has something for everyone. Grab some fabulous food and sit back and enjoy a film under the stars, on a warm summer’s evening.
This promises to be the best new independent music and arts festival in London, and the first summer party of the year. Expect it to be alive with energy, with sounds of Folk, Rock, Soul, R’n’B and Beatboxing over two stage areas, alongside live art and body painting. What’s more, it’s all for a good cause – the festival is supporting Fresh2O, an charity dedicated to bringing fresh water to more than 2.5 billion people who have no access to sanitary water.
There is so much on offer in London this summer – it’s overwhelming! Download the Dictionary Hostel App for Apple and Android for more events and tips. Or, if you would like tips or advice on any of the other amazing stuff going on, just ask one of our team. Tweet us @thedictionary and we’ll help you find the right event for your stay!