London

Music
Rather than standing in the capital’s sweatboxes, try a gig at Somerset House. The Feeling (July 17), Duffy (July 18) and Adele (July 19) all play the Summer Series, while beguiling, elfin folkstrel Joanna Newsom plays there on July 20.

Folk in eveningwear will attend Holland Park Opera to see ‘La Gioconda’ and ‘Iolanta’ between July 22 and August 9, or visit Hyde Park’s Proms in the Park on September 13. If it rains, or you’re hungry, there’s free music (folk, jazz and world) in St Christopher’s Place, just off Oxford Street, until August 23 (see www.stchristophersplace.com for listings).

Check our music listings for more London gigs or check our gig guide to find out what's coming up in the next few months. Plus, see our guide to the best London music festivals this summer.

And if you fancy venturing further afield, check out our summer festivals microsite.


Nightlife
We should be thankful that London doesn’t have outdoor clubs, or we’d all turn into Victor Meldrew. What the capital does have are clubs and bars with terraces and courtyard chill-out areas, like Egg’s (200 York Way, N7) AstroTurf area, 93 Feet East’s (150 Brick Lane, E1) courtyard and Bar 54’s (438 Mile End Road, E1) impressive beach. If it’s proper alfresco clubbing you want, though, you’ll need to set sail. The two we like are Coordinated-on-Thames 4: The Vikings Invade (house and breaks) on Saturday August 2 and Soulbrew Carnival (soul, funk, hip hop and disco) on Sunday August 24. Both take place onboard ‘The Golden Jubilee’ and depart from Temple Pier (Victoria Embankment, WC2).

Check our nightlife listings for more going out ideas in London.
Feature continues