5 amazing things to see at the Barbican’s 1996 exhibition May 6, 2026 Ahead of the Toast the City 2026 Awards, we spotlight the venues to put on your radar this spring. Here, we look at the Barbican’s arresting new 1996 exhibition It is heralded as the peak of the Britpop era: the Spice Girls and Oasis were holding the front pages, and the country was on the brink of [...]
The Square Mile rooftop bar you’ve probably never tried May 6, 2026 Ahead of the Toast the City 2026 Awards, we meet the venues to put on your radar this spring Have you made time for Madison, sipped at Sabine and quaffed at Coq d’Argent? Then it’s time to try another of the Square Mile’s fabulous rooftop bars you probably haven’t heard of. Florattica is on the [...]
Alex Dilling: Mastering the art of French cooking May 6, 2026 After honing his craft under two titans of French cooking, Alex Dilling now presides over one of London’s most refined dining rooms. His double Michelin-starred restaurant at Hotel Café Royal is a masterclass in modern haute cuisine, writes Carys Sharkey. As a teenager in sunny, expansive California, Alex Dilling thought he’d be a punk rocker, [...]
This is how to choose between Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris May 6, 2026 While on Alan Carr and Lee Peart’s podcast Bottoms Up recently, Peart asked me what is the difference between Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris. I replied, “one of them is drinkable”, which was perhaps a little unfair. It is true I would never choose to drink Pinot Grigio, but it remains one of the most [...]
Toast the City winner: The Rising Sun on what makes a great pub May 5, 2026 At the inaugural Toast the City Awards, one of the most amazing moments was seeing Sheila Dixon, one half of the husband and wife team behind City pub the Rising Sun, shed a tear as she collected our award for Best Boozer. The Rising Sun is one of those pubs where everyone feels like a [...]
Forget France and Germany – why Spain is ideal for a river cruise May 5, 2026 Elevate your European river cruise by taking the waterways to Spain I must admit I hadn’t read through the full itinerary of the last day of our Croisi river cruise. So, it was a revelation coming face to face with three life size replicas of the ships that took Christopher Colombus to the New World. [...]
Lectures in pubs are selling out. Sorry Michael Gove – experts are back May 5, 2026 Once shunned by a populace 'tired of experts', a new generation is embracing intellectualism with personal curriculums and lectures for leisure.
What’s on in London in May May 1, 2026 May in London is bursting with energy, and Central London Alliance’s go-to guide is here to help you make the most of it. From hands-on workshops and thrilling sporting events to activities the whole city can enjoy, this is your monthly roundup of the very best London has to offer. Whether you’re a seasoned local [...]
My Alps adventure holiday with endless high-octane thrills May 1, 2026 Simon Miller on an Alps adventure holiday stuffed with high-octane adventuring I’m never going to argue that a good book and a sun lounger isn’t a winning summer holiday formula, but go on enough of those trips and the novelty starts to wane. Seen one swim up bar, you’ve seen them all. I wanted to [...]
The Inner Table podcast host: Why it’s wrong to demonise alcohol April 30, 2026 Our wine columnist Libby Brodie has teamed up with her friend Anna Lancaster to launch a new podcast exploring the meeting point between wellness, wine and food. We caught up with her to ask what we can expect from The Inner Table: The Art of Living Well. Why does The Inner Table stand apart from [...]