Peaceful Protest
Westminster
Guy Fawkes tried to vent his frustrations with lawmakers with a sackful of gunpowder. You can do it in a much more civilised manner by joininga peaceful protest orchestrated by the group, Anonymous. Thousands of campaigners are expectedto turn out at the Houses of Parliament to exercise their democratic right to free speech. Why not join them?
Sat, Nov 6. 6pm. FREE.
Palace of Westminster, SW1A 0AA
whatis-theplan.org
Tube: Westminster
Quiz Night Spectacular
Notting hill
How well do you know the history of Guy Fawkes? Do you know how fireworks are made? Well, round up five mates and get down to this west London boozer’s ‘Earth, Wind and Firework Quiz Spectacular Extravaganza’
to find out. As you race to answer brain-bending questions, sip scrumptious cocktails and tuck into the venue’s heaving food platters – it can only help. Even better, come wearing fancy dress and you’re in with a chance to win some booze. Hurrah!
Sun, Nov 6. 8.30pm-11.30pm. FREE.
Portobello Star, 71 Portobello Rd, W11 2DY
portobellostarbar.co.uk
Tube: Ladbroke Grove
Burlesque Afternoon Tease
City of London
It’ll be the stage, rather than the sky, sizzling on Bonfire Night at Volupté, where guests can enjoy a burlesque show featuring saucy performers Dinah Might and Ginger Blush, plus a spot of magic and comedy. This is only after tucking into a finger-licking ‘afternoon tease’ of coffee apple cake pops, brownies with fiery chili and, of course, lots of popping candy.
Nov 5-6. 2.30pm, 7pm, 10pm. £42.
Volupté, 9 Norwich Street, EC4A 1EJ
volupte-lounge.com
Tube: Chancery Lane
5/11
Fleet Street
Performed as part of the ‘PROTEST!’ series from The Tower Theatre company, this incendiary gunpowder plot thriller by Edward Kemp investigates the link between religious piety and acts of extreme violence.
Nov 1-5. £12.
Bridewell Theatre, Bride Lane, EC4Y 8EQ
stbridefoundation.org
Tube: Temple
Fireworks
Dulwich Park
Head to this display if only to see what the fuss was about after Southwark Council oddly tried to re-brand the event as a celebration of the changing of the seasons.
Fri, Nov 4. 6pm. FREE.
College Road, SE21 7BQ
Southwark.gov.uk
Tube: West Dulwich
The Roof Gardens
Kensington
This is a much more stylish way to enjoy fireworks. Sip cocktails, nibble on barbecued food, smoke a shisha and dance the night away underneath a cabana, among a rooftop garden six floors above the high street. Here, you will have a spectacular view of London’s skyline for the fireworks – so you can enjoy them without getting your feet muddy. The club has also planned its own display of dazzling pyrotechnics in the Spanish-themed garden, courtesy of tycoon Sir Richard Branson, who owns this rather cool venue.
Sat, Nov 5. £25.
99 High Street, W8 5SA
roofgardens.virgin.com
Tube: High Street Kensington
White Rabbit Guy Fawkes Special
Temple
A stone’s throw away from where Guy Fawkes was captured 400 years ago, DJs Kino Levi and Marvin Dez, promise some ‘audio fireworks’ with tunes infused with live bongos and jazz.
Sat, Nov 5. £12+
Bar & Co, WC2R 2PN
facebook.com/whiterabbitparties
Tube: Temple
Going for a Song
New Cross
If you’re going to head to a fireworks event, it means wrapping up warm. Make sure you at least looking trendy by heading to this market first. Held monthly from noon-6pm, this jumble sale is a hunting ground for wonderful vintage clothes and curious nik-naks, including T-shirts, shoes and old movie posters. At the same time as bagging a couple of bargains, listen to the sounds of talented musicians on an open mic. Finish off with a pub lunch and a pint, and you’ll be all set to brace a night of ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’.
Sat, Nov 5. FREE.
The Amersham Arms, 388 New Cross Road, SE14 6TY
theamershamarms.com
Tube: Deptford Bridge
Angie le Mar: In My Shoes
Soho
After a hit run in London, comedienne Angie Le Mar is to take her side-splitting one-woman show on a world tour. This is your last chance to catch her before she goes. Le Mar charts the perils and fortunes of six people whose lives are intricately woven: a spiritual guru; an OCD teenager; a lonely city executive; an unemployed wannabe model; a jaded actress clinging on to the past; and one of her previous stage characters from Women On The Edge, Falushilah Falashilay.
Until Sat, Nov 5. £17.50.
Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, W1D 3NE
sohotheatre.com
Tube: Tottenham Court Road
The Rosendale
West Dulwich
Ensconce yourself in the front beer garden of this south east London pub and do dinner al fresco-style. The heaters will be fired up so you can stick around when the temperature dips to watch fireworks. The kitchen will be dishing up burgers and hot dogs, plus mulled wine, hot chocolate and hot cider to warm your cockles.
Sat, Nov 5. FREE.
65 Rosendale Road, SE21 8EZ
therosendale.co.uk
Tube: West Dulwich
The Candlelight Club
Central London
Delve into a secret world completely lit by candles, and dripping with all the charm of the 1920s in this speakeasy, which is hosting two Bonfire Night special events. Expect fireworks, fire-eaters, ‘hot’ jazz from the band the Brass Volcanoes and bespoke cocktails – some smokey-flavoured and some fiery hot. Plus, there’ll be burgers and hot dogs for when the munchies hit. Glam up.
Nov 4-5. £15.
Central London
thecandlelightclub.com
Disco Bloodbath Bonfire Night
Dalston
Expert producer/DJ Toby Tobias has promised to set the pink basement alight on this club night. Forget fireworks, the only things popping will be your ears the morning after.
Sat, Nov 5. £5.
Passion, 251 Amhurst Road, N16 7UN
discobloodbath@groups.facebook.com
Tube: Rectory Road
Big Bang Bonfire Night Comedy
Piccadilly
Have a night of non-stop giggles courtesy of ‘German comedy ambassador’ Henning Wehn, Chris Norton Walker, Paul Sweeney and Matt Dowling.
Sat, Nov. 5. 8:30-11pm. £8.
The Comedy Pub, 7 Oxendon Street, SW1Y 4EE
piccadillycomedy.co.uk
Tube: Piccadilly Circus
Get Funked
Fulham
The 13-piece soul and funk collective Get Funked promise to be so loud you can forget the fireworks outside. Made up of session musicians and vocalists, the ensemble aims to liven the crowd with a string of classic funk anthems. Members of the band have performed with artists such as James Brown, Damon Albarn, Mary J Blige, Robbie Williams, Basement Jaxx and Amy Winehouse, and they play at big events all over the world. Proceeds from the show go to charity War Child.
Fri, Nov 4. £10.
Under The Bridge, Stamford Bridge Fulham Road, SW6 1HS
underthebridge.co.uk
Tube: Fulham Broadway
Thames Bonfire Night Cruise
Westminster
If it’s a vantage point you’re looking for to see the fireworks in their full magnificent glory, you can’t beat being on the Thames – not people-crushed on the banks. This Bonfire Night cruise leaves from Westminster Pier at 6.30pm and sails down the river to Battersea Park in time for the park’s fireworks. The excitement of it all is bound to make you hungry, so there’s a barbecue on board, too.
Sat, Nov 5. 6.30pm. £40.
Westminster Pier
thamesdinnercruise.co.uk
Tube: Westminster
Bonfire night tea
Embankment
Just a few yards away from the site of the great gunpowder plot of 1605, this plush hotel is laying on an a spread of experimental treats, including a hot chocolate Shot, TNT-exploding white chocolate and chili ganache truffles, and gunpowder tea-infused macaroons.
Of course, this epic feast includes a sparkler or two for effect, plus a pudding of chestnut cake and mini-toffee apple lollies. Ask to see the tunnel to Whitehall.
Nov 1-6. £32.
The Royal Horseguards Hotel,2 Whitehall Court, SW1A 2EJ
guoman.com
Tube: Embankment
Want more Bonfire Night fun?
For a full list of firework displays, see tntmagazine.com.
