Although hesitant to use the “I” word in London right now, USA’s Independence Day is a big celebration for expats in London, and Londoners sure know how to throw a good Fourth of July party. Fireworks, parades, eating and drinking (hot dogs and burgers).. in bulk!
I have selected my top picks to celebrate, from the weekend until the 4th of July itself, which falls on a Monday this year.
Sea Containers at Mondrian London
Hang out by the River Bank and dine all American with Hot Dogs, Cheeseburgers and Oreo Milkshakes. In their new Hamptons-inspired terrace, indulge in Fourth July fare with live music… and kids eat free. Or you could opt for their bottomless brunch menu, with blueberry pancakes and ‘The Egg Sammy’, eggs sunny side up with bacon and Jack Cheese (and available until July 9th). All combined with a Bloody Mary menu. It’s a no brainer… Sounds like everyone will be happy!
To walk off all that food, you are located just near Southbank to take a walk along the River directly after.
Sea Containers, Mondrian Hotel, 20 Upper Ground, SE1 9PD
Bookings required:
+44 (0) 203 747 1063
Outsider Tart
It really is in the name! Run by 2 guys who moved from New York to live in London but missed the wholesome cupcakes, pies and tarts from back home. So they rectified the situation, and so ‘Outsider Tart’ was born – an authentic American bakeshop and café.
They are holding a Fourth of July Barbeque on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th with a truly wholesome American menu. Wake Forest, Texas or Utah burgers, Hot Diggity Dogs, Ribs, Slaw, Fried Pie, and more. Wash this down with a host of of cocktails, aptly named, including ‘Let Freedom Ring, ‘Prohibition Lemonade’ and of course, ‘American Pie’.
83 Chiswick High Road, London, W4 2EF
Saturday 2nd July – from 6pm to 10pm
Sunday 3rd July – 12pm to 10pm
Monday 4th July – 12pm to 10pm
Bookings required:
020 7096 1609
Balthazar
A slap up, US-themed menu, retro cocktails and a whole range of American treats, for one day only, at London’s Covent Garden branch of the famous New York Balthazar. A special set menu that including the ‘Independence Day-Dog’, Mac and Cheese, Apple Pie, and a special cocktail menu including the ‘Obama Slammer’. And the best bit… if you arrive wearing an item of clothing donning stars AND stripes, your set meal will be on the house! If your star-spangled item is at the cleaners, or you wanted to celebrate on a slightly lower-key scale, drop by their Boulangerie, which will be decked out in 4th July themed décor, to buy a Coke Float, Strawberry Jam and Custard Doughnut, or Chocolate Cookie Sandwich.
Balthazar, 4-6 Russell Street, Covent Garden, WC2 5HZ
Monday 4th July
Bookings required:
020 3301 1155
Blue’s Kitchen
London’s home of BBQ, Blues and Rock n’ Roll, Blue’s Kitchen’s Shoreditch brand is bringing to you an Independence Day Rib Night Special. With their very own take on New York’s famous Coney Island hot dog eating contest, take the Big Apple hot-dig challenge. Or (my preference), enjoy the live bluegrass music and apple pie sundaes. If you have a valid American passport, they will even give you cans of Dixie Beer, on the house (5pm till late)!
134-146 Curtain Road, Shoreditch, London, EC2A 3AR
Monday 4th July
Open till 12am
Live music starts at 10pm
Booking a table for drinks:
0207 729 7216
Benjamin Franklin House
Where better to celebrate Independence Day than in the former home of Benjamin Franklin – the founding father of the United States. Enjoy cake and a glass of bubbly in the world’s only remaining Franklin home. Franklin was the only statesman to have signed all four documents that created a new nation, including The Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Alliance with France, the Treaty of Paris, and The Constitution, the first of these being signed on July 4, 1776.
Following the party. Take an Architecural Tours, every 30 minutes between 2.45pm and 4.45pm.
Now that’s culture on Independence Day.
36 Craven Street, London, WC2N 5NF
Monday 4th July
+44 (0)207 925 1405
NOLA London
Who dat? You ask. And they ask specifically that on their own website. Shoreditch based cocktail bar, NOLA is inspired by the culture and history of New Orleans, Louisiana, or NOLA for short. See what they did there?
On a regular day, NOLA takes you from New Orleans’ Bourbon Street, inside the local side-streets inside the Vieux Carré, for a great night. And I can safely say Nola will present July 4th Nola in complete unadulterated, all-American glory. Lashings of booze filled watermelons, American flags in your Jim Beack Double Oak bourbon cocktails and live music from the Cash Cows. Their repertoire covers everything from Gershwin to Oasis, and Bob Dylan to Beyoncé.
1st Floor, 68 Irvington Street, London, EC2A 3AY
Monday 4th July – 6:00pm – 1.00am
Any Questions or Tips to add?