Things to do in London - 22nd April 2009

April 20, 2009 10:57 AM

Short notice - what's happening on the evening of Wednesday 22nd April 2009 in London that is good, interesting and would be a good place to take someone?

My friend, who has registered with metafilter but has to wait a week to be able to post to Ask MeFi, has arranged to go out in London on Wednesday, but has realised that, accustomed to home, pub and workplace, he doesn't really know what happens outside that on Wednesdays. Most of the museums and art galleries are going to be shut, and the aim is to do something a bit classier and more interesting and impressive than going to the pub or a restaurant.

So, while he thumbs through Time Out desperately, he has asked me to post this here, asking: what is there to do in London this Wednesday evening (the 22nd April) which will be fun, unusual, and will provide some solid conversation and perhaps a sense that he is generally a good bet for further fun evenings out (by which time hopefully he will have had time to do some more research)?

Somewhere in roughly the centre of London is preferable, but beyond that he'll consider anything. Money is not exactly no object, but if something is worth the money then it's worth considering. Everyone involved is an adult, physically able, has no notable food allergies (although something more imaginative than a standard restaurant experience is hoped for), can watch strobe lighting and is generally versatile. Oh, and it probably should be done by midnight, or at least be leavable by midnight - it's not a great day for going out, but it's the only day that could be arranged.

Can anyone help an institutionalised couch potato find a novel Wednesday out at short notice?

posted by nedrichards to sports, hobbies, & recreation (9 comments total)

Go go go see the Comedy Store Players at the Comedy Store in Piccadilly Circus. Details at http://comedystoreplayers.com/. It's worth booking in advance and getting there a bit early to get a decent seat. They usually have decent specials on drinks/pub food beforehand.
posted by JakeWalker at 11:26 AM on April 20

You picked a good night - that's the date for Science Museum Lates. Once a month the Science Museum (Kensington Tube) has an adults only night. From 6pm to 11pm only adults are allowed in, several bars are opened inside the museum and you can get a look at whatever special exhibitions they currently have on (or just play with the science toys on the top floor!) without screaming kids in the way. You still have to get past the other adults of course, but I feel less guilty about booting them out of my path!

They tend to run some special events too - previous sessions have had live music, "build your own robot" or origami classes, a dancer doing something arty underneath the building's foucalt pendulum... lots of things that you won't see during the day. Everything is free except drinks at the bars. It's a lively atmosphere, with most of the people there in the very approximate age range 25-35.

Bring some ID if you look young: a couple of my more fresh-faced friends were asked to prove their ages on the way in.
posted by metaBugs at 11:27 AM on April 20 [1 favorite]

The Sandpit! Self-link (I run it), but it definitely fits the criteria: it's a monthly night of playful, social stuff, games+theatre and games+running around and games+art and so on. Artists and game designers come along to try out new ideas, and a pile of people come along and play. The next one is on - oh look! - the 22nd of April; it's at the ICA near Piccadilly Circus, based in the bar area but with games happening outside and in the theatre as well. Four pounds a ticket; last I heard there were a few left.
posted by severalbees at 1:05 PM on April 20

Check out Le Cool, when they get round to updating their current newsletter.
posted by djgh at 1:49 PM on April 20

Chelsea are playing Everton at Stamford Bridge. A nice preview to the FA Cup final next month.
posted by Zambrano at 1:59 PM on April 20

Shunt is a club/bar/gallery in the arches of london bridge and is fun and funky and atmospheric and generally ace.
posted by Cantdosleepy at 4:05 PM on April 20

The London Paper has a pretty exhaustive list for 22 April. If history and a bit of a walk after dinner suits you, InHolborn has a walk on the 22nd with a patriotic tinge. Shame you aren't going out the next day, as there's more going on for St George's Day than you could shake a dragonslaying lance at...
posted by Grrlscout at 5:16 PM on April 20

I had a fantastic time at La Clique. It's a great show that makes for good conversation and not everyone's typical night out. Shunt and Science Museum Late are both good choices, too.

For something more traditional, there are plenty of shows on at the National Theatre right now that you can still get tickets for.
posted by ahughey at 6:30 AM on April 21

Thanks for this - I was the querent, and ended up going to Sandpit, which was great fun. However, Shunt is definitely a favourite also (I'm sad that it is moving, because I can't imagine they will find a space as good again, but hope springs eternal...) and the Science Museum late sounds like a definite thing to look out for. In fact, all of these suggestions are things I might look up.

Wednesdays have a lot more going on than one might first assume...

Thanks again, everyone.
posted by DNye at 7:17 PM on April 26