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The best events and things to do this weekend, August 7-9

The sun is shining and we're feelin' fine. The weekend has finally arrived.

With London swept up in a heatwave, it's time to get out and enjoy the resplendent weather (as long as well keep a safe distance from one another, of course).

There's plenty on across the capital, from outdoor DJ sessions and rooftoop bars to new sculptures and the promise of free beer — always a winner.

Here's what to get up to in London this weekend.

Get a free Beavertown beer delivery in the park

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Sometimes (or, let’s be honest, really rather often) all we want to do is sit in the park with a bevvy. This weekend, north London brewery Beavertown is launching a beer delivery service for thirsty sunbathers in Stoke Newington’s Clissold Park. To get your hands on a free beer, download the what3words app — a GPS system that assigns three random words to a precise location — take a selfie of you and your pals, post it to Instagram or Twitter using #BeavertownSOS, and what3words will locate you. The beer will arrive shortly after. It’s 18+ only, so remember your ID.

12pm-4pm, Saturday, Clissold Park, N16, beavertownbrewery.co.uk

Take a dip in a newly reopened lido

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There’s no better way to cool off during a heatwave than by taking a dip in one of the capital’s lidos. Many of them have reopened in the past few weeks after months out of action. If you’re keen for a swim, then there are a few new safety measures to abide by — each pool differs, but all of them are running advance booking systems. Check out our full guide for more info.

Enjoy a socially distanced DJ session in south London

(Jake Davis)
(Jake Davis)

Brixton Jamm’s new outdoor space, the Brixton Courtyard, is one of the few places in London right now that you can hear a DJ playing live. This weekend, there’s plenty to get excited about, with Oneman, Ben Pearce, Richy Ahmed and others on the line-up. Booths can be booked for social bubble groups, with street food and booze delivered via an app.

Various times, Friday-Sunday, Brixton Jamm, 261 Brixton Road, SW9 6LH, thebrixtoncourtyard.co.uk

Have a drink in a new beer hall on the Costa Del Tottenham

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North London nightclub The Cause has been busy rejigging its venue for socially distanced shindigs. It launched the first part of its Costa Del Tottenham outdoor space a few weeks back, with DJs, food, drink and more, and now it’s launched a massive beer hall called the Northside. This is its opening weekend, with 16 beers from eight breweries on offer, as well as the tunes to back it up. Tables are booked in advance.

From Friday, The Cause, Ashley Road, N17 9LZ, costadeltottenham.co.uk

Get a bite to eat at a new restaurant

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London’s restaurant scene has only been back in action for a month, after what seemed like forever away, and some restaurateurs are taking the opportunity to launch brand new projects. Over at Westfield in Shepherd’s Bush, Judy Joo has just launched her new Korean fried chicken joint, while Wimbledon has been graced by a new Sugoi JPN site, meaning locals can try out a “noritaco” (that’s a crispy tempura seaweed shell filled with sushi rice and toppings).

Open now, various locations, seoul-bird.co.uk / sugoijpn.com

Experience a dizzying new dance music exhibition

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With clubs still closed across the capital and beyond, many Londoners are itching to get their dance music fix. The next best thing can be found down in Kensington at the Design Museum, whose new exhibition, Electronic, dives into the history of clubbing and dance music with a multi-sensory experience. Read our five-star review here, and then book your tickets to head down this weekend.

Open now, Design Museum, 224-238 Kensington High Street, W8 6AG, designmuseum.org

Pay a visit to the Natural History Museum

(Grant Ritchie/Unsplash)
(Grant Ritchie/Unsplash)

One of London’s most famous tourist attractions is now back in business. It means we can all experience the Natural History Museum’s peerless collection for the first time since March. As with everywhere else right now, there are safety measures in place, and anyone hoping to go will have to book in advance. There are still a few slots available this weekend, so get booked early.

Open now, Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD, nhm.ac.uk

Head upstairs to enjoy a rooftop drink

(Pasco Photography)
(Pasco Photography)

When the mercury rises and the sun emerges from behind the clouds, there’s no better place to be than on a rooftop, drink in hand. The open-air spaces lend themselves to the new Covid-secure guidelines too, which means they’re a great place to while away the afternoon this weekend. Check out our guide for the pick of the bunch, from Peckham to Paddington.

Check out a new artwork by Thomas J Price

(Jeff Moore)
(Jeff Moore)

Sculptures of black women are severely lacking in the UK — there are only three currently — but the good news is the latest of those has just landed in London, meaning you can go and admire it for yourself. Reaching Out, created by artist Thomas J Price, shows a young anonymous woman on her phone. Standing at 9ft tall, it can be found overlooking Three Mills Green in the Lee Valley Regional Park near Stratford.

Three Mills Green, E3

Gaze at Andy Warhol’s finest work at Tate Modern

(AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)

Another of London’s most favourite cultural institutions has reopened its doors, with Tate Modern now welcoming guests. Entry is still free for much of the gallery, although some of the exhibitions are paid for, such as the Andy Warhol retrospective — which is well worth the fee. Face masks are compulsory for all inside the galleries, except those who are exempt.

10am-6pm, Bankside, SE1 9TG, tate.org.uk