ADVERTORIAL • August 2024

The ultimate summer moments in London’s West End

From rooftop sushi to mega sports screens and the best ice cream you’ll eat all summer, Regent Street and St James’s are London’s hottest neighbourhood

Before the trees signal autumn’s arrival, we’ll be making the most of the sunshine with leafy strolls through the royal parks, ice-cold treats and tropical tipples in the best bars London has to offer. Luckily, Regent Street and St James’s have all of the above – plus a wealth of art (there are more than 20 galleries in St James’s alone) and top-notch shopping spots (including Hamleys – the most famous toy shop in the world). Here are more moments not to miss…

The sunset cocktail

Long summer evenings start by raising a glass. For opulent Art Deco interiors and a cocktail menu inspired by the Golden Age of Hollywood, there is only one place: Bar Américain, part of Brasserie Zédel, on Sherwood Street. Prefer a rooftop terrace? The Nest, Treehouse Hotel’s rooftop bar (right), offers 360° skyline views, while triple-threat Aqua Nueva – Aqua Kyoto and Aqua Spirit’s shared cloud-skimming terrace – crafts carefully made drinks alongside a full Japanese (Aqua Kyoto) or Spanish (Aqua Nueva) menu.

Treehouse

The tapas supper

If you and your dining partner want to experience that Spanish sunshine in the heart of London this summer – and who wouldn’t? – Michelin-starred Sabor (the word for flavour in Spanish) will provide. Its ground floor bar and counter offer the most finely tuned tapas while, upstairs, Galician and Castillian specialities are cooked in a traditional wood-fired oven, so you can enjoy the open kitchen theatrics. The Segovian suckling pig is a must-have, and in fine weather, say salud on the alfresco terrace.

Sabor

The early morning workout

For a boost of endorphins, run don’t walk to Gymshark’s 18,000sqft flagship store on Regent Street. Hit the Sweat Room and have your pick from 30 instructor-led workout classes, covering strength, yoga, functional fitness and HIIT – all free to book via the Gymshark app. For those looking to improve their form, the Pro Bench offers free, one-to-one 25-minute sessions led by trained experts, while the Gymshark Run Club completes a 5K route around London every Tuesday. How about that, then?

Gym Shark

The perfect scoop

Cool off at Heddon Street Kitchen, Gordon Ramsay’s casual but chic all-day brasserie lined with leather banquettes, dark woods and the obligatory open kitchen – just off Regent Street. Inside, the best-kept secret is upstairs: the ‘Build Your Own’ ice-cream bar. Will it be salted caramel or stracciatella? Fresh strawberries or jellybeans? To sprinkle or not to sprinkle? With so many sauces and toppings to choose from, it’s kiddy (and adult) heaven. Plus, weekdays Kids Eat Free, per adult dining from the à la carte menu.

Heddon Street Kitchen

The latest shades

Regent Street and St James’s combine to create the ultimate retail destination. It’s a one-stop shop for your summer essentials, starting, of course, with some new sunnies. There are handcrafted frames and sunglasses by Cubitts or, for a pair that’ll get you noticed, South Korean brand Gentle Monster. Its two-storey flagship store on Regent Street takes inspiration from martial arts and extra-terrestrial creatures and features a bamboo forest, kinetic sculptures, and a training ground run by alien life – yes, really.

Cubbits

The culture fix

Head to the Royal Academy of Arts in Burlington House to walk in the footsteps of JMW Turner, Thomas Gainsborough and David Hockney. Home to Britain’s longest established art school, the RA has been celebrating emerging and established artists since 1768 and is currently hosting In the Eye of the Storm, a collection of eye-opening Ukrainian modernist art made against a backdrop of political upheaval between 1900 to 1930. Finish your day visiting St James’s galleries showcasing everything from the Old Masters to Scottish colourists.

Royal Academy

Follow @regentstreetw1 and @stjameslondon for more ideas for your ultimate central London trip. To find Regent Street inspiration, click here. To learn all about St James’s, click here.

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This article has been tagged Advertorial, Destination