April in the City can be a lot more than glimpses of sunlight and the occasional shower.
As summer begins to peek over the year's horizon, there are no shortage of events and openings to get you in a sunny mood.
Food, festivals and fraternising should appear on every Londoner's checklist.
(Funnily enough, they also appear on ours.)
Social Concierge has picked out the best of what to do in London this April.
April Events in London
The Return of Poons
131 - 133 Central Street, EC1V 8AP
Before Hakkasan and China Tang came Poons, a mini empire of Chinese restaurants started by Bill Poons in the 1970s and attracting a Michelin star in 1980. Like so many oldies but goodies it went out of fashion. Until now. Bill’s daughter Amy is back in business with a 3 month pop-up that just launched in Clerkenwell. This time it looks at classic Chinese dishes through a modern lens. In other words, yes there are gluten free, vegan and organic options. Plus a spicy aubergine salad and seamed fish Guangzhou-style to die for. Check it out before it grows up into a passé permanent location. Poons London
Alcotraz
212 Brick Lane, E1 6SA
Secret Cinema? Tick. Escaping from a room? Yeah, done that. Next on the list is Alcotraz. A prison-themed pop-up bar, leave the office and head straight back into shackles – but this time with booze. Guests pay £33.99 for a ticket that gets you entry into your jail cell. You also need to smuggle a bottle of spirits in, and don an orange jump suit. Once you’ve done your reverse Shawshank and are happily imprisoned, bartenders will mix up four great cocktails a person. Thankfully after one hour 45 mins you’re released – so no lasting trauma, just a sore head. Alcotraz
Mãos
???
There has been some serious buzz around Mãos in foodie circles. Mainly because Nuno Mendes is kinda a big deal. For those who like a challenge, there’s just one table, 14 seats, and a set menu at £150. Spaces are like gold dust but if you have an expert concierge or a girlfriend in PR, you might stand a chance of getting a weekend reservation. The names means “hands” in Portuguese, and that’s about as much as we’ve got to go on. With a minimalist website to lure us in, they had us at “Fully Booked”. Maos
The London Coffee Festival
12-15 April
As if the City needed one more reason to get wired on caffeine. If it’s going to happen, you might as well make it cultured. Enter the annual London Coffee Festival in Truman Brewery. Whether you’re a Mocha-Choca dabbler, or a jittery espresso shooter, you can check out 250 different exhibitors and sample over 400 coffees. The action is spread out over four floors, with food to calm the nerves and an Espresso Martini bar for the Friday night party. The daytime session is for industry experts so head there post-work for wine and coffee tastings, chocolate highlights and a chatty crowd. London Coffee Festival
Social Concierge presents The City Set
Friday 13 April; South Place Hotel
London and New York’s exclusive dating events club is hosting a private party for their very eligible 20/30something members in Le Chiffre, the hidden den in Moorgate’s South Place Hotel. Named after the original Bond villain from Casino Royale, the whole venue oozes Ian Fleming style, from the marble cocktail bar to the 1950s interiors and spy-themed art. Guests can expect a unique house party vibe for 70, with liberal wine to warm things up, a pool table to flirt over and some of the best Martinis in the City. Square Mile readers can apply for a one-off ticket (£20, including welcome drink) using CITYHEART in your application. Social Concierge
Social Concierge is London and New York’s invite-only dating events club. Its mission is to get 20/30-something professionals offline to meet at chic events. Social Concierge
