London (Fodor's 2012) - Fodor's [174]
REGENT’S PARK
Everyman Cinema Club.
Kick off your shoes, curl up on the large comfy sofas, and have tapas and champagne brought to you in front of classic, foreign, cutting-edge, and almost-new Hollywood titles. This venue also screens the Metropolitan Opera live from New York, and is a popular place for Hampstead denizens to bring their kids. | 5 Holly Bush Vale, Hampstead | NW3 6TX | 0871/906–9060 | www.everymancinema.com | Hampstead.
Theater
Fodor’s Choice | Open Air Theatre.
On a warm summer evening, classical theater in the pastoral and royal Regent’s Park is hard to beat for magical adventure. Enjoy a supper before the performance, a bite during the intermission on the picnic lawn, or drinks in the spacious bar. | Inner Circle, Regent’s Park | NW1 4NR | 0844/826–4242 | www.openairtheatre.org | Baker St., Regent’s Park.
MARYLEBONE
Art Gallery
Lisson.
Owner Nicholas Logsdail represents about 40 blue-chip artists, including minimalist Sol Lewitt and Dan Graham, at arguably the most respected gallery in London. The gallery is most associated with New Object sculptors like Anish Kapoor and Richard Deacon, many of whom have won the Turner Prize. A branch down the road at 29 Bell Street features work by younger, up-and-coming artists. | 52–54 Bell St., Marylebone | NW1 5DA | 020/7724–2739 | www.lissongallery.com | Free | Weekdays 10–6, Sat. 11–5 | Edgware Rd., Marylebone.
Classical Music
Fodor’s Choice | Wigmore Hall.
Hear chamber music and song recitals in this charming hall with near-perfect acoustics. Don’t miss the midmorning Sunday concerts (11:30 am). | 36 Wigmore St., Marylebone | W1U 2BP | 020/7935–2141 | www.wigmore-hall.org.uk | Bond St.
MAYFAIR
Art Gallery
Royal Academy of Arts.
Housed in an aristocratic mansion and home to Britain’s first art school (founded in 1768), the academy is best known for its blockbuster special exhibitions—like the record-breaking Monet, and the controversial Sensation show drawn from the Saatchi collection. The annual Summer Exhibition has been a popular London tradition since 1769. | Burlington House, Mayfair | W1J 0BD | 020/7300–8000 | www.royalacademy.org.uk | From £10, prices vary with exhibition | Daily 10–6, except Fri. 10–10 | Piccadilly Circus.
ST. JAMES’S
Art Gallery
Institute of Contemporary Arts.
Housed in an elegant John Nash–designed Regency terrace, the ICA’s two galleries have changing exhibitions of contemporary visual art. The ICA also programs performance, underground and vintage movies, new media, literary talks, and photography. There’s also an arts bookstore, cafeteria, and bar. | Nash House, The Mall, St. James’s | SW1Y 5AH | 020/7930–3647 | www.ica.org.uk | Free | Mon.–Wed. noon–11 | Charing Cross.
Classical Music
St. James’s Church.
The organ was brought here in 1691 after fire destroyed its former home, the Palace of Whitehall. St. James’s holds regular classical-music concerts and free lunchtime recitals Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 1:10 pm (free but donations suggested). | 197 Piccadilly, St. James’s | W1J 9LL | 020/7381–0441 concert program and tickets | www.st-james-piccadilly.org | Piccadilly Circus, Green Park.
COVENT GARDEN
Classical Music
St. Martin-in-the-Fields.
Popular lunchtime concerts (free but £3.50 donation suggested) are held in this lovely 1726 church, as are regular evening concerts. TIP Stop for a snack at the Café in the Crypt. | Trafalgar Sq., Covent Garden | WC2N 4JJ | 020/7766–1100 | www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org | Charing Cross.
Dance
The London Coliseum.
Ballet troupes are often booked into the spectacular Coliseum—a true Edwardian extravaganza of architecture—during the summer and also during the Christmas season, and generally any time when the resident English National Opera is not holding down the