Top things to do in London: week of 13 April

Easter weekend is done, everyone is back from their parents, and London is suddenly busy again. Calendar is heaving this week — here is what I would actually go to.

Monday — slow re-entry

Mondays are for recovery. There is a small AI policy panel at the British Library on Monday that should be quite good — the speakers include someone from OpenAI policy and an academic from LSE. Free if you book early enough. Get there at 6.30 for drinks first.

If you want food not talks, the Quality Chop House does a Monday set menu that is excellent and they actually have walk-in space.

Tuesday — back at Soho Theatre

Soho Theatre new material is back on after the Easter break with a noticably stronger lineup than the last few weeks. The two opening acts are about to take Edinburgh hours up, and the headliner is one of those people you will have seen on a panel show without quite remembering the name.

Bush Theatre also has a new play opening on Tuesday — the early reviews are mixed, which on the Bush usually means it is interesting rather than bad.

Wednesday — Founders Mixer

The Conduit has an AI Founders Mixer on Wednesday. £25, two hours, structured intros. I am sceptical of "structured" mixers but this one I have been to twice and both times left with something useful, which is a higher hit rate than Soho House anything. Crowd skews a bit too YC-shaped for my taste but the talks are short.

Less corporate alternative: Newspeak House on Wednesdays is doing a series on AI evaluation that has been genuinely educational rather than vendor-pitch shaped.

Thursday — comedy and gigs

Thursday I am torn between Ronnie Scott's late show (Cuban quintet, second set is the move) and the Bush Theatre. Probably Ronnie's. The Bush will still be there next week.

Comedy alternative: Top Secret Comedy Club's late show. Properly good lineup this Thursday and you can usually walk in for the 10.30 start.

For more options check the London this-week page — about 40 things on Thursday alone.

Friday — XOYO or food

XOYO Friday. The lineup has been on a streak this month and I am told this Friday is one of the better ones. £20-ish, doors at 11. If you want food first, Dishoom Shoreditch is reliable, Hawksmoor Spitalfields if you have got a bit more cash and want a proper sit down.

If clubbing is not your speed, the Roundhouse has a band on Friday that I will probably be at.

Saturday — fabric

fabric is doing a big-room night on Saturday. The lineup is the lineup, you know what you are getting. If you queue before 11 you save yourself an hour. Bring water.

If you want literally anything other than a club, the Tate Modern is open until 10 on Saturdays and the new commission is meant to be alot more interesting than the last one.

Sunday — Brockwell

Weather is supposed to be holding so Brockwell market is the move. Get there early, food vendors are at peak quality before noon, the queues are bearable. Walk through Herne Hill afterwards. Sunday roast at the Marksman if you booked, otherwise the Crown in Hackney as backup.

That is the week. Pace yourself, the calendar only gets worse from here.