Whether you're an American expat, an US aficionado, or just fancy tucking into some fried chicken and a milkshake (to apply a cliche), there's plenty going down for Independence Day 2022 in London. Read on to plan your celebrations.
Independence Day at Benjamin Franklin House
Benjamin Franklin House — the former London home of the American Founding Father — hosts Independence Day celebrations. Go in the daytime to see the story of Franklin in London told, or attend the evening event, including an after-hours tour with the house all dressed up, plus American-inspired snacks and drinks.
Benjamin Franklin House, 4 July. £9.50-£15 per person.
American Evensong
St Bartholomew the Great in Smithfield hosts an Eve of Independence Day American Evensong, featuring music solely from American composers. It's an apt location, as Benjamin Franklin once worked in a printer's workshop on the site.
St Bartholomew the Great, 3 July. Free.
4 July at Riding House
Restaurant mini-chain Riding House — consisting of Riding House Fitzrovia, Rail House Victoria and Riding House Bloomsbury — takes inspiration from its ever-popular Thanksgiving event to celebrate 4 July for the first time. All three sites are serving a special set menu, served family-style. All-American classics such as smoked applewood cheeseburger sliders, soul fried chicken wings, sweet potato fries, mac & cheese with shallot rings and capers, creamed corn and BBQ beans are on the menu, to be followed up with choc chip torte with marshmallows and caramel popcorn.
They've also created limited-edition American inspired cocktails, and are serving celebrated American wines such as the Qupé Y Block Chardonnay from Santa Barbara.
Available at Riding House on 4 July only. £45 per person.
American whiskey tasting night
Join the North London Whisky Club for an evening spent tasting five diverse examples of American whiskey, and learning the history of each variety. They hail from both the traditional whiskey heartlands of Kentucky and Tennessee, plus innovative artisanal craft distillers. No previous whiskey knowledge is required.
Whiskey tasting at The Old White Bear, Hampstead. 5 July, £27.54 per person.
Independence Day special food and drink
As always, some businesses are making the most of 4 July with special limited edition menu items:
- Hummingbird Bakery: Star-spangled cupcakes, and tray bakes and cakes feature in this all-American bakery's 4 July range at locations in Notting Hill, South Kensington and Spitalfields. They include a vanilla marbled cake with three layers of fluffy red and blue marbled vanilla sponge with smooth white vanilla frosting, a key lime pie, and a mississippi mud pie.
- Crosstown Doughnuts offers three special doughnuts; mississippi mud pie (ve), key lime pie, and vegan bacon & whiskey. There's also a special double chocolate and caramel brownie ice cream, and, for an ex-pats missing home, hard-to-find US craft beers, imported from Sierra Nevada and Stone Brewing.
