Whether you're an American expat, a London Yankophile, or just fancy tucking into some fried chicken and a milkshake (to apply a cliche), there's plenty going on for Independence Day in London. Read on to plan your celebrations.
4 July at Roadhouse, Covent Garden
Kentucky bourbon brand Jim Beam sponsors the Independence Day celebrations at Covent Garden's late-night drinking den, Roadhouse.
Expect red, white and blue decorations, and American-themed live music, food and drink throughout the 4 July party. Happy Hour runs 5pm-10.30pm, with 2-for-1 on cocktails and beer, and bottles of house wine for a tenner.
Independence Day at Maxwells, Covent Garden
American brasseries Maxwells offers all of its usual daily deals on one day, including unlimited sizzling and juicy fajitas, all-you-can-eat sticky Chicken Wings, the Rib Meat Revolution with a full stack of Baby Back Ribs and unlimited Pulled Pork, and the Triple beef patty Stack Attack Burger Challenge with onion rings and fries. All come with a free beer or milkshake, and the restaurant is decked out in red, white and blue finery for the day.
Independence Day at Christopher's Covent Garden
The celebrations last a whole five days at modern American restaurant Christopher's, which is launching a special feast menu for the occasion, and serving it across the first floor dining room and ground floor bar. The set menu includes pulled pork tortilla, wild bass ceviche, jerk-rubbed chicken, surf’n’turf and smoked tiger shrimps. Dessert options include half-baked melting chocolate chip cookie and lemon meringue pie, and special themed cocktails are available to wash it all down.
Two courses £38/ three courses £45. Booking recommended, 1-5 July.
All American Week at Balthazar, Covent Garden
Balthazar begins the week-long American celebration with a screening of the historic baseball game between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox, in the Major League Baseball's London debut. A special American menu continues all week, including the Independence Day Dog (Toulouse sausage and BBQ beef cross rib, Comté cheese topped with crispy shallots in a home made bread roll), special Maker's Mark cocktails, and various American pies including Key lime, cheesecake and banoffee — available to order to take home.
The restaurant has also recently launched NY-Tea — a New York take on a traditional afternoon tea, featuring doughnuts, pastrami and cheesecake.
Independence Day at Tropicana Beach Club, Covent Garden
Beer pong, foosball and table tennis are the order of the day at Tropicana Beach Club on 4 July. American party tunes are played all night, with drinks offers including two-for-one on cocktails, on bottle of Sol an Heineken, and on tacos.
Independents Day whiskey tasting at Ignition Brewery, Sydenham
Sydenham based Ignition Brewery turns Independence Day into 'independents day', celebrating independent American whiskey producers. Taste your way through four-five drams from boutique distilleries and bottlers hailing from across the pond, soaked up with American themed nibbles.
4 July at Tiger Tiger, Haymarket
The central London nightclub hosts a huge Independence Day party. Boogie the night away in five different music rooms, covering house, hip hop, r'n'b and commercial tunes. There's a free shot with every ticket, and the whole place is decked out in American finery.
Independence Day party at Dinerama, Shoreditch
Sauce brands French's and Frank's RedHot take over street food market Dinerama for a Fourth of July Party. Tuck into all-American dishes including Thunderbird hot wings, Buffalo chicken strips from White Men Can’t Jerk and Club Mexicana ’s vegan burritos among a host of red, white and blue decor. A RedHot wing eating competition is the centrepiece of the event, with cheerleaders offering support to competitors.
Independence Day screening at Granary Square
It's Independence Day, so naturally the Granary Square outdoor cinema is screening... Independence Day.
Everyman Cinema hosts the Summer Love Festival, showing films for free on the canalside steps. On 4 July, get there early and bag yourself a bean bag to watch 1996 sci-fi film Independence Day, about an alien invasion on Earth.
Independence Day picnic in Portman Square, Marylebone
Every year, Democrats Abroad hosts a family-friendly Independence Day picnic in Portman Square. The organisation is aimed at supporters of the Democratic Party who are living abroad, so be aware that it's a politically-minded event, with a chance to get involved with various causes supported by the political group.
Other than that, expect American food and drink, games, live music, a bouncy castle, face painting and more — all in a gorgeous square in central London on 30 June.
Independence Day party at Benjamin Franklin House
Benjamin Franklin House — the former London home of the American Founding Father — hosts Independence Day celebrations featuring cake, bubbly, and tours of the building. Choose your time slot, and pay attention on the tour, as there's also a special 4 July quiz.
Independence Day pub crawl
Beginning at Zoo Too in Leicester Square, tickets to this Independence Day pub crawl include entry to five bars, five shots, and other drinks deals. There are prizes for best fancy dress, so start working on that Statue of Liberty costume.
Independence Day doughnuts at Crosstown Doughnuts
Doughnuts brand Crosstown celebrates both Independence Day and Canada Day (that's 1 July, FYI) with special limited edition doughnuts.
On the American side of things, you've got the Brooklyn Blackout — a rich chocolate cake doughnut, pumped full of milk chocolate pudding filling, coated with an American dark chocolate ganache and finished with home-made chocolate soil — and the Blueberry and Peanut Brittle, a vegan offering made using Crosstown’s brand-new vegan fermented coconut milk dough, dipped in a signature vanilla bean glaze with an American-sized serving of blueberry compote and finished with a home-made peanut brittle shard.
They're available 28 June-7 July, at £3.95 each or a box of 12 for £32. Pre-ordering is advised.
Peanut butter and jam gelato at Gelupo
Soho gelateria Gelupo has created a special peanut butter and jam (or 'jelly' to Americans) flavour to celebrate Independence Day, paying homage to the famous American flavour combination.
Available throughout the summer.