Things to do this week is sponsored by Absolut Vodka.
All week
LONDON COCKTAIL WEEK: Whether you prefer yours shaken or stirred, short or tall, fruity or dry, you're sure to find something to suit your palate at London Cocktail Week. Your digital pass gets you £6 cocktails in London's best bars, unlimited entry to The Cocktail Village on Brick Lane, and first look access to LCW pop ups and parties. We'll drink to that. Various venues (London), £10 digital pass, book ahead, 1-7 October
IVO GRAHAM: This old Etonian and master of self-deprecation is all grown up, and he's ready to face his future the way all adults (should) do — with a brand new comedy hour named after his favourite Hot Chip song. Soho Theatre (Dean Street), £11, book ahead, 9pm, 1-13 October
HUGUENOTS OF SPITALFIELDS: Discover the extraordinary stories of the Huguenot women, who settled in England after fleeing religious persecution in France during the 16th to 18th centuries. During this month-long history festival, there are guided walks, talks, and even wine tastings to blast you into the past. Various venues, most events £10, book ahead, 1-31 October
SCREAMFEST: With Halloween fast approaching, where better to scare yourself silly than at The London Dungeon? Introducing Screamfest, a journey through rat-infested cells, past creepy cadavers. and into the darkest tales from London's history. Enter at your peril. The London Dungeon, £30, book ahead, 1-31 October
Monday 1 October
STORY CIRCLE: Who's up for some good old fashioned storytelling? If you've got a yarn to spin, London Dreamtime wants to hear it. But no worries if you're feeling shy — newbies can simply sit back, relax, and let more seasoned raconteurs inspire you with myths, legends and folklore. Library London (Covent Garden), £7.06, book ahead, 6.30pm
BIOLOGICAL BOOSTS: Regeneration isn't just for Time Lords, as this lecture from Professor Pamela Habibović and Paolo De Coppi shows. Find out how our own stem cells could be used to heal us, and discover smart materials capable of restoring kidney function and reversing the onset of diabetes. Your ticket includes a drinks reception. The Royal Institution (Mayfair), £16, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
ROSE MCDOWALL: Punk provocateur turned neo-folk rebel Rose McDowall is back with a new live band for a rare performance in an ancient London church. Before that, Jetstream Pony will be tearing up the Chancel with their post-punk and indie pop tunes. St Pancras Old Church (Camden), £10, book ahead, 7.30pm
Tuesday 2 October
GET A HANDEL ON IT: Way back in 1712, a young George Frideric Handel followed the future King of Great Britain and Ireland to England, where he would churn out masterpiece after masterpiece. Hear the great composer's incredible story in the majestic surrounds of Southwark Cathedral. Your evening includes a short organ recital to really get you into the mood. Southwark Cathedral, £15, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
MAGIC FISH AND MODERN WITCHES: Artsy chanteuse Livia Rita brings her avant-garde sounds to Hackney with a very special contemporary performance. Expect blended genres, outlandish outfits, and loads of dancing. Grow (Hackney), £6.98, book ahead, 7pm-11pm
PAINT LONDON: Recreate London's iconic skyline at a social that combines two of our favourite things — art and drinking. With a glass of wine in hand and a professional artist on hand, you'll put your own personal stamp on Rebecca Hunter's latest landscape painting. BrewDog Seven Dials, £25.99, book ahead, 7.30pm
THE BLIND POET: Throw away your history books and travel through time with Needcompany. This theatre troupe combines dance, music and performance to present an alternative view of the world's past, with themes of identity, immigration, and acceptance at its heart. Southbank Centre, from £13.50, book ahead, 7.30pm
Wednesday 3 October
HISLOP AND NEWMAN: As anyone who has ever collaborated on a group project knows, team work isn't always easy. So how does one keep a creative collaboration going for 30 years? Learn from the pros at this talk from Private Eye editor Ian Hislop and his writing partner, cartoonist Nick Newman. Imperial War Museum (Lambeth), £20, book ahead, 7pm-9pm
MEET THE WINEMAKER: Hippy dippy pseudoscience or the future of the grape? Get to grips with biodynamic wine at this natural wine tasting event from Vignoble du Reveur. Your ticket gets you four wines to taste and plenty of natural wine know-how. The Hive (Bethnal Green), £11.37, book ahead, 7pm-11pm
SOPHIE ELLIS BEXTOR: What's that we hear? It's the sound of the early noughties. Prepare for murder on the dancefloor as disco diva Sophie Ellis Bextor performs her best-known earworms with a full live orchestra. Southbank Centre, £30, book ahead, 7.30pm
VRï: Liven up your midweek with a bit of Welsh chamber folk. String trio VRï celebrate the launch of their debut album with a live performance of traditional tunes, with a bit of Quebecois foot percussion thrown in for good measure. Aces and Eights (Tufnell Park), £10, book ahead, 7.30pm-10.30pm
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Explore four floors of Absolut’s Porn Star Martini Townhouse in Soho
The name may be rather risque, but the drink itself is heavenly. Vanilla vodka, passion fruit, a side of bubbles... no wonder the Porn Star Martini is fast becoming the nation's favourite cocktail. Thanks to vodka connoisseurs Absolut, you can now experience its delightfully indulgent flavours like never before.
From Wednesday 3 October - Saturday 6 October, you're invited to explore the stunning Victorian building at 19 Greek Street, as it is transformed into the Absolut Porn Star Martini Townhouse.
From inhaling the vanilla scents of a mist-filled forest, to getting lost in a bubble maze and exploring a passion fruit kaleidoscope, prepare to be plunged head-first into an immersive world that celebrates all things Porn Star Martini.
Because no Absolut event is complete without a bit of expert mixology, your vodka-y odyssey culminates in the Absolut Porn Star Martini bar, where you can master the art of the perfect cocktail. Thirsty for a Porn Star Martini? Get your tickets for £9 here.
Thursday 4 October
HIDDEN GARDEN HAIKU: 17 syllables, three lines — how hard can it be? Whether you're a poetry novice or a seasoned sonneteer, everyone is welcome at this haiku workshop. Meet at Starbucks (South Lambeth Road), £12/£15, book ahead, 12.30pm-2pm
CRAFT BEER CRUISE: Hop aboard a boat for a beer-fuelled trip across the Thames. As you play at being a tourist for the evening, Bermondsey brewery Fourpure's beer experts will serve up five of their iconic brews. Westminster Pier, £25, book ahead, 6.45pm-9pm
HOUSE OF BURLESQUE: It's nearly the weekend, which means it's time for some good old fashioned debauchery. Beneath an unassuming Shoreditch pizza joint, a troupe of feather-adorned burlesque stars are waiting to tickle you pink with their dazzling circus skills, tassel twirlers, and cheeky cabaret. Concrete Space (Shoreditch), £10, book ahead, 7pm-11pm
Friday 5 October
SECRET CANDLELIGHT CLUB: Promise you won't tell? A secret 1920s speakeasy pops up in Angel to indulge all manner of Prohibition-era naughtiness. Don your finest flapper garms and get sozzled on bootleg champagne while you Charleston the night away to live jazz. A secret location in Angel, £25, book ahead, 7pm-midnight
SOMERSET HOUSE SHINDIG: An after hours party like no other is coming to Somerset House. The studio artists invite the public to descend into underground labyrinth of music, film, and performance. Somerset House, £10, book ahead, 7pm-midnight
SUN DANCE: Contemporary choreography meets solar science at this dance performance at the Science Museum. Inspired by the burning ball of plasma that keeps our planet alive, the show features HD imagery, a specially created score, and input from space scientists. Science Museum (South Kensington), £15, book ahead, 7.30pm-9pm
THE FLOP: It's 1657ish in Paris, impotence is illegal, and a supposedly upstanding aristocrat has made a rather public flop. A great deal of silliness ensues on this farcical theatrical adventure featuring clowning, big wigs and plenty of wounded masculine pride. Jacksons Lane (Highgate), £10, book ahead, 8pm, until 6 October
Saturday 6 October
METAMORPHOSES: From democracy to proper indoor plumbing, there are plenty of innovations to thank the ancient Greeks and Romans for. Today at England's earliest classical building, you can celebrate their influence on art, architecture, literature and theatre through the ages and right up to the present day. Queen's House and Old Royal Naval College (Greenwich), from £20, book ahead, 2pm-6pm
SOLO CRAFT FAIR: If you're up for a crafty afternoon in a south London ballroom, look no further than SoLo Craft Fair. Indulge in some early Christmas shopping, or even get creative yourself and channel those Rumplestiltskin vibes with a Turkish Drop Spindle workshop. Balham Bowls Club, free entry, book ahead for workshops, 12pm-5pm
TINY DANCERS: The whole family can get their freak on at this kid-friendly rave. DJ Rumpsteppers has an epic mix of 90s and 00s bangers, so you can show those young whippersnappers what real music sounds like as you bop along, glow-sticks and inflatables in hand. The ACT (Kingston), £8, book ahead, 2pm-4pm
Sunday 7 October
FROCK ME FASHION FAIR: From genuine 1920s flapper dresses, to Biba's iconic 60s mini skirts, Frock Me is a vintage fashion lover's paradise. Browse beautiful pieces, play dress up, and take home your own piece of sartorial history. Chelsea Old Town Hall, £4 entry, 11am-5.30pm
LIFE DRAWING: Swap your pencils for specialist inks at this life drawing class from artist Venetia Berry. If you've got a competitive streak you'll be pleased to know that at the end of the session, Venetia's favourite work will get a permanent residence within the Art Deco splendour of Mortimer House. Mortimer House (Fitzrovia), £35, book ahead, 12pm/3pm
THE OREO COMPLEX: What does it mean to be black and British in the 21st century? That's the question posed by London artist Isaac Ouro-Gnao, whose deeply personal exploration of racial identity draws from hip hop dance culture and contemporary art. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), £12, book ahead, 6pm
