What we're reading
- The New Yorker reflects on Sadiq Khan's term as Mayor of London so far as the city deals with increased terrorism and political upheaval.
- Notting Hill Carnival will go ahead as planned, but respect for Grenfell victims will be paramount, organisers say.
- Three London cocktail bars have been ranked best in the world, so where should you head out for drinks tonight?
- London chicken shops are more than just chicken shops.
- Harrow council wins £400,000 to help the borough's immigrants and alleviate strain on public services.
- London wins another award... worst commuter rail service in the country.
Things to do
FIRE BRIGADE: War thriller Dunkirk inspires this London Fire Brigade pop-up museum special exhibition, celebrating the role of the fire brigade's Massey Shaw fireboat in rescuing soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk during the second world war. London Fire Brigade Pop-Up Museum (Lambeth), free, just turn up, 10am-3pm
ALL ABOARD: Grab a rare opportunity to climb aboard the Peruvian Navy's training ship B.A.P. Union, Latin America's largest sail vessel, which docks in London until Saturday (29 July) and is open to the public for a nosey round. Thames Quay (West India Docks), free, just turn up, 10am-3pm
MENTAL HEALTH: Grab your packed lunch and find out the answers to the questions that matter most in public health. How can we know about people's mental health? How do we tell how well children are developing? Statistical epidemiologist Vicky Simms works out what to measure and how to measure it. Wellcome Collection, free, just turn up, 1pm-2pm
BATTERSEA TOUR: Uncover layers of Battersea Town Hall's rich 124 year history with If Walls Could Talk, a guided tour with volunteers who have personal connections to the building. Hear stories of the first woman to work in the building, and what is was like to work as an ARP warden during the war. Then go deeper into the depths of the building to discover a darker side of its history. free, book ahead, 6.30pm
SOHO UPSTAIRS: Don't get enough comedy in your life? Well, Jack Rooke is presenting his Edinburgh preview performance of Happy Hour — a comedy-documentary-theatre show exploring why some mates leave the party and never ever come back. Soho Upstairs, £12/£10, book ahead, 6.30pm
BIT OF THE SEASIDE: In celebration of their new pale ale, the Draft House is having a bit of a do. Bring your bucket and spade, because there'll be a pop up seaside stall, a quiz, and a DJ. The Draft House (Old Street), £5 entry, just turn up, 6.30pm-11.30pm
CLASSIC FUN: Cubitt Sessions' pop-up stage offers a free live programme of classical music, experimental jazz and improvised opera as well as a touch of immersive theatre, surreal comedy and street sounds. Tonight, Tess of the Circle takes to the stage. Lewis Cubitt Square (King's Cross), free, just turn up, 6.30pm-late
HITCHCOCK: A three night pop-up party Hitchcock's Home is celebrating Leytonstone local, Alfred Hitchcock. Pop up talks and tours will help party-goers know the great man a little better, while food, drink, and feature films are also available in the suitably spooky cemetery setting. Until 28 July. The cemetery and grounds of St John's (Leytonstone), £16/£21, book ahead, 6.30pm-late
SCIENCE LATE: How does conflict impact science and society? How are the medical lessons learnt on first world war battlefields relevant in the 21st century? In this Science Museum Late, find out how battles like Passchendaele catalysed the development of emergency medicine and even sophisticated modern treatments such as chemotherapy. Age 18+. Science Museum, free, 6.45pm-10pm
PAUL CHOWDHRY: Straight-talking, grumbly comedian Paul Chowdhry is heading to Edinburgh and so obviously needs to test his material on the London scene. Also comedy from Dane Baptiste. The Four Thieves, Battersea, £7, book ahead, 7.30pm-10.30pm
Art review: lo-fi architecture
Caves, grottoes and follies are all present in this busy exhibition, inspired by the nearby Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. Ramshackle constructions emerge from packaging, everyday materials and glitter in a lo-fi architectural vision. Only the World Remains at Space Station 65, 373 Kennington Road, SE11 4PS, free. Until 28 July ★★★☆☆ (Thursday-Saturday) Tabish Khan
Food review: test kitchen passes with flying colours
Chefs aren't exactly famous for welcoming feedback; so much as suggest that the soup needs a dash more pepper, and they're liable to fly off the handle. The Test Kitchen bucks that snobby trend; not only do diners sit at a bar that wraps right around an open kitchen, but the man behind it, Adam Simmonds, personally presents his small plate dishes to you. You also fill in a form at the end of the meal (high scoring dishes will resurface in a permanent restaurant Simmonds is launching soon). The only difficulty we have is coming up with any useful kind of criticism; from the first mouthful of smoked eel with veal and apples (an off-the-wall take on pie and mash shop liquor) to the last indulgent spoon of whisky, chocolate and coffee mousse, we're spellbound. And to think that some of these won't even make the final cut... Though we can't say what the menu will entail on your visit, we can tell you it'll make your taste buds sing with joy. The Test Kitchen, 54 Frith Street, Soho, W1D 4SL. ★★★★★ Will Noble
Good cause for the day: Thames treasure trails
As part of Seaside Walk Week 2017, Thames Treasure Trails is taking place on 26 July, and it's not too late to sign up. Beginning at a central London location, a unique quiz will guide you round the city with answers to sneaky questions revealing the next clue in the puzzle — until you reach the finish and prize-giving at a pub near Blackfriars station. Create your own team with friends or colleagues (up to a maximum of four people) or go solo and make a new team at the event. All profits will go towards helping struggling families to get the breaks they need. 26 July, Secret location, £15 per person, book ahead, 5.45pm-8pm
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