The Eras Tour is coming to London this summer – make the most of it with these Taylor Swift-themed events
Whether you’re a fan or not, videos of Taylor Swift probably dominated your newsfeeds last year as the pop superstar kicked off her latest tour with a record-smashing leg across the US. You were no doubt flooded by streams of Swifties dressed to the nines in handmade costumes, handing out beaded friendship bracelets (inspired by her song ‘You’re on Your Own, Kid’ from the Midnights album) and profusely crying. Even if you missed that wave, you’d have at least seen the video of a fan listening from outside of Sydney’s Accor Stadium who started sobbing when she heard the first chords of ‘Exile’ about 100 times.
Now, London’s gearing up for the hype to break out of our screens as Taylor’s bringing the Eras Tour to London twice this summer, for a total of EIGHT shows. The city had a taste of the Taylor Mania in April as the release of her new album The Tortured Poets Department led to Vauxhall pub The Black Dog becoming overloaded with dedicated followers of the singer (ICYMI: The Black Dog was mentioned in a song of the same name, which hinted that the spot was frequented by Taylor’s ex Joe Alwyn). The pub has now launched a merch line off the back of the whole situation – why not, right?
It sounds like more of that kinda thing is on the way as venues across London are launching Taylor Swift-themed events in the run-up to the concerts, so we’ve rounded up the best of the lot below. There are boat parties, guided tours, workshops, exercise classes – restaurants are getting involved – people are even holding conferences. It’s becoming clearer by the day that this summer, London belongs to the Swifties. And, if you’re not quite on board yet, we’ll leave you with this: if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. You might even get a decent brunch out of it.
Brunch – Taylor’s Version at Gaucho
Steakhouse Gaucho is breaking out a Taylor Swift-inspired brunch at its Piccadilly location this June and August. Expect themed cocktails, glitter artists and buttermilk fried chicken tenders (reportedly Taylor’s favourite food).
Sat 22nd June & Sat 17th August 2024
25 Swallow Street, London W1B 4QR
gauchorestaurants.com
Taylor Swift Drag Brunch at OXBO Bankside
Head to OXBO Bankside for their one-off Taylor Swift Drag Brunch, hosted by drag queen, TikTok superstar and die-hard Swiftie, Sophia Stardust. There’ll be live performances of Taylor’s top hits, as well as themed cocktails, unlimited bubbles and the chance to win some major prizes.
Sat 29th June 2024, 12.30pm – 3pm
Bankside 2, 8 Great Suffolk Street, London SE1 0UG
oxbobankside.co.uk
Taylor Swift Pottery Painting Workshops
Head to Carb Club in Hackney where the studio is hosting a series of Taylor Swift-themed pottery painting workshops. Each of the three-hour events will be soundtracked by an Eras Tour playlist while you paint a piece of pottery – either a pasta bowl, cereal bowl, pet bowl, mug, small plate or three coasters. Decorate yours with symbols from each of Taylor’s Eras, or with your favourite lyrics, get it glazed and fired and, once it’s ready (usually after 2-3 weeks – if you’re travelling for the show, Carb Club can ship the finished piece to you), bring it home as your own personalised piece of tour merch.
Fri 21st – Sun 23rd June, Thurs 15th – Fri 16th & Mon 19th – Tues 20th August 2024
112, Warwick Works, Lower Clapton, London E5 8QJ
carbclub.co
Taylor Swift Drag Bottomless Brunch & Mini Golf at Puttshack Bank
Puttshack is putting on a Pride Brunch with a Taylor Swift twist and it’s set to be full of non-stop tunes, bottomless bubbles, high-tech mini golf, brunch dishes and a Swiftie lip sync for your life competition with prizes up for grabs. The whole thing will be hosted by the UK’s premiere drag vegetable, Carrot, while Mynxie will be on the decks.
Sun 23rd June 2024, 2pm – 4pm
1 Poultry, London EC2R 8EJ
puttshack.com
Taylor Swift Party Brunch at 100 Wardour Street
Restaurant and club 100 Wardour Street is putting on a ‘Party Brunch’ in honour of Taylor’s stint in town, complete with a menu of crowd pleasers, bottomless Aperol spritzes or prosecco and a live band singing all of the superstar’s biggest hits.
Sun 23rd June 2024
100 Wardour Street, London W1F 0TL
100wardourst.com
Taylor Swift Fan Park
Pre-game Swiftie-style for the Wembley concerts by heading to the Taylor Swift Fan Park at BOXPARK Wembley. Running for all eight of her London dates, there’ll be DJs, live performances, glitter stations, drinks specials and more to get involved in.
Fri 21st – Sun 23rd June and Thurs 15th – Tues 20th August 2024
BOXPARK Wembley, Olympic Way, Wembley HA9 0JT
boxpark.co.uk