Ahhh Valentine’s weekend: it can’t be avoided. So we’re going on the offensive – sexy playlists, pink cocktails, jewellery… roller discos. For those nonchalant about V Fest, we have our usual list of new openings to check out (no clichés there, we promise). But, if you’re all out opposed to Valentine’s Day, we’ve got you covered with where to hide out. Enjoy! This Weekend’s Picks • FRI Blakes • SAT Gin & Juice Valentines Roller Disco • SUN The Richmond LONDON FASHION WEEKEND Sponsored Listing London Fashion Weekend is back from 25-28th February. Shop from the best designer collections, listen to industry experts talk about their journey to the top and take your front row seat at a catwalk show from one of the UK’s leading fashion designers. There is so much to soak up and experience at the Saatchi Gallery over the weekend, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Pick up your tote bag exclusively designed this season by Preen by Thornton Bregazzi filled with goodies – and enjoy the show! For a 20% discount on all tickets (except LUXE) enter URBANJUNKIES at checkout ?www.londonfashionweekend.co.uk, 25-28 February, Saatchi Gallery, London, SW3 4RY *Tote bags are subject to availability for all ticket holders excluding bronze Top 5: places to avoid Valentine’s Day 1. Hit up Fabric and celebrate the release of the their latest mix album, with the likes of Eats Everything, Green Velvet and Craig Richards – no heart confetti, we promise. 2. Shotgun have launched a brand new hangover-busting Sunday brunch and this weekend it’s business as usual, meaning no set menus. 3. Or, eat your way around Druid Street Market and make a beeline for their whisky barrels, courtesy of Kitchen Provisions 4. Forget Valentine’s Day and instead keep going with Chinese New Year at Opium Cocktail and Dim Sum Parlour 5. Blacklock will be doing their usual Sunday roasts. Boozy pink shots optional. Friday EAT: Brunch: Gallery Islington Blakes London Islington has been spoilt for choice lately (Oldroyd, Chinese Laundry, Ballanger) and now, Gallery, the latest sleek restaurant to hit Upper Street – marble benches, antique mirrors and touches of brass rounding off the look. With a strong focus on fish and seafood, dine on yellowfin tuna tartare and lobster pappardelle before making your way to dessert. They had us at chilli and hazelnut praline. Skip your 9am and start the weekend with a decadent late breakfast of chai martinis and caviar at Blakes’ new restaurant, which opened yesterday. It’s a dark and sultry spot that’s slightly off the work track (so no run ins with the boss), and the food is truly stand out. We say carry on and stay for lunch — oysters, buffalo ricotta ravioli with truffles, charcoal grilled octopus and sweetbread. Happy Friday! 12pm-11pm Prices vary 105 Upper Street, Islington, N1 1QN All day Prices vary 33 Roland Gardens, SW7 3PF Follow Us! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram See what we’ve been snapping this week on Instagram! BOOK NOW: ANTS ANTS, the legendary party series from the White Isle, is making its London debut. Taking over the Electric Brixton with a roll call of DJs and their usual no-holds-barred production (performers, light shows, back-to-front stages…), expect a slice of Ibiza, London side, including a 7am finish. ANTS London, February 27, 10pm-7am, Electric Brixton, Town Hall Parade, SW2 1RJ. Tickets from £25. Saturday EAT: PARTY: Foley’s Tasting Kitchen at Market Yard Gin & Juice Valentines Roller Disco Thanks to the impending Soho House, things are popping up in Shepherd’s Bush, starting with Market Yard, a new dining space for restaurants to test their menus before launching. For its first residency, they’ve scored Mitz Vora, sous chef of The Palomar, who’ll be testing the menu for his first restaurant, Foley’s Tasting Kitchen in Fitzrovia (opening in six weeks). Expect flavours of the Spice Route with dishes such as saffron coconut curry, spiced sweet potato fritters and ribeye cap steaks. Now, time to roll with your homies. The Oval Space has transformed into a roller disco for Valentine’s weekend. Each day will have a distinct flavour – from hip-hop to house, through to D.I.S.C.O and beyond, all in the name of wheel love (sorry!). Keep the rink-to-dance floor rhythm going by refuelling at the Prosecco bar. Prices vary 88-89 Shepherd’s Bush Market, W12 8DQ 29-32 The Oval, Bethnal Green, E2 9DT £10 6pm-12am Calendar pick: Wringer and Mangle's new seasonal menu We see a new menu every day, but a dedicated Collins cocktail menu — now that caught our eye. Other highlights from Wringer and Mangle in London Fields include the live DJ spinning as you eat! Read more Sunday Eat: WATCH: The Richmond How to be Single If you’re going to do V.Day do it properly – by which we mean, go the extra kitsch – love hearts, pink cocktails and ‘sexy’ tunes – which is exactly what’s on offer at The Richmond. The only catch, it’s a set menu — starting with a String of Pearls cocktail and ending with a heart shaped dessert. Want a teaser? Get in the mood via this slow jams playlist, courtesy of The Richmond. It is Valentine’s Day. And it is Sunday night. And if you go to the The Lounge at Whiteleys, you’ll get to put your feet up and drink enough red wine to make this combination okay. As for the movie: put this in the it’s so bad it’s good category. 1pm-4pm 3 courses plus a cocktail on arrival for £35.00 p/p 316 Queensbridge Road, E8 3NH 4pm, 6.30pm, 9pm £85 151 Queensway, W2 4YL Stephen Webster X Tracey Emin: I promise to love you Wear your heart on your sleeve… or arm, wrist, fingers, or ears with the Stephen Webster X Tracey Emin Collection. Her iconic neons have been translated to fine jewellery. Finally! Stephen Webster X Tracey Emin, from £400. WEEKEND GUIDE BY CS LIKE SHARE FORWARD PREVIOUS EDITION (c) 2016 Urban Junkies. All rights reserved. Reproductions of any portion of this website only with our express permission. Urban Junkies is a free weekly mailer. All listings and features are editorial: We do not receive any payment from venues, artists or promoters. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of information listed but we cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions.