Ten ways to celebrate Independence Day this July 4
Don your favourite fanny pack, order yourself an extra large burger with cheese and supersize your Friday night because it is Independence Day. Happy July 4 everyone! Here are some of the best places to celebrate in London (yes, most of them involve a LOT of eating)…
12-COURSE HOME COOKED MEAL
Farr’s & Stripes 4th of July Feast
Celebrate American home-cooked food by eating a hell of a lot of it starting off with four appetisers: Rocky Mountain oysters with cocktail sauce, clams casino, Kansas City smoked pork ribs and devilled eggs. You get the idea. Don’t ask for a doggy bag, just bring a rumbling belly. £35, July 4, 7pm-11:30pm, 17-19 Dalston Lane, E8 3DF.
GREAT BRITAIN vs AMERICA CHALLENGE
Craft Beer Challenge
Americans are renowned for being a competitive bunch, so why not join in with this Britain vs America craft beer challenge? Sure, America has produced some great beer, but we’ve upped the game with our flourishing craft beer scene. Celebrate July 4 with rare and interesting ales, a beer-matching menu, pub games and American style burgers and hotdogs. Entry £4 (kids go free), Saturday July 5, noon-midnight, London Fields Brewhouse, E8 3RR.
ALL YOU CAN EAT CRAYFISH
4th July Crawdaddy Boil
Bob’s all-you-can-eat crayfish washed down with a Lagurita before a spot of Nascraw racing. We’re in! £40, 6pm-11pm, The Liquor Store, Dalston.
COMPETITIVE EATING
Hot Dog Eating Competition
Think you’ve got a good appetite? Get yourself down to this hot dog eating competition. It goes like this: 30 minutes to eat as many hot dogs as you can, sauce and water is allowed but no sharing, no puking and no cry babies! Ready, set, GO! Ed Conway currently holds the record of 19 hot dogs. Easy, right? Free entry before 9.30pm or anytime with an American passport, £5 advance, 7pm-2am, July 4, email shoreditch@theblueskitchen.com to enter, 134 Curtain Rd, EC2A 3AR.
A FANCY MISSISSIPPI MEAL
The Lockhart’s July 4th menu
If you’re not down with stuffing your face with hot dogs, try the more civilised route and dine at Southern US restaurant The Lockhart, which is celebrating with a July 4 menu cooked by Mississippi-born head chef Brad McDonald. The Lockhart will run two all-day feasts served ‘picnic style’ to share. £24 lunch, £35 dinner, July 4-5, The Lockhart, 22-24 Seymour Place, W1H 7NL.
ROCKABILLY BAND
Nashville comes to Peckham
Sip on some bespoke rye whiskey cocktails while listening to the rockabilly blues of The Doel Brothers at Peckham Moonshine’s July 4 party at the Bussey Building. £5, 8pm-2am, July 4, The CLF Art Cafe, 133 Rye Ln, SE15 4ST.
HISTORICAL EXPERIENCE
Independence Day at Benjamin Franklin’s House
Where better to celebrate Independence Day than in the former home of Benjamin Franklin – one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Franklin lived at this Charing Cross address for 16 years between 1757 and 1775, and this party will honour his spirit by serving a glass of champers and a piece of cake at lunch time. £8, £5 friends and concs, July 4, midday, 36 Craven St, WC2N 5NF.
BEER TASTING
Independence Day Craft Beer Tasting
Work your way through six of America’s best beers. You know what these guys are like, Americans don’t do things by halves, so these beers are bold, cheerleading-in-your-face kind of brews full of flavour and creativity. Each beer is paired with mini sliders and buffalo wings, Yee-haw! £28, 6.30pm-8.30pm, July 4, Netil 360, 1 Westgate St, Hackney, E8 3RL.
AMERICAN FEAST
Bodean’s Independence Day Special
Learn how to make the perfect pulled pork and burnt ends with a BBQ demo followed by supper washed down with plenty of beer and bourbon at Bodean’s in Balham. Or get the Rennies ready and loosen your belt for Bodean’s real American meal deal available in every branch. Nachos, buffalo wings, a full rack of ribs, fries, coleslaw, and either a bottle of Samuel Adams or an Old Forester Bourbon for the apt price of £17.76. Available July 4-6, Bodean’s, 225 Balham High Road, SW17 7BQ.
FAMILY FRIENDLY PICNIC
Democrats Abroad UK American Independence Day Picnic
Expect plenty of American-style burgers, hot dogs and barbecue food at this annual Independence Day picnic. There will be a tug-of-war, face painting and crafts for kids and live music to keep adults entertained. Everyone is welcome at the celebration but only US citizens can buy tickets. £10-£12, £5 concs, £3.50 kids, free under-6s, Sunday July 6, Portman Square Garden, Entrance on Wigmore St, W1H 7BH.
Find more fun things to do in London this July 4th.