Sleepover on the Common or pub knees-up: cool places to celebrate

Waving the flag: royal wedding fans at the Abbey prepare for the big day
10 April 2012

Want to avoid the crush outside Westminster Abbey? Find out here where to watch on big screens across London, and where to party afterwards

Where to watch on screens

Hyde Park
Said to be the biggest royal wedding celebration in the country. Up to 500,000 people are invited to gather in Hyde Park to follow BBC coverage from 7am.
As well as food and drink stalls, licensed bars and themed entertainment, there will be the 60-metre "London Eye-style" observation wheel, dancing and even a "family photo" at 1pm. Live music and dancing begins at 1.35pm sharp, with carriages at 4.30pm. The event is being jointly staged by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, London Mayor Boris Johnson and the Royal Parks.
Children can take part in hat-making workshops, with photo booths in place to record the moment for posterity.
london.gov.uk/royalwedding

Trafalgar Square
Yards from The Mall, but home to all the action. About 20,000 people are expected to converge on the square to view events on a giant screen from 7am. There will be food and drink stalls including alcohol. Entrance is free on a first come first served basis.
Mr Johnson is urging visitors to dress for the occasion by wearing hats as if they were guests. As well as the suggested dress code, they are laying on wedding bands and stalls selling champagne, Pimm's and wedding cake.
london.gov.uk/royalwedding

Clapham Common
Camp Royale is hosting a free garden party for wedding watchers as well as a royal sleepover, showing the nuptials on a giant screen at the campsite on Clapham Common. Up to 10,000 guests are expected, with those wishing to stay overnight able to try "glamping", which involves luxurious tents that sleep up to six people. They come complete with single beds, sheepskin rugs and lanterns. The three-day event from today until May 1 costs £75.
camproyale.co.uk

Battersea
The outdoor party in Battersea High Street is adding to its live coverage of the wedding with stalls, donkey rides, and other entertainment.
Local businesses are getting involved, with French restaurant Chez Manny hosting a morning brunch for the occasion. BBC London Radio will also be present, broadcasting the ceremony live. Admission is free and for all ages.
07768 551321

Spitalfields
East End pub The Water Poet will be celebrating in typical "Cockney" style hosting a screening in an East End atmosphere.
Visitors can watch the wedding while sipping "devilish concoctions" including Truman's Consummation Ale and cocktails, walking with the Pearly King and Queen of Bow Bells, and enjoy shaves and trims from Jack the Clipper's Barbers. The free 12-hour party lasts from 11am to 11pm.
waterpoet.co.uk

Hoxton
The Queen of Hoxton royal wedding crashers event, in Shoreditch, involves a rooftop garden party starting at 11am, with a screening of the ceremony, a free wedding buffet, and croquet.
The daytime festivities are free and open to all ages. The evening event, offering karaoke, a live band, and DJ sets, is for over-18s and costs from £5.
thequeenofhoxton.co.uk

Shoreditch
The Leonard Street royal wedding party is hosting an outdoor screening from 10.30am, as well as egg and spoon races, tug of war, a giant pass-the-parcel, and a vintage fair.
All advance purchase wristbands have long since been snapped up but more are available on the day on a first-come first-served basis.

Chelsea
Eighty-Six, Kate Middleton's favourite restaurant in Chelsea, will be broadcasting her big day on a four-metre wide screen.
The Fulham Road restaurant, where Kate recently celebrated her 29th birthday, will be open from 10.30am, offering full continental breakfast and a glass of champagne for £35.
claire@86restaurant.co.uk

Park Lane
One of the most spectacular views of the wedding will be at Galvin at Windows, the Michelin-starred restaurant on the 28th floor of the Hilton hotel. Guests will be able to watch the ceremony on plasma screens as they look over The Mall and see the huge crowds around Buckingham Palace.
The restaurant has a £45 "royal wedding lunch", while its Podium restaurant is offering a "sapphire afternoon tea", inspired by the colours of Kate Middleton's engagement ring.

Mayfair
Restaurant Sketch in Conduit Street is displaying a life-sized cut-out of Wills and Kate on its roof, and showing the wedding on 360-degree screens.
Guests taking afternoon tea during the exchange of vows will be invited to "catch the bouquet", with the recipient winning a private party at the venue. The celebration will continue until April 30.
020 7659 4500

Westminster
The Cinnamon Club is hosting a celebration banquet with plasma screens in the restaurant's bar and dining room providing full wedding coverage while a five-course Indian feast is served to guests at £50 a head.
cinnamonclub.com

...and where to party afterwards

Great Portland St
The White Wedding club night at 229 will see the venue transformed into a giant marquee with themed cabaret room. Clubbers will be able to walk down the aisle, throw a bouquet and choose their favourite wedding song. Compulsory fancy dress code includes over-the-top wedding dresses and "eye-wateringly" bad bridal fashion. Tickets are £8 or £10 on the door. Starts 9.30pm.
whiteweddingclub.com

The South Bank
The Alternative Royal Wedding Reception at the Southbank Centre is hosting a comedy night to mark the occasion. As part of the Udderbelly festival, the event features cabaret stars and stand-up comedians, with drinks discounts available to those who dress in wedding frocks. It starts at 7.45pm. Standard tickets cost £19.50.
underbelly.co.uk/webpages/southbank

Mahiki, Kensington
Mahiki nightclub, a favourite haunt of William and Kate, will be holding an all-day street party on April 29. Hosted by Henry Conway - son of former MP Derek Conway - it will feature decorations made by the Middleton family firm Party Pieces. There will be a burger-and-bangers barbecue, and a bar serving vodka cocktails. The party will carry on in the evening. Names on Mahiki's high-society guest list are said to include model sisters Poppy and Chloe Delevigne and Prince Harry's friends Astrid and Davina Harbord - known as the "Hardcore Sisters". The Saturdays and Girls Aloud are also invited.
mahiki.com

Camden
Taking place at the Roundhouse in Camden, the Alternative Royal Wedding Party from Run Riot includes haircuts, theatre, live music, animation, cabaret, "live art" and DJs. The night also features Mark Storor's dramatic production, The Fat Girl Gets A Haircut and Other Stories, while the adult cabaret entertainment continues with the "Fat Girl" No Shame After Party from 9pm until 1am, with "a cast of truth-seekers, story-tellers and players", featuring performer Bryony Kimmings. Tickets are £15, group discounts available.
roundhouse.org.uk

Shoreditch
The Book Club is hosting A Right Royal Knees Up Afterparty from 5pm until 2am. Shoreditch DJs will entertain revellers with the perfect wedding playlist. £5 after 8pm.
wearetbc.com/royalweddingstreetparty

Bayswater
The Victorian Porchester Hall is hosting The Royal Wedding Bash. As well as screening the wedding, the event includes a champagne reception, a three-course lunch with wine, and a musical comedy performance. The Royal Wedding Ball in the evening, for adults only, features a live band. The day event runs from 10am to 3pm while the evening party continues until 11.30pm. Early bird tickets cost £75. Full price is £115.
royalweddingbash.com

Islington
The Club de Fromage royal wedding party at the Islington O2 Academy is celebrating the royal wedding with an Eighties-themed club night. The fancy dress club night is open until 3am, tickets cost £6.50 in advance or £10 on the door.

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