There are a lot of things that Dua Lipa, the pop megastar and Grammy winner, misses. Like the rest of us, she is yearning to go ‘out out’. Mostly this is so she can finally hear her 2020 album, Future Nostalgia – an album made for a dance floor – actually played in a club. She also misses performing live, something she was able to do at the Brits this year for the first time since before the pandemic. “I did everything beforehand in an empty room and in a rehearsal studio,” she explains. “When I got out on stage and heard everyone’s screaming it was so exciting. I instantly remembered the feeling. It has got me really excited for tour.”
But even more than live performing, she misses her home town London. “It is so hard to be away in the States this summer when things like Wimbledon and the Euros are happening,” she confesses. “Events like that create a feeling of togetherness and excitement. I think that’s something we’ve been missing over the past year or so.” She describes her typical London summer; picnics with friends on Primrose Hill or Hampstead Heath and gearing up for Notting Hill Carnival, one of her favourite events of the year.
“London’s just home for me, it always will be,” she says. “I have everything there: my family, my friends, so many memories. There’s nothing quite like it. I think the more I travel, the more I know it is my favourite city.”
And so, below, Dua shares with Bazaar her ultimate guide to London…
1) Where to eat…
“You have to hit Bone Daddies in Soho. The ramen there is my favourite. I also love a Sunday roast. Lore of the Land pub in Fitzrovia, in my opinion, does the best. I’m obsessed with it. It’s just reopened and they do this Marmite and treacle butter toast which is delicious. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea but, trust me, it’s great.”
2) Where to hear great music…
“In the summer, I love a London park festival. Something like British Summer Time in Hyde Park, which is always super fun. But for me, it has to be Koko in Camden. It has been my go-to music venue since I was a kid and getting to play there a few years ago was achieving a massive, massive dream of mine.”
3) Where to see great art….
“I love the Tate and miss it a lot. I also really love the Saatchi Gallery. To me, strolling around an art gallery is just a great day out.”
4) Where to shop…
“I love a farmer’s market, I really do; nothing beats a good neighbourhood one. My favourite is in Queen’s Park, in North West London. It’s just outside of a school, it’s so great. Also, you cannot beat Columbia Road Flower Market. I don’t always manage to get over to East London, but when I do, I always hit the flower market and then the vintage shops. Just kind of looking around there is fun and it’s always really busy with little pop-ups. I also love getting into Rough Trade and just picking out vinyl based on the cover. When you have no idea what the music is, you hopefully get a good surprise!”
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5) What not to miss…
“Wimbledon! No summer in London is the same without it. I am so sad I’m not at the tournament this year – but it’s so wonderful to see evian committing to an annual community ticket pledge to thank different groups with a dedicated day at Wimbledon each year. I hope everyone has a fabulous time watching all the amazing tennis. Eat some strawberries and cream for me!”