Things to do in Thanet June 22: Pop-up cinema, RIFF, Assembly Acoustic

News and fun stuff to do in Thanet and beyond

Following fears that its recent sale at auction may have seen it fall into the hands of developers, it has now been announced that The London Tavern in Margate will be reopening as a pub in the very near future. As well as alcohol, it’ll be serving up smash burgers from the team behind The Invicta Bar in Gravesend. 

Abandoned for the best part of a decade, The Old Wine Warehouse (formerly Age & Sons) in Charlotte’s Court, Ramsgate is being restored by Heritage Lab. It is set to reopen in the autumn as a co-working space, cafe/restaurant, speakeasy and events venue. Find out more here.

Vivienne Westwood has unveiled her autumn/winter campaign with photography featuring some locations that should be familiar. The Nayland Rock Hotel, Margate Caves, and Arlington House all feature. Take a look here. 

Artist Margo McDaid - aka Margo In Margate - is back in Margate, having run a studio and shop out of Ramsgate since 2018. Her new gallery at 36 High Street, Margate opens to the public today, stocked full of new work. Check her brand new website for details. 

Ramsgate International Film Festival runs from June 25-30 with screenings and events around the town. It will open with the UK premiere of Mr Blake At Your Service starring John Malkovich and Fanny Ardant. Full details and tickets at ramsgateiffest.org.

London pop-up cinema night Deeper Into Movies is making its way to Margate, kicking off with a screening of Harmony Korine’s deeply disturbing debut Gummo at Bar Nothing on Jul 10. Tickets available through Dice. 

Louie On Sea at the Turner Contemporary has a new menu. The Mediterranean vegetable sandwich and Casarecce pasta salad would be our choice, but you have whatever you like. Open Tuesday to Friday and Sunday 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am until sunset. 

Seafood pop-up Catch’s next appearance will be at The Bedford Inn in Ramsgate on June 29. This one will be their first foray into afternoon al fresco dining, taking over the pub’s beer garden from midday to 4pm. Places are £20pp. Book here.

Dormant for several years now, Three Trapped Tigers have announced that they are reforming. Unfortunately, it’s for a farewell tour. One of those shows will take place at Ramsgate Music Hall on August 13. Don’t miss this final chance to see this incredible band play. Tickets £15 + fees from the RMH website.

The third edition of Assembly Acoustic, showcasing local musicians, takes place at Off Licence in Margate on June 26. Claire Pitt Wigmore headlines, with other sets from Jack Berkeley, Agama, The Slopes and Xav Clarke. Entry fee is pay-what-you-can with money going to the performers. Music starts at 7pm.

Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition is back on, running June 18 to August 18. While Jonathan Jones has given it a good slagging, there's always something to look at among the many works dotting the walls. Tickets from £22.

Bar Indigo is the new venture from Waverly House chef Tomas Eriksson. Due to open next month, it will come with San Sebastián-inspired flavours, quaffable wines, Estrella Galicia on tap and craft cans. Find it when it opens at 9 York Street, Broadstairs, CT10 1PD.

Gemilia Boss, the driftweed artist, makes stuff out of seaweed, is hosting a few workshops in Broadstairs over the coming months, and it's worth booking ahead for these. Dates are for July and August, and at the end of the four-hour session, you'll have made your own seaweed picture to hang on your wall. Tickets £65, and check her Instagram for dates and times.

Turner Contemporary's fun workshop designed for kids aged 5 and older, will look at Ed Clarke’s pioneering technique of using a broom as a painting tool, called The Big Sweep. In this drop-in session running 10.30am-12pm and 1pm-2.30pm on Saturday, June 29, tots can create their own art, or a mess, as they experiment with the same techniques as Clarke’s. Free and no need to book.