Battersea's Yoda charms locals, Nikita Pathakji brings Maai to SW, and Harar plates up bold. Here’s SWhat’s happening…

🇬🇧 SW News

Battersea Dog Yoda Charms Locals 🐶

A rescue dog named Yoda at Battersea has been stealing hearts ahead of Star Wars Day, thanks to her distinctive ears and gentle personality. Staff say her journey from stray to recovery highlights the care given to animals and the joy they bring to new homes. Source

TV Chef Opens Clapham Restaurant 🍽️

Great British Menu winner Nikita Pathakji is opening her first solo restaurant Maai in Clapham this May, bringing bold seasonal dishes inspired by her TV appearances and family roots, with a menu designed for sharing and a strong local neighbourhood focus. Source

Teen Describes BBQ Shooting Horror 🚨

A teenager caught up in a Brixton barbecue shooting said gunmen opened fire without caring who they hit, as a drive-by attack left four people injured and one man later dying. Police have launched a murder investigation and are appealing for witnesses. Source

Battersea Half-Term Fun 🎡

Battersea Power Station is putting on a lively half-term line-up for families, with an art installation, a Luminarium, a land train, relaxed Peppa Pig visits and kids-eat-free deals. It is shaping up as an easy local day out for families. Source

Green Candidate in Hot Water⚠️

Sabine Mairey, a Green candidate standing in Clapham, has been seen canvassing after her arrest over alleged antisemitic social media posts. The Greens say she is under investigation and likely to be suspended, while Labour has slammed the party's response. Source

🎉 Upcoming Events

Furnival Brothers

Warm, rootsy live songwriting and storytelling with an intimate indie-folk feel in a small Brixton venue. Source

Celebrating Rihanna

Live band celebration of Rihanna’s ANTI, reworking the album’s biggest tracks with a soulful, high-energy twist. Source

Speedial + Auntie + Skunkworm + Phoebe Massey

An experimental indie lineup showcasing loud, DIY-leaning alternative acts in a raw, small-venue setting. Source

Brixton Fridays: Hip Hop, Afrobeats & R&B

Late-night party mixing hip-hop, Afrobeats and R&B DJs with a club atmosphere running until 3AM. Source

Boos Playground

A multi-artist live music night featuring emerging acts in a relaxed grassroots gig setting. Source

No Frills Folk Club

An intimate acoustic night featuring stripped-back folk sets and emerging singer-songwriters in a relaxed, DIY-style live music setting. Source

✨ Hidden Gems

(Click each title to see them on Google Maps)

Harar Restaurant

Harar Restaurant in Vauxhall serves authentic Ethiopian and Eritrean food, with vegetarian and vegan platters alongside hearty meat dishes. Opened in 2013, it is a friendly, laid-back spot for sharing a colourful meal with friends or family in SW London.

The Three Lions

The Three Lions in Vauxhall is a Portuguese restaurant and café with fresh, seasonal dishes, Sunday roast and all-day dining. It feels relaxed and local, with hearty plates for lunch, dinner or a weekend catch-up with friends by the river.

Botanica Hall

Botanica Hall in Clapham Junction is a stylish all-day bar and restaurant with coal-fired pizza, homemade pasta, cocktails, brunch, hot-desking and late-night DJs. It is a lively, flexible spot that works for coffee, lunch, drinks or a bigger night out.