Coming Soon: Tootopia

And now one for the diaries. You’ll be pleased to hear that Tooting’s annual multi-venue festival is back in its fourth year, this year teaming up with twenty of the neighbourhood’s hippest hangouts for a three-day extravaganza, saluting all things Tooting. Yes, really.

Running from 25th-27th September, Tootopia promises the not unusual delights of food, drink, live entertainment and family friendly events, all hosted by the area’s best loved cafes, bars, pubs and restaurants. Here are a few of them: Graveney & Meadow, Tooting Tram, Antelope, The Selkirk, The Castle, The Imperial Durbar, Pedal Back Café, Tooting Market, Coffee Co. Tooting, The Little Taperia, The Wheatsheaf, Mud, Lahore Karahi, Meza, The Little Bar, Unwined, Breakfast & Burgers, Get Juiced and Grubs.

There’s also a Foodie Trail allowing locals and visitors alike to taste a happy dozen of Tooting’s top eateries. If you follow the trail you can even bag one-off specials and food-filled goodies.

Music will be firmly on hand at Tooting Tram & Social with hotly tipped indie bands Pleasure House and Native People, followed by party set from DJ 7oel (on Friday 25th).

The next day? Why, hit Graveney & Meadow’s backyard with your hangovers for a mini street food circuit: Honest Burgers, Oh My Dog!, Petare, Claw, Meat Heads, Bun Kabab, Simmons Creperie, plus loads more.

If you’re dragging along an ankle-biter or two, there are creative workshops allowing kids (big and small) to design a tote bag with Love Art, or simply adorn the walls with Coffee and Crayons. Or you could even strike a pose with yer offspring at Katie’s Pilates.

What else? A historical walking tour led by Councillor Rex Osborn, free bike check-up sessions at Pedal Bike Café, pop-up cinema at Tooting Market, The Big Tooting Bake Off at Coffee Co. Phew.

And with a nod to Cask Ale Week, Antelope are inviting real ale fans to meet Croydon brewery Volden and sample its newest wild hop brew launching only at – you guessed it – Tootopia.