As the evenings draw in and Blackheath settles into autumn, having something good in the diary suddenly feels even more important. And at The Clarendon, October and November bring plenty of reasons to head out rather than stay in.
From Motown favourites and Vegas-inspired swing to a murder mystery dinner, free live jazz and seasonal food made for cooler evenings – there’s always something happening. Whether you’re planning a night with friends, a date night or simply fancy breaking up the working week with good food and live entertainment we’ve got something for you.
Here’s what’s coming up at The Clarendon this autumn.
Live Music and Events in Blackheath This October
October at The Clarendon is all about live music, with two Friday nights offering very different ways to brighten up the darker evenings.
Fil Straughan Soul Experience – Friday 2nd October
October kicks off with soul, and plenty of it. On Friday 2nd October, FiL Straughan brings his Soul Experience to The Clarendon for a night of powerful vocals and non-stop energy.
A vocalist, songwriter, dancer and all-round entertainer, Fil has toured with and supported some serious names in the industry. His show blends the latest chart-topping soul with the classic songs everyone knows, all delivered with the kind of stage presence that gets a room moving from the first note.
Don’t forget your dancing shoes.
Tickets are £55 per person, including a three-course dinner and live performance.
Tina T’s Tamla Motown Night – Friday 16th October
There are some songs that make sitting still almost impossible. On Friday 16th October, Tina T’s Tamla Motown Night returns to Blackheath with the Motown and soul classics that have been filling dance floors for generations.
Tina will be joined by saxophonist Oli Arlotto, bringing even more energy to favourites from the likes of Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and The Temptations. Add a three-course dinner before the show and you have exactly the sort of Friday that makes autumn feel a lot less quiet.
Tickets are £55 per person, including dinner and the live show.
Aiden Kent Swing Evening – Friday 30th October
Two weeks later, the soundtrack changes completely as Aiden Kent returns to The Clarendon on Friday 30th October.
Taking inspiration from the golden age of the Las Vegas casinos, Aiden combines smooth swing vocals with breezy Bossa Nova and plenty of old-school style. It’s a night with a little more glamour to it – the kind of excuse to dress up, enjoy a three-course dinner and settle in for the show.
Tickets are £55 per person, including dinner and Aiden’s live performance.
The Body Behind Bars: Murder Mystery Dinner in Blackheath – Friday 13th November
If October is about the music, November brings something altogether more suspicious to The Clarendon.
On Friday 13th November, The Body Behind Bars takes you back to 1960s London, where a petty criminal with links to the Krays is being held ahead of his trial. When a murder takes place somewhere it seemingly shouldn’t have been possible, it’s up to you to follow the clues and work out what really happened.
Part dinner, part theatre and part chance to test your detective skills, it’s ideal if you fancy something a little different from the usual meal out.
Tickets are £59 per person, including a three-course dinner and the murder mystery show.
Jazz @ The Row: Live Jazz in Blackheath Every Other Thursday
Not every autumn evening needs a big plan. Sometimes a drink, a comfortable seat and some very good live music are more than enough.
Every other Thursday from 7.30pm, Jazz @ The Row brings local musicians to the Chart Bar for an ever-changing mix of jazz, swing, soul, brass and familiar favourites. One week might be all about smooth vocals; another could bring bigger band sounds or something a little more soulful.
Best of all, it’s free to enjoy. Come specifically for the music, meet friends for a drink in the Chart Bar, or start with dinner beforehand. It’s an easy way to add something different to the working week without needing to head into central London.
Autumn Dining in Blackheath at The Clarendon
Autumn is also a good excuse to gather around the table, especially when the menu leans into the kind of food that suits cooler evenings.
The Clarendon’s October and November events menu includes dishes such as slow-cooked shin of beef with creamy mash and red wine jus, pan-fried chicken supreme with tarragon and mushroom sauce, and seared sea bass with a chive and saffron velouté. For dessert, there’s warm apple tatin with custard or passion fruit cheesecake with mango.
It’s a menu designed for more than the headline events too. Whether you’re planning a family get-together, a team dinner or a private celebration at The Clarendon, autumn is a very good time to gather around the table.
Make More of an Autumn Evening in Blackheath
One of the nicest things about coming to The Clarendon is that there’s no need to rush the night. Start with dinner in the Meridian Restaurant, enjoy the show or live music, then linger over a drink in the Chart Bar rather than heading straight home.
And if you’re travelling from further afield, or simply fancy turning your plans into an autumn break, you can stay overnight at The Clarendon and enjoy a much more relaxed end to the night.
With plenty happening throughout October and November, now’s a good time to decide what deserves a place in your autumn diary.
Take a look at the full events calendar and book the nights that catch your eye. Some of the headline events take place on just one date, so it’s worth making your plans early.
We look forward to welcoming you to The Clarendon this autumn.