What’s on at the launch of Leake Street Arches, Waterloo

On Saturday 16 June, the Leake Street Arches at Waterloo are officially being launched, following the street’s shiny make-over. The area has been a creative playground for some of the city’s best graffiti artists since 2008, when Banksy saw its potential and ran an event he called The Cans Festival; he and his team of artists transformed the tunnel into what he described “an oasis of beautiful art”. Walk through the tunnel today and you’ll still see graffiti artists updating various patches of wall. But prior to now, you wouldn’t have had any reason to go there unless you were a graffiti artist, visiting the Vaults – the street's tucked-away performance space – or using it as a cut through to buzzy Lower Marsh.

As of 16 June, though, this all changes, as six new businesses are opening their doors as part of the street's on-going redevelopment – and two more will be following in their footsteps shortly. Among those setting up shop in the former railway arches are Banh Bao Brothers, who will be serving up their Vietnamese street food, which you can wash down with tasty tahini margaritas. Those who visit on the launch will have the chance to win free food and drink at their table by playing the restaurant’s ‘Roll the Dice’ game.

A new branch of Hackney board game bar Draughts will also be opening, inviting guests to engage with one another over a game whilst enjoying drinks and bar food. To celebrate the launch, the bar will be offering 2-for-1 Bloody Mary’s and Mimosas during brunch (11am-4pm, for those who are curious), plus throwing mini game tournaments throughout the day. Guests will be offered a complimentary house cocktail with every game and prizes will be available for the winners, including tote bags, t-shirts and, fittingly, board games.

Aures London – Europe’s first five sensory, fully-immersive events venue – has also bagged a spot, and in it the experimental team is launching a 50-speaker sensory space, where visitors can enjoy an all-encompassing music experience. Guests who visit Aures on the launch can enjoy 15-minute immersive sound demos, as well as a four-hour set with New York DJ Danny Krivit – tickets are available here.

Meanwhile, graffiti-themed ‘speakeasy’ Rat Bar @ 26 Leake Street will be showing off their newly-installed, original Banksy known as ‘Giant Rat’ and offering half price pizzas, too. Finally, at House of Vans, open skate sessions will be held throughout the day, art by iconic skate photographer Michael Burnett will be on display and free cinema screenings of Guardians of the Galaxy will be shown at 3pm and 5.30pm.