January has come slinking back into our lives like that creepy post-16 prom date we thought we'd safely blocked on Facebook. There’s no more twinkling Christmas lights to distract us from the minus sign on our bank balance, the five rounds at the office party have effectively bankrupted us and tapping our contactless credit card repeatedly does in fact have consequences. Before you resign yourself to a month of binge watching Netflix and trying to avoid a punch up in Tesco’s reduced section, read our list of five cheap things to do in London this January.
Swap box set binges for live entertainment at Bread and Roses Theatre
As tempting as it is to get yourself stuck into a Gilmore Girls hole this January, step away from the computer screen and see some real-life acting instead. London has some of the best theatre shows in the world, many of which cost less than a tenner. Start with The Bread and Roses Theatre in Clapham as they put on a month of thought-provoking and original theatre, from the tale of seemingly normal married couple to a modern take on Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. If you’re north of the river, Rosemary Branch Theatre in Islington is staging Richard III as well as a night of improv comedy.
Tickets start from £8 at The Bread and Roses Theatre.
Party from £1 at The Grand
You can always count on The Grand; even when January's boot kicks your back as you scrabble for spare change down the sofa, the South London venue will pick you back up, dust you off and throw in a party for a pound. The former Victorian theatre in Clapham is blasting the blues away with a series of nights which include a Spice Girls special, a Bowie-inspired shindig and a Disney singalong riot. For affordable things to do in London this January, it doesn't get much better than sipping Smirnoff Ices and screaming the words to Hakuna Matata.
The Grand are hosting a jam-packed January schedule with everything from Spice Girls to WWE.
Go old-school with bonfires and cider at Midnight Apothecary
Our ancestors found a way to have fun before the days of Bumble and online shopping sales, getting over the January hump with bonfires and cider. Midnight Apothecary is bringing the better parts of ye olden days to us with their celebration of Wassailing, the tradition of the twelfth night. Taking place at The Brunel Museum, the night follows the ancient ceremony of blessing the fruit trees in the hope of a successful season. Throw in some folk musicians, candle-lit halls and plenty of hot cocktails and you've got yourself a great night out.
Party like it's 1729 at Midnight Apothecary's Wassailing ceremony.
Learn how to swing dance with Tiger Rag Fridays
Ditch the lettuce leaves and Tolstoy - January is miserable enough - and start a fun new hobby with Tiger Rag Fridays. From swing through to lindy hop and charlestons, this affordable January activity will teach you a range of classic dances all soundtracked by a live band. Once the lesson is over, stay and party until 3am, swapping the trusty old robot for one of your new found moves - we've heard there's an opening on Strictly if things go really well...
With tickets starting from £5, Tiger Rag put on a cracking night of live music and dance lessons.
Combine booze and culture at a museum late
How many great men and women have attempted to brave a museum on the weekend and fallen at the first, toddler-blocked entrance? Ditch the ankle-biters and take advantage of museum lates, a night when some of London’s most famous spots open their doors for adults only. On 25 January, the Science Museum is open until 10pm and is delving back to your childhood with laughter therapy, a scientific see-saw and toy car racing. Both the Natural History Museum and the V & A are open late on 27th January, with bars dotted around the building, live music and plenty of informing talks.
The Natural History Museum opens until 10pm on the last Friday of each month.
