Pour the wine and break out the bunting — Eurovision is back!
The 2023 Eurovision Song Contest is being hosted in on home turf, at the Liverpool Arena, on behalf of last year's winners, Ukraine.
If you can't make it up to Merseyside, take a look at these London venues which are hosting Eurovision 2023 parties and screenings. We'll update this article as more events are announced. We expect there will be more interest than ever this year, so get booking before tickets sell out.
The final is broadcast on BBC One on Saturday 13 May, with semi-finals on Tuesday 9 and Thursday 11 May.
Eurovision Party London 2023
Eurovision Party London is the go-to event for die-hard Eurovision fans, and London's biggest Eurovision party.
It usually features European themed drinks and food from the host country, along with karaoke, costume prizes, a live DJ, and all of the action shown on a large screen. Previously it's been held at Rio Cinema in Dalston, but details for 2023 haven't yet been announced. Join the mailing list to get the lowdown asap — no doubt organisers are planning to go BIG this year.
London Eurovision Party warm-up
Not to be confused with Eurovision Party London (above), London Eurovision Party is a pre-Eurovision warm-up celebration starring contestants in this year's competition, as well as some familiar faces from previous years. The venue and other details have yet to be announced, but we know it'll take place in London on Sunday 16 April.
🎉 We’re back! London Eurovision Party 2023 takes place on Sunday 16 April.
— London Eurovision Party (@LDNEurovision) November 17, 2022
🇬🇧 Stay tuned to @wiwibloggs for more updates coming soon. #LEP2023 #LDNEurovisionhttps://t.co/9kWnEOrn4E
Eurovision comedy
Three days before the Eurovision final (10 May), legendary party venue The Clapham Grand hosts COMEDY X EUROVISION, a show bristling with singing comedians, each competing for your vote. Sounds like the sort of chaos Eurovision is all about. Scroll down for the same venue's Eurovision screening party on the big night itself.
Other Eurovision 2023 screenings and parties in London
ROYAL VAUXHALL TAVERN, VAUXHALL: London's best-known LGBTQ+ pub the RVT is pulling out all the stops with not one but three Eurovision screening parties, for both semi finals and the final itself. There'll also be various live performances and after parties. 9, 11 and 13 May
TWO BREWERS, CLAPHAM: Not to be outdone, the Two Brewers is hosting FOUR Eurovision-themed blowouts — screening the semis, the final — plus a special Eurovision Friday hosted by Destiny Chukunyere, who won the Junior Contest for Malta in 2015. 9, 11, 12 and 13 May
BATTERSEA PARK: There's a free entry, open air screening of the Eurovision final in Battersea Park. It's a family-friendly affair with face painting and food and drink stalls. You need to book your free ticket in advance. FREE, from 5pm, 13 May
TRINITY BELL, ALDGATE: Fuller's pub the Trinity Bell decks itself out in balloons and confetti for a Eurovision screening party, with guess the score, Eurovision bingo, and other games throughout the evening. Start planning your outfit now, as there's a best-dressed competition too. From 5pm, 13 May
BIG PENNY SOCIAL, WALTHAMSTOW: Big Penny Social joins forces with Massaoke for a massive Eurovision watch party. Watch all the action in Liverpool on the big screen, as well as joining in massive singalongs to classic tunes, and trying your luck at Eurovision bingo. From 6pm, 13 May
THE RAILWAY, STREATHAM: South London pub The Railway plays Euro Pop songs before and after the screening, and serves up special themed cocktails. From 6pm, 13 May
STRONGROOM BAR, SHOREDITCH: Drag performances, screenings in two rooms, live DJ Tasmin Taylor on the decks and karaoke after the winners are announced are all promised at the Eurovision party at Strongroom Bar & Kitchen. From 6pm, 13 May
BOXPARK CROYDON: Boxpark Croydon, is hosting a Eurovision screening party in partnership with Absolut vodka and Club De Fromage. Pop anthems, massive singalongs, dance-offs, games, giveaways and the absolutely bonkers Fromage stage show are all part of the fun — you could almost forget about what's going on in Liverpool. From 6pm, 13 May
CLAPHAM GRAND: Eurovision parties — well, any party — at The Clapham Grand have something of a legendary status, and we don't expect The Grand's Eurovision Party 2023 to be any different. Watch the action on a 25ft cinema screen, with Euro-themed DJ sets, themed cocktails, hot food, and a line-up of drag acts and performers. From 6.30pm, 13 May
BOUNCE, FARRINGDON: Eurovision night guests at Bounce Ping Pong in Farringdon can expect two hours of free-flowing prosecco, beer and pizza as the final is broadcast live. Your ticket includes a Eurovision themed welcome cocktail, ‘Nil Point', games throughout the evening where you can win vouchers, a DJ set until 1am, and the whole event hosted by a fabulous drag queen. From 7pm, 13 May
EVERYMAN CINEMAS: 35 Everyman Cinema venues across the country — including several here in London — host Eurovision watch parties, where your ticket includes a welcome drink, snacks and a scorecard. From 7.15pm, 13 May
CATFORD MEWS: If it's a big screen you're after, independent cinema Catford Mews is showing Eurovision on one of its massive screens, as part of a nationwide live broadcast into cinemas. From 7.30pm, 13 May
BARBICAN CINEMA: This year, for the first time ever, the Eurovision final is being screened live at Barbican Cinema, with the bar serving a selection of European beers and a special Eurovision cocktail. A special preview of BBC Three’s new show I Kissed a Boy, presented by Dannii Minogue, is shown before the Grand Final. From 7.30pm, 13 May
Eurovision 2023 brunches
For anyone keen to get the flag-waving started rather early in the day, a couple of venues are holding Eurovision-themed brunches at lunchtime on Saturday 13 May. Head to The Aeronaut in Acton or The Great Exhibition in Dulwich for a three-hour brunch with live music, performances and quizzes, food, and two hours of bottomless drinks. It's over by 2pm, so you've got time to head home for a power nap before venturing back out to a Eurovision screening party later in the day.
