How to spice up your London life ahead of the Spice Girls exhibition

To celebrate the launch of a Spice Girls exhibition in Islington, superfan Joe Stone picks his favourite spice experiences in the city. 

They’re the girl band that ruled Cool Britannia in the late ’90s then became the most tweeted-about moment of the London 2012 Olympic Games Closing Ceremony. So where better to ‘Spice Up Your Life’ than in the capital? If the five words that best describe your interests are Scary, Baby, Ginger, Posh and Sporty, this guide is for you. 

Revisit the outfits you wore in 1997

The biggest exhibition of Spice Girls memorabilia ever, ‘Spice Up London’ includes hundreds of iconic costume pieces as well as heaps of nostalgia-inducing merchandise and the actual Spice Bus from ‘Spice World’ the movie, exhibited for the first time. Say you’ll be there? 
Business Design Centre. Angel tube. Sat Jul 28-Aug 20. £10.

Have a spicy brunch

Hosted by London’s premier Geri Halliwell drag queen impersonator Just May, Spice Up Your Brunch includes live performances of Spice Girls hits and occasional flashes of woollen tits. Oh, and lots of bloody marys, of course. 
Dalston Superstore. Dalston Kingsland Overground. Next date: Aug 4.

Go back to where it all began

Have a slice of Mel V

Variety is the spice of life, so check out Ridley Road Market Bar in Dalston for a wide selection of Spice Girls-themed pizzas including Baby Slice (ham and pineapple) and Mel V (a vegan special with artichoke, olives, pesto, tomato and mushroom).
Ridley Road Market Bar. Dalston Kingsland Overground. Tue-Sun. 

Pick up some platform trainers

Wannabe a Spice Girl? You’re about 24 years too late to audition, but you can recreate some of their iconic looks at Camden Market, where the band sourced many of their original costumes. Keep an eye out for Buffalo trainers, baby-dolls and Union Jack tea towels (the actual basis of Geri’s iconic micro-dress). 
Camden Lock Place. Camden Town.

Practise your high kick

Swing it, shake it, move it, make it down to Frame (which has locations across London) for the Spice Girls Dance Workshop where you can (re)learn classic Spice Girls routines. Cardio has never felt so spicy.
Frame King’s Cross. King’s Cross tube. Sat Jul 28. Prices vary.

Hop aboard a Spice Bus

South London’s best pop night hosts its annual Spice Girls extravaganza ‘Push the Button: Spice Up Yer Life 2018’ in August. Board a drag-queen-packed Spice Bus from Retro Bar on the Strand and screech all of the group’s greatest hits as you journey through London (including a photo-stop outside the Royal Albert Hall) before dismounting at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern where live performances and an epic singalong await. Hi-ci-ya! Hold tight! 
Royal Vauxhall Tavern. Vauxhall tube. Aug 31. £29.

Sing ‘Holler’ until you go hoarse

Seeing as an actual Spice Girls reunion tour with the original line-up is looking less likely than a sequel to the ‘Spice World’ movie (we can only dream/start a Change.org petition), why not pay a visit to The Venue in New Cross for a night with Wannabe performing ‘A Tribute to Spice Girls’. 
The Venue. New Cross Overground. Aug 25. Price TBC.

Assume a Posh persona

Easy V doesn’t come for free, and neither does her clothing label. But if you fancy splashing out on one of the designer’s dresses, visit her Dover Street store, Victoria Beckham – you might even catch a glimpse of the Posh Point (™) in action. 
Victoria Beckham. Green Park tube.

Sit on the steps of Abbey Road Studios

Made famous by the Fab Four – who recorded their ‘Forever’ album here following Geri’s departure – the legendary Abbey Road recording studio was also frequented by a boy band called *checks notes* The Beatles? Abbey Road Studios. St John’s Wood tube. 

‘Spice Up London’ opens on Sat Jul 28 at the Business Design Centre. £10.

Want more fun? Sink The Pink are hosting a huge street party later this year.