An artist’s impression of the TFL ‘Year Of The Bus’ pop-up bar and restaurant at DesignJunction
© Transport for London

Although the London Design Festival kicked off last Saturday, one of the highlights of the annual event is DesignJunction (18-21 September 2014). Located in the old 1960s Royal Mail Sorting Office in New Oxford Street, DesignJunction is a multi-level showcase featuring the best furniture, lighting and product design from around the world. As well as host of displays and shops, the unique venue also plays host to pop-up eateries.

For the third year in a row, DesignJunction has teamed up with Transport For London to incorporate the latter’s iconic designs into a restaurant. As 2014 is the ‘Year Of The Bus’, TFL will be celebrating the centenary with a themed pop-up bar and restaurant. In conjunction with the East London Liquor Company, the space will feature a huge version of the General Map of Outer London, which was designed in 1921 by MacDonald Gill. With furniture provided by Modus and seating upholstered in familiar TFL-style moquettes by Kirkby Design, the restaurant will feature vintage enamel bus flags and poles by Trueform dotted around as well as archive shots of buses and the people who work on them.

The pop-up will offer ‘urban international’ food with old favourites such as smoked bacon sarnie, scotch egg and sausage roll to continental choices including croissants, pastel de nata and broad bean, pea, mint and feta toast, as well as a range of salads. The East London Liquor Company will be serving special cocktails using their own gin, vodka and rum, as well as locally brewed beer.

There will also be the opportunity to buy 10 limited edition Oyster card holders featuring the bus theme, including a central London bus map and different interpretations of the London bus. All items in the restaurant will be available to buy from the TFL Shop, including the limited edition original Bus Stop flags.

• The TFL-themed pop-up runs at DesignJunction from 18-21 September 2014. Opening hours: Thurs 18th 11am-9pm, Fri 19th and Sat 20th 11am-8pm, Sun 21st 11am-5pm. Entrance to DesignJunction costs £8 in advance or £10 on the door. DesignJunction is located at The Sorting Office, 21-31 New Oxford Street, WC1A 1BA. Nearest tube: Tottenham Court Road or Holborn. For more information, visit the TFL website.
• The London Design Festival runs from 13-21 September 2014. For more information, visit the LDF website.

For a guide to what else is on in London this month, click here.

For Metro Girl’s review of the 2012 TFL 1950s-themed pop-up restaurant at DesignJunction, click here.

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