What to See, Eat and Drink at Frieze London 2025

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It’s that time again. As autumn settles in, Regent’s Park transforms into what I like to think of as London’s most artistic maze, alive with the city’s most fashionable swanning about in Mary Janes and perfectly oversized blazers, weaving through the whirlwind of colour and creation that we call Frieze. This year, the fair seemed to ooze just as much eroticism and eerie sculptures as ever, one that certainly doesn’t fail to turn heads is Alex Margo Arden’s wacky cluster of men. Crafted using mannequins pulled from the National Motor Museum, the sculpture succeeds in pushing itself into the unsettling territories of the uncanny valley.

Playing with texture and contrast are two concepts that rarely fail to impress on the canvas, and, as always, Frieze London is delivering with an impressive range of mixed-media works. Among them are the free-form mosaics of Marianne Fahmy, piecing together architectural fragments, broken tiles and archival ceramics to form a storytelling terrazzo of social and political landscapes.

For contrast, a particularly striking piece comes from Rember Yahuarcani, a Peruvian artist from the Aimeni clan of the Uitoto nation. Amazonian birds, plants and spirits burst from a black background, painted in luminous tones that create a fluorescent effect. Continuing the theme of large-scale works with nods to the rainforest, the fair’s tapestries are as intricate as ever. One Gate Between Two Worlds by Young In Hong depicts gorillas embroidered to the point of realism, arranged in uniformly laid squares and evoking a space suspended between two realms.

Renowned portrait artist, Sarah Ball, drew considerable attention at Frieze for her wall of faces in-focus as part of the display from the Stephen Friedman Gallery. These quietly powerful depictions of identity and individuality, possess an eerie luminosity that makes it impossible to look away - despite the muted backdrops and soft, almost ethereal tones. The precise brushstrokes along with the poised stillness of the subjects and often cropped composition perfectly encapsulates the different forms of self-expression. Just be careful - one look and you might be caught staring a little too long.

Evoking a sense of calm and stillness amidst the craze of Frieze is Hiroshi Sugimoto’s photography. A master of his craft, Sugimoto captures the quiet poetry of time and light. His seascapes stretch endlessly, and horizons blur the line between sky and water. Sugimoto’s work offers a meditative pause reminding viewers that sometimes the most striking art is the one that quietly stills you.

Josiah McElheny’s ‘From the Library of Doubles VII’ turns glass and mirrors into a labyrinth of reflection and makes any viewer dizzy with double vision. The installation plays with symmetry and repetition, inviting people to lose themselves in the never-ending corridors of lights. McElheny’s work explores conceptual ideas of knowledge through creating a dialogue between reality and illusion. In the end, it’s the kind of work that leaves you seeing double.

It would be difficult to discuss art that blurs the realms of reality without mentioning Do Ho Suh. On a journey to discover home, Do Ho Suh made his own - literally. ‘Radiator 10.7.1’ is a homely sculpture that captured our attention within the sea of art at Frieze. Crafted from polyester, thread and resin, the piece was a part of his 2021 project ‘Scaled Behaviour.' Held together by thread, the piece aims to remind viewers of how even the things deemed most ordinary within our lives (such as Suh’s interpretation of his radiator from a previous home) are integral in the thread that binds our memories and builds identity.

Do Ho Suh has not only captivated the artgoers at Frieze, but the entirety of London. Currently exhibiting at the Tate Modern until the 26th of October, Suh invites the public to step into his world. ‘The Genesis Exhibition’ allows visitors to walk through his large-scale installations of homes made from paper, fabric and polyester and ponder over belonging and memory.

Purchase tickets for the The Genesis Exhibition at Tate Modern via this link.

Canvas and Cocktails

The flutes have been flowing at the Ruinart Art Bar. This year, the Champagne-fuelled approach to ‘Conversations with Nature’ has taken a more floral route compared to last year’s contorting tree trunks by Henrique Oliveira. On display as Frieze guests sip at their choice of Ruinart fizz, is a large-scale work by Sam Falls named Rewilding. Crafted in situ at the Taissy vineyard in the Champagne region, this piece takes elements from the vineyard it was created in and blends them with the plants that have been introduced to foster biodiversity. Falls creates the art by arranging local flowers and foliage onto the canvas and spraying over them with pigment, leaving behind layered imprints rich in colour.

As for your coffee fix at Frieze, the Illy Lounge is back with another edition of its Art Collection cups. If you thought the book and zine shops were tempting at Frieze, those who have overflowing mug cupboards have another problem on their hands… because the art cups are always *admittedly* a bit too cool not to cop. This year, the cups (available in both espresso and cappuccino size) have been designed by John M Armleder, bringing his signature mirrored surfaces and disco style into a series of fun, chrome cups and saucers. Take a moment at the Illy lounge for a look at the collection and an icy Illycrema, cup of coffee or espresso martini – Illy coffee was used in the first ever espresso martini, just fyi!

If you aren't able to make it down to Frieze London, you can still peruse and purchase this year's Art Collection cups here.

Embraced by the saxophone sounds of a live jazz band and brought to life by Helen Bullock’s live illustrations, The Bloomsbury Club welcomed guests at the start of Frieze 2025 for the launch of ‘The Artist Series’, a three-month showcase of art and cocktails in partnership with Maestro Dobel Tequila. Though the launch evening has passed, its creative cocktail menu will live on for the next three months for guests to enjoy while surrounded by the vibrant works of Helen Bullock who is best known for her fashion illustrations and print designs.

As for the inventive cocktails, each priced at £19 with Maestro Dobel Diamante at the forefront, we have The Velour, a nutty, cacao-spiced milk punch and Shior Bloom, a sparkling citrus-umami blend with pink grapefruit, white miso, cucumber ‘air’ and clarified with Greek yoghurt for a silky smoothness. For those wanting a deeper shot into the world of tequila, the Maestro Dobel Journey (£35) takes guests on a guided flight exploring the expressions of Dobel – from the Dobel 50 Cristalino to the Dobel 50 1973 edition.

Then for those who are really wanting the insider knowledge beyond a salted rim and wedge of lime, Maestro Dobel’s Tequila Expert Maria Modafferi will be on hand for exclusive tequila masterclasses on the 25th of November and 9th of December. Attendance is free, but be sure to bag your spot via thebloomsburyclub.com/whats-on/

Members Only?

Outside the walls of the Frieze fair, the appetite for art spreads like wildfire and has transformed the beloved private members club, Twenty Two, from the 13th of October to the 28th of November. Partnering with artist, Doowon Lee, the walls of the Mayfair restaurant and member club welcome the Untamed Exhibition, becoming an extension of Lee’s nomadic studio practice.

Guests and members of the club can explore a collection of Lee’s work, curated by Polly-Anna Monckton of ACA Galleries, that reflects his playful yet grounded approach to navigating space and the raw beauty and splendour that life has to offer.

A renowned artist in his practice, Lee develops his artistic understanding through observation and lets his projects unfold on his canvas as they come to exist in his mind. In 2023, Lee’s work was celebrated through a solo exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery, a huge milestone for any contemporary artist and a testament to his growing influence on the international art scene.

Incorporating a range of textures and colours, including indigenous textiles such as wool from Pakistan, combined with Korean ink, Lee utilises his artistic practice in becoming an extension of the world he sees. The anthropomorphic creatures that act as Lee’s subjects within the art, touch on the fantastical, drawing viewers into immersive worlds of colour and texture. Lee’s work evokes a feeling of ease and familiarity and is certainly worth pausing to experience and rediscover the quiet joys of everyday life.

Curator, Monckton, states, “I sought to showcase how his work awakens our childlike sense of wonder, transforming The Twenty Two into an environment where art and imagination are woven into daily life.”

Coinciding with the dates of Frieze London, the exhibition will remind you of the beauty of young innocence and wonder.

Not a member? No problem! You can still immerse yourself within the artistic landscape of Doowon Lee in Twenty Two’s charming restaurant.

Frieze Feasting

If you’re in the mood to decompress from the Frieze frenzy and take a minute to reflect on the art, renowned Italian restaurant Trullo offers the perfect opportunity to do so. Throughout the duration of London’s headline art fair, the pop-up will supply art goers with a menu that aims to mirror the creativity found in the artwork themselves.

From a selection of antipasti such as Hand-dived Salcombe Bay scallops, fresh pasta dishes, and a specially curated wine selection, Trullo is a simply perfect way to savour craftsmanship in its most delicious form. So, while the city comes alive in a celebration of art and culture, Trullo offers a moment of stillness, and a reminder of what Frieze has already demonstrated – that all things beautiful are crafted by the hands of true masters.

Parties of five to eight can book in advance by emailing [email protected], and if you’re craving a moment to yourself or keeping it spontaneous, tables are held back for walk ins so there’s no fuss in planning ahead.

Returning to Frieze for its seventh year at the fair is the beloved New York-inspired Soho restaurant Rita’s. In the AM visitors can indulge in fresh juices and sweet treats, while later in the day, the pop-up provides what will most definitely be needed – a no fuss meal alongside a well-earned cocktail. With a delicious menu of tacos and small plates, Rita’s offers the ideal pit stop between exhibitions. Frieze really has outdone itself in curating the most flavourful exhibition yet, and we’re not just talking about the art.

No need to book ahead as there’s no seating, just delicious food and drinks to power up for a wander through the fair.