Olympia unveils new terrace, live music and rooftop DJ sets in September dining expansion

Olympia in west London is adding a series of new dining and nightlife fixtures this September, including a terrace at its restaurant Idalia, a wine dinner with English producer Coates & Seely, the return of weekend live music to Pillar Hall and weekly DJ sets at rooftop venue Bar Arriba.

The first of the additions, the Grand Hall Terrace at Idalia, sits within Olympia’s Grand Hall exhibition space and opens directly from the Idalia restaurant at Pillar Hall onto the show floor. It serves coffee, drinks and grab-and-go plates, with the full Idalia menu also available throughout the day.

From 18^th September, live music returns to Pillar Hall every Friday and Saturday night. Idalia opens proceedings with two sets of R&B, soul and jazz pop, before the music moves down to Pepperbird for soul and contemporary jazz until late. The opening weekends feature Mari Songs, Jordan Jackson, Natalie Oliveri and Hush Trio, with further artists to be announced through the autumn. Friday and Saturday dinner bookings include the music at £10 per guest, covering both Idalia and Pepperbird across the night. The venue has a long musical history: acts including Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd and Rod Stewart have played the building.

At Bar Arriba, the rooftop bar, resident and guest DJs play weekly, with sets running Thursdays and Fridays from 6pm to 11pm and Saturdays from midday to 11pm. The music spans melodic and Afro house, Latin-inspired sounds, soulful edits and remixes.

The additions form part of the wider redevelopment of the Olympia site, which is being reworked in phases as a venue for culture, entertainment, hospitality and business. Already open are the British Airways ARC, a 3,800-capacity live music venue operated by AEG Presents, the Hyatt Regency London Olympia hotel, and Emberton Walk, a public street with rooftop terraces, free cultural events and an 83-metre digital screen known as the Canvas. Wetherby Pembridge, a co-educational senior school, opened on the site in 2025.

Further openings scheduled for this year include the citizenM London Olympia hotel, Juno restaurant, an International Convention Centre and a lounge called The Addison. The project is due to conclude in 2027 with the British Airways Theatre, described as London’s largest purpose-built theatre in almost 50 years, alongside a gym and additional food venues.

Food Desk

For further information and reservations, visit Olympia’s website here.