Things to do in London next week

If you're making plans, below is a little of what's coming up in London next week.

The highlight of this week is, of course, Burns Night, which falls on Thursday 25. Get a little prep done on Tuesday at Mac & Wild's haggis making masterclass.

Elsewhere, the VR gaming nights at Acton's Aeronaut are rightly proving popular while the Laugh Out London comedy club at the Old Queen's Head is the one to go to for anyone trying to banish their January blues.

Finally, don't miss the Vault Festival either; this year's line-up looks stronger than ever.

Monday January 22

Head to the Old Queen's Head for the Laugh Out London comedy club, which is promising a night of alternative laughs headed up by Edinburgh Fringe winner John Robins, who you might know from Radio X. He’s joined by Carl Donnelly, Tania Edwards and Rob Carter.

Tonight, The Old Queen's Head, 44 Essex Rd, N1 8LN, laughoutlondoncomedyclub.co.uk

The Aeronaut in Acton have been drawing in crowds for their VR gaming nights. Head over for a night of virtual reality wonder; besides the headsets, they’ve also the handsets, so you’ll really get stuck in – and you can even split your session to play with friends. After that, stick around for a pint or two.

Tonight, The Aeronaut, 264 High St, W3 9BH, aeronaut.pub

Tuesday January 23

Prep for Burns night with a haggis-making workshop over at top Scottish restaurant Mac & Wild in Devonshire Square. Restaurant founder Andy Waugh leads the light-hearted class, which will leave you a haggis-making whiz, and probably a little tipsy too – there’ll be more than a few drams of scotch going around too.

Tonight, Mac & Wild, 9A Devonshire Square, EC2M 4YN, macandwild.com

Head to the Town Hall Hotel in Bethnal Green for The Grift, a new immersive show which is hosting just 50 people at time. You’ll be trained in “the art of the con”, learning old school techniques like The Pig In The Poke, The Round-The Corner and The Money Swap from an old school grifter, before heading on to take down what they’re calling a “renowned criminal mastermind”. We can only presume Theresa May is involved.

Until March 25, Town Hall Hotel, 8 Patriot Square, E2 9NF, thegrift.co.uk

Wednesday January 24

Rarely do I recommend braving public hell hole Leicester Square but it looks like there’s good reason to now: the gang behind Farringdon’s beloved Piano Works have opened up a new venue nearby, Studio 88. The premise is much the same: they’ve got a house band who work like a “human jukebox”, only playing audience requests, and this time they’ve upped their food and drink offerings too.

Open now, Studio 88, 47 Whitcomb St, WC2H 7DH, studio88.bar

Never say nothing happens in January: Vault Festival is back for another year of brilliant new theatre, comedy, cabaret, music and film. The annual festival, dubbed as London's answer to Edinburgh Fringe, is back for another year to kickstart the London arts scene. Highlight’s include Trump the Musical, F You Pay Me – about life as a stripper – and Joe Eyre’s Tiger.

Until March 18, The Vault, Leake St, SE1 7AD, vaultfestival.com