Top distraction techniques whilst you wait on the referendum

By Eloise Barker on 23/6/2016

Waiting up all night? Don't despair: Let London events distract you this evening whilst we wait for the morning referendum result

London waits... Photo by Samuel Zeller

TRY CULTURE WHISPER

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Nervous? There's a whole night to while away waiting for the EU referendum outcome. London's result is probably due around 5am on Friday, but we won't know the nation's final decision until around 7am. One way to spend it is staring at the live coverage under a duvet and a littering of pamphlets. Or you can be distracted by our guide of what to do tonight in London.

See Europe: Tale of Tales

Italian director Matteo Garrone adapts the stories of a Naples poet into a weird, wonderful film. Be transported to a fantasy horror world of monsters, queens and, strangely, fleas: but never forget that that this is a European film, or that European cinema gives us much to celebrate. Tale of Tales is out now.

Taste Europe: Ostuni

Newly-opened Ostuni brings Puglia's hearty Italian peasant food to North London. Simple, delicious pasta and fish dishes fill the menu. Very favourable comparisons have been made to the River Cafe - but with a better price. Take your mind of the referendum with a self-referral and a prescription to carb-load on comfort food.

Toast Europe: Pergola on the roof

French restaurant LeCoq features in this atmospheric space atop the former BBC headquarters. Pergola on the Roof brings the food from four lovely restaurants to a rooftop, including dripping rotisserie chicken on roast potatoes from LeCoq. Formerly an employee car park- steer yourself here for an almost Mediterranean vibe under the flower-entwined beams. Sign the visitor book and get a free drink on your first visit.

Belong together: BP Art Exchange, Tate Modern

Only open until 6pm tonight, the newly-refurbished Tate Modern nevertheless has openly shown its support for the referendum and is worth a visit today. Especially poignant is 'Belonging Together', a free photography exhibition showing migrants connecting with new found friends in Denmark and the UK. Each photograph, taken by Ben Smith, is staged by the sea. They remind us, perhaps, of the importance of transit and fluid borders.

Stay in: Orange is the New Black

Feel trapped by your screen whilst you wait? Get distracted at your desk with amazing drama from the new series of Orange is the New Black. This season Piper looks like she's top dog at Litchfield and the prison is trying to turn a profit with more inmates. As this unflinching series has shown before: more inmates always means more drama! You might feel trapped and helpless in the face of the impending results.... but it's not as bad as being in prison. We have a spoiler free guide to all the jailbird gossip.

Listen in: Glastonbury Playlist

Sing like you're on Pollstars: The Rivals with our Glastonbury playlist. Get all of the music of the top UK festival's 2016 lineup... and none of the mud. Got energy to spare? There's Fatboy Slim. Feeling mournful? There's Cindy Lauper. The referendum may be intense, but we can pretend we're in tents at a festival instead.

Remain calm: Best apps for a happy life

If all is lost or you need a breathing space, then a simple app or a book could change how you feel. This list of books and apps includes mindfulness, calming colouring and even strangely soothing ways to tidy up. Hopefully we can all keep calm and carry on.