Time Out turns 50, and we're holding a fab covers exhibition

See some of our best magazine covers from London, Beijing and beyond

Time flies at Time Out. Last month marked 50 years since Time Out's first issue hit the streets of London. Fast-forward five decades and that pocket-sized pamphlet, put together by founder Tony Elliott on his kitchen table, has grown into a global brand, and a lifestyle companion with a presence in 108 cities across the world – including ours. You lucky bunch.

Over the years, our magazines have seen countless fantastic cover designs – some groundbreaking, some risqué, some fronted by world-famous stars – and to celebrate this half-century in the game, we're going to be showing off just a few of the best.

Alongside all the goings on down in Qianmen and Dashilar for Beijing Design Week 2018, from this Saturday (September 22) to October 7, we'll be holding a free exhibition at the awesome Quanyechang, featuring covers from London's 50 years, many of our own from 14 years in action in the capital, and pieces from Time Out editions elsewhere – including this one, the first-ever edition of the magazine:

This one:

And maybe even this one, if the prudes approve it:

It's all part of Time Out's wider celebration of the last five decades, with all sorts of parties and festive features going on, plus a covers exhibition already underway at London's Museum of Brands. Stop on by, if you're there. If the transience of an exhibition just isn't enough for you, there's also a book on its way – Time Out 50, which collects 50 of the finest covers from the past 50 years from across the globe. Fancy!

  Time Out Beijing's 50 years exhibition is being held at Beijing Quanyechang Cultural Arts Center, in association with Beijing Fun, Nubia and The British House. Open 11am-6pm daily. September 22-October 7. Admission is free.

For full event and venue details, hit 'Read more'.

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