8 Great Things You Can Do Stone Cold Sober In London This January

Georgie Jones • 4 January, 2017

Just because you’re going alcohol-free this month doesn’t mean that your January has to be dry. Our fabulous city has a multitude of events and celebrations happening, so you can have all the fun you want – even if you are sober as a judge.

1. Fish Finger Sandwich Pop Up

2 Fingers, famed for their incredible fish finger sandwiches, are hosting a lunchtime pop-up in the Canvas Cafe, just off Brick Lane. Every Thursday and Friday from 5th January, you’ll be able to pop in and get your finger fix. The fish finger ‘sandwich experience’ is a mouth-watering combination of sustainably sourced North Atlantic cod, rolled in Panko breadcrumbs and served in a white Bloomer loaf. It’s one fish dish you certainly won’t need any white wine with!

The Canvas Cafe, 42 Hanbury Street, E1 5JL

2. Break a sweat!

One thing you don’t want to do drunk is exercise… Although, admittedly, some of us have been to the gym while still under the influence of booze from the night before. If you fancy burning some kcals whilst punching out any vented up aggression (the aftermath of Christmas can be a stressful time), try a boxing fitness class for £10 on Fever. Classes run in St Benedict’s School Sports Hall in Ealing every Wednesday and Friday. To check times and book you place, see here.

16 Marchwood Crescent, Ealing Broadway, W5 2DZ

You also might want to check out some of London’s sweatiest workouts. How do we know? We’ve done the hard work for you (some of it, anyway)…

3. Celebrate the Chinese New Year

A photo posted by Anna Hastings (@annahastingsphotography) on Dec 1, 2016 at 8:02am PST

This year marks the Year of the Rooster! Festivities will begin in London on 28th January, but the main parade takes place on 29th January in China Town and the West End. The parade will finish in Trafalgar Square, where there will be live performances and music. Throw on something red, scrub up on your ‘Happy New Year’ in Cantonese – “San Nin Faai Lok”
– and Mandarin – “Xin Nian Kuai Le”. And remember, if you’re not drinking alcohol, it surely means you can treat yourself to more dim sum?

4. Have an Undercover Urban Adventure

James Bond has created the illusion that to become a world-class spy, you need a lot of shaken alcoholic beverages. Well, Mr Bond, you’re wrong. A true spy would be foolish to complete a mission of great importance while under the influence. You can immerse your sober self into the world of a spy, in this 2-hour role-playing game, which will see you follow clues, infer secret messages and undertake many challenges along the way. If you accept this mission, book for £20 on Fever here.

The Gravity Bar, Royal Trafalgar Hotel, 30 Orange St, WC2H 7HH

5. Check out the pretty lights at Canary Wharf

For your dose of January dazzle, the Winter Lights festival in Canary Wharf will exhibit a collection of 30 spectacular artworks, installations and experiences created by a range of internationally renowned artists. Visitors will be able to immerse themselves in some of the pieces, including one stand-out display, by Merav Etan and Gaston Zah. This piece, which consists of five giant wings with white halos, will turn visitors into glowing angels, with the underlying message of the work aiming to discourage discrimination through interaction. There will also be a number of performances over the weekend. The festival is free to the public.

16th January – 27th January

6. Enjoy a round of Plonk Golf

A steady hand requires sobriety, so this January try your luck at PLONK Golf. With fun, colourful courses in Brixton, Hammersmith and Walthamstow, you’d be silly not to spend £5 on 9 rounds of fun. Tickets are available for each location on Fever.

7. The Great Sausage Roll Off

The Bake Off may be over for good (on the BBC, at least), but we’ve found the next best thing. Head to the Red Lion pub in Barnes on 25th January, where they will be hosting their annual sausage roll baking competition. It sure as hell beats a trip to Greggs – last year’s winner, Phil Harrison, defeated the competition with his pheasant and black pudding sausage roll.

2 Castelnau, London SW13 9RU

8. Snowdrop Days 2017

Between 28th January to 3rd February, the Snowdrops at the Chelsea Physic Garden will be creating elevated and elaborate displays so guests can see the flowers up close in all their glory. During your visit, pop into the Tangerine Dream Cafe for some lovely warm lunches and snacks. Entry to the Garden is £10.50 for adults.

Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 4HS

Tags: dry-january, january, sober