It’s particularly tempting to hide away indoors until the winter chill has passed us by, but London is just too really really good-looking to stay inside. If the streets draped in glittery Christmas lights aren’t enough to beckon you from out under your duvet, this selection of winter warmers will sure do the trick.
1. Sipsmith’s Lounge at The Fellow
The London-based gin distillery, Sipsmith, are putting on numerous ‘Hot Gin Terraces’ over London throughout the winter season. Amongst them is the cosy lounge, complete with roaring fire, at The Fellow close to King’s Cross station. Step inside away from the chill and warm up on some of Sipsmith’s lovingly concocted hot cocktails, as well as some classic gin favourites. The pop up launches on 24th November and will run for over a month until 31st December. The Sipsmith team will be there on the launch day, enlightening customers and gin fanatics on the history of gin. The lounge will open from 4pm until midnight. Sipsmith will also be running other hot gin terraces at the Rosewood London, South Place Hotel, The Kensington and the Bengal Bar.
24 York Way, Kings Cross, London N1 9AA
2. Bodo’s Schloss Apres Ski Brunch Party
For the perfect Alpine retreat, without leaving the comfort of London (or even heading outdoors), slide down to the Après Ski brunch party at Bodo’s Schloss. Teaming up with Après Ski London and the Ski Week, Bodo’s are putting on a boozy brunch that will transport you to the mountains, where you can take your daytime partying to new altitudes… just with a little more Moet. There will be a 2-hour buffet of an Austrian inspired feast, including suckling pig, pulled pork buns and a chocolate fondue, as well as champagne cocktails on arrival, fantastic DJ’s, real life reindeer, snow cannons and an Alpine ski simulator. Oh, and there is also a chance to win a ski trip to Austria, if you show your skills on the simulator! Phewww. If that’s not a good way to get piste this winter, we don’t know what is! Tickets start at £40 (early bird) and can be bought via the Facebook event page here.
12.00pm – 6.00pm on Saturday 3rd December
Bodo’s Schloss, 2A Kensington High Street, W8 5NP
3. Fat Macy’s Pop Up Christmas Supper Club
Popping up at Printworks Kitchen in Clerkenwell for 8 evenings between 1st and 22nd December, Fat Macy’s are serving up a Christmas supper club with a difference. For £30 a head, diners get three courses, which includes Roast garlic and potato soup, Turkey pie, trimmings or mushroom watercress and chestnut pie, trimmings Rhubarb trifle, Oloroso. The Fat Macy’s series was created by YMCA in North London, with the aim of helping young homeless Londoners save for a rental deposit by planning, cooking and hosting exclusive supper club pop-ups across the capital. It’s a Christmas meal that truly epitomises generosity that surrounds the season. You can book here.
Printworks Kitchen, 6 Rosebery Ave, London EC1R 4SX
4. Rekorderlig Lodge at Southbank Centre’s Winter Festival
Friday 11th November 2016 – Sunday 17th January 2017
5. Winter on the Green
When you’re feeling all tingly inside before the arrival of Saint Nick, what better than to spend the weekend before Christmas building upon that childish excitement. A three-day festive event jam-packed with wonderful wintry activities and events will take place on Parsons Green, just off Kings Road. As well as an ice rink, a cosy outdoor cinema and a Christmas market, there is also live music, a heated Bedouin tent, plenty of mulled wine, Santa’s grotto and a fun fair. It basically has all the Christmas essentials, without the Winter Wonderland-worth stress of queues and crowds. Tickets start from £5 and can be bought in advance here.
When: 16th – 18th December
Off New Kings Road, SW6 4SA
6. The Plot Twist’s Pasta and Goulash
Plot Twist is a pop up bar and kitchen showcasing a tasty fusion of Italian and Hungarian pop up. This month they’ve teamed up with The Cuoppo to serve up a delicious cross-over menu of the best of both cuisines. Dishes include traditional goulash soup served in a bread bowl, sharing platters of Hungarian charcuterie as well as moreish pasta dishes. Alongside the food, there’ll be a huge range of fantastic wines from both countries. The 2-storey pop up in Holborn will be open 6 days a week and will run for a month between 21st November and 21st December. You can book a table for lunch or dinner here.
51 Red Lion Street, Holborn WC1r 4PF
7. Christmas at Kew
Feature image credit: Flickr Daniel Coomber