January 25 is Burns Night, the day night when you can don your tartan and drink all the whisky you like to celebrate the birthday of the poet Robert Burns. A Scottish icon, Burns – affectionately nicknamed Rabbie Burns, the Ploughman Poet and the Bard of Ayrshire – is widely considered the national poet of Scotland.
Burns Night celebrations include everything from tucking into a hearty haggis supper – which he called the “great chieftain o’ the puddin’ race” – to downing drams of Scotch whisky and enjoying spirited poetry readings. If you want to join in this year here are the best places to go for a Burns Night celebration.
1. Bourne & Hollingsworth Buildings, Clerkenwell
As always for Burns Night, the folks over at the Bourne & Hollingsworth Buildings are pulling out all the stops with an extravaganza of banqueting, whisky cocktails, and cèilidh dancing. A range of tickets and celebrations are on offer, ranging from a Burns Night Whisky Tasting and Ceilidh to a Private Burns Night Banquet. So whether you’re just there for the dancing and the vibes, or are looking for an all-out celebration complete with feasting, they’ve got you sorted.
Find out more and grab your tickets here.
2. Sussex Restaurant, Soho
The Gladwin Brothers are back again at Soho’s Sussex for their now-legendary celebration full of whisky, dancing, big-piping, and haggis-eating. Expect special whisky cocktails and a wide-ranging menu that includes mushroom marmite eclair, Portland crab doughnut, the requisite Haggis, and more.
Grab a ticket here.
3. The Sun Tavern, Bethnal Green
East London cocktail bar The Sun Tavern is celebrating with an exclusive ABERFELDY Single Malt cocktail menu that will be available for one day only. Munch on free Haggis canapés from the famed Haggis toastie purveyors, Deeney’s, while you sip on drinks like the Bobby Burns (Aberfeldy 12yr Single Malt, Sweet Vermouth, Benedictine) and Pete Burns (Aberfeldy 12yr Single Malt, Rosé Vermouth, Strawberry, Shortbread, and Soda). Plus, at 5pm they’ll be hosting a free ABERFELDY whisky tasting paired with cheeses from local deli, Provisions Wine & Cheese. And to round out the night, “Scottish fashion icon Pam Hogg [will be] on the =decks with a Scottish heavy DJ set until 2am.”
Find out more here.
4. Cèilidh Club
For a properly authentic experience, you’ll want to throw on your tartan glad-rags and head to the much-loved Cèilidh Club. This year’s Burns Night celebration sees them taking to both St. Mary’s Marylebone and Porchester Hall. At the events you can expect a “huge dance floor, fantastic sound system and a fantastic space to eat and drink”. They’re running multiple Burns Nights events throughout January, so there’s sure to be a date that works for even the busiest Londoner.
Head here to find out more.
5. Deeney’s
Deeney’s is a proper mainstay of London’s street food scene, commanding imposing lines wherever they land – which is usually on a Saturday at Broadway Market. And if you want to celebrate Burns Day by devouring some haggis with a twist, they’ve got plenty of downright dirty toasties for you to choose from. You can also grab them throughout the week from their Leyton café, or their location at William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow.
Find out more about Deeney’s here.
6. Jamie Oliver Catherine St, Covent Garden
Jamie Oliver Catherine St is inviting diners to WYOT (Wear Your Own Tartan) to enjoy a celebratory meal at the restaurant – with the promise of free food if you do. They’ll be serving a special menu inspired by the classic Burns Night meal from January 24-26, and diners who turn up in tartan will net themselves a complimentary whisky and walnut tart!
Book a table here.
7. The Ox, Clapham
Over in Clapham, The Ox is putting all the classic Burns Night dishes and trimmings centre-stage. They’re offering diners the likes of Highland Venison Haunch Steak with haggis, neeps and tatties croquettes and bone marrow mash, and even deep-fried Mars Bar petit fours.
Book here.
8. 40 Dean Street, Soho
I know what you’re thinking – Italian food to celebrate a Scottish poet? But especially for Burns Night, Soho’s legendary 40 Dean Street restaurant has dreamed up an ultra-unique Haggis Pappardelle special. Yup, you read that right! Diners can add some Italian flair to their celebration thanks to the Scottish-Italian fusion dish, paired with a Dalmore whisky Old Fashioned. Only available on January 25 from 6pm.
Book a table here.
9. The Landmark London’s Great Central Pub. Marylebone
All weekend long, from January 24-26, the Great Central Pub is celebrating Burns Night with a menu of traditional Scottish fare. Head down to enjoy a taste of Scotland in the form of Gin & juniper cured Scottish salmon fillet, traditional Haggis, neeps & tatties, and an indulgent Cranachan cheesecake for dessert.
Book a table here.
10. Julie’s, Holland Park
Julie’s is serving up a double dose of Burns Night celebrations on January 25. In the restaurant, they’re running a special set menu that highlights the best of Scottish cuisine with haggis scotch eggs, langoustines, Clootie dumplings, whisky ice cream, and more. Meanwhile, downstairs in the lounge, guests can enjoy Irn Bru daiquiris in a fun homage to the iconic Scottish soft drink.
Reserve a spot here.
11. Exale Brewery Taproom, Walthamstow
The unofficial Scottish bar of London always throws a raucous blowout event for Burns Night – with Rod Stewart in attendance each year, no less! (Well, a Rod Stewart impersonator at least…) There will be a concert and a big ol’ sing-along as they celebrate Burns Night and the brewery’s own fifth birthday. Turn up in a kilt and you’ll even get a free shot.
Find out more here.
12. Satan’s Whiskers, Bethnal Green
For a taste of Scotland and some of the finest cocktails in London, had to Satan’s Whiskers’ Burns Night celebrations. They’re bringing in their friends from Highland Park and Auld Hag to serve up a truly special menu of cocktails and Scottish bites that celebrate Orkney. Each drink allows guests to choose a complimentary snack to pair it with. Drinks include the likes of a Salted Pineapple Highball and a Kirkwall Sazerac. Meanwhile, snacks range from the Mini Orkney Lobster Roll, to the Potato & Orkney Smoked Cheddar Croquettes, and beyond. Try out the drinks and snacks on January 21 or 28.
Make a booking here.
13. Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill, Piccadilly
Don’t be shell-fish, take your friends to Bentley’s to celebrate Burns Night with a selection of special dishes. Exclusive menu items for the event include Roasted Orkney scallops with black pudding and rumbledethumps, Highland venison loin paired with haggis, ‘neeps and tatties,’ and Cinnamon beignets with Scottish rhubarb and custard. Guests can also enjoy a Scottish whisky flight, and a traditional ‘Address to the Haggis’ performed by Bentley’s resident piper, Maggie McNaulty. Yup – they’ve got a resident piper!
Book a table here.
14. RAILS Restaurant, King’s Cross
Across the weekend (January 23-25) the RAILS Restaurant at the Great Northern Hotel is commemorating Burns Night with a special set menu and a limited-edition cocktail. The evening begins with ‘Ae Fond Kiss’ – a blend of Scottish whisky, passionfruit, and chilli – before guests tuck into Cullen Skink soup. After that, it’s time for haggis with neeps, tatties and whisky sauce, and the evening ends with a traditional Cranachan dessert.
Book your table here.
15. Hunter’s Moon, Chelsea
If you’re hunting for somewhere to celebrate in Chelsea, head straight for this beloved country-style pub to enjoy their annual Burns Night feast. Settle in next to the open fireplace to the sound of Scottish bagpipes as you prepare to feast on torched Loch Duart salmon and Cullen skink velouté, followed by roast venison loin with ‘haggis, neeps and tatties,’ and a brown sugar tart to finish. Oh, and apparently you can expect some surprise entertainment throughout the evening!
Book your spot here.
16. Studio Five, Wembley Park
Studio Five is inviting diners to raise a glass to Robbie Burns with a three-course set menu, and an evening of live music. The menu includes smoky whiskey cured salmon served with crispy oatcakes, haggis with classic neeps and tatties, and sticky toffee pudding drizzled with a Jameson whiskey caramel sauce. Rita Fernandes, a member of Scottish and traditional Celtic music band Sassenachs Ceilidh Band, will be on hand to provide live entertainment.
Book your table here.
17. Doughnation, Covent Garden
If you thought haggis pasta was weird, how about some Haggis Pizza? For one day only on January 25, Doughnation is serving up a slice of Burns festivity with a pizza topped with bacon, haggis, mozzarella, and even whiskey sauce. Talk about a wild pizza concoction – and you thought pineapple was weirdest thing people put on their pies?
Find out more here.
18. Xi Home Dumplings Bay, Covent Garden
But if you don’t think haggis pasta and pizza are ridiculous enough, head here for the most bizarre fusion event surely to take place on Burns Night. Xi Home Dumplings Bay is serving up haggis dumplings! To complement the dumplings, they’ve also launched a limited-time menu of innovative whisky cocktails. Head down before February 28 to try them out.
Find out more here.
19. Langan’s Brasserie, Mayfair
For a proper blow-out celebration, head to the iconic Langan’s Brasserie, which has joined forces with Johnnie Walker Label for a hearty haggis supper and an evening of revelry. On January 25, guests can enjoy a menu that offers “the perfect marriage of Scottish dishes with Langan’s culinary excellence”. On arrival, guests will receive a complimentary glass of Johnnie Walker Blue Label as they enjoy canapes and starters. Then it’s time to tuck into Haggis, Neeps & Tatties, Braised Venison Haunch or Mushroom Galette before rounding things out with Cranachan, Tipsy Laird or a Cheese Board. Oh, and a post-dinner snack of a Deep-fried Mars Bar, of course! The evening will also include poetry recitals and live music and will carry on after dinner in Langan’s (usually) exclusive private members club.
Grab a ticket to the festivities here.
20. Or simply go to the pub!
Young’s pubs around London are getting in on the Burns Night action with their own celebrations. Events at their various pubs in and around London range from a four-course meal at London Bridge’s The Oyster Shed and a six-course feast at ‘Smiths’ of Smithfield’s No.3 Rooftop to a night of food, poetry reading, and merriment at The Grove in Balham.