January 25 is Burns Night, the day night when you can don your tartan and drink all the whisky you want 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 itself is intended to commemorate the life and works of the man himself. From tucking into a hearty haggis supper – the ‘great chieftain o’ the puddin’ race’ – to downing drams of Scotch whisky, here are some brilliant ways to celebrate the main man himself.
1. Go all out at the Bourne & Hollingsworth Buildings
This Burns Night, the folks over at the Bourne & Hollingsworth Buildings are pulling out all the stops with a sophisticated night 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. Head to London’s first-ever Scottish cafe-deli
Now, this one’s a bit of a tentative one – as we can’t confirm that they 100% will be open! But we’re so excited for the impending opening of this place, that we had to include it. Auld Hag has made an impressive name for themselves in just a couple of years of slinging delicious and inventive takes on Scottish scran at breweries, pubs, and pop-ups around London. And in January 2024 they’ll finally settle down into a brick-and-mortar location as they open The Shoap. Billed as “the home of Scottish food and drink in London” they’re sure to commemorate the ocassion with some kind of madness. We can’t wait to see what’s in store. (We’ve also heard rumours that they’ll have a supply of Tennents – which is more than enough reason to visit!)
Keep up to date with the impending opening of The Shoap here.
3. Put on your dancing shoes for a traditional cèilidh
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 St. Mary’s Marylebone where 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.
4. Or head to Walthamstow for a beer-fuelled knees-up (January 24)
The Blackhorse Beer Mile’s Big Penny Social is getting the cèilidh action going a night early with their Burns Night celebration. With the help of spirited Scottish dance band the Sassenachs they’re promising “a brilliant celebration of all things Scottish” It’s sure to be a night to remember as the 35,000 square foot venue is filled to the brim with flowing beer, wee drams o’ whisky, and plenty of cheer.
Head here to grab your ticket.
5. Nosh on a haggis toastie
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. Oh, and the aforementioned Broadway Market stall – but only on Saturdays!
6. Sample some spirits at London’s unofficial Scottish bar (January 26)
Exale Brewery styles their Walthamstow taproom as being London’s unofficial Scottish bar, so you know they can’t skip Burns Night! This year they’ve partnered up with East London Liquor Co. for a night of whiskey and beer pairings. They’ll be matching up rare drops from the spirits brand with some of their best brews, alongside a tutored tasting from Head brewer Josh Walker and ELLC Master Distiller Sam Garbut. And they’re hardly your standard pairings either. Guests will be able to sample a Chardonnay barrel-aged rye whiskey alongside a hoppy New England IPA. Not weird enough for you? How about a Merlot barrel-aged spirit paired with a blueberry and lychee sour beer? It’s set to be a night of truly unique Boilermakers!
Head here to find out more and grab your ticket.
7. Tuck into a six-course Burns Night supper in the heart of Camden
For one night only, Camden’s The Farrier is rustling up a very special Burns Night celebration dinner. Guests can expect a six-course tasting supper with a twist. Oh, and plenty of whisky of course!
Keep an eye on their website for further details as they’re announced.
8. Try a brand new whisky
Recently opened Soho cocktail bar Dram Bar has partnered up with Cask to launch a brand new single-malt whisky, Benromach. They’ll be launching the spirit on Burns Night, with tastings and two special cocktails that make use of the spirit. Head on down between January 25-27 to try out the new drop.
Find out more here.
9. Experience a London twist on the event
Notting Hill pub, The Pelican, will be giving the Scottish celebration a London twist this year. They’re taking the Burns Night supper and infusing it with London spirit for a Cockney Burns Night Supper Club. Guests can enjoy a welcome cocktail, a three-course feast with paired whisky from East London Liquor Company, and a mix of Burns’ poetry and Cockney poetry.
Grab your ticket here.
10. Sip on some scotch
Ham Yard Hotel has partnered up with the legendary Islay-based Bruichladdich distillery for a night of Scottish whisky discovery. The night will see them welcoming guests with a cocktail reception before they’re seated to enjoy five delicious courses. Each course will be matched with one of five different Bruichladdich bottles – allowing guests to really dig into the nuances of the spirit.
Find out more and secure your seat here.
11. Surround yourself with smoke and peat
Live-fire cooking specialists, Acme Fire Cult, are celebrating Burn Night with an especially smoky affair. They’ll be running a special ticketed dinner in collaboration with Ardbeg Whisky – the peatiest malt whisky in Islay. A three-course supper will be paired with Ardbeg cocktails and even an Ardbeg x 40FT boilermaker.
Grab your tickets here.
12. Head to the skies to celebrate
Skylight Peckham has partnered up with Glenmorangie for a kilt-raising, whiskey-filled knees-up to celebrate Burns Night. This one’s all about the party vibes, with sharing plates, poetry readings, live music, cracking ceilidh routines, and drams a-plenty.
Find out more here.
13. Or celebrate by the riverside
Head on down to Sam’s Riverside for a Scottish extravaganza with a special menu for the ocassion. They’re promising traditional Scottish flavours (with a twist) and plenty of bagpipe-ry.
Head here to find out more and book your table for the evening.
14. Nosh on a limited-time Burns Night dish
Soho’s Nessa has accented their menu with a special offering for Burns Night revellers who simply want a delicious haggis-y dish. The new Haggis Brioche is available all through January, and comes served with brown butter noisette alongside neeps and tatties and gravy. It also goes splendidly with a single-malt scotch from the bar menu – hint, hint, nudge nudge.
Head here to make a reservation.
15. Or sip on some super-limited cocktails
Over in Bethnal Green, The Sun Tavern will be running a super-special cocktail menu for one night only (January 25) to comemmorate Burns Night. They’ve partnered up with Aberfeldy on a selection of drinks that includes Bobby Burns (Aberfeldy 12yr Whisky, Sweet Vermouth, Benedictine) and Cranachan (Aberfeldy 12yr Whisky, Sauternes, Strawberry, Shortbread, and Whey). The night will also see guests indulging in free Haggis canapés from Broadway Market stalwarts, Deeney’s, with a Scottish-heavy DJ set soundtracking the affair.
16. Enjoy a traditional Burns Night meal
The Great Northern Hotel’s RAILS Restaurant is going properly traditional for Burns Night. Guests can enjoy a three-course menu for just £30 per person, with a traditional Haggies with neeps and tatties and whisky sauce at the centre of it all. (Psst – if you have too many whiskys you could even stay overnight. In the hotel, that is, not the restaurant…)
Book your spot here.
17. Join a whisky-infused soirée
Over at Hawksmoor’s Wood Wharf location, a special night that promises to be jam-packed full of whisky awaits. Hosted by the brand ambassador for Craigellachie whisky, guests will be invited into the private dining suite for a truly spirited night. We’re talking the finest Craigellachie cocktails, exclusive pours of whisky, and a 4-course menu infused with plenty of the strong stuff!
Grab a ticket here.
18. Give your Burns Night a Japanese twist
Over at Nobu Hotel, Burns Night is colliding with Japanese culture at a special whisky masterclass. Guests will enjoy a variety of Japanese and Scottish fusion canapés while tasting their way through a series of Aberfeldy drams. It all finishes up with a slam poetry session for a spirited take on the traditional Burns poetry recital.
Secure your ticket for the masterclass (which also includes a welcome cocktail) here.
19. Toast to Robbie with a truly Scottish meal
Over at 108 Brasserie & Bar, guests can enjoy a ‘Bonnie Scottish Spread’ that is available from January 19-25. Guests can enjoy “a menu that is Scottish as a thistle” with the likes of Cullen Skink (a traditional smoked haddock and potato soup), Slow-Braised Scottish Venison Haunch and Haggis, and more. After your meal, you’re invited to retire to the bar to enjoy the new selection of Scottish-inspired cocktails. It’s an altogether tamer affair than some of the raucous parties taking place, but no less wonderful a way to pay homage to the poet!
Head here to secure a booking.
20. Pair a wee dram with a sweet bite
In the corner of the Marylebone Hotel, The Cocktail Bar is preparing to celebrate Burns Night with a menu of Dalmore serves that they’ve paired with luxurious Pierre Marcolini chocolates. The pairings will see the likes of an 18-year-old Dalmore paired with the Pierre Marcolini Malline Grands Cru for a very special (but also very expensive) experience. They’ve also accented their cocktail menu with a range of Scottish-inspired drinks that you’ll want to sip all night long.
Reserve a seat in The Cocktail bar here.
21. Lean further into a Japanese-influenced celebration
Over in St James’s, Ginza St James is giving the celebrations a Japanese twist, in keeping with the Japanese restaurant’s ethos. Guests can enjoy a flight of four Japanese whiskeys that are each paired with a canapé. The whiskeys will include some particularly special examples of Japanese peats and rye, including Suntory The Yamazaki Single Malt, The Hakashu Single Malt, and more.
Grab your ticket for the event here.
22. Celebrate 200 years of an iconic whisky brand
Whisky is an inarguably important part of Burns Night, so when the evening coincides with a monumental anniversary for an iconic whisky brand you can bet they’re going to go all out with the celebration. Glenlivet is kicking off its 200th-anniversary celebrations with a Burns Night spectacular at The Ivy West Street on January 26. The night will see guests treated to a meal of delicious food, special whisky cocktails, and the unveiling of the new The Glenlivet 200 Year Anniversary Limited Edition 12-Year-Old.
Tickets are priced at £99 per person and include canapés, a three-course meal, and whisky cocktail pairings. Tickets are available here.
23. 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 feast at London Bridge’s The Oyster Shed to a Burns Night edition of ‘The Captain’s Club’ at Greenwich’s Cutty Sark, and beyond.