It’s warming, it’s spicy, it’s alcoholic (but not so alcoholic that makes one at lunchtime too risky…) and therefore, it’s our new best friend and is certain to bring the Christmas cheer. Meet twelve of our favourite mulled wine spots in London below. Trust us…they’re kinda great.
1. Queen of Hoxton, Shoreditch
This legendary East London establishment is famous for its downstairs dancefloor, but it’s also famous for its rooftop, which is currently decked out in all of its masquerade-themed glory. The magic doesn’t stop there though…they’ve also got hot buttered rum with Hennessy or Sirens Call and Venetian bramble mulled wine – a silky-smooth concoction of mulled wine mixed with Absolut vodka or Beefeater pink gin. Now that we can get on board with!
Please note that the opening hours for the rooftop are weather dependent – please call ahead to check.
📍You’ll find the Queen of Hoxton at 1 Curtain Road, London, EC2A 3JX.
🚇 Nearest station is Shoreditch High Street.
2. Skylight Tobacco Dock, Wapping
Skylight London is known for its legendary canalside igloos and they are back with a bang this winter season. If you’re after a new and exciting way to wine and dine with mulled wine (see what we did there?), these space-aged domes may well just be the answer. Inside your igloo, groups of up to ten people can enjoy delicious cocktails, sharing platters and street food from an Alpine-inspired food menu. They’ve also got rooftop igloos, and even a bloomin’ ice rink here… Now that’s what we call Christmas in a nutshell. Get a hold of your tickets for the ice skating here.
📍You’ll find Skylight at Tobacco Dock, Wapping, London, E1W 2SF.
🚇 Nearest stations are Wapping and Shadwell.
3. The Hawk’s Nest, Shepherd’s Bush
This former railway arch nestled inside Shepherd’s Bush Market was recently converted into a heated wintery woodland garden – what better setting for a warming glass of mulled wine or cider we say. Their mulled wine comes with orange, cinnamon, cloves, star anise and demerara sugar, and they also do a mulled sloe gin – perfect for warming the cockles on a cold winter’s evening.
If you’re feeling peckish while you’re here, they also do some of London’s best Italian food – think gourmet sourdough pizzas, antipasti, calamari and all the gelato you can consume. Winner winner, chicken dinner.
📍You’ll find The Hawk’s Nest at Shepherd’s Bush Market, Goldhawk Road, London, W12 8DF.
🚇 Nearest station is Goldhawk Road.
4. In Horto, Borough
A hidden oasis right in the heart of SE1, the latest restaurant venture from TVG hospitality, (the team behind Tap & Bottle, Lafayette, Goods Way and Audrey’s), has your Christmas all wrapped up this year. On top of a three-course, wood-fired festive feast, they’re also rustling up a lovely mulled wine to really get you in the festive spirit. They’ve also got a delightful selection of winter pop-ups at the nearby Southwark Quarter too.
📍You’ll find In Horto at 53b Southwark Street, London, SE1 1RU.
🚇 Nearest station is Borough.
5. The Spaniard’s Inn, Hampstead
This 16th-century, wood-panelled boozer overlooks the rolling green hills of the beautiful Hampstead Heath, and is renowned for being the spot where Byron, Keats and even Charles Dickens used to hang out. It also achieved notoriety as the supposed birthplace and favoured haunt of highwayman Dick Turpin and, rumour has it, it is supposed to be haunted by more than a few ghosts, ghouls and spectres. Could it get any more A Christmas Carol? They also do a mean mulled cab sav wine and a whole host of festive food to boot – so take a pew by the roaring fire and settle down for the afternoon.
📍You’ll find The Spaniard’s Inn at Spaniards Road, London, NW3 7JJ.
🚇 Nearest stations are Hampstead and Golders Green.
6. Trafalgar Tavern, Greenwich
Constructed on the site of the Old George Inn in 1837 – the year that Queen Victoria ascended to the throne – this beautiful Greenwich-based spot is packed full of history and offers some of the best views of the Thames anywhere in London.
It was used by politicians in days gone by as the location for their famous ‘whitebait dinners’, and was also the setting for the wedding breakfast in Charles Dickens’ (yep, him again) novel Our Mutual Friend. Aside from all that naval history and those panoramic views, they also do a great mulled wine, a hot toddy and a ‘Grog’ – the one-time favourite drink of the Royal Navy. Cheers!
📍You’ll find the Trafalgar Tavern at Park Row, Greenwich, London, SE10 9NW.
🚇 Nearest stations are Maze Hill and the Cutty Sark DLR.
7. Mr Fogg’s Tavern, Covent Garden
Situated right in the heart of ‘Theatreland’ on the corner of St Martin’s Lane and New Row, this eccentric spot is inspired by the story of Phileas Fogg – the protagonist in the Jules Verne novel Around the World in Eighty Days. With its wood panelling, traditional decor and plethora of artefacts and antiquities dotting the walls, it oozes a Victorian ambience and can’t help but transport you back to the 1870s.
Come Christmas time, it’s decked out in all manner of decorations and twinkling lights, and the combined aroma of mulled wine and pine hits you as soon as you step through the pub’s double doors. Speaking of mulled wine, the one served here uses a combination of classic cloves and cassia bark – there’s also a gin bar downstairs if you’re looking to try some ‘Mother’s Ruin’-inspired cocktails.
📍You’ll find it at 58 St Martin’s Lane, London, WC2N 4EA.
🚇 Nearest stations are Leicester Square and Covent Garden.
8. Whistle Punks, Oxford Circus
Ok, this one’s a bit different – and all the better for it. We bet you thought you wouldn’t be able to enjoy some mulled wine in London while throwing axes? Well – you’re wrong! Mince pies, steamings mugs of mulled wine and pigs in blankets await at Europe’s largest axe-throwing venue in Oxford Circus this festive season. Add in the chance to chuck some candy cane axes at a target, and you’ve got one hell of a night planned! Perfect for a work Christmas do, you can grab tickets for it here.
📍You’ll find Whistle Punks at 53 Eastcastle Street, London, W1W 8ED.
🚇 Nearest stations are Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court Road.
9. Tamesis Dock, Vauxhall
Moored between Lambeth and Vauxhall Bridge, this converted 1930s Dutch barge-turned-pub has just about everything you might need for just about any occasion. Gigs, comedy nights, brunch – you name it, it’s here! Plus, they do a mean mulled wine here during the Winter months – what better way to soak up the views of the Houses of Parliament then hey than grabbing a mug of the stuff here?!
📍You’ll find Tamesis Dock at Albert Embankment, London, SE1 7TY.
🚇 Nearest station is Vauxhall.
10. Market Halls Victoria, Victoria
As the long nights draw in, Market Halls Victoria has transformed their rooftop space into not one but two fully covered and heated winter garden terraces – guaranteed to keep you warm and toasty this winter. Open for the festive season, the winter roof gardens will feature twinkly lights, state-of-the-art heaters, cosy blankets and a bar overlooking London’s skyline. It’s a complete toasty overhaul it has to be said!
An ideal spot to take refuge from the cold weather, guests can snuggle up and feast upon some of London’s finest street food whilst drinking mulled wine and seasonal cocktails from one of the bars. Can you get any more perfect than that?
📍You’ll find Market Halls Victoria at 191 Victoria Street, SW1E 5NE.
🚇 Nearest station is Victoria.
11. Wineyard, Clapton
Back again but with a festive twist, Wineyard is Clapton’s destination for London’s wine curious. The independent wine market returns on Sunday December 10 at the Round Chapel, Clapton E5 open to sip, slurp and shop between 1 and 6pm.
After a successful debut in September, the team are back and better than ever. Wineyard brings together some of the best wine importers and producers, who have travelled the world to bring a wide selection of wine all under one roof. For even more Christmassy feels, there will be mulled wine, mulled cider and craft non-alcoholic beverages available from Punchy too. They’re also family-friendly here, offering kids entertainment and music to give parents a welcome break and a chance to enjoy a glass or two – hands free of course! Cop your tickets here.
📍You’ll find Wineyard at Round Chapel, Clapton, Hackney, E5 0LY.
🚇 Nearest station is Hackney Central.
12. Christmas at Kew, Kew Gardens
Christmas at Kew was the first light trail of its kind across the UK when it started back in 2013. But they haven’t faded out at all. Instead they’ve gone from strength to strength as one of the most beautiful, captivating experiences in the UK. This year, the hugely popular fire garden will make another appearance, as will the iconic Palm House projections. One of the best of London’s Christmas light trails, it’s one of the most magical spots in town to enjoy a cup of flavoursome mulled wine.
📍You’ll find Christmas at Kew at the RBG Kew Gardens, Kew, Richmond, London, TW9 3AE.
🚇 Nearest station is Kew Gardens.
So there you have it – a roundup of the best places to get mulled wine in London. Given that Winter is now in full swing, what more could you want to warm you up?!