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 ten 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 got a killer rooftop terrace, which last year was decked out in all of its Alice in Wonderland-themed glory. The magic doesn’t stop there though…they’ve also got hot buttered rum with Hennessy or Havana spiced rum-infused mulled wine. Add in a fiesta-themed bottomless brunch and you’ll find yourself in ‘Wonderland’ in no time at all.
You’ll find the Queen of Hoxton at 1 Curtain Road, London, EC2A 3JX. Nearest station is Shoreditch High Street. Please note that the opening hours for the rooftop are weather dependent – please call ahead to check.
2. Skylight, 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 an ice skating rink too, where post-skating you can enjoy a glass of warming mulled wine. Now that’s what we call Christmas in a nutshell. You can grab your tickets for the ice skating experience 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. KERB, South Bank
From Thursday November 24 all the way through to Sunday January 8, KERB are popping a roof on the South Bank this Christmas with a tasty little Winter warmer, right outside the prestigious National Theatre. Cosy up under cover and enjoy flasks of mulled wine and delicious concoctions from some of London’s tastiest street food traders, as well as live DJs on Thursdays through to Saturdays. They’ve also got another permanent site in Covent Garden’s Seven Dials Market.
You’ll find KERB at the National Theatre, Upper Ground, London, SE1 9PX. Nearest station is Waterloo.
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 from November 28 to January 2. Add in the chance to chuck some candy cane axes at a target, and you’ve got one hell of a night planned! 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. 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 hey?!