Whilst Winter Wonderland and the array of London Christmas markets steal a lot of the festive focus, this inventive lot of winter pop-ups will bring you peace, goodwill, and all the good stuff for the rest of 2023 and into 2024, too.
1. Queen of Hoxton, Shoreditch
The Queen of Hoxton in Shoreditch has once again given their rooftop a complete festive glow-up. This year they’re leaning into the season with a wintry makeover that will transport guests to a magically gothic Italian terrace. We’re talking gondola-style seating, crackling outdoor fireplaces and chandeliers, candelabras and drapes of silk adorning the terrace.
In true Queen of Hoxton style, they’ll be keeping things exciting with a range of events throughout the season so you’ll have plenty of excuses to keep coming back for more. It’s certainly a picture-perfect way to spend a chilly evening in the capital city.
📍 You’ll find Queen of Hoxton at 1 Curtain Road, EC2A 3JX.
🚇 Nearest stations are Liverpool Street and Shoreditch High Street.
2. Skylight, Wapping
Skylight London is once again getting a snazzy seasonal makeover, turning the rooftop oasis into a cosy winter retreat. There’ll be heated igloos and festive food galore – so plenty to keep you entertained this winter. And its crowning glory? That’ll be its ice rink, the very first rooftop ice rink in Europe no less, boasting sparkling cityscape views.
This year, the east London rooftop promises to be better than ever before, with a brand new igloo village, a new raclette menu, and so much more. Expect to see dozens of twinkling fir trees, pergolas adorned with baubles, and the summer’s long forgotten croquet lawns replaced with real ice for the ultimate skating sesh.
📍 You’ll find Skylight at Tobacco Dock, Pennington Street Entrance, Wapping, E1W 2SF.
🚇 Nearest stations are Shadwell or Wapping.
3. Winterland, Fulham
Fulham’s riverside pop-up, Winterland, has never been one to sleep on the pop-ups front. An enchanting Alpine forest bursting with bingo, brunches and brilliantly-festive cocktails. You’ll also stumble upon a Bavarian beer tent overflowing with steins of German beer, ski-lift bubbles for cute date nights, and plenty of cosy cabins to snuggle up in.
📍 You’ll find Winterland at Wandsworth Bridge Road, Fulham, SW6 2TY.
🚇 Nearest station is Putney Bridge.
4. Fire & Fromage, Southbank
The opportunity to fill your face with fondue in picture-perfect snow globes should never be turned down. This fan favourite Alpine pop-up overlooks the Thames and boasts beautiful snow globes made for private dining experiences, as well as raclette bar. Fire And Fromage at Jimmy’s is the perfect spot for Christmas get togethers and festive parties, with guests invited to tuck into gourmet food whilst admiring the city in all its sparkly, seasonal glory.
📍 You’ll find Fire & Fromage on the South Bank.
🚇 Nearest station is Waterloo.
5. Pergola, Paddington
A mainstay of London’s festive season is the annual makeover that breathes new Christmassy life into the rooftop party destination, Pergola Paddington. They take the festive season so seriously that they fill the space with hundreds of Christmas trees every year. And for 2023, they’re showing no signs of slowing down, with visitors now treated to a glorious new festive display. Named ‘Deck the Halls’, this winter haven is filled with street food, seasonal cocktails, and toasty welcomes. It’s seriously dreamy!
📍 You’ll find Pergola Paddington at at 4 Kingdom Street, Paddington, London, W2 6PY.
🚇 Nearest stations are Paddington and Royal Oak.
6. Dalloway Terrace, Bloomsbury
You know it’s truly Christmas when Dalloway Terrace has it’s annual winter transformation. This year’s display is in collaboration with the oh-so fancy Perrier-Jouët Champagne and is inspired by the history and elegance of Maison Belle Époque (the home of the iconic champagne). This collab has resulted in a truly magical makeover, adding plenty of sparkle and warmth to the winter season. No need to worry about getting chilly because their outdoor heaters and sheepskin blankets will keep you nice and toasty all winter long. So, grab your pals and head down to the most aesthetically pleasing pop-up in town.
📍 You’ll find Dalloway Terrace at 16-22 Great Russell Street, Fitzrovia, WC1B 3NN.
🚇 Nearest station is Tottenham Court Road.
7. Aviary, Finsbury Square
Another day, another igloo pop-up. Aviary, joined the London igloo scene a while back, and regularly make their transparent pods a feature of the winter season. Located on the 10th floor of Montcalm Royal London House Hotel in Finsbury Square, they’ve got dedicated igloos for sit-down meals and more laid-back drinking globes. A new partnership with Grey Goose vodka will ensure that the vibes are extra immaculate this year. The rooftop has been transformed into a magical Scandinavian wonderland with the launch of their Nordic Nights terrace and igloos. Cosy up with faux fur throws beneath twinkling fairy lights and enjoy the sweeping views of London!
📍 You’ll find Aviary at 10th Floor, The Montcalm, 22-25 Finsbury Square, EC2A 1DX
🚇 Nearest stations are Old Street and Moorgate.
8. Willows on the Roof, Oxford Street
We’re pleased to announce that Willows on The Roof is having their annual festive makeover and warmly welcoming back their rooftop igloos. Rooftop! Igloos! Just being able to have a drink on the roof of John Lewis’ Oxford Street store is enough of a draw, but who can resist now? Seasonal cocktails, delicious food and a panoramic view of the capital city. It doesn’t get much better than that now, does it?
📍 You’ll find Willows on the Roof at John Lewis, 300 Oxford Street, W1C 1DX
🚇 Nearest station is Oxford Circus.
9. Tattu, St Giles
Dreamy Chinese restaurant, Tattu, has embraced the colder climate with the arrival of their winter terrace pop-up. The revamp of Tattu’s rooftop comes with an exciting new menu and immersive dining experiences all to be enjoyed against the backdrop of panoramic views of the London skyline.
📍 You’ll find Tattu at The Now Building Rooftop, Outernet, Denmark Street, WC2H 0LA.
🚇 Nearest station is Tottenham Court Road.
10. Bar Elba, Waterloo
Bar Elba is a year-round rooftop hangout, but come the winter, they kick things up a notch and it’s all about the festive fun with a side of mulled wine. Their pop-up this year is decked out with all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a winter pop-up. We’re talking bright lights, warming heaters, cosy blankets and Crimbo decorations aplenty.
📍 You’ll find Bar Elba at 111 Waterloo Road, SE1 8SG
🚇 Nearest station is Waterloo.
11. London Bridge Rooftop, London Bridge
A festive paradise but up in the sky. Have I piqued your interest? London Bridge rooftop offers sweeping views of some of London’s most iconic landmarks alongside festive cheer by the sledge-load. Expect pigs in blankets, mince pies, mulled wine by the teapot (?!), and, *checks notes*, a giant Yorkshire pudding stuffed with turkey or beef and all the trimmings. Wash it down with a cup of their signature winter punch and you’ll be as ready for Christmas as Buddy the elf.
📍 You’ll find London Bridge Rooftop at Colechurch House, Bridge Walk, SE1 2SX.
🚇 Nearest station is London Bridge.
12. Christmas at St-Martin-in-the-Fields
Right in the heart of Central London, St Martins’ Winter Bar has returned in all her glittering glory. Under a canopy of lights and adorned with festive garlands, is this winter retreat serving up bespoke Christmas cocktails and holiday classics such as mulled wine and boozy hot chocolate. Gingerbread decorating workshops will be on hand to keep the little ones entertained, along with festive family fun at the carol concerts and a festive menu to tuck into at their Café in the Crypt.
📍 You’ll find St-Martin-in-the-Fields at Trafalgar Square, WC2N 4JJ.
🚇 Nearest station is Charing Cross.
13. Tipis on the Green, Parsons Green
The final entry on our list of winter pop-ups in London is Tipis on the Green. It does what it says on the tin really. Bringing the Alpine vibes all the way to Parsons Green, this is London’s first sustainable Christmas pop-up. Picture glistening fairy lights, vintage decorations, retro ski memorabilia, and firepit tables for you to sit around and soak up the merriment. It’s all après, no ski – just how I like it. Merry Christmas, indeed!
📍 You’ll find Tipis on the Green at Parsons Green, SW6 4UL.
🚇 Nearest station is Parsons Green.
Also published on Medium.