Not quite feeling fabulously festive yet? Or perhaps you're already up to your eyeballs in Eggnog and wanna saturate yourself in as much seasonal spirit as possible. Here are our tips to cracking on with the Christmas cheer.
Admire the swanky Claridge's Hotel Christmas Tree
Some things are a given in December. We'll get p*ssed on Baileys, we'll eat too many mince pies while watching a rerun of Jonathan Creek, and we'll admire other people's Christmas trees, promising ourselves we'll do better next year. If you wanna get some proper inspo then check out the brillianty bling stunner at Claridge's Hotel. They never disappoint, and for 2020 the legendary hotel has drawn on its rich and glamorous Art Deco design heritage evoking the Roaring 20’s. Love it. If you can't make it to London then never fear, check out this epic video. You think the maids are just there to dust but then...
27 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LY
Take a Wes Anderson inspired trip at Brasserie of Light
If there's one thing we love, it's an OTT Xmas, and channeling Wes Anderson is one way to make a statement. Not that Brasserie of Light needs to make much more of a statement - it's got a 24ft tall diamond-f**kin-studded Pegasus coming out the wall. This festive season they're also bringing the majestic joy of The Grand Budapest Hotel to London with a bespoke cocktail menu & four flamboyant Christmas trees. Book us in for the Bell Hop’s Espresso, created with Monkey 47 Gin, vanilla syrup, Briotette ginger liqueur, espresso and Monin gingerbread, garnished with a dash of Five Spice Rum. That'll be a very merry time indeed.
Selfridges, Duke Street Entrance, 400 Oxford Street, W1A 1AB
Fondue with a view at this epic new rooftop bar
Hot cocktails, live DJs, Ginger Pig BBQ food and bottomless cheese fondue... what the hell more could you want? Oh, spectacular panoramic 360° views of London's skyline? From a brand new alfresco rooftop bar? You got it. Welcome to the Winter Heights pop-up at London Bridge Rooftop (no prizes for guessing where it's located, sorry). It's got breathtaking sights of the dazzling Shard lit up at night like the proverbial Christmas tree, best enjoyed while sipping a Hot Chocolate with Jaeger Cold Brew, served with whipped cream and marshmallows. Now those are some sights for sore eyes.
Launches 8th Dec. Colechurch House, Tooley Street, London SE1 2SS. Tickets here.
Have a slushie Santa would be proud of at Pastaio
Things are getting a bit slushie this December, and no we don't mean melting snow or watching the Love Actually proposal scene after too many sherries. Sure, frozen drinks might generally be for summer but not when they're given a seasonal twist from Stevie Parle and his crew. Swing by Pastaio Soho for the fabulously frosty treat of a Mandarin or Clementine Prosecco Slushie. Follow with their brussel sprout gnocchi, goose ragu and a panettone bread & butter pudding, and you've got a festive feast to get excited for.
19 Ganton St, Soho, London W1F 9BN
Check out the theatrically crafted tree at Aqua Shard
It takes a lot to distract us from the epic views from AQUA Shard, but the new show-stopping Christmas Tree designed by award-winning British set designer Soutra Gilmour IS a lot. This glimmering creation is made up of hundreds of golden paintbrushes all lit up like, well, a Christmas tree. Shimmy up to the 31st floor of The Shard to see it for yourself, and enjoy a specially created cocktail to go with it, made with Veuve Cliquot Champagne and inspired by the bad-ass craftspeople who work behind the scenes of London’s celebrated theatre industry. Hell yeah!
£1 of sales from each cocktail & desert sold will be donated to the Theatre Support Fund. Level 31 The Shard 31 St. Thomas Street London SE1 9RY
Apres Ski vibes at the Montagu Winter Terrace
Dreaming of a trip to the mountains with a tear in your eye? This festive pop-up gives you the option to swing by an Alpine retreat without leaving London. Fondues, indulgent toasties and mulled wine in a cosy & wintry setting... now that's one way to experience the Après Ski without the actual skiing part. Sign us up.
Launching on 7th December. The Montagu Winter Terrace is part of five-star hotel Hyatt Regency London - The Churchill.
Indulge your inner Child at Balthazar
This festive season we're letting the little kid in us run wild as we head to quintessentially French bistro Balthazar. They've got Christmas wrapped up with their transformation into a vintage toy store, complete with giant gift boxes, presents hanging from the ceiling and the introduction of The Santa Sleigh Dessert. We're then fully embracing the 18+ vibes to get stuck into the festive cocktails created in collaboration with Perrier-Jouët Champagne and Monkey 47 Gin. The Balthazar Snowflake is a mix of Monkey 47 Gin, Gingerbread Liqueur, Citrus, Cream and Bitters garnished with a Cinnamon Stick, Star Anise, and Edible Christmas Glitter. Bling bling!
4-6 Russell Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2B 5HZ
Get a little Dickensian at J Sheekey
Things are getting a little Dickensian along the cobbled lanes of Covent Garden this Christmas season. We deffo reckon Scrooge would consider a platter of oysters way too decadent for dinner - but hey, we're saying screw Scrooge and are instead getting stuck into the kickass dishes at one of London's best seafood restaurants. J Sheekey is channeling the charm of A Christmas Carol with delicate lights, snowflakes and pine garlands, as well as a Victorian lamp post lighting up the street outside. Get cosy inside or hang with your gang on the heated outdoor terrace with a Hot Buttered Rum & a Mrs Cratchit plum pudding with brandy cream. There's nothing Bah Humbug about this baby.
28-32 St Martin's Ct, Covent Garden, London WC2N 4AL
Festive fun in a Games Grotto
Hold off on the snowballs - it's golf balls we're turning our attention to for a bit of festive fun this year. Swing over to Plonk Crazy Golf in London Fields as they pimp up their golf course and games den into a grotto that Santa would be proud of. As well as an avenue of Christmas trees bringing the yuletide cheer, there's a DIY decoration machine so you can make some awesome eco-friendly origami ornaments, plus festoons of festive lighting and snacks inspired by a German Xmas market. Golf balls and German Bratwurst - now there's a combo.
Arch 407, Mentmore Terrace, Hackney, London E8 3PP