Twinkling fairy lights, hot cocktails, steaming pots of fondue: when the mercury drops in London, the city's bars and restaurants know exactly how to bring the heat. Check out these super-seasonal pop-ups and terraces, and embrace the festive energy.
Enchanted Wonderland at The Dalloway Terrace
When: All festive season
What: London's most photogenic, greenery-laden veranda just got even more Instagram-worthy, can you be-leaf it? The Dalloway Terrace at The Bloomsbury Hotel is channelling the English countryside with snow-kissed foliage and a nature-inspired cocktail menu featuring the spirits of Herefordshire-based Chase Distillery - think winter warmers like Sloe Gin Mulled Wine, with Chase Sloe Gin and Pinot Noir, and a lush Alpine Toddy featuring Chase Rhubarb & Bramley Apple Gin. Maybe we are country folk after all...
Where: 16-22 Great Russell St, Fitzrovia, London WC1B 3NN
Snowday in Brooklyn at Sunday in Brooklyn
When: December through the end of January
What: Everyone knows that New York is the place to be over Christmastime, but if you can't make it to the twinkling lights of Rockefeller Centre then fear not - there's a little slice of the Big Apple right here in Notting Hill. Sunday In Brooklyn is going all out with a seasonal makeover, turning their popular restaurant into a glam grotto festooned with fairy lights, fake snow and festive fir. It's the cocktails we're here for though - Instagram-worthy drinks just on the right side of kitsch. Is your boozy hit gonna arrive in a snowman, a beautiful bird, or spitting fire?! Kick back, order some epic pancakes, and wait and see.
Where: 98 Westbourne Grove, London W2 5RU
Jurema Winter Terrace at The Mandrake
When: Wednesday to Saturday, 12:00 - 23:00 throughout December
What: Just when we thought our fave boujee London hotel couldn't get even sexier, it transforms into a chic winter wonderland. Kick back and star-gaze beneath the transparent roof while sipping on Mulled Wine or a creative cocktail (we'll have the Mangosteen, thanks - it's made with tequila-infused mangosteen and hibiscus, chipotle agave, jalapeño vinegar, grapefruit soda and chilli. Now that's a way to banish the winter blues). The terrace is heated so you don't have to worry about catching chills, plus there are luxe faux-fur blankets to cosy up beneath. Hungry? They have an awesome menu of South American snacks to keep you well fuelled for festive fun.
Where: The Mandrake, 20-21 Newman Street, London, W1T 1PG
Metaxa x Brother Marcus Winter Terrace
When: 16 November-31 December
What: Spitalfields spot Brother Marcus is joining forces with Greek spirit Metaxa to transport its terrace into festive territory. Sparkling lights? Check. Cosy heaters? Check. A massive Christmas tree? You KNOW it. And the cocktail list is going full-on seasonal, too - get ready for serves like The Brandy Snap, with Metaxa 12 Stars, double cream, fresh ginger juice and condensed milk, offers a taste of sweet gingerbread, and The Festive Old Fashioned, featuring Metaxa, sea salt honey reduction and bitters.
Where: 2 Crispin Pl, Whitechapel, London E1 6DW
El Coco Club at AllBright
When: 9th November to mid-January
What: Who says festive fun has to be all snow-covered pines and Alpine vibes? El Coco Club is here to add a tropical twist to the usual tinsel and turkey this season brings. Get involved with Bacardi Rum and get a taste of some Caribbean Christmas cheer - we can almost hear the steel drums playing (or is that Santa and his sleigh?). The art deco-inspired winter terrace can be found at AllBright Mayfair, the badass member's club founded by women, for women. You can also indulge in exotic nibbles and even play a round of dominos as you sip on a Carmen Miranda - it's got Champagne, Chambord and Bacardi Reserva Ocho, FYI.
Where: 224-26 Maddox St, London W1S 1PP
Alpine Chalet at Number One Park Lane
When: From 17 November
What: A Champagne-soaked alpine chalet? Our interest is peaked. Number One Park Lane, the swanky restaurant at the InterContinental hotel, is teaming up with Moët & Chandon to revamp its terrace into a Swiss-inspired al fresco sanctuary decked out with heaters and blankets - and loads of bubbly, of course. Round up your mates, sip Champagne cocktails and go IN on some raclette, tartiflette and apple strudel.
Where: The InterContinental London Park Lane, One Hamilton Place, Park Lane, London W1J 7QY
Holiday Spectacular at Common Decency
When: 16 November-Christmas
What: The NoMad's newest bar is celebrating its first holiday season in style, transforming into a winter wonderland and serving up a limited-edition menu of festive drinks. The new list features three sections: Naughty, with heavy-hitting boozy riffs on classics; Nice, with lighter, lower-ABV options; and Cocktail Explosions, a selection of over-the-top sharing cocktails. We're already eyeing up the Not The Buttons - that's a mix of bourbon, cortado sherry, ginger, lemon and brown butter, served with a gingerbread man and icing for a bit of DIY garnish action.
Where: Common Decency at NoMad London, 28 Bow St, London WC2E 7AW
Sly Dog Rum Terrace at Hush Mayfair
When: Until 22 November
What: Forget pumpkin spice. This fall-inspired pop-up at Mayfair hotspot Hush is all about spiced rum. The resto has teamed up with rum brand Sly Dog to transform its outdoor terrace into a an autumnal wonderland, featuring a canopy of sunset-coloured leaves, loads of pumpkins and rococo mirrors, for a drinking and dining experience that's straight out of a storybook. Snuggle up with a blanket and one of the collab's warming cocktails - we're eyeing the Wolfpack Punch, an absolute banger with Sly Dog Spiced Rum, mango chilli cordial, strawberry, lime, chilli liqueur, soda and absinthe.
Where: Hush Mayfair, 8 Lancashire Ct, London W1S 1EY
Enchanted Forest at The Happenstance
When: Through January 2023
What: Wanna experience fairy tale vibes IRL? No, we're not suggesting you subject yourself to a live-action Disney remake. Just head to The Happenstance near St Paul's and take a seat at its Enchanted Forest terrace, where you can live out your Cinderella fantasies among hanging planters, glowing lanterns and twinkling lights while sipping killer Tanqueray Gin cocktails. The food menu also brings some serious autumnal energy, with dishes like royal estate venison pie, pumpkin-and-sage ravioli and wintry puds. Sounds like a happy ending to us.
Where: The Happenstance, 10 Paternoster Square, London EC4M 7DX
The Terrace at Lilly's Cafe
When: Through autumn and winter
What: Covent Garden cafe Lilly's is taking comfort to the next level at its new al fresco terrace, offering fondue and festive cocktails to get you in the mood for colder weather. If there's a better way to warm your bones on a chilly autumn eve than with a cuppa mulled wine and a massive pot of melted cheese, we don't wanna know about it. Sweet tooth? The cakes here are lush too - this spot is the creation of former Claridge's pastry chef Kimberly Lin, after all.
Where: Lilly's Cafe, 3 Henrietta Street, London WC2E 8LU
Pantechnicon Roof Garden
When: Through autumn and winter
What: The rooftop at Nordic-Japanese supervenue Pantechnicon has gotten a winterised makeover, and she's lookin' FINE. Pull up a sheepskin-backed seat and dive into an epic new menu of cold-weather drinks and dishes. We'll be channelling a Scandi Don Draper with a Nordic Fashion in hand - that's Kyrö Malt Rye Whisky, labdanum, caramelised honey, rooibos and bitters - before getting stuck into allll the aquavit cocktails and some lush miso-glazed pumpkin.
Where: Pantechnicon, 19 Motcomb Street, London SW1X 8LB
Lucky Club Camden Winter Rooftop
When: From 11 November
What: The rooftop transformation at Lucky Club's Camden outpost is gonna make North London feel like the North Pole (with central heating and ample tequila, of course): we're talkin' festive decor, more Christmas lights than a suburban neighbourhood in the American heartland and a beaut line-up of wintry cocktails. Cosy up by the open fire pit with a Lucky Hot Chocolate - that's a hot choc spiked with mezcal and chilli, FYI - or get involved with the wicked selection of seasonal Margs.
Where: Lucky Club Camden, North Stables Yard, Camden Market, Chalk Farm Road, London NW1 8AH
Want more places to cosy up with a bev? Hit these London wine bars.
Originally published 19/10/2022
Updated 11/17/2022