Looking for somewhere special to sink an eggnog with friends over the festive season? Try one of these Christmas pop-ups. For the large majority, you'll need to book ahead. Various fees apply. Merry Hic-Mas. 🍸☃️
Miracle at Henrietta hotel
Travel back to the gaudy Christmasses of decades past, with Miracle's spec-tacky-ular pop-up at The Henrietta hotel. Slurp OTT mulled wine and eggnogs from ludicrous mugs and glassware, while admiring white plastic Christmas trees bespewed with gaudy tinsel. New on the menu for 2021 is the Jingle Balls Nog, made with cognac, cream sherry, almond milk, cream, egg, vanilla and nutmeg. You'll need some lamb and cumin skewers to soak that bad boy up.
Miracle at Henrietta, Covent Garden, from 15 November until 23 December
Alice in Winterland at Queen of Hoxton
The Queen of Hoxton sure gets some mileage out of its east London rooftop; for the festive season it's riffing on the theme of Alice in Wonderland — which means wigwams glowing with fairy lights, fire pits, 'drink me' potion shots, Jam Jar Jabberwocky cocktails — and quite possibly a sighting of the Mad Hatter himself.
Alice in Winterland at Queen of Hoxton, Shoreditch, Wednesday-Saturdays until March 2022
The Igloos at Coppa Club
We all know the true meaning of Christmas: getting sick on Celebrations, mawkish John Lewis adverts, and plastic igloos mushrooming across London. The igloos at Coppa Club are possibly London's most famous incarnation — in no small part thanks to their position overlooking Tower Bridge. Classic and sparkling cocktails are the order of the day, or you can nosh a full Christmas dinner from 23 November.
We've done an entire article on igloos/snow globes for 2021 (told you there were a lot).
The Igloos at Coppa Club, Lower Thames Street, until 23 January 2022
Christmas Pub Pod at London Eye
Usually if everything's spinning, it's time to put down the mulled wine, but in this case, it'll be because you're on this pop-up pub, taking over a pod of the London Eye for the yuletide season. If we're being honest, it's less of a pub, more of an Absolut marketing stunt spewed all over the walls. Still, it could be kind of fun sinking a gingerbread espresso martini while admiring the festive cityscape from up high.
Christmas Pub Pod at London Eye, South Bank, until 24 December
Jimmy's Lodge at Southbank Centre
While dining in one of the 'snow globes' at Jimmy's will set you back at least £600 for a group (ruddy hell, Jimmy's going to have a good Christmas), there is an option for casual drinkers to pull up a pew at the outdoor bar. Here, you can bask in the collective warmth of patio heaters, mulled cider and fellow Londoners who've given up on Christmas shopping for the day.
Jimmy's Lodge, Southbank Centre, until 3 January 2022
Skylight Rooftop at Tobacco Dock
Skylight at Tobacco Dock takes Christmas almost as seriously as Santa does — what with its rooftop ice skating, Christmas Cocktail Cinema (where you can view festive classics with a hot chocolate); the Après Ski Lodge dishing up mulled wine; and (of course) igloos. Or simply perch in the heated rooftop bar, and sample one or two of their specially-created festive bevvies.
Skylight Rooftop at Tobacco Dock, Wapping, until 23 December, then open again for 31 December, then reopen yet again from 6 January-mid February 2022
Winterland, Fulham
A white Christmas is guaranteed at Winterland Fulham — a veritable village of festivities, including an alpine lodge, 'ski lift bubble', forest chalet, Bavarian tent, 'moose cabins' and the general demeanour of being in that Wham! video. Hot cocktails, mulled wine and special drinks, such as the Alpine Bramble will warm the cockles further — and there are various brunches and bingo nights to keep you entertained.
Winterland Fulham, until the end of January 2022
The Montague Ski Lodge
Cosy — and with a cheery dash of humour — The Montague Ski Lodge transports you to some wintry mountaintop, by way of a mock-up ski lodge ensconced in pine trees and given a liberal dusting of fake snow. There are lanterns, fairy lights, snuggly woollen blankets, ski equipment on the walls — plus a menu of festive drinks including spiced cider and hot chocolate cocktails. Look out for the random snowmen too. We've been advised that the lodge is proving VERY popular, with limited availability in November, NO availability in December and availability for private groups only in January. Oh, and the 2022 waiting list is already open...
The Montague Ski Lodge, Bloomsbury. 10 November-Winter 2022
Deck the Halls at Pergola Paddington
Snow-dusted pine trees and twinkling lights are promised for Pergola Paddington's festive makeover, Deck the Halls. The posh food court offers an apres-ski vibe in which to glug a Christmas brew or two, and tuck into the likes of bratwurst and camembert croquettes. You can book a private 'chalet' and sink a few hot bourbon toddies with your mates, too. Christmas gospel choir singalongs, winter brunches and visits from Santa are also on the (Christmas) cards.
Deck the Halls at Pergola Paddington, until 3 January 2022
Winter Bubbles at Radio Rooftop ME London
Radio Rooftop invites you into its cosy 'winter bubbles' for the festive season — replete with faux-fur throws, blankets and mini 'fireplaces'. If that's not enough to put the colour back in your cheeks, there's a cocktail menu with some spicy numbers, too. Bubbles hold a maximum of six people and involve a minimum spend (which can be spendy, depending on when you go). Still the views from this roof deck are pretty magical.
Winter Bubbles at Radio Rooftop, Covent Garden, until 28 February 2022
Champagne Forest at the Savoy
If you're pushing the boat out, the Savoy is growing a 'champagne forest' for the Christmas season. Inspired by art deco illustrator Kay Nielsen, it promises to be an enchanting festive experience, thanks to hand-carved trees with champagne bubble baubles, and a general aroma of champagne wafting about (we remain skeptical about that last bit, but let's see smell). Special tipples on the menu include the Cassiopeia, made with Laurent-Perrier and edible gold dust. Probably don't ask them for a Foster's.
Champagne Forest at the Savoy, Charing Cross, 15 November-5 January 2022
Winter Chalets at Westfield London
Chocolate orange martinis, board games and your choice of music (so Wham! it is then), are all part of the festivities at Westfield London's winter chalets. There's some gut-busting food too, in the form of cheese and chocolate fondues, followed by mince pies and mulled gin. Treat yourself; you haven't had a Christmas for two years.
Winter Chalets at Westfield London, Shepherd's Bush, until the end of January 2022
