Festive Feels And The Tastiest Winter Warmers At Southwark Quarter

By Sponsor
Festive Feels And The Tastiest Winter Warmers At Southwark Quarter

This is a sponsored article on behalf of Southwark Quarter.

One of London Bridge's loveliest new neighbourhoods has been transformed into a mini winter wonderland.

With festive pop ups and drinks offerings, plus a couple of cracking Christmas menus, Southwark Quarter is simply bursting with seasonal cheer right now. Here's our guide to getting the most out of the action-packed area this winter.

Haig Club pop-up, Chase cocktails, and Baileys treats

Looking for somewhere festive to enjoy a hot toddy, Christmas cocktail, or a cheeky Baileys? Southwark Quarter has it covered.

One local gem is the debonair Hidden Haig pop-up at Lambert House. Here, Scotch whisky brand Haig Club presents an exclusive winter drinks menu, including cockle-warming Haig hot toddies. To find it, enter al fresco bar Carrubo from Southwark Street and look out for the pop up's secret entrance, just past the festive murals.

Speaking of Carrubo, this bayside-inspired venue has been given a wintery makeover to become the place to visit this festive season. It's the new winter for the Chase Distillery, where you can enjoy gin cocktails, outdoor heating, and carnivalesque vibes.

After indulging in a warm Chase gin cocktail, follow the signs (and the Christmas trees), into Arch 33; here the maestros of festive indulgence have set up the famous Baileys Treat Bar — hit it up for boozy hot chocolates and the most decadent of cocktails.

Fairy lights, Christmas trees, and a Frost Fair

How about a leisurely stroll to soak up Southwark Quarter's wintery magic? The area stretches from the heated, street vendor-packed beer garden that is Flat Iron Square (currently a World Cup-watching hotspot, with indoor seating available for drizzly days) to Lambert House on Southwark Street. Along the way, you'll encounter twinkling lights, majestic lines of conifers, and all sorts of festively-decorated bars and eateries.

While you're in the area, be sure to check out Better Bankside's Frost Fair, of which Southwark Quarter is a proud partner. Taking place across the wider Bankside neighbourhood, this is a modern homage to the extraordinary celebrations hosted on the frozen surface of the River Thames, circa 1605-1814. It features AR art trails, walking tours and workshops, plus specially-themed food and drink. We'll have the Frost Fair mulled wine at Tap & Bottle, please!

Festive feasting done right

Image © Charlie McKay

By now, you've surely worked up an appetite. Time to treat yourself to some superlative Christmassy fare!

For full-blown festive indulgence, we recommend booking a table at In Horto, pronto. The Christmas menu at this beautifully rustic restaurant features classics like turkey with all the trimmings, Christmas pudding with clotted cream, and a beetroot-cured salmon starter, as well as more Mediterranean-inspired dishes such as pan-fried gnocchi with chestnut mushrooms and confit shallots, and 12-hour braised lamb with harissa vegetables. You'll pay £50 for three courses plus a glass of mulled wine.

Image © Charlie McKay

Another excellent Christmas menu can be found at Audrey's. For £45 per person, you'll enjoy a welcome glass of fizz followed by three courses, with choices including ham hock terrine, salmon en croute and roast turkey with all the trimmings.

Whether you're after a super-romantic date night, planning an end-of-year get-together with your colleagues, or just want to squeeze in one last festive drink before hopping on the train home for Christmas (London Bridge and Waterloo are within walking distance) Southwark Quarter is the place to be.

Last Updated 31 October 2023