Tartan at the ready — the 266th birthday of Scotland's national poet is fast approaching and you can expect some lively parties going on until the wee hours.
We've compiled our pick of places to raise a dram, tuck into haggis/neeps/tatties, and otherwise pay tribute to good old Rabbie Burns on Burns Night in London this year — that's Saturday 25 January, FYI.
Burns night 2025 events in London
BOISDALE: Live music restaurant Boisdale celebrates not just Burns Night, but Burns Week at its Canary Wharf and Belgravia venues. Out east, combine the Scottish celebrations with a Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin tribute act, while the west London venue hosts vocalist Ali Affleck doing numbers from the Great American Songbook. Both venues serve a four-course Scottish feast, with a bagpiper reception, and an Address to a Haggis several times each night. 20-25 January
BIG PENNY SOCIAL, WALTHAMSTOW: Scottish dance band The Sassenachs headline the Burns Night ceilidh at Big Penny Social in Walthamstow — expect a mixture of traditional violin music and full band performances, plus plenty of drinks and, of course, bagpipes, across Thursday and Friday nights. 23 and 24 January
WAITROSE COOKERY SCHOOL: Glenfiddich and the Waitrose & Partners Cookery School in King's Cross team up for an evening featuring a Glenfiddich cocktail and smoked salmon tattie scone on arrival, a traditional Burns Night supper, and a guided tasting of Glenfiddich’s 14- and 15-Year-Old whiskies. You'll also learn how to prepare haggis, neeps, and tatties under the guidance of expert chefs at the Waitrose Cookery School. 24 January
CEILIDH CLUB: Eating, drinking, dancing, and piping are all promised at The Ceilidh Club's various Burns Night celebrations, at St Mary's Marylebone, Porchester Hall, and Cecil Sharp House in Camden. Traditional Scottish fare is served up at the first two venues (vegan and veggie options available) at the start of the evening to fuel all that twirling you'll be doing later. As you'd expect from a ceilidh club, the dance floor's pretty big, but don't be intimidated — there's a caller to help newbies through the steps. The party also includes the traditional Address to a Haggis. At Cecil Sharp House, no meal is included, with focus very much on the dancing. A rendition of Auld Lang Syne rounds off the night. 24 and 25 January
THE NEST COLLECTIVE: Folk music events company The Nest Collective hosts two Burns Night ceilidhs. Both take place at Grand Junction, an arts centre in a former church in Paddington, and feature live music from the Ceilidh Liberation Front band and plenty of dancing. You can buy a haggis dinner or a dram (or two) of whisky on the night as well. There's also an afternoon of family-friendly Burns Ceilidh, with live music from the Ceilidh Liberation Front, and dancing for all ages. 24 and 25 January
BOURNE AND HOLLINGSWORTH: Bourne & Hollingsworth's Clerkenwell townhouse hosts one heck of a Burns Night celebration. Toast the life of Robert Burns with a sophisticated night of whisky and ceilidh dancing. Begin with a tasting flight of four Scotch whiskies, followed by the Selkirk Grace, ceilidh dancing and Auld Lang Syne. There's also the option to book a multi-course meal of delicacies from north of the border. 24 and 25 January
PIVOT: Covent Garden brasserie and bistro Pivot offers a one-off Burns Night dinner of Scottish classics, curated by head chef Mark Greenaway, who is from Edinburgh himself. The special menu includes cock-a-leekie, haggis, neeps and tatties pie, and cranachan pavlova. A range of whiskies is also at hand. 25 January
HAM YARD HOTEL: At the Windmill Room within Ham Yard Hotel near Piccadilly Circus, a traditional five-course Scottish menu is served for one night only. Dishes include Loch Fyne smoked salmon, venison wellington, plus haggis, neeps and tatties. All food is paired with The Macallan whiskies. 25 January
LA FROMAGERIE MARYLEBONE: Marylebone cheese specialist La Fromagerie hosts a special Burns Night feast. Details are TBC at time of writing, but last year it included a wine and whisky-paired five-course menu, featuring classic Scottish dishes including whisky-cured salmon. 25 January
OSO ARTS CENTRE: The drone of bagpipes welcomes revellers to the Burns Night celebrations at OSO Arts Centre in Barnes, which includes a two-course meal, whisky toast to the haggis, poetry, live music and a full-blown ceilidh, with a caller taking you through the steps. 25 January
THE SUN TAVERN: Bethnal Green cocktail bar The Sun Tavern offers a special Burns Night cocktail menu for one day only, in a special collaboration with Aberfeldy Whisky. Free haggis canapés (vegan alternative available) from Broadway Market stalwarts, Deeney's are served alongside. There's also an Address to a Haggis, and renditions of Burns' work throughout the evening, and a whisky tasting and cheese pairing. 25 January
THE TABLE BATTERSEA: A three-course Burns Supper, a welcome drink, and live entertainment is on offer at The Table Battersea. Warm up with a bowl of cullen skink followed by haggis, neeps and tatties (or a veggie alternative), finished up with cranachan — a traditional Scottish dessert combining whipped cream, honey, raspberries, toasted oats, and a splash of whisky. 25 January
THE LIBERTINE: Located near Bank, The Libertine launches a new series of supper clubs with a Burns Night special, offering a three-course feast of Scottish flavours, along with Glenmorangie whiskey pairings. All Burns Night traditions are upheld by a Master of Ceremonies. 25 January
THE BROADCASTER: Haggis & cackle bean Scotch egg with house brown sauce and spiced house-smoked Cullen Skink are among the Burns Night specials on the menu at The Broadcaster in White City, which also offers a whisky tasting flight. 25 January
THE HUNTER'S MOON: Country-style pub The Hunter's Moon in Chelsea hosts its annual Burns Night feast accompanied by the sound of Scottish bagpipes, with surprise entertainment planned throughout the evening. Choose between a two- or three-course meal. 25 January
HAGGIS PIZZA: Covent Garden pizza restaurant Doughnation offers a haggis pizza for one day only, featuring toppings of bacon, haggis, mozzarella and whiskey sauce. Available on 25 January
