Winter isn’t so bad, right? Toast your toes by the fire, drink hot toddies like they’re going out of fashion and shamelessly pack out your wardrobe with oversized woolly jumpers. What’s not to love?
London has a whole host of fab winter pop-ups to enjoy, from delicious Nordic-inspired feasts in a secret archway to boisterous 1920’s-themed Christmas soirees. DesignMyNight have lent us their helping hand with London’s top 10 pop ups to be at this winter…
Vikings have set up camp and taken over the trendy rooftop at the Queen of Hoxton. But don’t worry, they’ve brought with them an abundance of Nordic delicacies to sink your teeth into. As for their cocktails, Freyja’s Nettle Love Elixir (that comes served in a Viking horn) is out of this world and there’s plenty more on the menu to keep you merry! Food and drink aside, they’ll also have crash courses in braiding, alongside storytelling evenings and live Viking drawing nights.
Christmas In Harlem – The Manhattan Club
Ever wondered what Christmas in Harlem was like in the roaring 20s? Make your way to The Manhattan Club’s speakeasy to find out for a themed pop-up for a cocktail and canape reception followed by a lunch or dinner banquet (depending on what ticket you purchase). Once you’ve cleared your plates, prepare yourself for an electrifying roster of entertainment – we’re talking illicit gambling, live magic shows and hours of dancing and debauchery, all fuelled by prohibition cocktails, obvs!
Pop Up Screens – The Hackney Showroom
Find all the festive cheer you’ll need this year at east London’s Hackney Showroom. Screening all your fave Christmas films, head down here from December 8th to catch Elf, Home Alone, Love Actually and The Muppets Christmas Carol alongside a host of other yuletide classics. You’ll have to climb through a magical wardrobe to find the screen and bar, but once you do, you’ll be greeted with copious amount of fake snow, hot chocolate, mulled wine, brownies and popcorn aplenty.
Nordic Yulefest – The Meredith Collective
Head down to the Meredith Collective’s Old Street hangout this winter to find yourself at a Nordic extravaganza. Travel through misty archways to a magical, candlelit world with daring aerial acrobats and surreal taxidermy. Once you’re done with dinner, grab a headdress and scoot over to the grizzly bear photo booth or to the dance floor, where DJs will treat you to the best tunes Scandi disco can offer. If you’re feeling adventurous, find your way into the Chamber of Bravery for a traditional Nordic treat.
Dalloway Terrace’s Winter Wonderland
Bloomsbury favourites, Dalloway Terrace, have pulled out all the stops to give their venue a breath-taking winter transformation. The terrace has been kitted out with snug sheepskin rugs as well as snow-covered flora and will screen festive blockbusters every Saturday. What’s more, their seasonal adaptation of their food and drinks menu is nothing short of incredible; think cheese and chocolate fondues, artichoke soup, game pie with sweet potato, and an entire selection of hot chocolate cocktails.
Apres Ski London – Bodo’s Schloss
Bodo’s Schoss brings the slopes to you with snow cannons, DJs playing a disused ski lift and mini snowmen to ensure your drinks are constantly topped up. Their midday buffet will be the perfect way to line your stomach after you take full advantage of their hour long free-flowing Moet and Chandon cocktails.
Slide on down (or up) to Stratford’s Roof East and find yourself at London’s first ever sky-high curling club. Holding a residency for no less than seven weeks, it will take you far less than that to realise Sliders have finally found a place in the world for bowling’s weird cousin. Once you’ve curled your way to victory, head into one of Lucky Voice’s karaoke cabins and let your inner superstar shine. However painfully you sing or badly you curl, don’t leave without getting your mitts on a hot toddy from the bar and a mouth-watering German frankfurter from Rockadollar Dogs.
Open every weekend until the 17th December, Last Days of Shoreditch has fast become a front-runner on London’s street food scene. Expect quirky street art and live DJ sets in this eccentric east London hot spot. Eclectic residencies from some of Europe’s most up-and-coming festivals will provide a vibrant atmosphere whilst Mama’s Jerk, The Cheese Truck and Rainbo tempt you with finger-lickin’ grub. What’s more, craft beer and wintery cocktails, like the Apple Crumble or Squirrelled Away, will be available from six separate bars.
Winter Pergola On The Roof – The Television Centre
Having stormed to success over the summer, Pergola on the Roof have returned with a must-visit winter edition. They have transformed the top of The Television Centre in west London with 18-foot birch trees, green winding ivy and a large oak bar. Ready to fend off the elements with its magical weatherproof dome, and keep you toasty six days a week, this Nordic wonderland will play host to burger aficionados Patty & Bun as well as gourmet kebab and salad champions, Le Bab.
Gingerbread Cabin – York & Albany
Leave the real world behind for a night and make your way to York and Albany’s Gingerbread Cabin pop-up. The venue’s renovation takes its inspiration from popular childhood tales and will serve both savoury and sweet canapes, as well as an exciting winter cocktail menu. Think venison croquettes, butternut squash soup, gingerbread espresso martinis and Grey Goose-infused hot ales. A sophisticated afternoon tea is also on offer at this wintery wonderland, but we suggest getting your gal pals together and pre-ordering their giant, in-need-of-decoration, gingerbread man.
For more pop-ups and other exciting events in London, head over to DesignMyNight; and follow them on Twitter and Instagram @DesignMyNight.
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