So you’ve already had your fair share of mince pies and mulled wine, lost count of all your friend’s Christmas jumper parties and have too many embarrassing memories from the annual office Christmas party to recount.. Think you’re all partied out? Guess again! Not until you’ve experienced some of these wonderful and bizarre Winter pop-ups.
From Wintery Scandinavian terraces, Hunting Lodges and Ski Chalets, to wonderful Woodland Wigwams, Brothers Grimm Games and Cocktail Workshops, there is plenty to do and see to make the most of the wonderful winter season. Here is our round up of the best that London has to offer throughout winter, with many continuing into January and February 2015 – the perfect post Christmas pick-me-up.
Coq d’Argent’s ‘Lodge d’Argent’, has returned to the Square Mile complete with vintage ski props and blankets. It features an indulgent ‘Croque d’Argent’ menu of alternative takes on the classic Croque-Monsieur including Croque-Fondu (Comte, Beaufort, Emmental and black truffle) as well as a selection of winter warmer cocktails. Back by popular demand, the après-ski bar Piste has returned to Archer Street this season. Transporting guests from the busy streets of Soho to a tongue-in-cheek and beautifully designed winter escape, Archer Street’s downstairs bar has transformed into a warm and elegant ski lodge, inspired by Scandinavian mountain cabins and Swiss chalets. Queen of Hoxton’s rooftop sees the WigWamBam return, nestled under the stars, surrounded by views of the East End. As you enter, step through a veil of green pine and discover a hidden solace inspired by Britain’s wintery woodlands and the wild outdoors.
Inside the candle-lit WigWamBam, cosy up on moss-covered tree stumps around an oversized barbecue grill and listen to the faint sounds of the woodland. Step up to the bar, beneath overgrown twisted vines, and you’ll find a menu of specially-created cocktails and drinks. As the night draws in, get toasty around open fire pits with marshmallow sticks or enjoy hearty meals from the barbecue, including Sloe Gin Pulled Lamb Shoulder, Apricot & Herb Stuffed Pork Loin and Jacket Spuds. Open until the end of March 2015 This year, in true retro style, make ‘Last Christmas’ this Christmas at Maggie’s, as every Thursday in December, the nightclub will be dedicating their decked halls to Wham’s! 80’s Christmas classic. Every Thursday in December 2014 from 10:30pm, £15 per person. Scandinavia has come to Chelsea in the form of Bluebird’s indoor Winter Pop Up; Scandi-Bird. Serving Scandinavian favourites like Swedish meatballs, gravadlax and risgrynsgrot (please don’t ask us to pronounce that), this Nordic-inspired Christmas haven in the heart of SW3 is now open to enjoy until Christmas Eve. For a truly Victorian style Christmas this year, delve into the world of Dickens and join Mr Fogg and friends in his delightfully decorated drawing room for “A Christmas Carol”, or two, around the piano, every Friday in December. After being handed a selection of hymn sheets on arrival, wet your whistle and warm your winter bellies with a selection of traditional tipples such as Warm Cider, Mulled Wine, and house cocktails. So with stockings hanging by the fire and an ever so classic Christmas tree that Tiny Tim himself would be proud of, the only touch from the tale missing will be Ebenezer Scrooge…Bah humbug! For those that want to continue celebrating into the weekend, Saturday’s Tipsy Tea offering, will of course also be Christmas themed, with especially seasonal cocktail and cakes. This year Natale will be a rustic and authentic Italian affair at Bunga Bunga. It will be bursting with Berlusconi’s huge balls, sorry, we mean baubles, a delightful Christmas tree in the starlit L’Osservatorio, Christmas crackers, and a selection of Special Christmas Feasting menus ranging from £34 for four courses, to £68 for an incredible seven course banquet. Courses will include delicious dishes such as; Pear and Pecorino Ravioli in a Cacio e Pepe Sauce and Oven roasted whole Salmon side served on a bed of baby spinach with salsa verde. Wash it all down with hot aperitivo and digestivo cocktails. True to Bunga Bunga form there will of course be karaoke carols, or rather ‘Santa-oke’, and on Thursday nights throughout December, Bunga Bunga’s very own Italian Santa will host the Roman Empire Night. Ski chic is out and haute hunting is in: which is why The Winter Cabin at The York & Albany — a townhouse, restaurant and bar by Gordon Ramsay — will be this season’s stop-and-stay-a-while sanctuary. Secreted away in the cosy courtyard of the 18th-century coaching inn, The Winter Cabin is inspired by the age-old hunting grounds of surrounding Regents Park and will welcome weary travellers in from the cutting cold for a rural-cum-urban retreat. All tweeds, tartans and taxidermy, Londoners are invited to wrap themselves up in faux furs and enjoy toasty tipples and fabulous game fare. Add to this, outdoor heaters, scented candles and live music and The Winter Cabin offers a distinctly city take on country chic. The pop-up hunting cabin is open until the 28th February 2015
Lodge D’Argent Winter Pop-Up
PISTE returns to Archer Street
Woodlandia WigWamBam
Wham’s Last Christmas at Maggie’s
Scandi Bird Winter terrace at Bluebird
Mr Foggs: ‘A Christmas Carol’
Buon Natale at Bunga Bunga
Hunting Without The Gathering – Winter Cabin Pop Up
