Dreaming of a white Christmas? Us too – although, if last season is anything to go by, we won’t get snow until we are fed up to the back teeth with cold weather and pleading with the universe for sunshine. ..
Thanks to glam city haven Coq d’Argent, you can now live the Alpine dream all the way through the festive season, warming your insides with a selection of Hennessy Very Special cocktails. The rooftop, complete with its wonderful, twinkly views of London, has been transformed into Lodge d’Argent, an apres-ski themed bar where gloriously tactile furry blankets and shaggy sheepskin throws combine with winter forest backdrops, fragrant evergreen foliage and vintage ski props. Lanterns cast a warm (and fantastically flattering) glow, as do snow scene jars and twinkling fairy lights.
Inspired by the glamour of Courchevel, the ski theme is carried right the way through to a unique ‘ski experience’, which is a light controlled cube complete with ceiling projector, into which guests can step to watch vintage showreel footage of winter sports.
The collab with Hennessy has inspired the mixology team at Coq d’Argent to dream up a new menu of festive beverages, including the Red Slope – an icy-tall glass of Hennessy Very Special combined with Barbera d’Alba red wine, cranberry juice, fig liqueur and raspberry jam – and the Lodge fashion, which fuses the cognac with orange marmalade and Angostura bitters. My personal favourite? The Avalanche, which mixes the signature spirit with Mozart dark and gingerbread syrup and tops it with a decadent chocolate foam.
Hungry revellers aren’t neglected in this charming snowscape: Alpine classics such as raclette, baked Vacherin cheese and tartiflette are all available, as are deliciously moreish Savoyard charcuterie platters. For the ultimate winter wonderland experience, however, there are two outdoor chalet style huts, each accommodating up to eight people and festooned with sparkly lighting, plus cosy throws and furs. Available for private hire from Monday to Friday and on Saturday nights, these delightful little caverns are as ski-fabulous as you can get without leaving the capital.
Heaters abound, but be sure to wrap up warm anyway – after all, it’s not every London bar venue that gives you the perfect excuse to wear your Popski cashmere and fur beanie. And did we mention the utter Instagram-ability of this venue? Seriously – pose for all you’re worth.
The Lodge d’Argent will be in place until 28th February 2019, so even if the frantic pace of your pre-Christmas period doesn’t give you a chance to go, it’s a wonderful night out to look forward to in the bleakness of January, or even a fairytale Valentine’s date. To book a chalet, email [email protected]
Coq D’Argent, 1 Poultry, London EC2R 8EJ