London offers some great events that will help you escape the cold and get into the festive spirit. From watching Last Christmas at the cinema to ice skating at a rooftop bar and sipping champagne in a hot tub overlooking the Thames, we take a look at some of the best things to do...
In Soho? Have a cocktail-fuelled night at Scarlett Green
Soho hotspot Scarlett Green has just launched its new series of evening entertainment, Scarlett Nights, and we are so there for it! The trendy restaurant, which specialises in Aussie fare, has a new £39.50 bottomless menu that is served from Thursday to Saturday nights to the backdrop of live DJs. Pick from either the Aussie BBQ meat board or the vegan board, both of which are overflowing with goodness. The carnivores are guaranteed to get the meat sweats with the 28-day dry-aged grass-fed onglet steak, the herb and fennel sausages, smoky BBQ back ribs and free-range lamb tomahawk. The sharing platter is a feast for the eyes and the palette and comes with two sides of your choice. It'll be hard to fit in anything after your meat feast, but make sure you indulge in the Melbourne Mars bar cheesecake ball for dessert. Crack the chocolate dome to unleash the melted Mars bar deliciousness. What's more, you'll pair your food with free-flowing prosecco, beer or wine for 90 minutes, and a sharing pornstar cocktail fountain, a real showstopper on your table.
WHEN: Monday – Thursday: 7am to 11pm | Friday - Saturday: 7am to 12am | Sunday: 8am to 10pm
WHERE: 4 Noel Street, Soho, London, W1F 8GB
For more information visit daisygreenfood.com
See Last Christmas at the cinema
Watch the trailer
If you're trying to escape the cold, snuggle up with some popcorn in front of Last Christmas. Written by Emma Thompson, the festive movie follows Kate, played by Emilia Clarke, who works as Santa's elf in a Christmas store where she meets Tom, played by Henry Golding. But is Tom too good to be true?
WHEN: Released 15 November 2019
WHERE: Cinemas across the UK.
For more information visit odeon.co.uk
Sip champagne in a hot tub
It's hard not to love the winter weather when you can climb into a bubbling Nordic woodland hot-tub overlooking the Thames in the centre of London. Fulham Beach Club has been transformed into an Alpine ski chalet where you can shelter from the cold in fur-lined cabins and magical igloos, taste the flameless cheesy fondue, sip on Prosecco and listen to live bands.
WHEN: From 7 November
WHERE: Neverland, Wandsworth Bridge Road, London SW6 2TY
For more information visit winterlandlondon.com
Lunch in style and luxury at one of London's finest restaurants
Fine-dining restaurant Xier in Marylebone has now opened for lunch with a newly launched à la carte menu thanks to Chef Owner Carlo Scotto – and we loved it! Aside from the 10-course evening tasting menu – the new menu is available Wednesday to Friday from 12 – 2.30pm. Offering a choice of three or four courses, be sure to indulge in the signature rose cured salmon with foie gras, mandarin, hazelnuts and apple; and black cod in caramel miso with mashua, lardo, red beans, leeks and fresh herbs.
WHEN: Open now
WHERE: 13-14 Thayer St, Marylebone, London W1U 3JR
For more information visit www.xierlondon.com
Catch up with friends over some ciders
It's time again, to grab your mug of warm, mulled cider and cosy up by the Thames. This winter, the Rekorderlig Cider Lodge returns to London's South Bank, inviting you to huddle away from the cold in a Scandinavian hideaway. Now in its sixth year, the traditional Swedish Rekorderlig house has become a classic Yuletide spot along the Thames, bringing some serious festive feels to London's South Bank. Complete with fire pits, Christmas trees and a selection of delicious cider flavours to sample, it's the perfect place to socialise like a Swede and start getting in the festive spirit.
WHEN: Open now
WHERE: Rekorderlig Cider Lodge, Lambeth, London, SE1 7NA
For more information visit underbelly.co.uk
The Winter Forest at Broadgate Circle
Ready to get into the Christmas spirit? This festive season, Fever-Tree, the pioneering premium mixer brand, is launching the ultimate winter pop-up in collaboration with Broadgate Circle’s The Winter Forest next to Liverpool Street Station. Snow-covered pine trees and twinkling lights provide the perfect backdrop for an array of fantastic food and drink options and live music. There are visits from Santa, gin tastings, wellbeing workshops and winter-themed floral workshops – and make sure you stop by the Fever Tree Winter Lodge, a Christmassy escape for those looking for a cosy evening complete with soft, cosy seating.
WHEN: 6 November - 20 December 2019
WHERE: Broadgate Circle between Liverpool Street Station and Finsbury Avenue Square
For more information visit broadgate.co.uk
READ: Where was The Crown series 3 filmed?
Sustainable shopping for a good cause
Love Not Landfill is opening a pop-up shop in Seven Dials this weekend which is offering a selection of sustainable clothes. Fashion influencers have chosen 500 pieces from their partner charity for the pop-up, and all profits gathered from sales will go to their charity. Think affordable pieces from designer labels, a mend and repair station for alterations and talks and demos on eco-friendly fashion.
WHEN: 14-17 November 2019
WHERE: 47-49 Neal St, London, WC2H 9PJ
For more information visit lovenotlandfill.org
Get your skates on at Bar Elba
Head to the rooftop in Waterloo for some free skating and a drink at Bar Elba. Open from 13 November, the skating rink pop up offers the full winter wonderland experience, with hot Blood Orange gin cocktails, roast meat sandwiches, cosy blankets to keep warm and the opportunity to try skating or curling.
WHEN: From 13 November
WHERE: Bar Elba, Rooftop Mercury House, 109-117 Waterloo Rd, Lambeth, London SE1 8UL
For more information visit bar-elba.co.uk
View Christmas lights at Burlington Arcade
On Tuesday 12 November, celebrities such as James Middleton, Ashley James and Sophie Habboo as well as boutique owners gathered in Mayfair to witness the world’s oldest shopping arcades, Burlington Arcade, light up for Christmas. And none other than Dame Judi Dench did the honours of switching on the Christmas lights! As well as celebrating its 200th anniversary, this year the shopping destination will launch the 'Harrods - Kingdom of Christmas' pop-up and newly-opened Christian Louboutin boutique.
WHEN: From 12 November
WHERE: Burlington Arcade, 51 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1J 0QJ
For more information visit burlingtonarcade.com
Enjoy festive dining on a gun bus
For an unusual festive private dining experience, why not try climbing aboard a converted gun bus once used for ferrying hunters and beaters around Scotland's largest sporting estates? Mac & Wild have teamed up with Highland Park Whisky to offer guests a Land Rover Private Dining Gun Bus complete with festoon lighting, winter pines and fur blankets, where you can enjoy an array of Scottish Christmas foods. Choose a three-course Christmas set menu or feast on a Santa’s Scotch Egg with Cranberry Ketchup & Pine Salt or the Christmas Burger with Pork Stuffing, Venison Patty, Melted Morangie Brie, Red Cabbage, Shredded Sprout Tops and Festive Fries. Sounds delicious!
WHEN: Starts with St Andrew’s Day Special on Saturday 30 November. Book a date.
WHERE: Outside Mac and Wild, 9A Devonshire Square, Spitalfields, London EC2M 4YN
For more information visit macandwild.com
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Feast on cheese at Lodge d'Argent
November isn't too early to enjoy Christmassy things, right? We certainly hope not, as the Lodge d'Argent will get you into the Christmas spirit if nothing else will! The gorgeous heated terrace has been transformed into a gorgeous Christmas hideaway, where you can enjoy the stunning views of London while snacking on a Hennessy cocktail or two and indulge in cheese fondue.
WHEN: The lodge is now open, and will be until February 2020
WHERE: No.1 Poultry, London EC2R 8EJ
Book your space on the terrace and visit coqdargent.co.uk
Muscle in on Mussel Madness at the Wright Brothers
Fancy tucking into tasty mussel morsels for just a tenner? Seafood stars the Wright Brothers are offering a November special on their dishes, which are usually £18, at selected restaurants. Options include the head chef's signature bowls, including the classic mussels with white wine, garlic and cream, or with lemongrass and chilli for a bit of a kick!
WHEN: Throughout the month of November
WHERE: The offer is available at the Wright Brother Soho, Battersea and Spitalfields restaurants
Make your reservation at thewrightbrothers.co.uk and quote 'mussel madness' during booking for the deal
Celebrate Christmas in style at Apres 23
Looking for a place to throw a Christmas celebration in style? Apres 23, which is located on the top floor of the Hilton London Metropole, is a truly spectacular location to celebrate the festive period with your pals. Decorated like an alpine lodge, with cosy checked cushions and fluffy white furnishing, with a delicious feast of cured meats, Raclette and even a Jagermeister station as part of the package, you'd be hard pressed to find somewhere better. And did we mention the VIEWS?!
WHEN: Open from November to January for private bookings for 100 Guests
WHERE: Hilton London Metropole, 225 Edgware Road, Paddington, London W2 1JU
Get all of the information you need at opentable.com
Feast like a Queen with Uber Eats
Need a break from The Crown to get some sustenance? Uber Eats have you covered. The food delivery app is launching a limited-edition 'Queen Eats' menu, particularly for the release of the Netflix show. People will be able to order everything the actual Queen is thought to enjoy, including afternoon tea and chocolate torte.
WHEN AND WHERE: The Queen Eats menu will be available for one day only on Monday 18 November 2019, and you can order using the Uber Eats app.