It’s the most wonderful time of the year and there’s no shortage of festivities to get you in the spirit! From Aqua’s fifth outpost opening at Liverpool Street to an Alpine-inspired pop-up with Moët & Chandon at The Intercontinental – and even an intergalactic New Year’s Eve party at London’s highest bar, we’ve mapped out the best places and experiences in The Luxe List December.
Wagtail’s Winter Wonderland
Wagtail’s Winter Wonderland is a magical festive setting in which to enjoy bespoke Johnnie Walker Blue cocktails while admiring those views. The 360-degree Rooftop Bar and Restaurant has 2 stunning igloos on the terraces – perfect for gatherings with family, friends and work colleagues. With a limited edition Christmas menu, for throws and twinkly lights, the fully heated and covered rooftop bar has been transformed, keeping spirits as high as the terrace itself! There’s also the chance to win a trip for two to Edinburgh (running until the end of Dec, t’s & c’s apply.
Check out the full menu here and enter the competition to visit Johnnie Walker Princes Street by entering online.
Johnnie Walker X Yauatcha City ‘Cities of the Future’ Dinner
Johnnie Walker has partnered with Yauatcha City to transform their terrace for an exclusive one-off dinner party later this month. The futuristic terrace takes inspiration from the launch of the ‘Cities of Future’ limited-edition Blue Label bottles that honour Johnnie Walker’s 200 years in whisky. For £190 per person, you can journey through a generous selection of Yauatcha’s signature dim sum and wok dishes, all expertly paired with Johnnie Walker cocktails and a dram.
The Wealthy Beggar | New Opening
From the masterminds behind North West drinking institution The Shop, restaurateur Zac Lichman and actor Lucien Laviscount have launched The Wealthy Beggar in Kensal Rise. With a creative cocktail menu, seasonally changing food and standout event programming, The Wealthy Beggar is North West London’s new go-to ‘five-star’ dive bar. It’s open all day Tuesday through Saturday, serving carefully considered bar bites alongside excellent cocktails. The space seamlessly transitions from day to night with the help of live music, DJs and entertainment. The ever-evolving menu has been created by Head Chef Gareth Drew, previously of Nobu London and Buddha Bar, and is an eclectic mix of flavourful pan Asian dishes.
Whispering Angel’s Alpine Terrace at Chelsea’s Stanley’s
You’ve got until Thursday to experience the delights of Whispering Angel’s Alpine Terrace at Chelsea’s Stanley’s! Rocking retro ski vibes which’ll transport you to the snowy and heady heights of Chamonix, Val Thorens and Courcheval, the essence of apres is well and truly alive as Stanley’s classic dishes are served up in super cool surroundings, accompanied by the iconic Chateau’s Whispering Angel and Rock Angel cuvees. Pairing Whispering Angel with Scottish cod, sprouting broccoli, butter sauce and samphire, and Rock Angel with heritage pork, pickled mustard and black truffle sauce, enjoy delicious food and stunning rosés. The perfect place to celebrate the festivities with friends, reserve your table on the Stanleys Chelsea website.
New Rooftop Bar Florattica
Florattica at Canopy by Hilton London City is East London’s newest rooftop city bar providing a hidden winter oasis above the fast-paced City. With views stretching across iconic London icons and seating that flows from the inside to an expansive heated and covered outdoor terrace, it’s the perfect spot for cocktails and small plates throughout the winter. The cocktail menu is designed and created by Head Mixologist, Serena Carrino, previously of Nightjar, and has been developed with premium spirits and local ingredients. There are also non-alcohol options and tasting plates such as Native Oysters and Goat Cheese Mousse. Florattica will also host a New Year’s soirée with champagne cocktails, a glass of Moët at midnight, alongside canapes and live entertainment to welcome 2023 in style!
Bombay Sapphire Premier Cru x Table Manners Supper Club
On Tuesday night (6th December), you can experience that brilliance of Table Manners podcast co-host Jessie Ware as part of a special Supper Club in collaboration with Bombay Sapphire Premier Cru Murcian Lemon. It will take place at Bar Citral at Ester – a brand-new, pop-up venue in Camden’s Stables Market and promises to provide an intimate setting to come together, unwind, dine and celebrate the festive season. The evening’s set menu of seasonal, sharing style dishes will showcase the very best local and sustainable produce, each presented with a Mediterranean influence. The dishes will complement a variety of creative cocktails showcasing the seasonal produce and the vibrant flavour profile of Bombay Sapphire Premier Cru – from a sophisticated French 75 to a unique twist on a classic cocktail, a Beeswax Negroni. Tickets are £45 per person and are available to book online.
St. James’s Hotel Afternoon Tea
Us Brits love an afternoon tea, especially when it’s at a beautiful five-star venue like the boutique St. James’s Hotel in Mayfair. Expect festive-inspired sharing plates curated by Executive Chef William Drabble of in-house Michelin Star Restaurant Seven Park Place. Served in the Hotel’s beautiful 1857 The Bar and lounge area, it includes afternoon tea essentials such as a selection of festive sandwiches, sage and onion sausage rolls and scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream. Wash it all down with an exclusive fine loose tea blend from The East India Company or for those in the mood for something fizzy, a glass of St. James’s Hotel & Club’s finest Champagne is available for an extra charge. The festive Afternoon Tea will be available until 5th of January at £45 per person and you can book by visiting their website.
Glenfiddich X Rosewood London The Time:Capsule Terrace
The festive season can be particularly hectic but you’re invited to slow down and experience a luxuriously indulgent escape from busy city life with Glenfiddich and Rosewood London. The Time:Capsule terrace has pioneering visual projections and a cosy interior providing the perfect setting to enjoy delicious cocktails and exquisite drams from award-winning Glenfiddich single malt Scotch whisky. The immersive experience is inspired by an idyllic urban getaway – from the illuminated tunnel leading into the courtyard, to the ever changing visuals throughout the experience. Once inside, there’s a menu of cocktails and comforting dishes from Holborn Dining Room. The first-of-its-kind terrace is open until March 2023.
Pasta Joint Al Dente Opens Flagship Venue in South Kensington
Authentic handmade pasta restaurant Al Dente has opened its third and biggest flagship dine-in venue in South Kensington. The pasta is made fresh on-site daily using their signature Pastificio and flavoured with local ingredients. Fan favourites include the Carbonara, created the traditional way with rich egg yolks, Pecorino, and guanciale, but also signature dishes such as the spicy Paccheri Salsiccia e ‘Nduja, a spicy sausage pasta dish. Diners will be able to look into a window where the pasta experts craft fresh pasta from start to finish in real time. A relaxed atmosphere coupled with perfectly al dente pasta and an Aperol Spritz in hand amake for the perfect dining experience. It’s the largest venue to date (joining Fitzrovia and Monument) covering 180 square metre and brings a taste of Italy to West London.
Bottomless Disco Brunch at 100 Wardour Street
On Sunday 18th December, put your boogie shoes on, grab your pals and make a beeline for the 100 Wardour Street X Absolute Elyx Vodka pop-up for a day of disco-themed debauchery. Enjoy a two course brunch (£30pp) that’s as tasty as the tunes with highlights of tuna tostada with avocado; braised lamb shank; and churros sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. Set to the backdrop of magical metallics, mirror balls, neon colours and festive garland, celebrate in style with free-flowing bubbles or Absolut Elyx cocktails for an additional £25 per person. Belt out your favourite Beejee ballads and follow the disco ball this Christmas at 100 Wardour Street! It kicks-off at midday but make sure you get in quick to secure your place.
Enchanted Forest Terrace at The Happenstance
Escape the ordinary and create magical memories at The Happenstance X Enchanted Forest Terrace winter pop-up. The all-weather heated terrace is dressed top-to-toe with vibrant green foliage, twinkling lights, cosy blankets and enchanting décor. Wander down and experience the whimsical spirit with bespoke Tanqueray gin cocktails, including the Winter Negroni, Apple Punch and Bee’s Knees cocktail, alongside dishes of Pumpkin & Sage Ravioli and a Royal Estate Venison Pie. It’s located at 10 Paternoster Square, London, EC4M 7DX and booking can be made online.
Christmas at Shangri-La The Shard
There is so much to do at Shangri-La The Shard, London for the holidays, including seeing the space-age 12-feet Christmas tree on the ground floor! Not to mention, the Christmas Afternoon Tea featuring galactic-inspired pastries and a New Year’s Eve Party of the Future, with a satellite view over firework displays across the city. The afternoon tea at TĪNG Lounge includes festive bites and galactic dishes and the option of a glass of champagne, a decedent Milky Way cocktail or a Spice Apple mocktail. There will also be a Christmas Day feast with roast Norfolk Turkey (and more) accompanied by live music and stunning views. Head up to level 34 for the best vantage point in the city to view the fireworks with Sky Lounge transforming into a futuristic New Year’s Eve party from an alternative universe, complete with a five-piece band and DJ, as well as secret rooms to explore, karaoke, surprise entertainment and glitter and neon face painting alongside champagne, cosmic cocktails and canapés!
Hovarda | New Menu
Hovarda, Soho’s vibrant Aegean restaurant is launching a brand-new brunch for the first time every Saturday. It’s ideal for both time-pressed weekend shoppers looking for a pit stop or for groups of friends and family looking to linger over an indulgent meal. The enticing a la Carte menu includes Hovarda’s twists on brunch classics from Shakshuka – baked eggs, spicy tomato and red pepper sauce with yoghurt, to their Prawn Saganaki Pill Pill with garlic, paprika butter and sofrito sauce, or the Tempura Poached Eggs with wild mushrooms, perigeux sauce and dill oil. To top the brunch off, Hovarda have created bespoke breakfast cocktails, including a Bloody Mykonos and Hovarda Mule to ensure the weekend kicks off in the most stylish way possible.
The Alpine Chalet X Moët & Chandon Pop-up
The Alpine Chalet has joined forces with Moët & Chandon to launch a festive pop-up at Number One Park Lane. The terrace restaurant at InterContinental London Park Lane will transform into a Swiss-inspired winter chalet complete with blankets and heaters, perfect for cosy al fresco dinner and drinks. Cocktails from Moët & Chandon incorporate the luxury Champagne brand’s limited-edition holiday collection: Effervescence. Signature serves include the Fireside Royale (Briottet rhubarb liqueur, Cocchi rosa vermouth, blackberry, apple, vanilla, Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial Champagne) and Golden Candlelight (Regal Rogue wild rosé vermouth, passion fruit, pineapple, Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial Champagne). Meanwhile, the food menu showcases warming Alpine-inspired dishes, including Raclette, new potatoes, and pickled gherkins and Alpine truffled macaroni cheese with Gruyère, caramelised onion, apple sauce and shaved truffle. For dessert, there is Pot au chocolat with Baileys cream; Mont Blanc and Apple Strudel.
The Ivy Chelsea Garden X Veuve Clicquot Festive Cocktail Menu
The Ivy Chelsea Garden will be serving up an array of joyful treats, including a limited-edition festive cocktail menu created in collaboration with Veuve Clicquot, delicious a la carte dishes, Afternoon Tea and lavish set menus designed for larger parties. Featuring six celebratory cocktails, the drinks offering for the Christmas season includes Christmas in Mexico, Spiced Apple Strudel and Kiss Me Honey. For dinner, expect The Ivy’s iconic Shepherd’s Pie with confit goose and turkey, pigs in blankets and cranberry sauce, while starters include a Venison Tartare – seared and hand-cut venison loin with pickled beetroot, hazelnut mayonnaise and granary toast. For dessert there is a limited-edition Santa’s On His Way featuring a red velvet sponge, cream cheese frosting and dark chocolate. There are also set menus available for larger group bookings and a Festive Afternoon Tea Christmas-themed cakes, scones and classic sandwiches.
