It’s the most wonderful time of the year! At least it is if you love eating, drinking, shopping, and, of course, spending time with family and friends. Yes, the weather is a bit cold and miserable, but that’s no excuse to hibernate, and with so many great pop-ups happening this winter, it a great opportunity to get out there and try something new. We’ve put our ear to the ground and put together a list of the best that London has to offer, whether it be a snug bar to warm your cockles or a nifty little shop where you can snap up a last-minute present.
Winter Sun in Granary Square, King’s Cross
© John Sturrock
Winter Sun
Lift your mood with a bit of Winter Sun at Granary Square, King’s Cross. The circular artwork – a collaboration between artists James Bowthorpe and Kim Coleman, with architect Andrew Lock – stands five metres high and 18 metres wide, and takes its cue from the light technology. A bar is part of the concept, with late opening Monday to Saturday, and a 4pm finish on Sundays. Ends 2 January.
Woodlandia at Queen of Hoxton
Woodlandia
Enjoy the magic of nature, and views of the East End, while nestled in the warmth of Queen of Hoxton’s WigWamBam – a sturdy shelter on the pub’s rooftop terrace, filled with magical twisting vines and the sounds of the woodland. Outside there’s a firepit to keep warm by, and winter cocktails such as Egg Snog and Hot Buttered Rum will help, too.
A Festive Feast by KERB
A Festive Feast
The KERB street food gang have recently opened a clubhouse in Hackney Wick, and KERB stalwarts Capish? And Tongue ‘n’ Cheek have taken over for one night only on 18 December to present A Festive Feast. The menu is more upmarket than normal, with a Ventian aperitivo plus four delicious courses (including baked clams and wood-fired ox cheek lasagne) to indulge in. Doors are at 6pm.
Night Tales, Shoreditch
Night Tales
A 10,000 sqft Shoreditch car park (Old Street) has been transformed for seven weeks of cocktail, music and food parties by Night Tales. Wild gardens, chalets, log fires, concept bars and the all-important anti-weather measures combine to make this pop-up a must. Groove to House, disco, funk and techno, enjoy food from Patty & Bun, Rum Kitchen and Voodoo Ray’s, and browse a Christmas Market on Fridays and Saturdays until 20 December.
Dram and Smoke, London Bridge
Dram and Smoke
Expect scran, a bevvy or two and general flumgummerie at Scottish pop-up Dram and Smoke. After a successful summer stint in Vauxhall, the lads are back at a former tannery warehouse in London Bridge with a celebration of Scotland’s natural larder. The highlight is a five-course tasting menu made using a custom-built whisky barrel smoker… and the whisky cocktails, of course. Book tickets for the event from 17 to 20 December.
Valhalla Vodka Bar at Skylounge
Valhalla Vodka Bar
The surroundings are cosy but the cocktails are still cool at Valhalla Vodka Bar, found on the roof terrace of the Double Tree Hilton’s Skylounge bar. Don’t be put off by the al fresco location – there’s weatherproof roofing, heaters galore and sheepskin throws to keep things toasty. Scandinavian food and seasonal cocktails are on the menu.
Rekorderlig Cider Lodge
Southbank Centre
Rekorderlig Cider Lodge
Celebrate the festive season Scandi-style at the lovely two-storey Rekorderlig Cider Lodge at the Southbank Centre. The Scandinavians know a bit about keeping their spirits up even when the temperature drops, and every dayfrom 10am to 10pm in the Hungerford Car Park there are a selection of warming drinks – including delicious hot cider – and Scandi street food to enjoy. Runs until 11 January.
Creative Clerkenwell, Christmas Pop-Up Shop
Creative Clerkenwell
Creative Clerkenwell’s Christmas Pop-Up Shop is a cracking collection of design-minded gift ideas curated by Charlene Lam and produced by some of the UK’s best designers and makers. A portion of the sales go to charity, and there’s complimentary gift wrapping to boot. The Gallery at Craft Central is your destination between 16 and 23 December.
Winterville, Victoria Park
Winterville
Billed as the “antithesis of corporate Christmas theme parks”, Winterville at Victoria Park gets off to a good start by offering free admission and free entertainment. It’s a pop-up town, with all the amenities you’d expect, a Kid’s Quarter, food and drink options aplenty, club nights (Bugged Out are putting on a series of free parties) for the grown-ups, and even a gravity-defying Wall of Death for the thrill-seekers! Runs until 1 January, closed 25 & 26 December.
The Lodge, Balham
The Lodge
Jimmy Garcia’s latest project is in full swing, bringing the flavours and atmosphere of the Alps to Hildreth Street, Balham. The Lodge is the creation of project collaborator and set design specialists Firecracker Works, who have constructed a delightful mountain chalet in which to enjoy all the fun of après-ski – think hot drinks, hearty fare, cheese fondue, and wild games. Closed on Mondays.
Swedish Christmas, Clerkenwell
Skandilicious Swedish Christmas
Fredrik Olsson & Maria Trechman are on a mission to make London a little Sweder this Christmas with their Skandilicious event. A team of Swedish chefs are preparing 35 authentic dishes for the all-you-can-eat Smörgåsbord feast at The Old Guardian Media House, with The Loft Bar open for post-dinner drinks and dancing. Running every evening until 21 December, booking required.
Nordic Yulefest, Shoreditch
Nordic Yulefest
A birch tree fairyland with sheepskin-laden nooks, marzipan pigs and the charismatic Tomte (Santa Claus)… if that sounds like your sort of thing to do at Christmas – your cup of mulled wine, if you will – then head to Kingsland Road in Shoreditch for Nordic Yulefest by Meredith Bespoke. Dig in to a four-course Nordic feast, with post-meal dancing, games and treats. Lunch and dinner sessions are available (booking required) plus Late Night Frolic tickets for the entertainment only. Last day is 21 December.
The post The Best of London’s Festive Pop-Ups appeared first on We Heart; Lifestyle & Design Magazine.