15 Great Things to do in London This Month
You could say November is the most exciting month of the year – after all, the excitement of Christmas is just around the corner! But for now, with schedules full to the brim and the weather looking grim, we can think of no better way to inject some fun into the month than with a unique supper club or pop-up. From getting ‘hygge’ in log cabins and devouring melted cheese toasties, to sipping boozy eggnog on teacup rides and dancing with Father Christmas, here are 14 of the best pop-ups and supper clubs launching in November.
The Montague Ski Lodge
Festive Log Cabin
If you’re looking for somewhere to get into the festive spirit and cosy up in a winter wonderland setting, the Montague’s pop-up is the place for you. Bundle up under rugs and blankets with cosy armchairs by the fire in the Log Cabin, or enjoy mulled wine, spiced cider and Christmas cocktails as the snow falls around you at the Wood Deck. It runs for the whole Christmas period until mid-January, but by the opening in mid-November, we’ll be ready to get merry – take that as you will…
16th November – 14th January
Where: The Montague on the Gardens, 15 Montague Street, London WC1B 5BJ
Website: www.montaguehotel.com
Woody Bear
Rooftop Urban Fairground
Getting us into the winter spirit this November is Woody Bear, an abandoned fairground-inspired pop-up on the rooftops of Oxford Street. Hot gin punch, boozy eggnog, oozing raclette wheels and various indulgent croque-monsieurs from Madame & Monsieur will keep you warm and *toastie*, as will heaters and blankets. Perch on your choice of animal see-saws, teacup fairground ride booths or swings as you soak up the views of London’s skyline – and those winter warmer cocktails on tap.
1st November – End of December
Where: 535 Oxford Street, London W1C 2QW
Website: www.woodybear.london
Christmess in Nicky’s Imaginarium
Christmas Debauchery
Get festive early this year with Christmess, a debauched world inside Nicky’s Imaginarium that starts mid-November and goes on into late December. Christmas has been cancelled, but the crowd here sees things differently, and are leading the Christmess Revolution in an underground hothouse of counterculture and craziness. Mama Claus’ hidden parlour-come-blues room, Santa’s Whiskey Grotto, the Green Fairy’s secret absinthe bar and a 12-course banquet is just a taste of what you can expect from the frivolous festivities of Christmess.
15th November – End of December
Where: The Hunter Penrose, 32 Southwark Street, London SE1 1TU
Website: www.christmess.co
The Flavour Gallery
Multisensorial Art
Art but not as you know it – the Hoxton Basement is set to host a multisensorial experience, where visitors consume art that diffuses delightful scents and changes colour as it reacts to its audience. If after smelling/tasting/seeing/touching the outlandish artwork you’ve had your fill of culture for the week, you’re in the right place. Head through to the Smith & Sinclair x Lanique Cocktail Bar, where you can choose from a host of innovative cocktails that’ll quench your post-art thirst.
9th November – 17th December
Where: The Hoxton Basement, 12-18 Drysdale Street, London N1 6NG
Website: www.smithandsinclair.com
Winterville
Alternative Festive Pop-Up
For the first time, Winterville will launch on Clapham Common, bringing with it the stellar array of food, entertainment and attractions it’s known for. With food and drink from street food vendors Street Feast, get your festive on with classic Christmas movie screenings from Backyard Cinema, UV-powered crazy golf from Plonk Golf, an independent designers’ market, a family Christmas show, Clapham Common’s first ice rink and a roller disco. Meanwhile, the Spiegeltent will host club nights, raves, kids nights, bingo, wrestling, cabaret and everything in between. Best of all, most of the time entry is free!
23rd November – 1st January
Where: Clapham Common, Windmill Drive, London SW4 9DE
Website: www.winterville.co.uk
Magical Lantern Festival
Chinese Light Sculptures
The annual world of colours, lights and larger than life sculptures is back in the grounds of Chiswick House & Gardens, where you’ll not only be amazed by the extraordinary lanterns and grand setting, you’ll also be able to take a trip to Santa’s Grotto and tuck into a multitude of street food and drink offerings. Along with children’s fairground rides, it makes the perfect place to bring the family this winter.
24th November – 1st January
Where: Chiswick House and Gardens, London W4 2QN
Website: www.magicallantern.uk
Winter Wonderland
London's Ultimate Christmas Pop-Up
London’s biggest Christmas event is returning to Hyde Park and is top of the list for visitors and locals alike. Classic features like the UK’s largest outdoor ice rink, a giant observation wheel and dozens of food and drink stalls will be joined by brand new attractions this year, such as Cinderella on Ice and Bar Hutte, a cosy Alpine retreat offering custom drinks and stone-baked pizzas.
17th November – 1st January
Where: Hyde Park, London W2 2UH
Website: www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com
Ritorno
Campari Winter Terrace
King’s Road is getting its very own Alpine wonderland this winter, as the terrace at Ritorno is being transformed into a Campari Winter Terrace. The heated, wrap-around terrace will be home to a cosy log cabin with sheepskin blankets, cushions, twinkling fairy lights and four new cocktails that we want this minute. Take your pick (or sample the lot) from Bitter Bells, T’is The Aperol, Ritorno Off The Blazer and the most festive of all, Ritorno Brulé – a warming take on mulled wine with Aperol, Essential Persichetti liqueur, vanilla syrup and red wine reduction with herbs, spices and dried fruits.
13th November – 28th February
Where: 442 King's Road, Chelsea, London SW10 0LQ, United Kingdom
Website: www.ritorno.co.uk
Sipsmith's Winter Warming Terrace
Hot Cocktails and Roasted Chestnuts
Ealing restaurant Charlotte’s W5 has worked with Sipsmith to create a winter warming terrace, with all the festivities and cosiness we’ve come to expect from November pop-ups. Cuddle up under blankets and fairy lights as you sip on hot cocktails (or indulgent hot chocolates) and munch on roasted chestnuts. Toasting the new season with friends, family and top notch festive drinks sounds like a great way to spend the winter – enjoy the likes of Sipsmith Sloe Gin, cinnamon, star anise and apple, and the hot espresso martini made with Sipsmith Sipping Vodka, Electric coffee and vanilla cream.
2nd November – January
Where: Charlotte's W5, Longfield Avenue, London W5 2UQ
Website: www.charlottes.co.uk
RANDE’s Underground Mexican Restaurant
Mexican Adventure
RANDE pop-ups are back this month, bringing two nights of Mexican feasting and frivolity to East London. After their hugely successful events last month, this one is sure to be another night of mouth-watering Mexican food and mystery – you’ll start the night winding through back alleys to reach your cocktails and Mezcal samples, before getting the fiesta started up in the dining room. With the imaginative, eclectic ornamentation, the food won’t be the only thing spicing up this raucous adventure.
17th and 18th November
Where: Swordtail Studios, London E8 4DG
Website: www.randepopup.com
