Londoners looking for cosy alpine-inspired terraces in the city this winter have plenty of wonderland feeling and sheepskin-rug adorned options available to book into the run up to Christmas. To help get in the festive spirit, we've picked London's best alfresco options offering joyous treats and seasonal cheer to ward off the cold nights.
Winter Martini Garden at Ham Yard
Ham Yard Hotel roof terrace (4th Floor), 1 Ham Yard, London W1D 7DT
Normally reserved for hotel guests the fourth floor terrace at Ham Yard Hotel is opening to all over the festive season. Warmed by heaters and with hot water bottles and tartan rugs for extra heat, there will be hot cocktails and bar food like smoked bacon skewers and roast scallops with smoked butter and crispy seaweed. And while the cocktail list from Ham Yard bartenders and Sipsmith’s Master Distiller, Jared Brown is mainly hot there'll also be a martini trolley doing the rounds for those who like theirs chilled.
When: 15 November - 31 December 2023
Tipis on the Green
Parsons Green, Fulham, London SW6 4UL
This Alpine bar and restaurant is popping up on Parsons Green for the winter - think fire pit tables, ski memorabilia and retro Christmas decorations. It's all very sustainable with compost toilets, zero-emission generators and all the food waste composted. Talking of food, that'll be hearty dishes like tartiflette and French sausages cooked in white wine. For the drinks side of things, the list will include a Christmas Negroni, Baileys hot chocolate and more.
When: 17 November - 22 December 2023
Hot Chocolate Hideaway at Angler
South Place Hotel, 3 South Pl, London EC2M 2AF
Chocolate and whisky are the theme of this year's festive installation up on the heated rooftop terrace at Angler in Moorgate. The team-up with Valrhona Chocolate and Woodford Reserve means a drinks list that includes Valrhona Hot Chocolate, with or without a shot of Woodford Reserve, and a Pumpkin Spiced Old Fashioned. There's also a selection of petit fours to accompany your drinks - choose from chocolate shortbread, cocoa marshmallow, chocolate marble cake or Woodford whiskey canelé.
When: 21 November 2023 - end of January 2024
The Garden at Corinthia London
Whitehall Pl, London SW1A 2BD
The winter transformation of the hotel's inner courtyard is complete with fireplaces lit and cashmere blankets at the ready for any visitors who feel a chill. Chef André Garret is behind the Italian-themed menu here with warming dishes including raclette and a sourdough truffled Taleggio and grilled aubergine toastie. Hot drinks range from mulled wine to their own hot chocolate and a choice of three spirits to add some oomph.
The Hawk's Nest
Railway Arch 190 & Market Yard, Shepherd's Bush Market, London W12 8DF
For winter, this popular Shepherds Bush spot is putting up Christmas trees, bringing in heaters and covering everything with fairy lights. Food will be wood-fired pizzas and there'll be mulled wine and a Salted Caramel Smoky Old Fashioned on the drinks list alongside more classic cocktails, wine and beer. Look out for events like wreath-making workshops and carol singing closer to Christmas.
Dalloway Terrace
The Bloomsbury, 16-22 Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3NN
You can always rely on this expansive terrace at The Bloomsbury Hotel to bring its A-game when it comes to switching up looks for a new season. For winter, the bar's teamed up with Perrier-Jouët’s Maison Belle Époque. Right now it's all very autumnal looking with a Champagne cocktail menu and Parisian dishes like steak frites with Café de Paris butter and sea bass with a tarragon and Champagne Beurre Blanc.
Peckham Arches
Unit 4-5 Dovedale Trading Estate, London SE15 4QN
Tucked under the railway arches at Peckham Rye, and with capacity for 600 hungry and thirsty souls, Peckham Arches is totally winter-ready. The heated garden glittering with candles and fairy lights is just the place to wrap your hands around a cup of mulled wine while enjoying a series of kitchen takeovers. On the roster this winter is Wingjam and Hank's BBQ among others.
Stanley's
151 Sydney Street, Chelsea, London SW3 6NT
While there's a year-round English country garden theme at Stanley's, the Chelsea spot has had a festive makeover for the season with a pined festive archway, Christmas trees and sheepskin throws for extra cosiness. On the menu right now find dishes like Crown Prince squash with cashew cream and crispy sage or ham hock croquettes topped with grated black English truffle.
Mercer Roof Terrace
19-20 Garlick Hill, London EC4V 2AU
This City rooftop restaurant has gone all out for winter with a range of heated igloos and cosy cabins for groups to book. For drinks they've partnered with Cask Liquid for some seasonal cocktails like the Espresso Martini with Black Tears spiced rum, Doragrossa coffee liqueur and coffee. Gaze out over the City over a steak platter or BBQ monkfish.
Market Halls Victoria
191 Victoria Street, London SW1E 5NE
Super handy for anyone travelling through or working near Victoria station, Market Halls Victoria has two fully covered and heated winter garden terraces for the festive season, warmed with heaters and decked out with blankets. They'll be serving up mulled wine and seasonal cocktails alongside beef brisket tacos and a festive cranberry turkey sausage special from Eggslut.
Gaucho Sloane Avenue
89 Sloane Ave, London SW3 3AL
Newly open for the winter is Gaucho's Sloane Avenue Ski Lodge. On the menu, they're promising après-ski classics like Swiss raclette, cheese and Suffolk charcuterie boards and - of course - steaks. The Alpine theme extends to cocktails too like the Après-Ski made with El Jimador Blanco tequila, Green Chartreuse, Moose Alpine spirit, elderflower and honey and apple espum. They've even got a ski lift for perfect party pics.
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