If you live in London, we hate to break it to you, but there is literally no excuse for running out of ideas for date night, especially when winter rolls around.
We’ve teamed up with DesignMyNight for the lowdown on the best winter pop-ups that double up as date night, and you’re in for a real treat. From bottomless raclette and toasting marshmallows in a riverside cabana to cosying up on a rooftop to watch a festive film, you’re sure to earn brownie points with these top experiences and events.
Pergola On The Piste
London is packed with things to do in the lead up to Christmas but one place you should definitely make time for is Pergola Paddington. The ever popular rooftop bar is transforming into Pergola on the Piste for the colder months and if the pictures are anything to go by, you’re in for one hell of a time. Their après-ski wonderland will undoubtedly be the number one place for debauchery as everyone is encouraged to wear their best ski gear while tucking into all manner of themed treats, from shots served on actual skis to génépi.
Winterland
Neverland has been around since 2017 and their Winterland pop-up is known as the go-to place when a fun night out is on the cards. If you’re after an intimate space to catch-up with all your couple friends before the Christmas break (or after the Christmas Day slump), their igloos, moose cabins and alpine lodges are just the ticket. Their menu this year will have an alpine twist and will see you drinking mulled wine, themed cocktails, all while tucking into everything from fondue to cheesy sourdough pizzas.
Fire & Fromage
If there’s any time of the year where you can justify eating unjustifiable amounts of cheese, it’s 100% winter. And for those who have a thing for dairy, you’re in luck. London’s getting a new pop-up beside the South Bank called Fire & Fromage and it’s set to send tummy’s rumbling. For £35 you can huddle up in one of their riverside cabanas and load up on bottomless raclette and sides for an entire 60 minutes. For dessert you’ll also be tasked with toasting huge marshmallows and assembling Smore’s over built-in fire pits. Cheese, please.
Backyard Cinema
When it comes to magical experiences, no one does it quite like Backyard Cinema. This year the immersive pop-up is whisking you away on a 1920’s-inspired steam train to their secret space that’s home to dozens of snowy Christmas trees, a starry night sky, and of course – the big screen. Their movie selection is top notch too, showing The Holiday, Home Alone, It’s A Wonderful Life plus loads more festive favourites. And they have build-your-own hot chocolates, steaming mugs of mulled wine and sourdough pizzas to curb any hanger before you kick back in one of their giant beanbags.
Kitchen at Holmes Secret Cinema
Let’s be honest. A trip to the cinema for date night isn’t the most original idea in the world, but rest assured that Kitchen at Holmes has several tricks up their sleeve to make this cinema trip a very special one. Their secret rooftop cinema experience will start with a tasting menu in their restaurant before you’re taken skyward towards their hidden screen and cabins where you’ll get to watch a Christmas classic (think Home Alone and Love Actually) under warm blankets. Tickets are £70 and they include a glass of Champagne or a Jameson cocktail during the movie plus homemade popcorn that comes in all kinds of flavours, from black truffle butter to parmesan and smoked paprika.
Skylight
Come Christmas, there are lots of places to ice skate in London but none hit like Skylight. Owning the bragging rights as Europe’s only rooftop ice rink, this sky-high space is one of the coolest pop-ups around, and it doesn’t stop there. They have igloos that can fit up to 10 people where you can drink and dine to your heart’s content… or at least until your booking is over. Whether you’re gliding hand-in-hand with your partner on the ice or snuggled up in one of their igloos with your couple friends, it’s sure to jingle all your bells.
Miracle On Greek Street At Little Scarlet Door
This might be their first Crimbo in Soho, but silly season is clearly taken very seriously at Little Orange Door. The NYC apartment-inspired bar has had a festive makeover bringing a Miracle on Greek Street pop-up to their already-funky space. Expect to see lots of tinsel and bunting amongst their Christmas trees but make sure and keep an eye out for their Boxing Day leftovers sandwich. Packed with turkey, stuffing and cranberry – this festive sambo even goes the extra mile with a moreish gravy side dip.
Skate at Somerset House
Somerset House are back this winter with their Instagrammable ice rink, promising light shows, DJ sets and lots of bubbly from Moët & Chandon. If skating isn’t your strong suit, don’t worry. This pop-up has a Skate School where you and your other half can learn how to put one blade in front of the other. If you’re not gliding across the ice, pull up a seat to Jimmy Garcia’s Chalet Suisse where you can tuck into gourmet alpine favourites and then hit the Skate Lounge for hand crafted cocktails and a well earned glass of bubbly.
City Of The Future At Yauatcha
Yauatcha are very keen to wave goodbye to 2022, so much so that they’ve created a new pop-up that’s based in the year 2220. Dramatic? Perhaps. Brilliant? Most definitely. Their winter terrace, in partnership with Johnnie Walker, is going to transport you to a vision of London and Hainan in two centuries’ time with the visuals designed by Luke Halls Studio who is known for staging shows for the likes of Adele and Louis Vuitton. Expect limited edition cocktails and a winter neon terrace that will take your breath away.
Miracle at Henrietta
If you’re lacking that all-important Christmas spirit or you need to un-Grinch your other half, there’s only one place for it: Miracle at Henrietta. This throwback pop-up will pluck you from 2022 and put you plonk you back in a time where tinsel and tacky ornaments reigned supreme. An absolute hit in America, this is the only Miracle pop-up in the UK so it only makes sense to pay them a visit. Still not convinced? They have Christmapolitan cocktails with absinthe mist and plenty of cute photo opps for your next couple selfie.
Looking for more winter pop-ups in London and across the UK? Visit DesignMyNight and follow them on Instagram and Facebook; @DesignMyNight.
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