Cocktails & Festive Stories
Excited? I dont quite think the word excited even begins to describe how much I cant wait for Christmas. If you didnt yet know, I have had a seasonal rebrand and I am now Cocktails & Festive Stories and I have made my way through London to find everything and anything christmassy.
First up: Annabels: Annabel’s is an opulent private members club in the heart of Berkeley Square. Annabel’s always pulls out all the stops in terms of their exterior dressing, much like the Ivy Kings Road they are frequently changing dressing to suit the season. This Christmas, Annabel’s is rocking a 42ft Christmas tree covered in snow and gold baubles. It was unveiled this Sunday and is well worth a visit. Whilst you have to be a member to get in, people have been queing to take pictures of the exterior and frankly I think it is well worth it!⠀⠀⠀⠀
Next up we have the Kings Road Ivy: The Ivy Chelsea Garden outdoes itself every season in terms of decor and this Christmas in no exception. They’ve even gone as far to put an ice throne as they know we’re all basic and want pictures. Stop by for the Shepherds pie & a hot chocolate… thank me later.
I think 34 Mayfair have done my favourite Christmas display as of yet, this bauble wonderland is truly mesmerising and beyond instagrammable. There are approx 1400 decorations, 8400 (to be precise) are baubles! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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34 Mayfair itself is a gorgeous Art Deco style brasserie. Whilst I have never had food there, I must say it looks amazing. The classic cocktails are brilliant and If you are feeling extremely festive they also have a Christmas cocktail menu.
The Rosewood Hotel currently has a pop up with Holborn Dining Rooms & Absolut Elyx, a gorgeous winter chalet serving Absolut Vodka cocktails.
Cocktails here are around £16 each and I had Tomtes Nectar (I think,
pls forgive me as I drank a lot of cocktails this day!) Not only was it served in this gnome (so cute) it actually tasted delicious, which is a win as I usually find the gimicky drinks don’t taste great. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The pop up is open daily until 4pm until late until Feb 2020. The chalet is located 2 mins from Holborn station. The pop up also serves hot drinks, Swedish inspired small bites and desserts so if cocktails aren’t your thing you can still enjoy the chalet vibes.
Fenimans have created a pink & festive wonderland in Skylight London. This life-size gingerbread house is not only filling my heart with pink joy but it actually smells like gingerbread men! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The package they are selling for £90 is for up to 8 people and includes a pink fentimans welcome drink on arrival and from then on you have waiter service and are able to order food (at an additional charge) This popup is running from November through to January and can be booked online. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This is the perfect spot for a group celebration with friends as the price works out much better the more of you that there are and 3 hours is the perfect amount of time to eat and drink to your hearts content in a magical pink wonderland. If it is somewhat out of your budget, but you still want to see it and take pics (like Gemma and I did) it is in Skylight which has ice skating, the famous igloos and gorgeous views of London.
So this is an insanely beautiful spot, for a picture, for a stare or even for a photo shoot. New Bond Street at the moment is absolutely unreal, every store has gone all out but Cartier has my heart! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
With that being said, this was not an easy shot to take.. about 3 Addision Lees parked up, one chauffeur and TWO VANS - one of whom was laughing at the queue of people waiting to continue their photo shoots. With that being said, it was so worth it. Whilst you are there, Tiffany is a spectacle and New Bond Street has an array of beautiful shop fronts.
Claridges Hotel have currently got the Loubi Express an immersive installation. It is open from now until the 31st of December, Tuesday - Saturday 5pm - midnight. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Onboard there is the option of three of cocktails or Laurent Perrier champagne. There is also a small food menu. I haven’t seen prices or exact menus as TWICE I have gone, and on the Monday it was shut and on the Tuesday I then found out it doesn’t open until 5pm (I am destined to not get these cocktails!). Whilst you are in the area be sure to pop past Hedonism Wines as their outdoor display is a spectacle.
Balthazar currently has the most insanely beautiful exterior Christmas decor. What they don’t have however is Christmas cocktails, so I improvised with this Batida de Maracuja (£12.50). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Balthazar is an all day dining brasserie in Covent Garden. Born in NYC, this brasserie has a gorgeous french inspired menu and a very friendly feel. Service was excellent and whilst I haven’t eaten in the London branch, of the NYC branch is anything to go off, the food is excellent. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Did you know that Clos Maggiore is regarded as one of the most romantic restaurants in the world? One restaurant critic stated that “Clos Maggiore is a restaurant that plays host to more marriage proposals in a week than the Eiffel Tower does in a month” ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The interior is a spectacle in itself, the main dining has been nicknamed ‘the fairy room’ but this year for Christmas they have really gone all out. Make sure to pass by if you are walking through Covent Garden and if you want to have dinner make sure to book in advance as there is high demand!
Shoutout to my cute biscuiteers biscuit for being such a good prop and RIP to my adorable gingerbread man who snapped in half before I was able to use him. (These biscuits were £4 each and are not only adorable but are delicious, be sure to check them out for all of your festive cookie needs)
Henrietta Hotel currently has a Miracle Pop Up (the only one in the UK). This 70s Christmas themed pop up is running until December 23rd and is the best way to drink yourself into the Christmas spirit. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
In terms of drink quality, decor and experience this is one of my favourite pop ups. I did this last year and let me tell you, the novelty has not worn off.. in fact Gemma and I have decided this will now be our tradition! If you haven’t been, you should definitely book as it is such fun and is reasonably priced (approx £12 a cocktail) which are all hilariously named, my favourite being Yippie Ki Yay Mother F🎅🎅🎅🎅r.
Another dreamy afternoon spent at The Ritz I can’t even put into words how mesmerising this tree is, all I can say is please go and visit it. I honestly felt like I had been transported into the most decadent Christmas movie and I never wanted to leave. Stop by to see the Christmas tree and stay a while and enjoy their hot chocolate and cinnamon short bread - TRUST ME.
Ice skating? Somerset house has got you covered. This gorgeous space has been transformed into a grand Ice rink fit with a Fortnum & Mason pop up. It gets extremely busy, so I would advise getting there early and booking in advance.
Speaking of Fortnum & Mason, their store front has been transformed into an advent calendar. This spectacle also plays music at midday each day. Pop in for all of your christmas gifting needs.
There are still so many places that I want to see that have been transformed into a Christmassy wonderland, if you have any recomendations or places you would like me to review let me know!
