Al fresco socialising isn't just for summer
Looking for venues for festive drinks with friends this season? The capital is filled with twinkling outdoor winter terraces and rooftop bars – many with heaters, sheepskin rugs and warming drinks menus to keep things cosy. Here’s our pick of the best for 2022.
Best Outdoor Winter Terraces in London 2022
Coppa Club
Coppa Club’s Instagram-friendly riverside winter igloos are back, set against the backdrop of Tower Bridge, The Shard and the city beyond. This season’s theme is ‘Under the Twinkling Sky’, with six igloos decked out with pretty autumnal decor, warm lights and rugs to keep you warm whatever the weather. Diners can tuck into dishes from the festive menu, such as a turkey roast, wild mushroom tortellini and spiced cranberry cheesecake, or choose from the regular menu, which offers everything from pizza to steak and salads. Pair with seasonal cocktails, such as a rhubarb and strawberry martini, and the Precious Heart, mixed with Tanqueray No 10 gin, winter berries, ginger and pink grapefruit soda.
3 Three Quays Walk, Lower Thames St, London EC3R 6AH; coppaclub.co.uk
The Enchanted Wonderland at Dalloway Terrace
Named after the eponymous character created by Virginia Woolf, forever a Bloomsbury association, Dalloway Terrace is similarly elegant, poetic and quintessentially English. Its flower-covered outdoor space makes it one of the city’s most sought-after al fresco drinking spots across all seasons. This Christmas, it has been given a suitably festive makeover, themed around the allure of the British countryside, complete with a cascade of twinkling lights. Guests can enjoy gin cocktails from Chase Distillery, such as sloe mulled wine and alpine toddies, alongside a menu of seasonal dishes inspired by woodland, such as wild mushroom risotto and autumn squash soup.
16-22 Great Russell St, London WC1B 3NN; dallowayterrace.com
Fire & Ice Winter Terrace at Sea Containers London
This year’s winter terrace at riverside hotel Sea Containers London is inspired by the natural elements of Iceland, running in collaboration with Icelandic Vodka Reyka. A light installation will echo the country’s icy blue landscapes, and there will be sheepskin blankets to keep guests warm. Sip on cocktails like the Nordic Highball, a mix of vodka, lemon sherbert, midori foam and soda, and Lagoon Breeze, made with eucalyptus, peppermint, Crème de Menthe and citric acid.
20 Upper Ground, London SE1 9PD; seacontainerslondon.com
God’s Garden
Cameras at the ready: new winter garden God’s Garden will be one for Instagram. A brand-new terrace launching within One Marylebone Church, the pop-up will be accessed through a flower shop greenhouse and located within a hidden courtyard, which is being decked out with foliage and Persian rugs. It will host a range of events throughout the season, from après ski brunch parties to Sunday feasts and screenings of the World Cup. A Moët Hennessy bar will serve signature cocktails, such as the ‘Hot Angel’, Whispering Angel’s take on mulled wine, alongside a Cloudy Bay wine trolley. Guests can also expect top-notch food from a yet to be announced brand.
God’s Garden, 1 Marylebone Rd, London NW1 4AQ; godsgardenldn.com
Time: Capsule Terrace at Rosewood London
Whisky lovers, head to Rosewood London’s terrace this winter, which has been transformed into a feast for all the senses in partnership with Glenfiddich. As the name suggests, the Time: Capsule Terrace has been designed to feel like time has been slowed down, with an illuminated tunnel leading into the space and jazzy visuals throughout. Settle into your surroundings and take things slow with one of the imaginative tipples on offer, such as the Reversed Coffee, a high-tech cocktail made with Glenfiddich 12 Year Old, evaporated tonka and coffee, and Pandan cream. Alongside this, guests can tuck into a menu of comforting dishes from the hotel’s Holborn Dining Room, like Loch Duart smoked salmon rilettes with caviar, game pie, and a blackberry and apple crumble with Glenfiddich infused custard.
From 18 November 2022, 252 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EN; rosewoodhotels.com
Lilly’s Winter Terrace
Heading to Covent Garden for a spot of Christmas shopping? Pay a visit to Lilly’s Winter Terrace, which has just opened in the Piazza – complete with a brand-new fondue and hot cocktails menu. Created by former Claridge’s executive pastry chef Kimberley Lin, the fondue offering is a warming pot of melted Swiss Gruyere and Emmental, with warm new potatoes and bread for dipping. Enjoy alongside mulled wine, or the special Sleigh Ride cocktail: a mix of Cognac, Cointreau, orange and cranberry juice topped with champagne. Heated seats and plenty of blankets will ensure you stay warm.
3 Henrietta St, London WC2E 8LU; lillys-cafe.com
Isla at The Standard
You can always guarantee a lively vibe at The Standard, which is home to a number of trendy hangouts including its ground floor restaurant Isla. Its terrace is being transformed for the winter season with festoon lighting and a crackling fire pit, alongside a menu of warming cocktails and seasonal dishes created by head chef Guy Betteridge.
10 Argyle St, London WC1H 8EG; islalondon.com
Vinegar Yard
Justin De Souza
London Bridge hotspot Vinegar Yard is a popular spot year-round, offering an al fresco space for drinking and dining with friends. This winter, the venue is ensuring its guests stay warm with a canopy covering the whole site, plus a new collection of domes running in partnership with Grey Goose. Tuck into food from a whole host of street traders like Bad Boys Pizza and Baba G’s while soaking up the views of The Shard.
72-82 St Thomas St, London SE1 3QX; vinegaryard.london
Acme Fire Cult
Vegetables take centre stage at Dalston restaurant Acme Fire Cult, which is all about live fire cooking. A partnership with 40FT Brewery, it’s home to a heated, sheltered terrace which is perfect for al fresco feasting, offering an array of seasonal dishes such as Cauliflower ‘Aslam’s Butter’ style with Guindilla and pink onions. There are also 10 taps serving up beers produced on-site, alongside a wine list from ex-Noble Rot Holly Willcocks and a selection of winter cocktails.
Abbot St, London E8 3DP; acmefirecult.com
Yauatcha City x Johnnie Walker’s Winter Terrace
Luke Halls Studio, known for designing mesmerizing stage shows for the likes of Beyoncé and Adele, is behind the new immersive winter terrace at Yauatcha City. Opening this November, the pop-up will transport guests centuries into the future, celebrating the launch of Johnnie Walker’s ‘Cities of the Future’ limited-edition Blue Label bottles that mark the brand’s 200 years in whisky. It’s set to be a futuristic, neon-lit space which looks down on Broadgate Circle, offering Johnnie Walker cocktails and plenty of dim sum.
Broadgate, London EC2M 2QS; yauatcha.com
Lodge d’Argent
With soft faux fur rugs adorning chairs, plenty of cushions, festive foliage, wood cabins and toasty heaters, sip on winter warming Remy Martin cocktails and snack on delicious small plates amid the twinkling lights of the city on Coq d’Argent’s outdoor terrace, transformed into the ski-inspired Lodge d’Argent for winter.
Coq d’Argent, No. 1 Poultry, London, EC2R 8EJ; coqdargent.co.uk
Dalloway Terrace
Named after the eponymous character created by Virginia Woolf, forever a Bloomsbury association, Dalloway Terrace is similarly elegant, poetic and quintessentially English. Its flower-covered outdoor space makes it one of the city’s most sought-after al fresco drinking spots across all seasons. Diners can enjoy lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and cocktails amid the Instagram-friendly setting, which recently underwent an autumn flourishing of rouge tones to warm purples.
16-22 Great Russell St, London WC1B 3NN; dallowayterrace.com
Whispering Angel Alpine Terrace at Stanley’s
From 8–22 December, Stanley’s in Chelsea will be awash with pink and dressed to emulate the retro ski vibes of Chamonix, Val Thorens and Courcheval. Sip on a cold rosé and nibble on Scottish Cod or Heritage Pork, paired with the iconic Chateau’s Whispering Angel and Rock Angel cuvees.
151 Sydney St, London SW3 5UE; stanleyschelsea.co.uk
Aviary London
Back for another winter of rooftop festive fun, the skyline igloos are returning to Aviary in Finsbury Square, offering guests panoramic views of the city, specially curated cocktails and an array of delicious food platters to be shared.
Royal London House, 10th Floor Montcalm, 22-25 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1DX; aviarylondon.com
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