It’s the most wonderful time of the year, which obviously means you need to be spending your valuable time in the most wonderful of places. Because is it really Christmas if you haven’t visited a novelty pop up, drank an obscure festively named drink and taken a few moments to stare in drunken awe at a load of sparkly lights? Didn’t think so.
If you’re a bit late to the festive this year, don’t worry because there is still time. If you’re in or around the capital this weekend, or fancy venturing on down to make a proper go of it before dedicating your life to pyjamas and left overs until the New Year, here are some of the most magical festive bars to visit in London.
Debrief Christmassy Places to Visit London
1 of 51. ‘Let It Snow’ at The Long Bar, Sanderson Hotel
Dreams of a white Christmas could actually come true (for a couple of hours) this year. After an afternoon of very last-minute Christmas shopping on Oxford Street, schlep over to the Sanderson Hotel just around the corner for a well-deserved beverage or three. For the festive season, they've teamed up with Bombay Sapphire and Star of Bombay to create few special cocktails. Our favourite was the Bubbling Reindeer but a highlight is definitely entering the bar through a rather heavy sprinkling of fake snow.
2 of 52. Winterville, Clapham Common
Winter Wonderland sound like too much effort (and money)? You're probably be more of a Winterville kind of person. This year the Alternative Festive Experience set up camp on Clapham Common and you won't be disappointed by what's on offer. We're talking outdoor ice rink, roller disco, mini golf, live music nights, street food galore and all of Backyard Cinema's festive offerings.
3 of 53. Skylight, Tobacco Dock Skylight
Who said rooftops were just for summer? If you've got a bit of a thing for drinking your drinks that little bit closer to the stars then Skylight down at the Tobacco Docks is where you need to be. There's an ice skating rink up there but if that's not your thang there's also cheese fondue and mulled wine to fill up on.
4 of 54. South Pole Saloon, Brixton Rooftop
South Pole Saloon is a great place to head if you hate the pressure of deciding on one activity for your whole group of mates to commit to. Located at Brixton Rooftop you've got enough to do without having to stress about losing everyone for the whole night. It's based on some legend about there being a Saloon in the deep dark depths of the South Pole where the rebel elves come to play. It all looks very extra and we're kind of into it.
5 of 55. Winterland, Fulham
If you too consider curling a sport that Santa would be totally into, then it probably doesn't get much more festive than Winterland. It's a pop up enchanted forest in Fulham and don't worry, if you're not up for exercising your sporting prowess, the whole pop up is heated and there are boozy hot drinks a-plenty. If you're feeling super fancy (and spenny) though, you can hire out one of those private igloos that everyone's been going on about this month.
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.