Exciting new openings, seasonal pop-ups and creative instillations – we round up the fabulous festive fun happening in the capital this December.
New opening: NUALA Bar comes to East London
December 7th saw a slice of Irish merriment arriving at Curtain Road in East London, as Niall Davidson opened NUALA Bar. Promising to serve ‘the best Guinness outside Dublin’, the bar can be reached via the restaurant’s staircase and is a new take on the original Irish pub.
The space is certainly designed for letting your hair down – pictures swinging from the ceiling come from the original Guinness archives in Dublin and the large mahogany bar ensures there’s a real Irish boozer feel. There will of course be a hearty dose of music alongside the revelry and jovial atmosphere, and for those not keen on Guinness, peruse the whiskey list or order a round of punch. We’re ready for the craic!
nualalondon.com | @nualabar 70-74 City Road, EC1
Oblix Tanqueray No. TEN Treehouse is open
There’s more than one type of Christmas tree on our minds this season, as the bar at Oblix East in The Shard has been transformed into a magical treehouse. Promising a Peter Pan-esque immersive experience, guests can sip exclusive Tanqueray No. TEN cocktails amongst the twisted branches and sparkling lights at the heart of a treehouse, all while enjoying unparalleled views over Tower Bridge, the city and beyond.
Make your way through the archway of leafy vines, over the roped walkway and into the heart of the twinkling, wood-scented forest. And the decor isn’t merely faux foliage – Oblix East will be home to two real trees for five weeks, alongside a wall of Tanqueray No. TEN botanical infusions.
The limited edition cocktails draw inspiration from the treehouse and the well-loved citrus botanicals of Tanqueray No. TEN – we’ve got our eye on The Firefly, featuring lime, lemongrass, sparkling wine and luminous foam.
The Oblix Tanqueray No. TEN Treehouse will be live until the 27th December.
oblixrestaurant.com | @oblixrestaurant Oblix East, Level 32, The Shard, SE1 9SG
TT Liquor Cellar Bar starts Cocktail Journeys
TT Liquor – the all-encompassing drinking establishment housed in a former 18th Century police station on Kingsland Road – has added a subterranean cocktail den to its repertoire. Accessed via a street-facing liquor store, the Cellar Bar is the definition of an intimate cocktail den, featuring a carefully curated menu reflecting drinks from four key historical eras.
Take your tastebuds on a time-travelling adventure featuring Belle Époque; the Noble Experiment; Boom To Bust; and Our Time… via cocktails that draw inspiration from the culture, places and people of each period. The late 1800’s Belle Epoque era is summarised by The Groglet (Plymouth Navy Gin, Jasmine Tea, Rose’s Lime Marmalade, lime juice, soda and syrup), inspired by the Gimlet cocktail, while The Madison (Vodka, Belsazar Dry and Cornichon Vinegar), is a twist on The Gibson and evokes the 1920s American Boom to Bust economy.
Not only that, but the Cellar Bar opening marks the launch of TT Liquor’s newest experience: Cocktail Journeys; an opportunity for guests to sample one cocktail from each era, guided by a designated drinks expert, and paired with a small plates menu (priced at £45 and perfect for groups). The kind of history lesson we definitely approve of.
ttliquor.co.uk | @ttliquor 17B Kingsland Road, London E2 8AA
The Bubble Bros Christmas pop up
It gets to midway through December and you need a little break from mulled wine and mince pies – we have the answer! Pizza and Prosecco! And this is exactly what Bubble Bros are offering, as the festive season inspires them to take their prosecco van off-road to host a three-day pop up on Columbia Road.
Guests will be given the chance to take hold of the taps and enjoy free flowing, unlimited bubbles, while also channelling their inner mixologist as they take part in a spritz lesson on arrival, learning to shake and stir from the experts. Pizza Pilgrims will also be joining the fun, serving slices of a specially created Christmas pizza from the wood fire oven, alongside their Pococello limoncello which will be available for those who fancy honing their skills on the cocktail shaker.
The Bubble Bros Christmas pop up is from Tuesday 12th December-Saturday 16th December, with available time slots from 13:00-16:00 and 16:30-19:30.
Ticket prices from £32 per person and bookings can be made here.
The Bubble Bros Christmas Spritz Bar, 1st Floor, 134 Columbia Road, E2 7RG
Ketel One Vodka Oranje festive pop-up at Callooh Callay
There’s definitely something Christmassy about that warming citrus scent and taste of mandarin (possibly because our stocking haul always ends with a tangerine), and this makes it the perfect fruit for the new flavour of Ketel One Vodka this festive season.
Ketel One Oranje is infused with all natural essential oils from Valencia and Mandarin oranges, and is the tipple behind the new pop-up at Callooh Callay this December. The festive hideaway and private bar boasts an exclusive limited-edition menu of innovative cocktails using ten key ingredients and this brand new spirit, each with its own festive twist. Open throughout December, the pop up is available for walk-in guests on a first come, first serve bases as well as having availability to book private tables in advance.
calloohcallaybar.com | @Callooh_callay 65 Rivington St, EC2A 3AY
