London’s Christmas spirit truly sparkles in its bars, where cosy log cabin pop-ups meet the sophisticated cocktail lounges of Mayfair. Whether you crave kitsch Christmas chaos or an elegant fireside tipple, your list includes the absolute essentials for a glamorous, festive night out.
Here is your guide to the best bars to spend the Christmas season in London!
1. The Festive Pop-Ups: Kitsch, Cozy & Themed
These temporary, highly decorated bars offer an immersive, over-the-top festive experience that is available only for a limited time.
| Bar/Experience | Location | The Christmas Vibe & Must-Know | Key Dates |
| Miracle at Henrietta | Covent Garden | Over-the-Top Kitsch. A Christmas dive bar experience transported from New York, famous for its gloriously gaudy 70s and 80s-inspired decorations (tinsel, plastic Santas) and creatively named cocktails served in novelty mugs. | Nov 10 – Dec 23, 2025 |
| Deck the Halls | Various (often South Bank or Waterloo) | High-Energy Party. Known for throwing massive Christmas parties, usually featuring DJs, dance floors, and themed rooms. Expect lots of tinsel, great music, and highly festive crowds. | Throughout Dec 2025 |
| Pergola Paddington | Paddington | Winter Rooftop. This huge, covered, and heated rooftop space transforms for winter, often featuring an Alpine or ski-lodge theme, making it a perfect casual spot for groups. | Nov 2025 – Early 2026 |
| Little Venice Igloos | Little Venice (often a pop-up partner) | Waterfront Cozy. Small, heated private igloos set up near the peaceful canals, offering an intimate and highly picturesque setting for drinks. Note: Check exact partner location near the canal. | Dec 2025 – Feb 2026 |
| Humbuga | The Vaults, Waterloo | Immersive Dive Bar. A raucous, theatrical Christmas dive bar experience with live music, cabaret, and immersive storytelling, hosted by Santa himself. This is a wild, alternative Christmas party. | Nov 18 – Dec 31, 2025 |
2. The Speakeasy & Immersive Classics
These bars are dedicated to a unique, highly detailed theme, adding a layer of narrative and history to your festive drinking.
| Bar/Experience | Location | The Christmas Vibe & Must-Know |
| Cahoots | Soho/Carnaby | 1940s Underground. A renowned bar themed like a disused London Underground station. For Christmas, they host “Train to Christmas” parties and offer wartime festive cocktails in their Underground and Ticket Hall spaces. |
| The Little Scarlet Door | Soho/Notting Hill | House Party Chic. Known for its relaxed “house party” atmosphere, this bar often decorates like a highly stylized, cool residential flat hosting an epic Christmas get-together. Great for group bookings. |
3. The World-Class Hotel Bars: Elegance & Tradition
These venues are famous globally for their mixology, service, and stunning seasonal decorations, often featuring high-fashion Christmas trees in the lobby.
| Bar/Experience | Location | The Christmas Vibe & Must-Know |
| Claridge’s Bar | Mayfair | Designer Elegance. While the bar itself is low-lit and sophisticated, its greatest draw is the breathtaking Claridge’s Christmas Tree in the lobby (designed in 2025 by Burberry’s Daniel Lee), which is unveiled in late November. The bar often offers a bespoke, themed cocktail to match the design. |
| The Connaught Bar | Mayfair | The Apex of Mixology. Voted the best bar in the world multiple times, its Art Deco interior is subtle but perfectly festive. Expect flawless service and beautifully crafted seasonal cocktails, making it a truly luxurious splurge. |
| The Berkeley Bar & Terrace | Knightsbridge | Understated Luxury. Located near Hyde Park (perfect after Winter Wonderland), this bar offers a beautifully designed space with warm lighting and a cozy ambience, serving classic cocktails and fine wines. |
| Dandelyan (Sea Containers) | South Bank | Riverside Glamour. Now known as the Lyaness, this bar offers innovative cocktails and spectacular views over the Thames. The hotel (Sea Containers) is beautifully decorated for the season, making it a stylish festive stop. |
4. The Wildcard: Day-to-Night Venue
| Bar/Experience | Location | The Christmas Vibe & Must-Know |
| Annabel’s | Mayfair | Ultra-Exclusive. Annabel’s is a private members’ club known for its outrageous, globally famous exterior facade at Christmas (e.g., a giant hot air balloon or a colossal Santa). While the bar is private, the exterior alone is a must-see for photos. |