It’s getting cold. Trees are being stripped of leaves, frost is in the air and every other headline seems to be quoting Game of Thrones. At a time like this we can only think of one thing: finding somewhere warm and well-stocked to hole-up for winter.
Fortunately, London has us covered. From open fireplaces to wine lists longer than Santas, get into the festivities early with our picks of the cosiest places to have a drink in the capital this winter.
Scarfes Bar (Holborn)
Leather armchairs arranged around an open fire is always a good sign. Throw in some inventive cocktails, mood lightning and the feel of an exclusive members club and you have a personal favourite of ours, Scarfes Bar. Named after the inimitable Gerald Scarfe and showing off his political cartoons (and work on Disney’s Hercules) the Rosewood Hotel’s bar is glowing with old-school comfort; scarfesbar.com
Mr Fogg’s Tavern (Westminster)
The original den of alcoholic whimsy is already relatively cosy, but the more pubby theme of the tavern on St. Martin’s Lane just adds that extra dash of festivity to proceedings. Random paraphernalia hanging from the ceiling, great signature cocktails and an ever-buzzing atmosphere (not to mention a few sofas dotted around the place) make Fogg’s Tavern weirdly, wonderfully and warmingly eccentric; mr-foggs.com
Merchant House in the City (Bow Lane)
Just looking at the stack of spirit bottles behind the bar is likely to make anyone want to hide from the elements at this casual city bar. Gin’s very much on the menu with 250 different bottles available. If you want to make a fair stab at getting through them, the plush blue seats are a necessity. Even if you’re not a gin lover, just tell the bartenders what you like and watch them mix up something extraordinary; www.merchanthouselondon.com
NightJar (Shoreditch)
Dark, glamorous and deadly – at least when it comes to their prohibition-style drinks – there are plenty of reasons that NightJar is regarded as one of the best bars in the world. It goes without saying that the cocktails are great, but that’s not all. Throw in a frenetic, intimate live jazz session and cold (not to mention the outside world) will be the furthest thing from your mind. Just sit back, relax and breath in the roaring 20s; www.barnightjar.com
Mark’s Bar (Soho)
Hidden beneath Hix Soho on Brewer Street, Mark’s Bar is a hidden sanctum of British booze and brilliant bar food. A sunken bar and leather chesterfields, not to mention the occasional touch of historical eccentricity, transform what would otherwise be a run-of-the-mill basement bar into a Soho institution. Open from 11:30, it’s the kind of place you can find yourself spending far, far too much time in; www.hixrestaurants.co.uk
