'Tis the Season: London's Top Alpine Pop-Ups

Cat Byers |

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It's all coming up Alpine this month in the capital, and we're loving every mulled wine soaked minute of it.

Don't worry if you can't quite afford a trip to Lapland to soak up the Christmas spirit - London is currently teeming with alpine pop-ups. From Patagonian pork bites to cheese-heavy chalets, no corner of London has escaped from this festive mountain makeover. The Scandinavian influence is also heavy this year, so make sure you channel Sarah Lund and pick up a suitable knitted jumper before you visit. Skol!

The Ski Lodge at The Montague on the Gardens

Ski Lodge 2011

The original London Ski Lodge is back for another year, and it's better than ever. The terrace has been transformed into a retro wooden chalet complete with skis, snowmen, Christmas trees and a vodka bar, all overlooking the lovely private gardens behind the hotel. They've also installed a fake snow machine (warning - don't get it in your mouth, it tastes pretty weird), and have a dedicated selfie stick booth too.

The Montague on the Gardens, 15 Montague Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1B 5BJ 
#skimontague
www.montaguehotel.com

The Lodge, Balham

thelodge

There aren't that many reasons to go to Balham, so make the most of it while The Lodge is open for business. The latest brainchild from Jimmy Garcia of Jimmy's Pop-Ups, The Lodge is pure alpine heaven with the scent of warm cheese and mulled wine. Communal fondue pots are on the menu, along with venison burgers, pigeon and a mean Sunday roast.

The Lodge, 9 Hildreth Street, London,  SW12 9RQ
#lodgebalham
www.jimmyspopup.com

Le Chalet at Selfridges

Le Chalet - Interiors 2

Tucked away on the fifth floor of Selfridges, this self-described 'winter playground' is as close to Chamonix as you'll get in London. The alpine ambience is provided by tartan blankets, candles and a canopy of branches, while the hearty winter menu features buttermilk chicken schnitzel with blue cheese fondue, spit roasted pork and Cornish crab. Along with selected wines, beers and cocktails, they've installed a hot chocolate bar and a juice bar, and there's even an outdoor chalet porch (for cigar smoking, naturally).

Selfridges, 400 Oxford Street, London W1A 1AB

@selfridges

www.selfridges.com
 

WigwamBam at Queen of Hoxton

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Always one to be different, Queen of Hoxton have taken their alpine pop-up in a more rustic direction with the giant WigWamBam teepee on the roof. Get yourself a Hot Buttered Rum, or better yet an Egg Snog and settle down on a mossy wooden stump in the candlelit tent for an evening. It's all the best bits of the great outdoors, but just five minutes from the Central Line - perfect.

The Queen of Hoxton, 1-5 Curtain Rd, London EC2A 3JX
@queenofhoxton
www.queenofhoxton.com

Soho Ski and Rum Chalet at Floridita

Floridita Rum Chalet 'I wonder what Christmas is like in Patagonia?' said no-one, ever. Still, they seem to have some pretty decent food and drink  options for the festive season if the Soho Ski and Rum Chalet at Floridita is anything to go by. A corner of this expansive bar has been converted into a South American winter bolt-hole with rum hot chocolate, warm punch and a selection of Latin tapas including crispy pork skins, yuka fries and baby chorizo.
Floridita, 100 Wardour Street, London W1F 0TN
@floriditalondon
www.floriditalondon.com

Valhalla Vodka Bar at Skylounge

Valhalla Vodka Bar - Launch It's been a thousand years since the whole pillaging and murdering and Lindesfarne debacle, and only now are we finally ready to let the Vikings come back. The Valhalla bar is a pretty decent apology though - it's the latest pop-up to appear at Skylounge Bar at the Doubletree Hilton, and has fully embraced the warrior theme with fur blankets, mulled cider, vodka cocktails and ice block shots, tasty Scandinavian food and lots of people in horned hats. Just don't mention monks, ok?
Skylounge, DoubleTree Hilton, 7 Pepys St, London EC3N 4AF
@skyloungelondon
www.hilton.com
 

Nordic Yulefest

Nordic-Yulefest-21 Popping up for three short weekends from December 6th, Nordic Yulefest is fully immersive Scandi wonderland in the heart of Shoreditch. Only available to visit for brunch or dinner, the four-course Nordic feast will feature gravalax, apple stuffed hams and Gluehwein from traditional boot-shaped glasses. 'Sprites, Dancing and Unbridled Tomfoolery' have also been promised, but we'll leave you to discover those for yourself.
Nordic Yulefest, The Old Shoreditch Station, 1 Kingsland Road, E2 8AA
@nordicyulefest
www.nordicyulefest.com

The Narrow's Winter Terrace

Mulled beer

It's all fire and fairy lights at The Narrow this Christmas as they launch their winter terrace on December 3rd. With a week to go until it opens we haven't had a chance to peek inside yet, but rumour has it that the furry blankets, open fires, mulled beer and British bar bites are not to be missed.

The Narrow, 44 Narrow Street, London E14 8DP
@thenarrow
www.gordonramsay.com/thenarrow

The Winter Cabin at York & Albany

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Another alpine-esque pop-up from the Gordon Ramsay group, the Winter Cabin at the York & Albany in Camden opened to glowing reviews at the start of November. Along with the usual tartan rug and candle decor, they've also got a whole host of interesting taxidermy to examine while you sip on a caper and spiced Bloody Mary. Make sure you try the wild boar sausages too.
York & Albany, 127 - 129 Parkway, London, NW1 7PS
@yorkandalbany
www.gordonramsay.com/yorkandalbany

Bodo's Schloss

bodoschloss

Ok, it's not technically a pop-up, but you can't write an article on London's alpine themed venues without mentioning this infamous Kensington nightspot. This pine-panelled palace is decked out with ski lifts, fur sofas, antlers and lederhosen-clad staff, perfect for serving schnitzel & bratwurst by day and bobsleighs of cocktails by night.

Bodo's Schloss, 2A Kensington High St, London W8 4PT
@bodosschloss
www.bodosschloss.com
 

Christmas at The Brockwell Lido Cafe

Lido Cafe Christmas

Fans of the Brockwell Lido Café – one of our favourite summer haunts – have given themselves a winter makeover.  The transformed Café will transport customers from the frosty streets of London into an inviting interior of spiced candles, cosy blankets and comfort food. Wintery ferns, a chalk drawn pine forest and soft lighting have also been installed.  The menu has also been given some seasonal additions, including Chilli Hot Chocolate, Venison Burgers and ‘Bad Santa' mince pies.

Brockwell Park, Dulwich Road, London SE24 0PA www.thelidocafe.co.uk
Kansas Smitty's, Hackney
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