Burns Night 2023: Where to Celebrate in LondonBy Alicia Grimshaw
Arguably the most underrated holiday in the calendar; Burns Night is a real About Time favourite. Saving us from the doom and gloom of January, there’s nothing better to wash away the winter blues than a load of whiskey and haggis. Thankfully, more and more restaurants and bars seem to be jumping into action and celebrating the holiday in 2023. Toasts at the ready – we’ve rounded up the best Burns Night events in the capital.
1. For a Classy Affair: The Savoy
What: Taking place on Wednesday 25th January, The Savoy is hosting an evening of Scottish-inspired food, whisky and live entertainment in partnership with Bowmore Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Eat and Drink: Expect a welcome tipple with Bowmore before indulging in an unforgettable five-course meal, featuring Savoy twists on traditional dishes, and paired with a specially curated selection of Bowmore whiskies. Following the dinner, entertainment and poetry, there will also be an opportunity to try Ceilidh dancing.
Where: The Savoy, Strand, London WC2R 0EZ
Book here
2. For a Five-Course Dinner: Bourne & Hollingsworth Buildings
What: On 25th January, guests will be able to celebrate the life of Robert Burns by eating, drinking, and making merry, lubricated by Glenmorangie whisky cocktails, traditional Scottish dishes and ceilidh dancing at Bourne & Hollingsworth Buildings.
Eat and Drink: Guests will be welcomed with a Glenmorangie whisky cocktail reception featuring a traditional Burns Night piper. Attendees will be transferred to the foliage-adorned restaurant, and greeted by the Master of Ceremonies before being seated for an incredible five-course supper including traditional Scottish dishes such as Cullen Skink, Haggis, neeps ‘n’ tatties, and for those who prefer something sweeter – Cranachan, and a deep-fried Mars bar.
Where: B&H Buildings, 42 Northampton Road, EC1R 0HU
Tickets here
3. For Whisky Cocktails: The Sun Tavern
What: East London cocktail bar The Sun Tavern will be raising a glass to Scotland in a special collaboration with Aberfeldy Whisky – straight from the Highlands – to create an exclusive cocktail menu available for one day only (25th January).
Eat and Drink: The Sun Tavern bartenders will be showcasing their finest Aberfeldy cocktails throughout the evening with Sweet Afton (Aberfeldy 12yr Whisky, Sauternes, Oats, Honey, Raspberry, Whey), Bobby Burns (Aberfeldy 12yr Whisky, Sweet Vermouth, Benedictine) and Cranachan (Aberfeldy 12yr Whisky, Sauternes, Oats, Honey, Raspberry and Whey). The bar will also serve up free Haggis Bites from Broadway Market stalwarts, Deeney’s, to pair with the Whisky-based cocktails.
Where: 441 Bethnal Green Rd, London, E2 0AN
Book here
4. For a Fancy Dinner: St James’s Hotel & Club
What: From the 24th to 28th January, St James’s Hotel & Club will celebrate Burns Night in its Michelin-starred restaurant, Seven Park Place by William Drabble, and the hotel’s 1857 Bar.
Eat and Drink: Diners at Seven Park Place will see William prepare and serve his signature seasonal Haggis Raviolo served with confit turnips and Dalmore 12-year single malt and thyme jus, as part of the Menu Gourmand. Providing the perfect accompaniment, Dalmore Port Wood Reserve Highland Single Malt will be served alongside. In the 1857 Bar, guests will also be welcomed to enjoy the raviolo in a more informal setting, alongside Dalmore’s 15-Year-Old Highland Single Malt.
Where: 7-8 Park Place, St. James’s, London SW1A 1LS
Book here
5. For a Traditional Scottish Menu: Galvin Bar & Grill
What: On the corner of Russell Square, Michelin-starred brothers Chris and Jeff Galvin will transport guests to the Scottish Highlands this January 25th with a one-off traditional Scottish menu, paired with warming whiskies, live bagpipes and poetry readings.
Eat and Drink: In the 100-cover dining room of the Kimpton Fitzroy London Hotel, Chris and Jeff Galvin will guide diners on a culinary journey of Scottish delicacies, showcasing the finest seasonal produce. Dishes will include haggis neeps and tatties; Buckfast-braised short rib of Scottish beef with rumbledethumps; and to complete the meal, the Cranachan – a Scottish take on a trifle – with oats, cream and raspberries. And to drink, guests can discover three whiskies honouring a different area of Scottish countryside, including Glenfarclas from The Highlands and The Macallan from Speyside.
Where: 1-8 Russell Square Corner of Guilford Street and, Russel Square, London WC1B 5BE
Book here
6. For a Supper Club: The Little Blue Door and The Little Orange Door
What: The Little Blue Door (Fulham) and its sister venue The Little Orange Door (Clapham) are throwing special Burns Night parties with bagpipes and haggis. Taking place on Thursday 26th at The Little Blue Door and on Friday 27th at The Little Orange Door, expect a sensational Scottish-themed supper club, including the piping in of the haggis and tableside entertainment, followed by the ultimate house party, complete with a DJ.
Eat and Drink: First up, it’s a three-course menu served family-style. Kick-off with a warming Scotch broth with thyme-infused pulled lamb followed by the traditional Scottish haggis served with nutty neeps, tatties and a peppery whisky sauce. To finish: an indulgent Cranachan featuring raspberries, honey, oats and cream. A vegan menu is also available on request.
Where: The Little Blue Door, 871-873, Fulham Rd, London SW6 5HP and The Little Orange Door, 16A Clapham Common South Side, London SW4 7AB
Book here
7. For a Four-Course Menu: The Berkeley
What: On 25th January, The Bishop at The Berkeley – the hotel’s pop-up pub for the winter months – will mark Burns Night with a one-off supper club. Guests will prop up the bar, greeted with whisky cocktails and signature pub snacks before being invited into the dining room for a four-course menu of Scottish delicacies, all paired with the finest drams from Aberfeldy.
Eat and Drink: The four-course menu will start with Scottish smoked salmon and heritage beets, while a traditional Cullen skink – Scottish soup with lentils, potato and smoked haddock – will be served as a lighter second course. For the main event, the haggis will be served with barrel-aged whiskey sauce and the classic ‘neeps and tatties’ will be piped into the dining room by a traditional Scottish bagpiper. The final flourish is Scotland’s answer to Eton Mess – a Cranachan served with oats, raspberries and spiced biscuit for dessert.
Where: Wilton Pl, London SW1X 7RL
Book here
8. For Performances: Glenfiddich x Rosewood London
What: The Glenfiddich Time: Capsule terrace at Rosewood London will host a modern Burns Night where tradition is interwoven with contemporary performances.
Eat and Drink: Tuck into a selection of specially created Scottish-themed dishes, including Rosewood London’s take on Cullen skink, Glenfiddich dill cured Loch Duart salmon and traditional Haggis, neeps & tatties, in addition to opulent cocktails and whisky tastings with Glenfiddich Brand Ambassador Alex Walker.
Where: 252 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EN
Book here
9. For a Burns Night Ceilidh: Big Penny Social
What: Big Penny Social (formally Truman’s Social Club) will be ramping up the traditional Ceilidh social gathering on 25th January with its annual Burns Night Ceilidh and there’s guaranteed fun to be had for all.
Eat and Drink: A celebration of all things Scottish, soundtracking the evening will be the Sassenachs driven by traditional violin music along with a band of guitar, bass and drums ensuring the night is fuelled by wee drams and vibrant dancing. Raise a glass or two to the poet and toast our friends north of the border.
Where: 1 Priestley Way, London E17 6AL
Book here
10. For a Collaborative Dinner: Nc’nean x The Barley Mow
What: Organic whisky distillery, Nc’nean has teamed up with The Barley Mow Mayfair to bring Burns Night to London for one night only (25th January).
Eat and Drink: Diners can expect an authentic Burns Night experience, including the traditional ode to the haggis and bagpipes. Executive chef Ben Tish has also created an exclusive three-course menu – think Haggis wellington, cullen skink and rhubarb cranachan paired with Nc’nean’s organic single malt cocktails so guests can raise a toast to celebrate the life of Robert Burns.
Where: 2 Duke St, London W1K 6JG
Book here
