For all you wee, sleekit, cowrin, timourous beasties looking for a spot to celebrate the Scottish Bard this week, we've found some of London's best Burns Night offerings to warm your cockles on a chilly January evening. From delicious menus to creative cocktail serves, we've got you covered.
One of our favourite London bars, Silverleaf at Pan Pacific London, will host an exclusive live poetry and cocktail competition with four of Scotland’s most renowned premium whisky brands present a poem alongside an exclusive cocktail and dish pairing. Brand ambassadors from whisky brands Monkey Shoulder, Ardray, Balvenie and Bruichaladdich, have written their own poem inspired by and in remembrance of Robert Burns, which will be read to the guests as they enjoy specially curated whisky cocktails by the team which will be paired with Scottish inspired dishes. Reservations here.
Up in Marylebone, the team at 108 Brasserie & Bar are serving up a bonnie Scottish spread, with a three-course feast. Kicking off with a hearty bowl of Cullen Skink served with a Fife Bannock, followed by slow-braised Scottish venison haunch and haggis, coupled with an Isle of Mull cheddar croquette, all cosied alongside neeps and tatties and drenched in a whisky cream sauce. Cap off your feast with a raspberry Cranachan trifle, layered with dark chocolate and salted oatmeal shortbread. The bar has also created a trio of corresponding cocktails, the Whisky Highball - a mix of The Dalmore 12yo with a choice of soda or ginger ale - The Bobby Burns, blending The Woodsman Blended Scotch Whisky with sweet vermouth and D.O.M Benedictine, and The Rusty Nail with a robust mix of Fettercairn 12yo with the honeyed heather of Drambuie, creating a potent drink that’s as warming as a peat fire on a foggy Scottish eve. Book your spot for the evening here.
Tomás Gormley and his team from Edinburgh hotspot Skua are travelling from Edinburgh to London for an evening dedicated to celebrating Rabbie Burns on the Froiday at Fitzrovia’s famous Carousel. With a special Burns Night Supper, Chef Gormley will present a five course tasting menu showcasing his innovative creations using the finest Scottish suppliers. To add a touch of warmth, the dinner will be held in partnership with Aberfeldy Single Malt Whisky, priced £75 per person for five courses and a welcome drink from Aberfeldy single malt whisky. Book your spot on the Carousel website here.
We'll be celebrating Burns Night at Hawksmoor Wood Wharf with a uniquely Scottish private dining experience in collaboration with Craigellachie. Hosted by Craigellachie Brand Ambassador, India Blanch, enjoy a meticulously curated four-course menu developed to pair perfectly with the fruity, muscular Craigellachie whisky. The night begins with a Craigellachie-cured salmon crowdie and tatties scone; followed by a 35-day dry-aged grass-fed and charcoal grilled sirloin served alongside ash-baked neeps and tatties, fried onion, and bone-marrow skirlie, beef dripping Lorne sausages and whisky peppercorn sauce. A selection of Neal’s Yard Scottish cheeses will follow, before rounding off the evening with a marmalade pudding with Craigellachiecustard; and a pea tart with Scottish heather honey. Tickets are £100 and include a welcome cocktail, four-course menu, and whisky pairings, available online here.
Scottish and Japanese culture collides with Aberfeldy and Nobu Hotel’s Burns Night Whisky Masterclass. From 6:30pm, enjoy a Bobby Burns cocktail on arrival before Aberfeldy Brand Ambassador, India Blanch, takes over to guide an evening of tastings. Chefs from Nobu have created a selection of Japanese and Scottish fusion canapés to accompany select Aberfeldy drams, and the night will end in proper Burns style, with a slam poetry session. Tickets are £20 per person and include a welcome cocktail, masterclass and canapés, available online here.
If you're looking for something slightly less traditional, this year Bethnal Green’s neighbourhood cocktail bar, The Sun Tavern, is partnering with Aberfeldy to bring back their very popular, yet more contemporary way to celebrate Robert Burns without the usual customs. From 6pm - 2am, experience golden drams, spoken word, a late night DJ set From Scottish fashion icon, Pam Hogg, and free haggis canapes from Broadway Market stalwarts, Deeney’s. Throughout the night, guests will be able to choose from a selection of cocktails all made with ABERFELDY 12 Year Old and priced at £9 each. A selection of aged Aberfeldy drams will also be available to savour, with an option to pair each of them with Umbrella Ginger Beer. Book online here.
