Christmas Pop-Ups in London: Where to Enjoy Festive Drinks with Friends

Looking for somewhere special to sink an eggnog or mulled wine with friends over the festive season? Try one of these Christmas pop-ups. Merry Hic-Mas! 🍸☃️

Introduction to Christmas Pop-Ups

London is a great place to be during the festive season, with plenty of Christmas pop-ups to choose from. These pop-ups offer a unique and fun way to enjoy festive drinks with friends, and they can be found all over the city. From rooftop bars to ski lodges, there’s something for everyone in London this Christmas.

Apres Bar at London Bridge Rooftop

London Bridge Rooftop gets into the alpine spirit from late October.

Open year-round, London Bridge Rooftop gets into the alpine spirit from late October, becoming the Apres Bar — a fully-covered fir tree and bauble-festooned drinking destination, scattered with vintage alpine paraphernalia and serving up shots off skis. Those who prefer a little privacy can book a private cable bar booth or Christmas grotto.

Apres Bar, London Bridge, from 29 October 2025.

Miracle at Henrietta Hotel, Covent Garden

It doesn’t get tackier than Miracle, and we wouldn’t want it any other way.

Travel back to the gaudy Christmasses of decades past, with Miracle’s spec-tacky-ular pop-up in Covent Garden. Slurp OTT mulled wine and eggnogs from ludicrous mugs (including a t-rex-shaped number), while admiring white plastic Christmas trees bespewed with gaudy tinsel. Our fave — and yes we have knocked back a few — is the Jingle Balls Nog, sloshed together with cognac, cream sherry, almond milk, cream, egg, vanilla and nutmeg. Don’t forget to buy an armful of souvenir drinkware on the way out. This one books up way in advance, although there are limited walk-ins every day.

Miracle at Henrietta, Covent Garden, 10 November-23 December 2025.

The Montague Ski Lodge, Bloomsbury

Swear that snowman was standing on the right a second ago…

The Montague Ski Lodge transports Londoners to a wintry mountaintop by way of a mock-up ski lodge. There are lanterns, fairy lights, snuggly woollen blankets, ski equipment pinned on the walls — plus a menu of festive drinks featuring spiced cider and hot chocolate cocktails. Look out for one or two snowmen too. Here’s the rub: the Ski Lodge is for exclusive hire and hotel residents only. EXCEPT they occasionally accept walk-ins. So if you happen to be in Bloomsbury and fancy a festive snifter, it’s worth popping your head round the door and asking nicely.

The Montague Ski Lodge, Bloomsbury, 12 November-31 December 2025

Humbug, Waterloo

Humbug: Perhaps the most raucous festive bar of the lot. Image: Grant Walker.

Bar Humbug, indeed! Down in the depths of the Vaults, Humbug takes the concept of a dive bar, and stirs in a few fistfuls of festive cheer. A ‘Naughty and Nice’ cocktail list starring drinks like ‘The Grinch’, and ‘B’ah F*****g Humbug’ will get you in the mood for role play with characters including a disgruntled waitress, a mailman who’s lost all his letters, and a hip version of the Man in Red himself. There’s also live music, cabaret and circus — not to mention a shrine to Mariah Carey, and a festive themed beer can bowling alley. Not one for people looking for a quiet sherry.

Humbug, Waterloo, 18 November-28 December 2025

Churchill Arms, Kensington

The Churchill Arms switches on some 20,000 fairy lights each Christmas. Image: Matt Brown/Londonist

London’s most instagrammable pub once again cracks out some 90 conifer trees, slaps them on the building’s exterior and smothers them in fairy lights. We can only assume that the soaring leccy bills are cancelled out by the stream of thirsty punters pouring in through the doors. Though the Churchill Arms is not a festive pop-up per se, the pub’s interior is also draped in garlands and twinkling fairy lights (plus the odd bonus tree because you can’t have enough trees), and they serve mulled wine — a must-have on any festive drinking bucket list.

Churchill Arms at Christmas, 13 November 2025-New Year 2026

Conclusion

These Christmas pop-ups in London offer a fun and unique way to enjoy festive drinks with friends. From rooftop bars to ski lodges, there’s something for everyone in London this Christmas. Whether you’re looking for a quiet drink or a raucous party, these pop-ups are sure to get you in the holiday spirit. So why not try one out and make this Christmas one to remember?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the dates for the Apres Bar at London Bridge Rooftop?

A: The Apres Bar at London Bridge Rooftop is open from 29 October 2025.

Q: Do I need to book in advance for Miracle at Henrietta Hotel, Covent Garden?

A: Yes, Miracle at Henrietta Hotel, Covent Garden books up way in advance, although there are limited walk-ins every day.

Q: Is the Montague Ski Lodge open to the public?

A: The Montague Ski Lodge is for exclusive hire and hotel residents only, but they occasionally accept walk-ins.

Q: What type of drinks can I expect to find at Humbug, Waterloo?

A: Humbug, Waterloo offers a ‘Naughty and Nice’ cocktail list starring drinks like ‘The Grinch’, and ‘B’ah F*****g Humbug’.

Q: How long is the Churchill Arms, Kensington open for Christmas?

A: The Churchill Arms, Kensington is open for Christmas from 13 November 2025 to New Year 2026.