Where to celebrate Burns Night in London
Gather your pals, dust off your tartans and raise a dram to Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns, who turns 266 this year
How better to shake off the January Blues than with a knees-up Burns Night celebration, complete with whisky, haggis and bagpipes (if you’re lucky)? On Saturday 25th January, London’s finest restaurants and bars will pay tribute to the great Rabbie Burns, who sits proudly atop the pantheon of Scottish poets. Here, we’ve compiled a few suggestions for how to celebrate.
Oriole
Oriole, the subterranean Covent Garden speakeasy from the team behind Nightjar and Bar Swift, is marking the occasion of Burns Night with a week-long celebration. From the 21st to the 25th January, guests can enjoy a whisky flight from Highland Park, which showcases whisky drams of different age expressions, spanning 12, 15 and 18 years. At £15 per flight, it’d be rude not to.
Ham Yard Hotel
Soho’s Ham Yard Hotel is joining forces with The Macallan for a one-off dinner on the eve of Burns Night. The evening will kick off with canapés and a whisky cocktail, priming diners for an indulgent five course feast that showcases traditional Scottish flavours and includes dishes like Loch Fyne smoked salmon; haggis, neeps, and tatties; and the main course, venison wellington. The Macallan's Brand Ambassador George Michie will be on hand to present a selection of expertly paired whiskies, exploring the distinct character of each.
Bentley’s Oyster Bar and Grill
For a Burns Night experience fit for Rabbie himself, make your way to Bentley’s Oyster Bar and Grill. A traditional Haggis Address will be performed by the restaurant’s resident piper, Maggie McNaulty, before a meal of Cullen skink, roast Orkney scallops, Highland venison loin with haggis neeps and tatties, and Tipsy Laird trifle – not to mention plenty of whisky.
Acme Fire Cult
Hackney live-fire destination Acme Fire Cult is celebrating Burns Night the only way it knows how – with a whole haggis, complete with whisky cream. Diners can also expect an array of grilled and smoked meats including Tamworth pork belly, roast Highland beef and chicken thigh, alongside the all-important neeps and tatties. A traditional Haggis Address will be performed while guests enjoy the Scottish feast and bespoke Ardbeg whisky concoctions.
Nessa
Nessa is known for its creative takes on classic dishes (its Viennessa is a spruced-up version of the iconic dinner party dessert) so it’s only right for the Soho restaurant to have something inventive up its sleeve for Burns Night. And that it does. Executive Chef Tom Cenci is marking the occasion with a special haggis brioche, a Scottish-inspired iteration of its signature black pudding brioche. Served with brown butter noisette alongside neeps and tatties and gravy, the dish is best washed down with a glass of Scotch single malt whisky from the Nessa bar.
The Hunter’s Moon
South Kensington gastropub The Hunter’s Moon will be hosting its annual Burns Night celebration, a Scottish knees-up complete with bagpipes, whisky cocktails and plenty of scran – think Loch Duart salmon and Cullen skink velouté, followed by roast venison loin with haggis, neeps and tatties, and a brown sugar tart to finish.
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