With pop-ups, literally, popping up everywhere it is no surprise that this winter there are plenty of exciting and new ones appearing in London. Although pop-ups have only gained popularity in the last couple of years they are fast becoming a regular fixture, particularly in large cities like London where consumers are on the lookout for something fresh and new, with an added element of excitement that what might be here today could just as easily be gone tomorrow. Some pop-ups open for just a few hours whilst others become so successful that they transfer into permanent fixtures. If you want to try something dynamic and different this winter season then here are some of the current pop-ups operating in London:-
Jimmy Garcia's The Lodge
Open until March 2016, the Lodge is located in Clapham North and takes its inspiration from après ski lodges; with authentic warming food, laidback music and décor sympathetic to the theme. Hot food, hot cocktails and a private dining room are the three key elements offered by this pop-up restaurant and given the flat out success of last year's The Lodge when it was located in Balham, we would suggest getting your table booked as soon as you can google ‘London Breaks'. Last year the restaurant was completely fully booked once word got around that this was really something special and as Jimmy Garcia was one of the first to catch onto the idea of ‘pop-up' restaurants then it's quite easy to understand why.
Dinerama, Shoreditch
Following its success last year, Dinerama has returned to the streets of Shoreditch and it is new and improved. Running Thursday-Saturday until March 2016, this street food market is newly-roofed and winter-proofed making the experience that little bit more comfortable in the city's potentially bitter weather. Entry is free if you arrive before 7pm or costs £3 after that and there are numerous food vendors from Smokestak to You Doughnut. Alongside great food traders you will also find a number of bars including an alpine lodge and a smoking lawn, an undercover wine garden and a German dungeon. There is plenty going on here to make a very enjoyable evening out with friends or a fantastic potentially once in a lifetime experience whilst visiting the city.
Queen of Hoxton, Once Upon A Wigwam
Inspired by the Grimm's brothers fairy tales, this rooftop winter pop-up at the Queen of Hoxton was certainly their most ambitious project yet but it has paid off in dividends. Unique interpretations of some of the better known characters such as Hansel & Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel are featured as well as having a Gingerbread man inspired bar area. The real draw however has to be the treehouse with raised mezzazine levels which allow you to see right out across East London. Get lost in the magic of the moment and indulge in their fantastic specialised food or try one of the mysterious cocktails; entry is free and there is no pre-booking available so you just have to turn up on the day. If you do plan to go however it is best to check directly with the Queen of Hoxton whether there are any private or special events taking place on your chosen day as the installation is available for private hire and may not be open to the public.
York & Albany, The Winter Chalet Bar and Restaurant
Operating on a slightly shorter time scale than some of the other pop-ups featured here, the Winter Chalet will be in residence at York & Albany until the end of February but is the perfect option if you are looking for a more centrally located winter pop-up, perhaps due to staying in one of the hotels near Hyde Park London. If that is the case then this is the ideal choice; warm drinks, hot food and desserts are all served in the courtyard of Gordon Ramsey's restaurant which has been converted into a winter chalet for the season.
Of course these four suggestions are just a small snapshot of some of the pop-up restaurants, bars and shops which launch in London every single day. There is no doubt that this trend will continue to grow in popularity in 2016 and we can almost certainly expect to see some even more cutting-edge developments so if you aren't planning a trip to the city in time to visit one of these winter wonderlands then worry not, there are almost certainly going to be a whole new host of pop-up experiences arriving with the turn of the season.
Check online ahead of your planned date to see what exciting developments may have occurred; certainly when it comes to dynamic and innovative dining, wining and shopping experiences you won't find a better place than the city of London for something unique and interesting to add into your (probably) already packed itinerary. Due to the increased popularity of these pop-ups there are even dedicated blogs whose sole purpose is to share the latest up and coming developments so discovering what is on during your planned visit should really be no trouble at all and there really are pop-ups to suit everyone from literary finds to fine dining.
Whether you plan to stay somewhere centrally located or further afield you will have no trouble at all finding a fantastic pop-up near you and with travel around the city being so easy and convenient, even if you want to visit a particular pop-up but your hotel accommodation isn't anywhere near it really won't be a problem. Just visit the Transport for London website, set in your destination and the route will be provided for you. Easy as pie.
This article is contributed by http://www.theshaftesbury.co.uk
