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New Year’s Eve can be pretty stressful, there’s so much pressure to have the perfect night out. It’s the last night of the year and you wanna make it count, right?
But the best thing is, it can be whatever you want it to be. Whether it’s a chilled night with some good food, or a proper party (tell us what you prefer in our poll below). This week we’ve rounded up a few events that fit both of these. From incredible Chinese food by Ling Ling’s at Godet, to a night of 90s throwbacks…
Also to look forward to, is our review of Indian barbecue restaurant Brigadiers, with food packed with flavour and inventive drinks – as well as a pizza special to celebrate Chanukah.
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Things to do this week in London
If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, here are 13 of the best activities, dining, and drinking spots in the capital.
1. Enjoy a fantastically carnivorous menu at The Elizabeth
Formerly the Ebury Street Wine Bar, a rather naughty Jilly Cooper-esque joint where artists Lucian Freud and Francis Bacon propped up the bar, Michelin star chef Anthony Demetre, brings bistro-style food with serious gastronomy to The Elizabeth as culinary director. Enter the bar, perfect for a meet and snack, that leads into the dining room where deep red walls and rich green banquettes cocoon just 36 diners.
The menu is fantastically carnivorous; start with crisp pig’s head, arguably the chef’s autograph dish for a reason – Demetre is one of the original nose-to-tail champions – which is stunning yet surprisingly light. Cumbrian beef tartar with beef dripping toast warms the soul and we follow with Rabbit ‘It has to be mustard’ cooked three ways. (Why the name? ‘Rabbit has to have mustard,’ Demetre tells me simply.) The Elizabeth is right on the zeitgeist, and I’d wager is going to give The Devonshire some very healthy competition in 2026.
Starters from £11, mains from £38. 139 Ebury Street, Belgravia, SW1W 9QU. Book here.
2. Indulge in perfectly cooked Indian barbecue at Brigadiers
Signature Indian barbecue dishes like Prawn, Softshell Crab & Squid Tellicherry Fry are what you can find on the menu at Brigadiers: light, crispy and packed with flavour. For mains, the Mixed Grill Sizzler is designed for two and ideal if you can’t choose but want to sample their best meats. Though we’re already full we can’t resist their top pick: the Chicken Tikka Butter Masala, rich, creamy and exactly what you want on a cold evening.
Drinks are equally inventive – the masala cola adds a spicy twist to the classic Thums Up, while the Aam Kheera iced tea cuts through the richness of the food beautifully. Whether you’re here for the sport, the food or just the atmosphere, Brigadiers strikes the right balance between lively and relaxed. We’ll definitely be back – mainly because we ran out of room for dessert, and that mince pie kulfi isn’t going to eat itself.
Beers snacks & bitings from £9. Sizzlers and kebabs from £19. 1-5 Bloomberg Arcade, The City, EC4N 8AR. Book here.
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3. Visit The Aviary and live out your chalet girl dreams
Perched above Finsbury Square, The Aviary rooftop is a hot pick for some chalet girl vibes and festive frolicking. Whether you’re tucking into a private igloo or gathering around long tables with friends, it’s an undeniably great spot to celebrate the winter season.
It has views of London, booming music and equally lovely quiet little corners for a more intimate drink. Come for the view, the vibes, and the festive cocktails. Book here.
4. Get French elegance guaranteed at La Maison Ani
For foodie festivities, La Maison Ani brings a touch of French elegance to Knightsbridge, offering a refined sharing-concept menu. Highlights include bold, tangy Tarte a la Truffe and their signature Izu Burger with Emmental cheese, tartare and barbecue sauce, served in a soft brioche baguette.
The celebrations continue on December 31 with an elegant Midnight Symphony New Year’s Eve event (£250pp). Guests can welcome the New Year with a specially curated set menu in truly sophisticated style, available from 8pm or 10.30pm. Book here.
5. Try one of London’s best New Year’s Eve celebrations
Back to the 90s at 100 Wardour Street
Best for: channelling 90s energy
Looking for a proper night out this New Year’s Eve? 100 Wardour Street is throwing the night back to the 90s with loads of iconic R&B hits (think Usher and TLC). They’re also promising surprises throughout the night for an extra nostalgic hit. If you’d like to dine Wardour style, come by in the evening to try a menu crafted by Head Chef Gerald Lambert.
Back to the 90s party, £20. New Year’s Eve Dinner, from £90. Find out more.
Godet x Ling Ling’s
Best for: a cool night out
Godet is putting on a two-part party with a to-die-for Chinese set menu by Ling Ling’s, but there are just 40 places up for grabs so don’t dilly dally! There’ll be a vinyl DJ and plenty of bubbly, wine and craft beer. For food, expect delicious dishes like pork belly with Sichuan spiced pancetta and tofu cream.
7pm, Ling Ling’s dinner (two hour meal and party), £65. 9pm, Godet party, £35. Book here.
BAM Karaoke
Best for: getting bang for your buck
Believe it or not, you can have a proper new year’s night out for only £25, courtesy of BAM Karaoke. You can belt out some bangers for two hours in a private room at the Slice-favourite karaoke spot. Then move to the BAM BAM bar where DJs will be keeping the vibes going all night long!
Tickets, £25pp including two drinks, or upgrade to 2 hours of karaoke, food and drink packages for £42pp. Book here.
6. Warm up with a FREE hot chocolate
Whittard of Chelsea and The Cross Keys are treating Londoners to FREE hot chocolates, teas and biscuits every Tuesday evening in December from 6-7pm.
You’ll get to sip on some of their Christmas creations, including Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate – decadent, rich and irresistibly smooth!
7. Try the Shedletskys x Circus Pizza Chanukah special with succulent salt beef, sharp sauerkraut
By Sabrina Barr
A pizza inspired by a salt beef bagel might sound too experimental to work, but trust me – it might just become your new favourite topping combination. To mark Chanukah, the Jewish festival of light, Circus Pizza’s has launched ‘The Reuben’ at Panzer’s. The fusion of succulent salt beef, sharp sauerkraut, tangy mustard and delicious Shedletskys pickles makes a sunny winter’s day that much brighter. Especially topped off with the restaurant’s smoked aioli and secret green sauce dips.
The Reuben, £19 (available from 10-21 December). Other pizzas, from £10. Circus Pizza, 13-19 Circus Rd, St John’s Wood, NW8 6PB. Walk in or get a delivery if you’re within a 1.5 mile radius!
8. Experience Battersea Park Zoo after dark
Battersea Park Zoo is staying open after dark for Winter Nights – and it’s not just for children, it’s for us adults too! Book one of their two dates and look forward to carols, yummy festive food and drink, gift stalls and more.
9. Get into the festive spirit singing carols in Stratford
A Christmas singalong comes to Stratford Cross on Christmas Eve, led by former West End actress Lizzy Renihan performing some of the best festive classics. There will also be some special surprises… find out more.
10. See The BFG on stage
By John Nathan
To use the language – sorry, langwitch – of giants, this wondercrump of a show uses no less than three BFGs to convey the towering height of Roald Dahl’s friendly giant. When in the company of eight-year-old orphan Sophie, BFG is a humongous puppet operated by four grown-up human beings (sorry, human beans) two of whom double as the big fella’s legs. However, when the kindly dream catcher is threatened by his decidedly unfriendly and even bigger fellow giants Childchewer and Bloodbottler, it turns out that BFG is not so B after all. In fact he is doll-sized, showing just how huge his brutish fellow giants are.
And then there is the BFG, played by human bean John Leader. If I have a gripe or two about Tom Wells two-hour adaptation it is that it feels rushed compared with Dahl’s original. And where in the book breakfast with the Queen and talk of whizzpopping results in one fleeting fart joke, here everyone does it, so much so the monarch herself conducts her staff and guests in a symphony of breaking wind. It is the crass kind of joke the sub-Dahl children’s writer David Walliams often likes to do in his books. Thankfully, the witless fart scene is this show’s only bum note.
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford Upon Avon; Until 7 February. Tickets from £8. Book here. Chichester Festival; 9 March-11 April. Tickets from £10. Book here.
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