2014, what a year. Bottled pre-batched cocktails became the norm, Ryan Cheti got into botanicals, food pairings cropped up, LCC expanded yet AGAIN, and basically everyone got high at The Shard.
Let's not get too comfortable because 2015 is looking even bigger and better. There's even gonna be a 24 hour tube service baby which means late-night partying is basically mandatory.
Here's what's worth getting excited about for 2015:
GOING GASTRO AT:DUCK AND RICE
What do you get when you cross Alan Yau (man behind Hakkasan, and legend in the oriental food world) and an old pub in Soho? A Chinese Gastropub, that's what. Next door to his restaurant Yauatcha, this is going to be one hell of a hangout with chilled pub vibes and off the scale, michelin style chinese food.
January 2015 // 90 Berwick Street London W1F 0QB
GETTING MESSY AT:FATTY CRAB
Get ready to whip out the bib and slurp up some crab at New York's newest offering, Fatty Crab. We don't know where, we don't know when... but we do know we can't bloody wait.
TBC
GETTING HIGH AT:GALADARI
We sure as hell love a good rooftop opening, and this latest edition to the London skyline in the Crowne Plaza Hotel sounds pretty epic. Eat steak, tapas and seafood from the Japanese Grill; get your raw food fix at the sushi bar; and get stuck in to their 'Library of Whiskies'. And yes they'll be serving Yamazaki a.k.a. 'The Best Whisky In The World 2014'. Told you it sounds good.
Autumn 2015 // Crowne Plaza, 19 New Bridge Street, London, EC4V 6DB
GETTING FAT AT:MEATLIQUOR ISLINGTON
The leaders of the dirty burger gang are parking up in the old Citroen Garage in Islington. With the sexiest and sloppiest burgers around served up with some seriously good booze, we know where we'll be piling on the pounds next summer.
Summer 2015 // 133b Upper St London UK N1 1QP
ROOFTOP SWIMMING AT:THE GANSEVOORT HOTEL
Still can't get that Soho House membership? Grab your speedos and goggles baby as there's a new pool in town. The NYC hotel group will be opening their first UK hotel in Shoreditch (obvs) and after shedding £60 million we're guessing it's gonna be hot. As well as a rooftop pool there'll be 120 rooms, cocktails bars and a local art vibe. See you there for a splash.
TBC // Curtain Road, Shoreditch, London EC2A
GETTING OUR DIM SUM ON AT:YAUATCHA
It's no secret that we're BIG on Dim Sum, we've even got a guide to how to eat the stuff. And soon there will be a new spot to try it out at as following the success of the Michelin starred Soho branch, there's a new Yauatcha hitting Broadgate. Expect more delicious dim sum and hot city boys in the same sexy design as the original.
Spring 2015 // Broadgate Circle
GETTING A CRAFT BEER FIX AT:THE BIRDCAGE
In 2014 they kind of blew us away with Bump Caves, and this year the boys behind The Draft House are taking on a new challenge: restoring The Birdcage pub it's former East-End boozer glory. This old-school pub on Columbia Road will have craft beers (standard), cocktails and pie and mash. We're sold.
Winter 2015 // 80 Columbia Road, London E2 7QB
DOING AN ALL NIGHTER AT:ZETTER TOWNHOUSE, MARYLEBONE
We love Zetter - so when we heard the guys behind The Zetter Townhouse are opening a 24 bedroom boutique hotel in a Georgian townhouse in Marylebone, we got pretty excited. If their last place is anything to go by the bar here will be mega, with cocktail legend Tony C as the brainchild behind the menu. Fancy an all nighter? Once you've boozed, book in to the rooftop apartment that comes with its own sexy roof terrace; we're shotgunning that one as the BarChick suite.
TBC // 28-30 Seymour Street, London, W1H 7JB
ALL DAY DRINKING AT:WEST THIRTY SIX
Describing itself as an "all-day townhouse", it's expected to be perfect for meetings, meals, drinks and an all-round hangout day or night. With a focus on craft cocktails, British grub and quality ingredients you can expect everything from truffle mac n' cheese to wholesome fresh salads with a side of Negroni. Think Soho House meets Mondrian London and you'll be just as excited as we are.
January 2015 // 36 Golborne Road, North Kensington, London, W10 5PR
BUILDING BURGERS AT:BIG FERNAND
Just when we thought London couldn't handle any more burger joints, a French one comes to town. This ain't no ordinary burger restaurant; with a variety of french cheeses to choose from as well as veal, veggie and lamb options, the build your own option gives you a solid 3,000 varieties on offer. Not for the indecisive.
Spring 2015 // 19 Percy Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1T 1DY
