Burns Night 2017: Seven best places to celebrate the Scottish bard in London

It is that time of the year to practise your haggis cooking skills, don some tartan and recite some of the Scottish Bard’s poetry

The time to give a dutiful nod to one of Scotland’s most notable poets, Robert Burns, is edging closer. To get your fill of poetry, haggis, whisky and bagpipes, DesignMyNight has rounded up London’s top suppers and events taking place on 25 January. If you were searching for an excuse to ditch dry January and shamelessly wear some tartan, these Burns Night shenanigans are the answer to your poetic prayers.

It is time to dig out your kilt

South Place Cinema Presents: ‘Braveheart’

South Place Hotel is going the whole nine yards for Burns Night, and if you were planning on celebrating, it’s in your best interests to pay them a visit. Nab a £32 ticket and retreat to their heated Secret Garden for a screening of Braveheart alongside fistfuls of gourmet popcorn, two Michelin-starred Scottish small plates and a heady whisky cocktail. The Oscar-winning film starts at 6.45pm, but get there early to secure one of the best deckchairs in the house. Worried about succumbing to the winter chill while you’re there? Don’t. Stacks of cosy blankets will be at hand to keep you toasty while Mel Gibson canters his way across the big screen.

Paul Wedgwood will be showcasing a range of Scottish ingredients and flavours at LIBRARY

Paul Wedgwood Takes Over LIBRARY to Celebrate Burns Night

Familiar with Paul Wedgwood? He’s one of Scotland’s leading chefs, and this year he’s making a special guest appearance at private members’ club, LIBRARY, on Burns Night. Taking over Saint Luke’s kitchen, he aims “to showcase a wider range of Scottish ingredients and flavours, and introduce a new way of enjoying haggis”. Paul’s five-course supper will include roast partridge, venison with its own haggis and sticky toffee pudding drenched in whisky butterscotch sauce. Grab a £65 ticket (and your friends) to raise a glass to Burns’ poetic legacy in style.

Hanger SW6 is offering a special menu, including a whisky cocktail

Burns Night Special Menu at Hanger SW6

Hanger is celebrating its first Burns Night on the 25th and the bar wants you to join too. You can expect a special one-off menu on the night, followed by a strong-and-to-the-point whisky cocktail when you’ve cleared your plates. The three-course sit down meal will kick off with haggis croquettes and granny smith puree, followed by chargrilled steak, neeps and tatties. The finale? Cranachan mess with meringue and whisky oats. You can get all of this Scottish fare for just £35, and to top it off, there will be entertainment from a Scottish piper on the night.

The Duke’s Head is determined to rid you of the January blues

Burns Night Supper at The Duke’s Head

With a sad looking bank balance and next to nothing to look forward to, January can be a pretty dull month. But fear not, The Duke’s Head is determined to brighten your start of year blues with its Burns Night supper. Tickets to this all-things-Scottish evening are £40 and include a welcome drink, plus a three-course meal with all dishes accompanied by specially paired wines. Stop stalling and buy a ticket; it’s what Robert would have wanted.

Plum + Spilt Milk will get the Burns Night feast underway with a traditional leek and whisky soup

Plum + Spilt Milk Burns Night Celebration

If you consider Burns Night to be one of the biggest social dates in your calendar, there’s only one place for you – Plum + Spilt Milk. Its four-course meal will kick off with traditional leek and whisky soup, but the real pull of the night is that you’ll get to watch, first-hand, as the haggis main course is piped. The price is £70 to be paid on the evening, but each course will be expertly paired with various Dalmore whiskies, making it a no-brainer.

Stevie Parle and Compass Box will make for a hoora good night at Craft London

Burns Supper at Craft London

Craft London is a third floor British restaurant with a beautiful bar boasting 360 degree views of London, but let’s forget about that for just a minute and concentrate on its Burns Night supper with Stevie Parle and award-winning Scotch whisky maker, Compass Box. Beginning at 7.45pm with some light snacks and a whisky highball cocktail, your evening will consist of four traditional dishes and whiskies, each of which will be introduced before you raise your forks and tuck in. Alongside fantastic food, you can also look forward to some poetry reading. At £48 a ticket, it’s a complete steal.

What is more Scottish than whisky and deep-friend Mars bars?

Burns Night Menu and Macallan Whisky Pairing at 108 Brasserie

Highland Negronis to start and a deep-fried Mars bar to finish; head down to 108 Brasserie on the 25th for an indulgent Burns Night celebration jam-packed with neeps, tatties and booze. Tickets to this downright delicious evening are £60 a pop and include a three-course meal, expert guidance from whisky expert David Miles, and three complementary whiskies, perfectly paired with each course.

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