Every year on January 25th, Burns Night celebrates the birthday of Scotland’s most famous poet – Robert Burns. Lucky for us, Rabbie was as fond of a wee dram and a hearty feast as he was of poetry, so the festivities usually involve a lot of eating, drinking and dancing. If you can’t make it to Glasgow this month, here are some of the best Burns Night events happening in London.
In Richmond, the Bingham are hosting informal whisky tastings in their stylish lounge bar. From Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th, guests can enjoy five specially chosen whisky's and Scottish themed canapés for just £30 per person. Why not stick around for dinner? The food is exquisite and the floor-to-ceiling windows in the dining room offer great views of the gardens and River Thames.
Albannach have got a great night planned, complete with the traditional entrance of the haggis, poetry readings and the ceremonial carving at the high table. To celebrate the poet's 250th birthday, the festivities will take place on two nights (Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th). The night begins with bagpipes and cocktails in the lounge bar, which will be decked out in Scottish heather and tartan for the occasion. The five-course feast includes classic dishes like miniature beef and ale pie; haggis with neeps and tatties; Scotch broth; and clootie dumpling pudding. An authentic Celtic band will keep diners dancing into the small hours of the morning, while whisky enthusiasts can enjoy a dram or two from Albannach's 170-strong list. The night is priced at £85, or £125 with alcohol, and booking is essential.
In the past, the Burns Night celebrations at Buchan's in Battersea have been so popular that they've chosen to spread them over two nights to make sure no one misses out. On the 24th and 25th, guests can feast on cock-a-leekie, poached Isle of May prawns; venison casserole; cranachan; and a selection of Scottish cheese and oatcakes. (It goes without saying that there's haggis too!)
For something a little different, head for Moti Mahal where the chefs are dishing up an impressive whisky and Indian food pairing menu. Priced at £40, it's on offer from 23rd to 30th of January and includes a five-course dinner accompanied by five shots of whisky, which have been specially selected to enhance the flavours of each course. Dishes on offer include tandoori chicken fillet with cracked pepper and dill; roasted prawns with 'gun powder', wild boar Sorpotel with okra; and dark chocolate mousse cake. If you're not into haggis, this is the place to be.
For more week-long festivities, go west and celebrate Burns Night by way of Kensal Green. At Paradise, they're introducing Scottish inspired dishes like cock-a-leekie soup; Arbroath smokie pate with Drambuie and sourdough; and roast rib of Aberdeen Angus with neeps and tatties for two to share. To wash it all down, there will be a whisky flight representing the four main regions of Scotland - The Highlands, Lowland, Islay and Speyside. Paradise has been a celeb favourite since it opened, as well as a big hit with West London's young scenesters, so dress up and grab a seat before it gets busy.
Boisdale of Belgravia have a week of traditional revelry planned from January 19th to 28th, with yet more haggis, whisky and smoked salmon on offer. The nights start with a piper in full Highland regalia and there will be plenty of poetry reading too.
At Babur in Forest Hill, they're celebrating with traditional khinti - the original haggis recipe all the way from Nepal. At their Burns Night Himalayan Fling on January 25th, their khinti will be piped in by a Gurkja piper and followed by a main course of raan (whole leg of lamb marinated in whisky). Actor Iain Robertson will recite 'The Address to the Haggis', while John Murtagh (Braveheart) will perform Burns' Holy Willie's Prayer after dinner. As if that wasn't enough, there will also be a whisky tasting and a raffle with a 37 year old blend of The Famous Grouse Robert Burns Edition as the prize. Tickets are £45 per person with £10 being donated to the Gurkha Welfare Trust.
If none of the above appeal, Talisker whisky is hosting 500 events around the country where they’ll be giving away a free whisky glass when you buy two drams. Check out the map on their website to see if they’re coming to a pub near you.
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