CityBird: Burns Night and Chinese New Year

This week in the City…

Thank the lord, it’s the last week of January and the end of misery month is nigh. Sacking off the sobriety pledge coincides nicely with two patriotic celebrations – Chinese New Year, and Burns Night. As per, Square Mile restaurants and boozers are joining in the celebs. I round up the best events here…

Burns Night

The Gun, Docklands and The White Swan, Fetter Lane – These slick modern gastropubs are serving up a special patriotic meal of haggis, cock-a-leekie soup and a sherry trifle at £25 for three courses. There’s some decent beers on offer too.

Boisdale of Bishopsgate and Boisdale of Canary Wharf – Scotland’s outpost in the City is going the whole nine yards and serving up haggis in 18th century period costume. You'll find with hard to do anything other than have fun with the mountains of Talisker whisky on offer.

Green’s, Cornhill – Poetry readings complement the haggis at this historic City bar stumbling distance from Bank station. Get there for 7pm to stuff yourself with haggis, listen to a poetry reading and snarf several single malt whiskies, natch.

Liberty Lounge, Aldgate – It’s Whisky Wednesday every week at this glossy cocktail bar, which coincides nicely with Burns Night. Quaff the ‘bobby burns’, the cocktail of the month, and endless drams of whisky.

Chinese New Year

Ping Pong, various City locations – The dim sum emporium is hosting FREE mixology classes, dim sum masterclasses and will give you a free cocktail on arrival. Turn up early to avoid disappointment.

N.B - Not in the City, but worth a mention. Chinese New Year celebrations end with a bang this Sunday in Trafalgar Square, to mark the 10th anniversary of Chinese New Year held in the famous London square, with the parade kicking off at 10.15am. Too early? Turn up to watch performers from 12pm, or for the fireworks display at 5.40pm, before heading for an end-of-the-week blowout in Chinatown.