London’s best pop-ups

It feels a bit like Oktoberfest all year round at Munich Cricket Club, but it really takes the Bavarian joy up a notch as the season approaches. From mid September til the end of October, the spirit of the fest will take over its Canary Wharf, Tower Hill and Victoria locations. Expect foaming steins, platters of sausage and a live oompah band to get the vibes flying. Dancing on tabletops is encouraged – just be careful not to slip on any saus. The festivities also include the ceremonial tapping of the Oktober barrel, straight from Munich, plus games, silliness and surprises. There's also a bottomless cheese fondue brunch for anyone looking to test their digestive system to its very limits. 

Dreaming of a kitsch Christmas? New York’s famous Miracle on Ninth Street bar is popping up in London for its seventh year, ‘50s Christmas decorations, nostalgic accessories and creative new spins on beloved cocktail favourites in tow. Past years have seen the bar slinging the likes of a Snowball Old Fashioned or a Christmapoliton, which includes cranberry sauce and absinthe mist – a take on Christmas trimmings that’s not for the faint-hearted. If you’re failing to get into the Christmas spirit, this is one great place to find it.

One of London's longest-standing Oktoberfest celebrations unfolds each year in a Bavarian beer tent, which pitches up first in Finsbury Park, then on the green outside Hammersmith station. Inside you'll find trad revelry aplenty, with waiting staff sporting dirndl and lederhosen and amber suds brewed by Bavaria Fester Brewery that can be enjoyed at long sharing tables. Ticket prices vary massively, from student deals to VIP packages, so there's an option for every budget. You can wash all that delicious bratwurst, schnitzel and brezel down with a delicious beer. Bottoms up (if you can, those steins are heavier than you think!). 

Flat Iron Square are getting in on the Oktoberfest action, serving up fun and rustic atmos every Saturday this October. Inside the beer tent, you’ll find a whole host of German beers and food, from soft pretzels, bratwurst, currywurst and so much more. Entertainment will come from The Chapel Brass Band and a selection of DJs. There’ll also be games and fun hosted by Flat Iron quizmaster Gary 'The German' Lee.

From last year’s Halloween Screamings at the Prince Charles to its Flightmare on Old Street the year before, north London-born craft brewing giant Beavertown always does something special for the spookiest night of the year, and 2025 is no different. This year, the brewery has jumped on the immersive bandwagon, taking over Shoreditch venue Kachette to stage a 90-minute immersive experience set across ‘five twisted rooms, each offering a surreal new reality to explore.’ It’s keeping pretty hush about what exactly that entails, but visitors are promised ‘unexpected encounters and side quests’, with the journey culminating in a pop-up Beavertown Bar where DJs will be spinning tunes, with some exciting surprise guests headlining each night. Feel like sticking your neck (oil) out? Tickets include a drinks token, two cans of Beavertown and a snack. 

It’s been three years since Boxpark gave its venues a Bavarian makeover for its lively Oktoberfest celebrations, but this year the shipping container hangout has partnered with pilsner peddlers Staropramen again for another selection of themed brunches and parties. The Croydon, Wembley, Shoreditch, Camden, and City branches of Boxpark will be filled with frothy steins, traditional Deutsch snackage and all sorts of fun and games. Shoreditch and City will host special Oktoberfest bottomless brunches, with bottomless Staropramen, German food and games and prizes. While Croydon, Wembley and Camden will deliver the full beer hall experience. Word to the wise: Boxpark might be famous for those scenes of pints being thrown skyward during the footie, but we’d advise against lobbing an entire stein in the air, unless you want to literally drown yourself in Staropramen. - Croydon & Wembley: Tables of 8: £120, or general admission: £14- Camden: Tables of 6: £90, or general admission: £14- Shoreditch brunch: £39 - Boxhall City Brunch: £50- VIP Beer Hall Experience: Exclusive table packages available, including steins, reserved seating, and special perks.

Coq d’Argent’s New Year’s Eve bash is a refined affair full of Francophone luxury. Come for a five-course tasting menu that typically includes delights like champignon sauvage, fletan and petits fours, stay for the private fireworks display on their terrace with views over the City, accompanied by live music and dancing. If you want to join the party but can’t justify £200 for a big dinner, the restaurant offers a an early bird option for £150, or £50 bar tickets so you can still be part of the fun without breaking the bank.