This year, the capital is shaking off its January slump with a burst of exciting new openings designed to lift spirits and spark joy.
January might feel like one long sigh, and Blue Monday – that infamous third Monday of the month – has a way of making the weight of winter feel all the heavier.
But what if the secret to banishing the gloom isn’t a tropical getaway or a new Netflix binge, but the thrill of having something to look forward to in London?
From a hidden 1940s speakeasy to a play so talked about it’s already the hottest ticket in town, there’s plenty to reinvigorate your social calendar.
Ready to trade hibernation for exhilaration? L360 has rounded up the quirkiest, most buzz-worthy new spots to inspire your next adventure.
Read more: London’s top restaurants offering mouth-watering deals this January
Food and drink
Essi
Looking for a new date night spot? We’ve got you covered.
Greek-Australian kitchen Essi has opened a long-term residency at The Adam & Eve pub in Homerton.
Essi’s menu is a truly innovative take on Greek cuisine with a focus on fire-based cooking. Think subtle white tarama with potato skins and zhoug, smoked aubergine with tahini, pomegranate molasses and curry leaves, and the satisfying saganaki toastie.
- Date: Open now
- Location: The Adam & Eve, 155 Homerton High Street, London E9 6AS
Visit The Adam & Eve pub website for more information and to book.
Read more: A taste of India in one of London’s most iconic venues
The Great Indian
Arriving off the back of the huge success of The Tamil Crown and Prince comes new Archway gastropub The Great Indian.
The menu is a mix of small and sharing dishes including lamb ghee roast on Malabar bread taco, cafreal tiger prawns, and spiced lamb shank pie served with a saffron-cardamom sauce.
There’s also an entire section of the menu devoted to pao or pav, with fillings including Goan Portuguese confit pork belly with pickled cabbage and tandoori fried chicken.
- Date: Open now
- Location: The Great Indian, 139 Marlborough Road, London N19 4NU
Visit The Great Indian website for more information and to book.
Read more: Best London bars and restaurants for cosy heated outdoor dining
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Cé La Vi London
Your new obsession has entered the chat.
Summer 2025 will see the launch of Cé La Vi London, serving up contemporary Asian cuisine to enjoy while taking in striking views of the city.
- Date: Opens June 2025
- Location: Levels 17-18, Paddington Square, 128-142 Praed Street, London W2 6LG
Read more: The best rooftop bars in London right now
Cahoots: Postal Office
Following their Soho success, the Cahoots team have opened a new branch in the bustling Borough Yards. Be one of the first to explore their latest 1940s-themed cocktail bar, Cahoots Postal Office, nestled on the edge of Borough Market.
Here, a world-first pneumatic cocktail delivery system sends drinks whizzing through air-powered tubes overhead.
- Dates: Open now
- Location: Unit 205, 18 Stoney St, London SE1 9AD
Visit the Cahoots Postal Office website for more information and to book.
Non-alcoholic bottomless brunch at Hutong at The Shard
Dry Jan doesn’t have to mean skipping out on delicious brunches.
Chinese fine dining destination Hutong has partnered with Everleaf, the non-alcoholic aperitif, to launch Dynasty Brunch, where guests can enjoy a limited-edition series of delicious non-alcoholic cocktails alongside Hutong’s award-winning dishes.
Start with a selection of unlimited Iberico pork dumplings, scallop and prawn wontons, and crispy prawn rolls, followed by indulgent sea bass with ginger, garlic and chilli sauce or ma la beef with bell peppers and chilli and black bean sauce, accompanied by vegetable fried rice or noodles.
To finish on a sweet note, enjoy decadent desserts, including the crowd-pleasing ma la chocolate tart or the mango pudding, served with fruit salsa.
- Dates: Every weekend, 11.30am–30pm
- Location: Level 33, The Shard, 31 St Thomas Street, London SE1 9RY
Visit the Hutong website for more information and to book.
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Pergola on the Piste
Forget apres-ski, enter Aperol ski as Brixton bar Pergola reveals its chalet-themed makeover.
Try the new Aperol margarita, or indulge in one of the many other delicious signature cocktails on the menu.
Come for bottomless brunch on a Saturday complete with Nnachos and tacos from Jalisco Kitchen & Bar in Brixton Market, or celebrate the end of the working week early with £5 apres margaritas every Thursday, and £5 Aperol spritzes between 5pm and 8pm on Fridays.
- Dates: Until April 2025
- Location: Pergola Brixton, Brixton Village, Coldharbour Lane, London SW9 8PS
Visit the Pergola Brixton website for more information and to book.
Leigh’s
A charming cafe opens in the heart of Dalstonthis January.
This is the first opening from Cordon Bleu-trained Melanie Clarke and McKenzie Amaral.
The menu will change seasonally, but hungry customers can expect breakfast, bakes and toasties, as well as great coffee.
- Date: Opens Wednesday 15 January
- Location: One and a Half, Ardleigh RoadLondon N1 4HS
Visit the Leigh’s website for more information.
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Theatre openings
An Interrogation at Hampstead Theatre
Following its smash success at the Edinburgh Fringe a few years back, An Interrogation comes to London, starring Rosie Sheehy, Colm Gormley and the returning Jamie Ballard.
Written and directed by Jamie Armitage – the co-director of historical musical Six – it follows young detective Ruth (Sheehy) as she interrogates Cameron Andrews (Ballard), a businessman who she suspects of being involves in the disappearance of a young woman.
- Dates: Until 30 March
- Location: Hampstead Theatre, Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, London NW3 3EU
Visit the Hampstead Theatre website for more information and to book.
Titanique at Criterion Theatre
This is the campy musical retelling of James Cameron’s 1997 Titanic movie from the perspective of Céline Dion that you didn’t realise you needed.
Expect a jukebox musical including Dion’s greatest hits, along with other pop anthems of a similar calibre.
Producer Michael Harrison said: “When I first saw Titanique in New York, I thought it was the funniest show I had ever seen. Every time I have returned since, I have only loved it more, and I was determined to bring it to London so audiences here could also be thrilled by its irresistible joy.”
- Dates: 16 January–22 February
- Location: Criterion Theatre, 2 Jermyn Street, London SW1 4XA
Visit the Criterion Theatre website for more information and to book.
Macbeth at Lyric Hammersmith Theatre
For those looking to experience something of historical cultural significance, look no further than a production of one of the Bard’s most beloved plays.
Following its successful UK and international tour in 2023 and 2024, ETT’s (English Touring Theatre) Macbeth will return to the stage for a limited run. Artistic director of ETT Richard Twyman will direct Alex Austin in the titular role, and Lois Chimimba as Lady Macbeth.
- Dates: 28 February–29 March
- Location: Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Lyric Square, King St, London W6 0QL
Visit the Lyric website for more information and to book.
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Art and fashion
Flowers: Flora in Contemporary Art & Culture at the Saatchi Gallery
Flowers have, throughout history, inspired artists, writers and other creatives – and their ongoing influence is being celebrated at the Saatchi this spring.
Over 500 unique artworks and objects are on display throughout the exhibition.
We’re most excited to view the room entirely devoted to a bespoke installation piece by Rebecca Louise Law, made up of over 100,000 dried flowers.
- Dates: 12 February –5 May
- Location: Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Road, London SW3 4RY
Visit the Saatchi website for more information and to book.
Grayson Perry: Delusions of Grandeur at the Wallace Collection
In 2025, over 40 new works by Sir Grayson Perry will be on display in the Wallace Collection’s largest-ever contemporary exhibition.
Visitors will encounter ceramics, tapestries and works on paper, among others. Intricate handcrafted objects will be shown alongside works made with digital technology.
- Dates: 28 March–26 October
- Location: Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN
Visit The Wallace Collection website for more information and to book.
Coverage: The Inclusive Fashion Show London
The Inclusive Fashion Show is a celebration of diversity, focusing on models of all shapes, sizes, abilities and backgrounds, showcasing adaptive fashion for disabled people alongside conventional collections.
This year features an exciting collection from May Marigold, an artist dedicated to creating beautiful clothing for disabled individuals.
- Date: Saturday 15 February
- Location: Peckham Levels, 95a Rye Lane, London SE15 4ST
Visit the Peckham Levels website for more information and to book.
Health and wellness
Avalon Pilates Earlsfield
Is your New Year’s resolution to try Pilates, or simply to embrace the new? Either way, we recommend booking a session at Avalon.
The new 2,000sq foot studio offers classes from the popular Pilates brand, and has been reviewed as ‘one of the best Reformer studios in London.’
- Date: Open now
- Location: 10A Ravensbury Terrace, London SW18 4SD
Visit the Avalon Pilates website for more information and to book.
Salus House
South London can expect an exciting new luxury gym opening this year.
Salus House, coming to Sidcup, offers Reformer Pilates, ice bath therapy, a state-of-the-art gym, Hyrox and a recovery suite.
Members can recharge between workouts in their shared work area, with a free cup of coffee.
- Date: Opens spring 2025
- Location: 17 Foots Cray High Street, Foots Cray, Sidcup DA14 5HJ
Visit the Salus House website for more information and to sign up.
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