The Midnight Apothecary Bonfire Night Special
Down in Rotherhithe, theres a bonfire night with a bit of a twist, thanks to Midnight Apothecary, the brainchild of Lottie Muir. By day shes the volunteer gardener who transformed the garden above Brunels Thames Tunnel, but on the odd special Saturday night she trades her gloves for a cocktail shaker and rustles up delicious cocktails infused with ingredients from her garden. This Saturday is the bonfire special, and youll be able to draw up old deckchairs around the firepit and watch the flares, with cocktails such as gin and lavender fizz and basil daiquiris. Given the fact its been voted one of the best pop-up cocktail bars in London, we reckon its one thats well-worth checking out.
Address: Brunel Museum, Railway Avenue, Rotherhithe, London, SE16 4L; Dates: Saturday 3rd November 2012. Admission is free; brunel-museum.org
Battersea Park Fireworks
With the Olympics fireworks displays in the back of everyones minds, Guy Fawkes night this year is going to have to be something very special indeed. Luckily, over at Battersea Park, Pains Fireworks are on the case. With a track record of providing explosives for the Mayors Thames Festival, Disney Concert Orchestras (oh, and the odd Rod Stewart gig), theres not much about pyrotechnics they dont know. This year the theme is London Celebrates and itll be filled with bonfire night treats, from roasted chestnuts to toffee apples. To pick up tickets you can buy online, or in person from the gorgeous Pump House Gallery beforehand. The four-storey Grade-I listed gallery is right in Battersea Park, and is a wonderful place for a potter before you head outside for a steaming glass of mulled wine and the fireworks. Sounds like the perfect Saturday.
Address: Battersea Park, Queenstown Rd, London, SW11 4NJ; Dates: Saturday 3rd November 2012; batterseapark.org/
Brockwell Park Fireworks
Another London Park, another cracking fireworks display. In fact its a bit of a double-whammy, as Streatham Common and Brockwell Park will be holding simultaneous firework displays this year. Both will be completely free, and have a 20-minute show (from Kimbolton Fireworks who worked on the Olympics opening and closing ceremonies), all to music. Therell be mulled wine and toffee apples, and for your inner-child, fun- fair rides and carousels with side stalls.
Address: Brockwell Park, Dulwich Rd, London, SE24 0NG; Dates: Friday 2nd November 2012; brockwellpark.com
The Fireworks Party at The Kensington Roof Gardens
If you dont fancy tramping round a field in your wellies, then you should head for the altogether more upmarket fireworks party at the Kensington Roof Gardens. The exclusive party will be hosted on the terrace of the Spanish Garden where youll be greeted with a cocktail on arrival. Youll be able to watch the capitals fireworks light up the sky from a spectacular vantage point, and tuck in to the snacks at the outdoor grill. DJs will take to the decks, while the Roof Gardens gear up for their own private fireworks display at midnight.
Address: 99 Kensington High Street, London, W8 5SA; Dates: Friday 2nd November. Tickets cost £10. socialite-london.com
Paramount Bar
Ok, so this one isnt technically a bonfire party, but its a heck of a lot warmer than our other picks and youll get to see the breadth of the fireworks over the whole capital. Located at the bottom of Oxford Street on the 32nd floor of Centre Point, the Tom Dixon designed Paramount Bar is a cocktail bar thats up there on our list of favourites. You can order up a martini at the custom-made copper bar and head to a seat by one of the 360 degree floor-to-ceiling windows to soak up the views of the capital on the best night of the year. Make sure you ring in advance to be put on the guest list.
Address: Paramount Bar, Centre Point, 101-103 New Oxford Street, London WC1A 1DD; tel: 020 7420 2900; paramount.uk
Like our pick of the best Bonfire parties in London but looking for somewhere a little cosier to escape from the cold? Check out our pick of the best art-house cinemas in London
