Where to take a singer
If you've got somebody in your flock who enjoys a good sing song around this time of year then you'd be a wise man (or woman) to read Edward Sullivan's guide to pubs close to carol concerts. Have a ding-a-ling not a ding-dong.
The Rockwell Trafalgar Hotel, 2 Spring Gardens, SW1 (020-7870 2959).
The annual service of the blessing of the crib takes place on Sunday (Sun 7 Dec, 5.20pm, free) at St Martin-In-The-Fields' church, followed by a torch-lit procession around Trafalgar Square. Adults can then repair to the comfort and splendour of the Rockwell Bar, which is home to more than 100 American whiskeys and warming bourbons.
The Cardinal 23 Francis Street, SW1 (020-7834 7260).
Traditional Christmas carols will be performed by the Choir Of King's College, Cambridge, this Sunday at St John's, Smith Square, SW1 (Sun 7 Dec, 7.30pm, £10, 020-7222 1061). Head for the traditional Cardinal pub afterwards and you might be in time to see the choristers retiring from Westminster Cathedral for a quick libation. This is a Sam Smith's pub, serving their full range of cask ales.
The Churchill Arms 119 Kensington Church Street, W8 (020-7727 4242).
St Mary Abbots Church in Kensington is the location for this year's Kensington Camerata's carol concert (Tue 9 Dec, 7.30pm, £20-£40, 020-7361 2431). At the Notting Hill end of Kensington Church Street, you'll find this flagship pub from Fuller's, which will be decked out in the campest of Christmas styles. Fabulous Fuller's ales, of course.
The Drunken Monkey 222 Shoreditch High Street, E1 (020-7392 9606).
From Tue 9-Fri 19 Dec, the Shoreditch Church will be home to Spitalfields' Winter Festival and will host daily concerts of seasonal music (020-7377 1362). Fabulous cocktails, decent beers and a seriously good dim sum menu await you at one of Shoreditch's newest venues, which is a must-visit bar.
The Nag's Head 53 Kinnerton Street, SW1 (020-7235 1135).
St Paul's Church, Knightsbridge, is the location for this year's Breast Cancer Care Carol Concert By Candlelight, featuring readings by Dame Diana Rigg and Patricia Routledge (£25, 020-7384 4621). The event will take place next week (Wed 10 Dec, 7.15pm), after which you'd be hard pushed to do better than this fabulous traditional pub. Good cask ales.
