Find out where to celebrate the birthday of Robbie Burns in London this January 2020.

Whether you’re Scottish or not, there’s plenty of reason to take part in the annual Burns’ Night celebrations. The event marks the birthday of Scottish poet Robert ‘Robbie’ Burns, who died in 1796. Expect a feast of haggis, soup, tatties and neeps with plenty of whisky.

Although Burns’ Night is officially 25 January, there are other suppers, parties and Ceilidhs taking place in the weeks leading up to and after the big night. Here’s some of the best events on in London this Burns’ Night.

• 18, 24, 25 & 31 January & 1 February : Ceilidh Club presents Burns’ Night London

The Ceilidh Club are hosting four Burns’ Night celebrations. Expect a traditional evening of dancing, live music, poetry, drinking and dining. 8pm-11pm. Tickets: £29-£39. Porchester Hall, 45 Porchester Road, Bayswater, W2 5HS. Nearest station: Royal Oak. For more information and tickets, visit the Ceilidh Club website.

• 21 – 25 January : A Week Of Burns Celebrations @ Mac & Wild

Scottish restaurants Mac & Wild are hosting a week of celebrations at their Fitzrovia and City locations. Events including Chivas Blend Burn’s Masterclass (21 Jan), Highland Park House of Haggis Masterclass (22 Jan), Burns Dram in the Dark (24 Jan), Mac & Wild X Copper Dog Burns Pop Up (24 & 25 Jan), Burns Bottomless Brunch (25 Jan) and Burns Night dinner (25 Jan). Times and prices vary. Mac & Wild Fitzrovia: 65 Great Titchfield Street, W1W 7PS (Nearest station: Oxford Circus) or Mac & Wild City: 9A Devonshire Square, City of London, EC2M 4YN (Nearest station: Liverpool Street). For booking and more information, visit the Mac & Wild website.

• 23 – 24 January : Burns on the Barge

Take to the canals for an evening of revelry. Featuring live music, toasts to the haggis, whisky, and a 4-course Scottish feast. 7pm-11pm. Tickets: £45pp. Barge East, White Post Lane, Hackney Wick, E9 5EN. Nearest station: Hackney Wick. For more information, visit the Barge East website.

• 23 – 25 January : Burns’ Night Celebrations @ Boisdale

Scottish restaurant chain Boisdale are hosting Burns’ Night celebrations across their venues. Featuring traditional Scottish set menus, live music, stabbing of the haggis and whisky from the Annandale Distillery. Times and prices vary. At Boisdale venues in Belgravia, Bishopsgate, Canary Wharf and Mayfair. For more information, visit the Boisdale website.

Take part in a haggis masterclass @ Mac & Wild

• 24 – 26 January : Burns @ Byron

Byron brings its haggis-inspired menu down from Edinburgh to London’s Covent Garden for Burns’ Night. The menu features The Auld Smokey (beef patty topped with haggis, melted Cheddar cheese, bacon and BBQ sauce); Haggis Loaded Fries (skin-on fries drenched in onion gravy and topped with crispy onions, pickled onions, Byron cheese sauce and crumbled haggis) and Irn Bru Milkshake (vanilla milkshake with an injection of Irn Bru). Byron, 33-35 Wellington St, Covent Garden, WC2E 7BN. Nearest station: Covent Garden or Holborn. For more information, visit the Byron website.

• 25 January : Burns’ Night @ the Sun Tavern

The Sun Tavern has teamed up with Craigellachie whisky to celebrate Burns’ Night. The early evening will see a Craigellachie whisky tasting experience (5pm), a Scotch cocktail menu from Iain McPherson of Edinburgh’s famous Panda & Sons and free haggis balls (6pm) from Deeney’s. 6pm-2am. The Sun Tavern, 441 Bethnal Green Road, Bethnal Green, E2 0AN. Nearest station: Bethnal Green. For more information, visit The Sun Tavern website.

• 25 January : Burns’ Night @ CUB

Mr Lyan’s zero waste restaurant and bar is teaming up with Progressive Hebridean Distillers (PHD) to showcase their The Botanist Gin, Port Charlotte Whisky and Bruichladdich Whisky for a 12-course Burns Night supper, feature six food offerings and six drink offerings. From 6pm. Tickets: £80pp. Cub, 153 Hoxton Street, Hoxton, N1 6PJ. Nearest station: Hoxton or Old Street. For bookings, visit the Cub website.

• 25 January : Burns’ Night @ The Duke’s Head

Putney’s gastro pub is hosting a traditional Burns supper, featuring haggis, neeps and tatties. Expect a welcome dram of whisky and a three-course of meal paired with three glasses of wine. 7.30pm-10pm. Tickets: £40. The Duke’s Head, 8 Lower Richmond Road, Putney, SW15 1JN. Nearest station: Putney or Putney Bridge. For more information, visit DesignMyNight.

• 25 January : Burns’ Night @ Sussex

The Gladwin Bros’ British restaurant Sussex has created a special Burns menu, featuring Sussex Lamb Loin, Haggis Wellington, spiced offal mince, Hispi cabbage, neeps and tatties. The meal will be accompanied by whisky cocktails and a toast to the bard’s ‘Ode to a Haggis’ poem. Menu: £48pp. Sussex, 63-64 Frith Street, Soho, W1D 3JW. Nearest station: Tottenham Court Road, Leicester Square or Oxford Circus. For more information, visit the Sussex website.

• 25 January : Burns’ Night @ 10°

Sky-high bar 10 Degrees at Galvin at Windows presents a special Scottish-inspired menu, featuring three drams of whisky accompanied by a feast by chef Joo Won. Tickets: £49 (for two people). 10°, Galvin at Windows, 22 Park Lane, Mayfair, W1K 1BE. Nearest station: Hyde Park Corner. For more information, visit the 10° website.

• 25 January : Burns’ Night Bash @ Skylight

Rooftop destination Skylight are hosting a Burns’ Night party with Monkey Shoulder. Featuring special guest DJs, a free Monkey Shoulder welcome cocktail, Whiskey tasting sessions, a twist of traditional poems, and special Monkey Shoulder drink prices all night. Ice skating also available (£12). There is also lawn games, street food, and bookable cosy booths and igloos. 5pm-11pm. Tickets from £10. Skylight, Tobacco Quay (Pennington Street entrance), Wapping, E1CW 2SF. Nearest station: Shadwell (DLR/TFL Rail) or Wapping. For more information, visit DesignMyNight.

Chow down on a haggis burger at The Little Blue Door

• 25 January : Ultimate Burns Night House Party @ TLBD

The flatmates of The Little Blue Door are hosting a Scottish bash, with complimentary Haggis Pops from Mac & Wild, address to a Haggis Burger, a Haggis filled burger topped with smoked Cheddar and Whisky Chilli Sauce, and William Grant’s Century Flight of Whiskies. Entertainment includes special guest DJs until late. The Little Blue Door, 871-873 Fulham Road, Fulham, SW6 5HP. Nearest station: Putney Bridge or Fulham Broadway. For more information, visit the Little Blue Door website.

• 25 January : Burns Supper @ The Conduit

A Scottish feast for Mr Burns in collaboration with the Bruichladdich Distillery. Starting with a welcome whisky cocktail, followed by five-course meal accompanied with a cocktail per course. 7.30pm onwards. Tickets: £75pp. The Conduit, 40 Conduit Street, Mayfair, W1S 2YQ. Nearest station: Oxford Circus or Piccadilly Circus. For more information, visit The Conduit website.

• 25 January : Mr Fogg’s Burns Night

Mr Fogg’s Residence host their annual Burns’ night celebrations with Glenfiddich whisky. Guests are invited to wear a kilt or tartan and join Phileas and his staff host a Scottish soiree, with Glenfiddich Scotch whisky cocktail reception, live live Ceilidh band, traditional poetry recitals and Scottish fare. 7pm-10pm. Mr. Fogg’s Residence, 15 Bruton Lane, Mayfair, WIJ 6JD. Nearest station: Green Park or Piccadilly Circus. For more information, visit the Mr Fogg’s website.

• 25 January : Burns’ Night @ Fortnum & Mason

Posh foodies’ paradise Fortnum & Mason are hosting a traditional celebration. Expect the traditional Selkirk Grace procession the haggis, the address and the plunging dagger blade of the dirk. Includes four-course meal, complete with wines and whiskies and entertainment. 7pm-10pm. Tickets £75pp. The Gallery, Fortnum & Mason, 181 Piccadilly, St James, W1A 1ER. Nearest stations: Green Park or Piccadilly Circus. For tickets, visit the Eventbrite website.

• 25 January : Burns Supper @ Loyal Tavern

Loyal Tavern hosts a Burns’ supper, featuring haggis, tatties, Chicken and Leek Soup, Whisky-Cured Salmon. and Rhubarb Cranachan and Deep-Fried Mars Bar for dessert. Accompanied by Kirkhill Grace cocktail with peach, ginger and pomegranate. £38pp. Loyal Tavern, 171-173 Bermondsey Street, Bermondsey, SE1 3UW. Nearest station: London Bridge or Borough. For more information, visit the Loyal Tavern website.

• 25 January : Burns Night Whisky Masterclass @ The Nest

Toast the life of Robbie Burns with a selection of five whiskies from leading Scottish distilleries, paired with canapes. 5pm-6.30pm. Tickets: £45pp. The Nest @ Treehouse Hotel London, 14-15 Langham Place, Fitzrovia, W1B 2QS. Nearest station: Oxford Circus. For tickets, visit Eventbrite.

• 27 January : Whyte & Mackay Glasgow International Comedy Festival Burns’ Night Comedy Gala

Be entertained by a comedy line-up of the Scottish acts that will perform at the Whyte & Mackay Glasgow International Comedy Festival later this year. Over 16s only. Doors open 8pm. £16-£20. Leicester Square Theatre, 6 Leicester Place, Chinatown, WC2H 7BX. Nearest station: Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus. For more information, visit the Leicester Square Theatre website.

For a guide to what else is on in London in January, click here.

(Kilt image by PublicDomainArchive from Pixabay)

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