DesignMyNight Art Of Going Out Awards: The 2024 Winners

When voting for a pub you felt was a London icon and worthy of this category, you looked to The Churchill Arms. A Fuller's boozer in Notting Hill, this landmark destination for pints and food (namely Thai cuisine, for a unique pub twist) topped a competitive list of names in the city. Known for its substantial blooms out front in the spring and Christmas trees come winter, it's a famous name on the scene, and understandably present as the London pub you couldn't live without.

While 86% of people voting in the DesignMyNight awards this year said they would never take the time to queue for somewhere to eat and drink in the city, there's seemingly one name on the scene that food and drink lovers still think is worth the time, come rain or shine. A UK powerhouse, with its footprint firmly placed on London, Dishoom's beloved Bombay cuisine topped the list when it came to the venue that's worth the queue in London. From their breakfast naans to their chilli espresso martinis, we also vouch for that.

London's hospitality scene continues to boom, with new restaurants, pubs and experiences added daily, but we wanted to know what newcomer you all had on your radar. Taking home the most votes in the 2024 DesignMyNight Awards was Fairgame. Hailed as London's most impressive newcomer, Fairgame's thrill-heavy venue in Canary Wharf has you hooked, with the joy of the fairground set up for adults, complete with street food and cocktails along with unique twists on iconic games, all under one roof.

London's cocktail scene is truly like no other in the world, so when it came to giving someone this award, there was a lot of hot competition amongst both bars and voters to bag the prize. Taking it home is The Alchemist. While known the UK over, their London sites are second to none, bringing with them a playful energy and unique concept that still stands strong on the scene, promising creative variations and bubbling wonders across their big menu. Haven't tried their cosmic cocktails in a half-shell oyster yet? We couldn't encourage you more. 

London is known for its skyline and its views, whether you're curled around a pint in a beer garden by the Thames, or perched at one of it's well-known rooftop spots, but where would take this prize if we questioned the general public on its favourite? Fending off some of London's best sky-high bars and dining spots, Sky Garden in Aldgate secured the most votes in this category, taking home the gong for the best dazzling views of London. And it makes sense. As the highest public garden in London, with bars and restaurants alongside, this is a top-floor experience like no other. 

Being an adult gets pretty taxing, but there are plenty of spots in London where reliving the care-free days of your childhood comes easy, and it was Winter Wonderland that topped the vote when we asked you the most fun activity for big kids in the city. From ice skating and rollercoasters to ice shows and street food stalls, it's pretty easy to have fun at Winter Wonderland, and crowds or not, we know that the festive energy has Londoners on a high, year on year. 

Let's be honest with one another, TikTok influences us to do a lot these days, whether it's doom scrolling for hours, or getting lost in storylines and plots; but it's also somewhere that plenty of hospitality venues have the chance to shine through. In asking you where TikTok has made you book recently, one place stood out above all the rest, with Humble Crumble taking home the most votes. Famed for their sweet and sustainable desserts, served up in Borough Market, Camden Market and more, Humble Crumble are bringing back the nostalgic dessert, and you Londoners are all over it.

We asked Londoners what they think the experience that defines London is, and even with stiff competition from Thames Rockets, the London Dungeon and Secret Cinema, it's the Tower Of London that stood strong in the public vote. A fortress known also for its place on fridge magnets and postcards, it remains firmly in place as a great example of London's history and heritage, with its royal bones daring all the way back to 1078. 

Based on this year's votes, late night guilty pleasures for those of you living in London span everything from a great club night, to the perfect pit-stop for food before heading home, but one name was the most present in this category, and it was Soho's Ronnie Scott's. A legendary jazz club since 1959, you city folk are drawn to the regular live shows and fusion music that Ronnie Scott's has to offer. This also sings true when it comes to booking online, with most slots each weekend filled. We'll cheers to that. 

Food markets continue to grow in size, diversity and geographically across London, but in asking you all where was the most value for money in London, it was one indoor food space that came up trumps. Going head to head with the likes of Six By Nico and Wetherspoons, Seven Dials Market in Covent Garden has proven not only to be an affordable dining option in the city, but worth what you spend too. Over 20 food traders and two bars are serving up everything from hot chicken and steak to pizza and bao, all at decent prices, taking home the biggest bang for your buck in the 2024 DesignMyNight Awards.

While Thy Ivy group originally launched Ivy Asia in Manchester in 2021, London's Ivy Asia restaurant has taken the date night scene by storm, and continues to be flooded with couples and swooning duos looking to try something different for dinner when romantic evenings roll around. Proven by their win in this year's DesignMyNight Awards. With locations in Mayfair, St Paul's and Chelsea, be whisked away on a dining journey like no other, as you lush over jade-coloured flooring and luxurious cocktails in a truly bespoke setting. 

For those of you who think Battersea Power Station is just a London landmark, or now a destination dedicated to luxury brands and casual dining, you'd be partly right. But so much more than its architecture and its shops, Battersea Power Station has been voted the biggest champion for making a difference with over £6 million donated across the boroughs of Wandsworth and Lambeth to local charities, groups and causes since the development began. The regeneration of Battersea Power Station has also created over 6,500 jobs to date.