Building up a wishlist of places to go post-lockdown? We're all doing it. And while some of you may be storing it on phone notes or in group chats, we decided to share what we've got in mind. Whether it's necking back margs at Corazon (a popular choice) or heading to Dishoom for their famous bacon naan butties, it looks like we're all looking forward to getting back into the swing of things. Hopefully we can help to give you a little inspiration with our recommendations for drinking, dining and dancing in London once lockdown is lifted.
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Katie: Head of Content
Where will you get your first post-lockdown pint?
I'd go to the The Red Lion in Histon. My friends were due to have their wedding reception here but sadly lockdown put that on pause; it's a gorgeous, friendly village local and I'm desperate to see my pals and their little boy. We'll go on long riverside walks, we'll collect feathers, we'll drink copious amounts and we'll go back to theirs for margaritas over a wobbly slow-cooked chilli.
First boozy brunch you'll do after quarantine is lifted?
A rowdy one at Blues Kitchen Brixton. I don't like many brunch dishes, but I do like big American plates. All my friends would be there; there would be hugs, kisses and tears and copious amounts of prosecco. The amount of prosecco and tears would likely level out.
Which famous London dish have you been craving?
If I'm honest, it's got to be a plate of pasta at Gloria. Any plate. Aaaaany plate. Carbs have been my lockdown crutch, so I've no doubt that outside of isolation it will be business as usual.
What will be your first post-lockdown cocktail and where will you get it from?
I'm ordering six hibiscus margaritas from Corazon and you can't stop me.
Your favourite outdoor space for a socially-distant drink?
If it's not tinnies in the park, it will be a midday glass of wine with my husband at The Duke of Edinburgh in Brixton. We live on the same road and tend to visit most weekends for a drink in the garden if it's sunny. Plus, the garden is huge and I don't doubt that my bellowing voice will keep anyone from sitting on the tables next to us.
Post-lockdown? You'll find Katie dancing at Blues Kitchen or chomping on pasta at Gloria.
Olivia: Junior Editor
Where will you get your first post-lockdown pint?
The White Horse in Peckham, because aside from the atmosphere and all the lovely gorgeous pints I'm going to drink, it's walking distance from all my best friends.
First boozy brunch you'll do after quarantine is lifted?
Corazon... because jalapeno cornbread, baja fish tacos and 12 margaritas will not consume themselves.
Which famous London dish have you been craving?
As a dedicated egg sandwich fangirl I would very much like to smash my entire head into the big egg fella at Sons + Daughters.
What will be your first post-lockdown cocktail and where will you get it from?
Brunswick House is a place I will always associate with family celebrations and other naff sentimental stuff like that, so I'm making a post-lockdown pilgrimage to Vauxhall for one of their Negronis.
Your favourite outdoor space for a socially-distant drink?
Brockwell Park - it was the site of my first teenage tinnies and it's been keeping my ciders lukewarm ever since.
Catch Olivia at Brunswick House when this is all over.
Leighanne: Marketing and PR Manager
Where will you get your first post-lockdown pint?
Anywhere that will take me. Jokes... but not really. I'm gasping for a pint in Howl. It's a cute Irish pub in Hoxton that has trad music and 2-4-1 margaritas midweek. It's the only place I'd happily suffer a hangover in work for.
First boozy brunch you'll do after quarantine is lifted?
Bobby Fitzpatrick. It's one of the funkiest places I've ever been (read my DesignMyNight review and you'll know why). It's an absolute bargain too - seven courses and bottomless cocktails for £35. Also have Mr Bao on my bucket list. It's £50 for six hours of bottomless cocktails. I know... dangerous.
Which famous London dish have you been craving?
Monkey fingers. Not actual monkey fingers (because that would just be disgusting) but the monkey fingers served at MEATMission. Think deep-fried chicken smothered in hot sauce. Would I sell my nan for a portion right now? 100%.
What will be your first post-lockdown cocktail and where will you get it from?
I've had my eyes on the Toronto at Nightjar for ages. It's a boozy old fashioned with a huge quiff of candyfloss. And before you ask, no... I would not recommend trying to replicate this at home.
Your favourite outdoor space for a socially-distant drink?
You can't go wrong with NTs in Dalston. They have DJ sets during the day and it's socially acceptable to wear pretty much anything you want, including bucket hats and Lewis Capaldi-esque sunglasses.
Leighanne's plans? Hitting the dancefloor at NTs of course.
Talia: Marketing and PR Executive
Where will you get your first post-lockdown pint?
The Four Thieves - it was the last pub I went to before lockdown so would love to pick up life where it left off and pretend all this never happened... plus the arcade is loads of fun (especially when tipsy).
First boozy brunch you'll do after quarantine is lifted?
The most extravagant one I can find. Probably ROKA for the ten Japanese sharing plates, mad dessert platter and free-flowing wine and fizz, will be going all-out.
Which famous London dish have you been craving?
Waiting on that reunion with the sausage naan roll from Dishoom's breakfast menu... the chili tomato jam makes it a winner if you love a mix of sweet and savoury.
What will be your first post-lockdown cocktail and where will you get it from?
Always wanted to try the Garden Party cocktail at The Coral Room. It's got banana, cream caramel and rainbow dust, sounds magical. But magical drinks come at a price (£14 to be exact) so I'll probably move swiftly on to Pergola Paddington to take advantage of their gin collection.
Your favourite outdoor space for a socially-distant drink?
Mercato Metropolitano's food market for cocktails and craft beer, then I'd follow drinks with a whip around the food stalls in search of dumplings and gelato.
Talia's planning to splash out on a night at ROKA once quarantine is lifted.
Georgia: Junior Editor
Where will you get your first post-lockdown pint?
I have no doubt my group chat will be blowing up once we’re allowed to go to pubs again, personally I’ve always wanted to go to Hand of Glory or Dream Bags Jaguar Shoes because they have booze, art and music all under one roof. I reckon if I show the gang what the place looks like, they’ll be won over easy peasy.
First boozy brunch you'll do after quarantine is lifted?
There’s so many to choose from! While my area has loads of lovely artisan-y brunch places, I reckon I’ll go all-out and head to Dabbers for a party brunch. My boyfriend had his birthday in lockdown so I’m seeing it as the perfect opportunity to get a group together and do something fun.
Which famous London dish have you been craving?
Literally everything from Biff’s (formerly Biff's Jack Shack). It’s killing me that I don’t live in North London right now because one of their sexy breakfast burgers would be the ultimate cure for my Zoom pub quiz hangovers. The vegan wings, the stacks of waffles, the loaded hash brown… ugh it’s too much to even think about.
What will be your first post-lockdown cocktail and where will you get it from?
I’m so torn, so I’m gonna say two. Considering it’s the sexiest bar I’ve ever been to, it’s got to be Bobby Fitzpatrick for a Cynthia’s Ruin with Beefeater gin, white wine, raspberries, passionfruit, lime and apple. Then I’m gonna trek all the way over to Doña in Stoke Newington for their signature namesake cocktail and f*ck loads of mezcal.
Your favourite outdoor space for a socially-distant drink?
If I’m not chilling out at Tooting Bec with my doggo, I’m going to go straight to one of London’s gorgeous rooftops. I love Queen of Hoxton because there’s always a party going on and The Culpeper is really cute for after-work drinks, but if I’m going all out? Seabird, baby.
Georgia's going to be hitting up Biff's Jack Shack and Seabird post-lockdown.
Anisah: Senior Editor
Where will you get your first post-lockdown pint?
My daily walks have made me realise how much I need to explore my local area. There's a pub called The Castle just a few minutes away on Pentonville Road. It's got such a cute roof terrace. I'd head there before finally checking out Happy Face Pizza and its hidden basement bar Supermax.
First boozy brunch you'll do after quarantine is lifted?
I've had my fair share of average brunches so I think it's time to go all out boujee. I'm planning a big day off with some friends once lockdown ends (think boozy brunch and fancy dinner before a night out) so Gloria, Nobu and Coya are all on the list.
Which famous London dish have you been craving?
Lockdown interrupted my plans to hit up Dishoom for a bacon and egg naan roll and I've been thinking about it ever since.
What will be your first post-lockdown cocktail and where will you get it from?
I won't care what I'm drinking, I just know that I want to be drinking at Swift in Soho. They do the best Irish coffees and lemon sorbet sgroppinos. Plus, it's within walking distance from The French House and Opium.
Your favourite outdoor space for a socially-distant drink?
If we're talking rooftops, then the terrace at Seabird is a proper beaut. It feels like New York but with the backdrop of London's iconic buildings in the distance.
Anisah hopes to check out Coya post-lockdown.
Kay: Editorial Assistant
Where will you get your first post-lockdown pint?
There's a local just around the corner from me with a great beer garden round the back. I keep pining after it every time I walk past so I reckon it's only right that it should be my first outing with the house.
First boozy brunch you'll do after quarantine is lifted?
I've never been to a drag brunch before but the thought of watching a fierce queen shake her stuff whilst yelling at me to finish my drink sounds hilarious. A Comedy Drag Bottomless Brunch at Gigi's Hoxton looks fab.
Which famous London dish have you been craving?
Ooh that's a hard one. I feel like now most places are doing delivery I've been managing to get my fix of fish and chips and all the classics. But I can't wait to get a black dhaal from Dishoom, also I haven't yet gotten my hands on a proper pub Sunday roast.
What will be your first post-lockdown cocktail and where will you get it from?
An old fashioned is my favourite but to be honest I'm currently drinking Lidl's frozen mojitos so anything sounds great right now. Wherever the closest happy hour is... I'm also keen to try Coupette and I know Dirty Bones do wicked deals too.
Your favourite outdoor space for a socially-distant drink?
The People's Tavern is a beaut and they're doing takeaway pints so it's easy to set up camp in Victoria Park and then grab a drink if their beer gardens full.
Dishoom's black dhal comes highly recommended by Kay.
Lisa Moore: Email Marketing Manager
Where will you get your first post-lockdown pint?
Some may consider this quite embarrassing but I’ve GENUINELY missed draught cider during lockdown. That first crisp, cold, fizzy sip is a thing of true beauty and I’ll be heading to Effra Social to grab that first pint. After living in Streatham and West Norwood for the best part of a decade, most nights out generally ended here or at Hootenanny’s as it was on the way home. One for the road?
First boozy brunch you'll do after quarantine is lifted?
Bar Elba. I discovered this fine rooftop spot after devising an itinerary for a friend’s big day out in London. It really is a little tropical oasis in the center of Waterloo, plus the cocktails are absolutely banging. They had free suncream dispensers as well which I thought was a nice touch. I just need to glance at the sun and I burn.
Which famous London dish have you been craving?
Halloumi-based pub grub or Mexican street food are my faves but recently I’ve been hankering for Brewdog’s Buffalo Cauliflower. It really is so blimmin tasty. And spicy. Combined with a 2-4-1 deal on veggie mains every Monday means I could literally be in there for a whole day.
What will be your first post-lockdown cocktail and where will you get it from?
After only working at DesignMyNight for a few weeks, my mind is literally full to bursting with new places to try and new cocktails to taste. Bourne & Hollingsworth looks beautiful, Nightjar’s candlelit vibe is cool and Sabine’s rooftop is mega. Cocktail-wise, generally speaking, I love an Aperol spritz or a margarita but I’m so up for trying whatever’s new.
Your favourite outdoor space for a socially-distant drink?
I love The Ship in Wandsworth. My boyfriend and I stumbled across this gorge riverside pub whilst on a walk and now I can’t get enough of it. The views are stunning (especially around sunset), the cocktails are delish and the crowd are always fun.
Cider and buffalo cauliflower make Lisa a happy lady.
Wanna know what the experts are saying? We spoke to hospitality pros about life post-quarantine here.
