Hold onto your hats boys and girls, it’s bloody cold outside… but if a certain Bear & Hare have taught us anything this winter, it’s that there is little point hibernating. You’ve got that extra special date lined up and you’re more than ready for romance this Christmas, but where to go? Don your furs, clip on your snow shoes and turn the heat up, as things are about to get steamy in cosy basement bars across London. Whatever the weather, DesignMyNight are on hand yet again to keep your fun levels up and your stress levels down. Aren’t we good.
Opium
http://www.designmynight.com/london/bars/opium-leicester-square
Take a trip to China Town this winter and discover this charming hideaway, tucked neatly away on Soho’s Gerrard Street. Pass through the inconspicuous green door and find yourself in an underground oasis, characterised by burning incense, the aged luxury of its 
décor and the wildly theatrical cocktail menu. Sparks will fly in more ways than one as fire cracker cocktails light up the room, and things are sure to get more than a little steamy as the No. 1 is presented to you with a vial of chi-enhancing ginseng, billowing with smoke – there is no question that all drinks are masterfully crafted and wonderfully impressive. Opium doubles up as a dim sum parlour, serving up plate after plate of tasty treats – that’ll be lobster dumplings, and a BBQ pork bun please!
214 Bermondsey
http://www.designmynight.com/london/bars/214-bermondsey-london-bridge
Smart, cosy and tasteful, 214 Bermondsey is a dimly lit paradise for fans of the more fragrant spirit. Gin lovers rejoice, as fifty blends are presented for the picking, with all sorts on offer to please both the novice and the more seasoned drinker. Unique to this cosy 
basement bar is their ‘Gin Flight’ testing game, an absolute must if you are looking to impress that special someone – you’re handed three Gin & Tonics, each mixed from a different blend of this joyfully juniper-y spirit. Guess which Gin you’re drinking, and open an envelope to check the result. A friendly space that exudes home comforts, 214 Bermondsey offers a happy blend of warm relaxation and hands on activity, ideal for that oh-so-special winter date night.
Gordon’s Wine Bar
http://www.designmynight.com/london/bars/gordons-wine-bar-embankment
A magical space nestled quietly beneath London’s Embankment, Gordon’s Wine Bar offers a warm and rustic drinking spot for you and your date to hide from the elements. Descend the narrow staircase and find yourselves thoroughly enchanted by the atmosphere: candle 
lit tables find themselves scattered beneath an exposed brick arch, housing happy wine drinkers in an intimate arch of romance and ambiance. Be sure to arrive early – the location and unparalleled charm means that it is practically impossible to get a table after 7pm – and trust us, you won’t want to miss out one this one. Arguably the cosiest of London’s wine bars, Gordon’s is an absolute haven for the wine lover and the romantic.
Worship Street Whistling Shop
http://www.designmynight.com/london/bars/worship-street-whistling-shop-shoreditch
Combining the charm of a 19th century Gin Palace with the rough and rigour of a Victorian slum, Worship Street Whistling Shop is a curious little spot in Shoreditch, and a delightful and much needed escape from the hustle and bustle of the city streets. Dickensian in style, 
the décor, atmosphere and menus offer a multi-sensory insight as to what London was like in the 19th century – how better to impress your date than to take them on a trip back in time? A gastronomical experience if ever there was one, guests are invited to sample anything from Pork Cheeks to Magic Mushroom Soup, washing it all down with something from their cocktail menu, all of which has been intricately crafted from the influence of days gone by.
Drink Shop & Do
http://www.designmynight.com/london/bars/drink-shop-and-do-kings-cross
Get your craft on at Drink Shop & Do. Unashamedly kitsch and full to brim with quirky oddities, this is a King’s Cross menagerie of fun, with all sorts of brilliantly bizarre events taking place throughout the week. If you’re feeling wholesome, you and your date are 
invited to get your hands dirty with a lump of clay, as you ‘Play With Clay Ryan Gosling Style’, or get involved in the fabulous Jess Indeedy’s Musical Bingo, who brings another round of musical madness to Drink Shop & Do. Offering a nostalgic escape from the hubbub of the big city, this is an ideal spot to charm your date with a bit of hands on fun this winter.
