Brilliant things to do in London in February 2025
Leave January's austerity behind with a bevy of events, openings and pop-ups in the capital this month
You nailed Dry January, smashed Veganuary and are even still going to the gym four times a week. It’s safe to say you’ve earned yourself a good night out – and the capital is more than happy to oblige. From decadent restaurants and exciting supper clubs to glamorous new bars (and the new boutiques to help get you ready), here’s our guide to the best things to book, see, eat and do in London in February 2025.
The restaurant: Restaurant Gordon Ramsay High and Lucky Cat at 22 Bishopsgate
Lucky Cat terrace
On 3 February, Gordon Ramsay will be extending his culinary empire for the first time in a decade with the opening of three restaurants and bars spanning three floors at 22 Bishopsgate – London’s tallest office building. Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay will become the capital’s highest restaurant, offering an Asian-inspired menu, while a private dining room looking towards Alexandra Palace – aptly named Restaurant Gordon Ramsay High – will showcase the legacy of Ramsay’s flagship Chelsea restaurant, which is celebrating its 27th anniversary and its 24th year maintaining three Michelin stars this year, in the form of an intimate, 12-seater chef’s table. Bread Street Kitchen occupies level 59 while those who would rather get to work in the kitchen can book classes at the Hexclad Academy to learn how to make Ramsay’s signature beef Wellington and more.
Restaurant Gordon Ramsay High and Lucky Cat will open on 3 February 2025 at 22 Bishopsgate, EC2N 4AJ, visit gordonramsayrestaurants.com
The fitness classes: Barry’s and Form Queensway
Fancy a free pair of Alo trainers? Available from 2 February, Barry’s is joining forces with Alo to support those training for milestone races in London. Runners who sign up and share their race registration details will be able to purchase an exclusive 18-class pack at Barry’s and receive a free pair of Alo Runners (worth £180). The class pack will be active from 2 February until 18 May and provide 15 weeks of race training to supplement your own training schedule.
Form has opened a new 3,000-square-foot Queensway location, swiftly following its popular Notting Hill outpost and featuring state-of-the-art Lagree Megapro machines to deliver high-intensity, low-impact workouts. Each 50-minute class follows the transformative ‘magic eight’ principles of the Lagree Method, offering varied intensities through Rookie, Graduate, and Boss classes to suit every fitness level. Lagree, which is referred to as the ‘Rolls Royce of Pilates‘, is renowned for its micro-targeted effectiveness and rapid results. The DOMs the next day are certainly worth it…
Barry’s x Alo is available from 2 February until 18 May 2025, visit barrysbootcamp.com; Form Queensway is open at 3 Porchester Gardens, W2 3LA, visit formstudios.co.uk
The bar: The Balvenie x Ellie Mercer at The OWO, and The Coral Room x Il Mercante Venezia
In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, The Balvenie whisky has teamed up with London jewellery designer Ellie Mercer to bring an exclusive, elevated drinking experience to The Guards Bar at Raffles London at The OWO. From 4 February, visitors can participate in The Balvenie x Ellie Mercer Makers and Gamers Experience: a chess board where each move on the board symbolises the strategic precision of making single malt Scotch whisky. Mercer has designed the chessboard utilising handcrafted materials from The Balvenie distillery to create both a board and serving tray, complete with nooks to hold each player’s dram. The board is presented on a one-of-a-kind whisky trolley, used to serve The Balvenie Rare Marriages Collection – and, alongside a dram and a game of chess, those who order from the trolley are treated to an immersive aromatic experience using four Balvenie fragrances.
Promising to take you up, up and away, award-winning Venetian bar Il Mercante Venezia kicks off The Coral Room’s worldwide bar takeover this February. The pink-hued bar inside The Bloomsbury Hotel will take you on a hot air balloon ride via collaborations with world-famous bars to celebrate the launch of its new menu, Mr Crosbie’s Great Aeronautic Adventure. The first stop of the tour brings Venice’s world-famous carnival culture to life thanks to Il Mercante Venezia’s mixologists, who will be taking over the bar from 7-10pm on 19 February.
The Balvenie x Ellie Mercer at The OWO is available from 4 February 2025 at 57 Whitehall, SW1A 2BX, visit theowo.london; The Coral Room x Il Mercante Venezia launches on 19 February 2025 at 16-22 Great Russell Street, WC1B 3NN, visit thecoralroom.co.uk
The live music: Live at The Lanesborough, and Midweek Rhythms at Vesper Bar
The Lanesborough is brightening up Thursday evenings throughout February with a string of jazz nights at The Lanesborough Grill. Featuring exclusive performances from one of the UK’s rising jazz stars, Harry Brunt, soulful notes are perfectly complemented by The Lanesborough Grill’s classic menu. Hitting its own high notes, menu highlights include Isle of Wight tomatoes, black olive, chilled yellow tomato soup, Dover sole in brown butter, and warm chocolate tartlet with coffee ice cream – all served tableside on Gueridon trolleys. To accompany the live jazz, diners can sip their way through The Lanesborough’s extensive wine list, or step into the rhythm of The Library Bar for a digestif or two post-dinner.
Over at The Dorchester every Wednesday until 26 February, the Vesper Bar will host Midweek Rhythms; a series of events combining soulful live music with handcrafted cocktails and light bites. Cocktail connoisseurs can enjoy serves such as Sunkissed Summers – evoking memories from a boat trip to Capri in the heat of Italian summer with flavours of Seatrus gin, rhubarb ‘sea water’ and aloe vera – and Thunderstorm, inspired by rainy days to create a smooth serve featuring Altamura vodka, oregano mezcal, passionfruit, and patchouli.
Live at The Lanesborough takes place every Thursday evening at Hyde Park Corner, SW1X 7TA, visit oetkercollection.com; Midweek Rhythms at Vesper Bar takes place every Wednesday until 26 February 2025 at 53 Park Lane, W1K 1QA, visit dorchestercollection.com
The hotel: The Trafalgar St James
The five-star Trafalgar St James is unveiling the first stage of its £6m renovation with the opening of its new restaurant, Rockwell Bistro and Wine Bar, as well as Spring Gardens Suites and a fully-redesigned lobby. Book the new bistro for all-day dining, ranging from breakfast and specialty coffee in the morning to deli-style dishes and creative small plates in the afternoon. The redesigned lobby flows seamlessly into the elegant Rockwell, where a fresh new interior has been created by Design LSM, the award-winning studio behind 100 Queen’s Gate, to offer a warm colour palette and plush furnishings. Finally, the chic Spring Gardens Suites will offer guests a peaceful sanctuary away from the city’s hustle and bustle, featuring a bold palette against natural tones of dark oak and rattan.
The Trafalgar St James is open at 2 Spring Gardens, Trafalgar Square, SW1A 2TS, visit trafalgarstjames.com
The pop-up: Claridge’s x Hotel Il Pellicano
This February, Hotel Il Pellicano will bring some dolce vita flair to Mayfair with a one-week residency at Claridge’s Restaurant from 17-22 February. Ushering in some much-needed sunshine to London, chef Michelino Gioia and his team will serve up an abundance of flavoursome Tuscan ingredients with his signature Italian dishes, alongside cocktails by legendary barman Federico Morosi. Expect Hotel Il Pellicano’s specialities, including Maremma-style ravioli with butter and sage, and risotto with shrimp, ginger and lime to start, before turbot with stuffed escarole and anchovy sauce, poached organic egg, asparagus cream, smoked scamorza cheese and black truffle for main – and no Italian feast is complete without a generous helping of tiramisu to finish. The Italian chefs will be cooking up a storm for one week only – be sure to book early…
Hotel Il Pellicano x Claridge’s is available from 17-22 February 2025 at Claridge's, Brook Street, W1K 4HR, visit claridges.co.uk
The Valentine’s events: Single at Selfridges and Duck and Dry x Portofino Dry Gin
For the most romantic month of the year, Selfridges has partnered with Pears Dating to launch Single at Selfridges: an immersive speed dating event at the department store’s cinema. Designed to provide an antidote to endless app-swiping and the often-intimidating reality of being single in the city, Pears is bringing back IRL dating across two evenings in February. The events are hosted by London-based drag queen, Barbs, seeing three-minute dates flow alongside cocktails, cinema snacks and entertainment, including icebreakers, a DJ and a dance floor.
However you’re looking to celebrate Valentine’s Day – be it with your other half or your closest girlfriends – look no further than Duck and Dry Mayfair. On 14 February, the salon will join forces with Portofino Dry Gin for a one-day-only pop-up that combines luxurious beauty treatments and a taste of the Italian Riviera. From 2-7pm, book a blow dry or manicure to also enjoy a complimentary Portofino Dry Gin cocktail, including the Portofino and Tonic – the classic G&T reimagined with bright citrus and herbaceous notes – or the Love in Portofino: a pink concoction featuring a delicate rose syrup to complement Portofino Gin’s 21 botanicals. Chin chin.
Single at Selfridges takes place on 5 and 12 February 2025 at 40 Duke Street, W1U 1AT, tickets are £30, visit eventbrite.co.uk; Duck and Dry x Portofino Dry Gin takes place on 14 February 2025 at 33 North Audley Street, W1K 6ZQ, visit duckanddry.com
