As the festive season approaches, spacious bars are worth their weight in gold. So, for those planning a Christmas party in the City of London, this is one to watch. The Listing, on the doorstep of Cannon Street Station, is a stylish cocktail bar with live music, DJs and a cracking global food menu. This is a venue that knows its way around events, so there are various spaces and packages to choose from, as well as a dedicated Christmas menu of festive food.
The space is light and bright in the day thanks to its numerous floor-to-ceiling windows, with plants hanging overhead and chic furnishings. The atrium lies at the heart of the venue, serving as a social hub for all kinds of events. The main bar, meanwhile, is best for casual drinks and the hidden outdoor terrace is great for sunnier days.
The most pared-back package includes five canapes and five beers or a bottle of house wine per person, while the mid-level option adds a welcome glass of Prosecco, an extra beer and swaps in Sauvignon or Merlot. The most extravagant package, however, pulls out all the stops, featuring a festive Champagne cocktail welcome drink, six beers or a bottle of Sauivgnon/Merlot, four canapes and two bowls per person. The canape selection include tasty bites like duck spring rolls with plum sauce, crab and avocado tartlets with chilli oil, baked brie with cranberry sauce and mini macaroons.
For sit-down Christmas meals, you and your guests can enjoy starters like prawn and crayfish cocktails, parsnip soup or ham hock croquettes before the main event. Choose between roast turkey with all the trimmings, braised beef cheeks with fondant potatoes, seabass with rosti or a vegan wild mushroom and truffle risotto. Finally, finish of with a festive dessert like a classic Christmas pudding, sticky toffee pudding or ‘Christmas mess’ (meringue, cinnamon cream, winter berries and blackcurrant liqueur).