This year, embrace Feliz Navidad instead of a typical Christmas lunch at a London boozer and book your festive gathering at Bar Kroketa St Christophers Place. Just off Oxford Street, the two-floor space brings a slice of Northern Spanish bar culture into central London, with glass doors opening onto a terrace designed to echo the feel of a busy plaza.
The layout naturally lends itself to group celebrations which is perfect for the merriest time of year. Upstairs, the main dining and bar area flows out onto the terrace, where guests can move between indoor and outdoor spaces with space for up to 34, while downstairs offers a more tucked-away setting with shared tables that work well for smaller groups or semi-private gatherings with capacity for 12 or 20 seated (depending on the set-up) or 30 standing.
Food centres on croquetas, the bar’s signature. Served fresh and changing regularly, they’re designed for sharing and work well in a festive setting where people are grazing rather than sticking to a fixed course structure. Fillings range from jamón and king prawn to piquillo pepper or wild mushroom, alongside more unexpected options like chocolate and salted caramel croquetas. Around these, a selection of tapas and small plates builds out the offering like pan con tomate, padrón peppers, patatas bravas and simple crisps and olives, creating a generous spread that's easy to dive into.
Drinks follow suit. Vermút, sidra and a curated list of wines sit alongside cocktails that have a playful edge. We like the sound of the Firebird Paloma, which mixes tequila, pepper-chili-agave syrup, lime, and grapefruit soda, or perhaps the indulgent Carogo Oculta (Oloroso, banana skin syrup, Chairman’s Reserved coffee & coco infused, soda, and caramelised banana foam).