If you're on the look out for a special place to host a Christmas get-together this year, you can't go wrong with The Gun in Spitalfields. With multiple spaces and a capacity of up to 300 guests, the team here take Christmas hosting seriously.
Step one: choosing your space. The Gun has all the spirit of a traditional East London boozer but with a contemporary twist, offering trendy interiors and industrial touches, alongside a history that remarkably dates back to the 17th-century. Whether your party size is big or small, there'll be a space for you.
For dinners of 25 people or standing events for up to 40, The Half Lounge has a casual feel. You can also take over the Full Lounge, which increases your capacity to 50 people for seated dinners and 80 people for standing events. If something cosy and atmospheric is what you pictured, The Forest features a hanging floral installation and has space for 25 people seated and 35 standing. While The Snug is a stylish, little bolthole with petrol-blue banquettes and statement chairs, with space for 30 - for dinner only. Finally, total takeover is an option, for up to 300 people.
But, something that makes The Gun really, truly a special choice for Christmas is the festive menu, which the team spend months designing. While dishes are still subject to change, you guests could enjoy starters such as chicken, pancetta and apricot terrine with house pickles, as well as roast beetroot, chicory, whipped feta, cranberry and Granny Smith salad.
For mains, you can't go wrong with Roast crown of Norfolk turkey, pigs in blankets, chestnut and thyme stuffing, roasted roots, sprouts and roast potatoes, but there's also options like baked North Sea cod fillet with soft herb crust, kale, pink fir potatoes and saffron velouté, though the Confit Creedy Carver duck leg with creamed mash sounds delicious, too.