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What's open on Christmas Day?

Ganesh

02:06 / 21.12.04

This is the first Christmas that Xoc and me are both in London, not committed to one or other parental hellhole, and I'm not working or on-call. We consequently find ourselves at something of a loss for stuff to, y'know, do. Okay, there's the champagne breakfast, the pressie-opening and we've booked a seven-course lunch in a looovely restaurant.

I'm kinda wondering about later on. It's a Saturday, so we'll doubtless be gripped by a deep, circadian urge to dance - but I'm pretty sure that London, as an entity, shuts down on Christmas Day, sinks into a Bagpuss-like slumber. One previous year (when I was on-call and horribly sober) we decided to go for a walk, and the whole place was weirdly empty. Silent and grey.

Anyone know of fabulous places to fritter one's cash on Christmas Day, in the City That Sometimes Sleeps?

Benny the Ball

05:56 / 21.12.04

Where, compass wise, are you both in London? There is always a local pub somewhere that is open, and to be honest, they can be fun and lively. But yeah, you're right, it does close almost totally.

STOATIE LIEKS CHOCOLATE MILK

05:59 / 21.12.04

I can't really be much help, I'm afraid, but the Guardian Guide this week had a great Caitlin Moran list of "Christmas dos and don'ts"... one of the "dos" was to wander about and pretend everyone's been killed by a mystery virus, leaving you to rule.

pointless and uncalled for

06:02 / 21.12.04

I'm going to be drinking in central London but not too sure where yet. If you want to give me a call on the day I should have some idea and you're more than welcome to come and join me and a bunch of lycra clad bikeys.

Other than that there are the places on the Edgeware Road that are open although mostly its Middle East/Asian restaurants and not too much hardcore boogie action going down there.

Lilly Nowhere Late

06:19 / 21.12.04

Listen boy'o's, all you need to do after the prezzies and the meal is wander to Stoke Newington to my house. You can drop all your cash at the door and I promise I'll put some music on the stereo which you can dance to.

Seriously, (i'm always serious about cash though) I noticed that Time Out has a fairly good listing of things to do. I bet it will mostly be down at yer locals but remembering that bezillions of Londoners do not celebrate xmiss, there must be something on.

I like Stoatie's recommendation!

mondo a-go-go

14:20 / 21.12.04

Getting out of the house sounds good...

I wonder how long it will take to walk to anywhere where other people are (I'll be in Belsize Park, feeling bored and probably murderous if my neighbours' antics are anything to go by at the moment...)

Jack Fear

14:46 / 21.12.04

Call me, trans-Atlantic, and I'll sing you a pretty song.

Lilly Nowhere Late

15:01 / 21.12.04

OK Jack Fear, YOU are transatlantic!
Now sing.
(i know you put in the commas, but it begged to be done...)

Jack Fear

15:11 / 21.12.04

That's why I put in the commas, ye little scamp.

I'm singing right now.
Listen very carefully.

I sound far-away but that's because I'm singing very softly.

Scrambled Password Bogus Email

15:28 / 21.12.04

Hey Anna!(now the Beard)

Where-abouts in BP? I'm there also.

Lilly Nowhere Late

05:48 / 22.12.04

This is truly the first time I have ever been called "little scamp".
Momentous.
Where is Belsize Park?
I'm starting to think it would be a good idea to actually invite strangers over for xmiss.
I paid for our local dustperson's breakfast yesterday, in secret, in a momentary rush of generosity. I feel really happy about that.
Has xmiss spirit gripped me? Or is it merely knowing that poor woman has swept up godzillions of my spent fag ends?

Tezcatlipoca

07:49 / 22.12.04

There is of course the television, Ganesh; the endless, horrible, unimaginative television with its oh-so-many charms and all too obvious Yuletide cheer.

Ganesh

19:49 / 22.12.04

I'm aware of the existence of television, thanks.

The local pub has a certain appeal. Club-wise, I see Crash (gay club, Arch 66, Goding Street, Vauxhall) is open. Never been there, but now might be the time to give it a go...

Ganesh

23:45 / 22.12.04

It might be nice, though, to know which Barbeloids are at a loose-ish end on Christmas Day. We could always meet up, and make our own entertainment.

(Maybe I should start a Gathering thread?)

ONLY NICE THINGS

00:28 / 23.12.04

I may be up for that, but Transport for Anal Fisting London is refusing to reveal how and whether any forms of transport might be running on Christmas Day, so it's a bit more complicated...

pointless and uncalled for

06:24 / 23.12.04

Nothing will be running on Christmas day withthe exception of a few unhelpful services. Your only option is to either rent a car or find out which taxi firms are doing business.

mondo a-go-go

20:18 / 23.12.04

I am just off Haverstock Hill on the left side as you walk down it from the tube station towards Chalk Farm ( I know that isn't very clear, but sod it, I don't want everyone reading this to know where my home is!)

Lilly, Belsize Park is on the Northern Line, two stops up from Camden Town and one down from Hampstead. Between the Heath and Primrose Hill (and I can foresee that I will prolly end up clambering to the top of that or Parliament Hill)

'Nesh, I PMed you my phone number since I doubt I'll be online again before Xmas.

Cherielabombe

20:36 / 23.12.04

You can always go shopping at Heathrow, all the stores are open. That's what I'm gonna do! Oh, and catch a flight, of course.

It's been my experience that you can get cabs on Christmas day, and if you call around you don't even have to pay an arm and a leg for one.

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