Burns Night 2018 in London: Alternative celebrations across the capital

Burns Night just wouldn't be Burns Night without haggis, Scotch and plenty of poetry, but that shouldn't mean all festivities need be strictly traditional; this year raising a dram to the great Rabbie Burns has never been quirkier. ​

Head to this Soho taqueria for a Scottish taco. Those two words might not seem a natural fit but the Corazon team have teamed up with Mac & Wild and come up with the venison carne asada, using M&W’s celebrated Ardgay meats. They’ve mixed up the venison with achiote marinade, pickled turnip, crispy fried kale leaves, smoky chipotle sauce and redcurrant. Frankly, what could have been a car crash sounds entirely delicious. It’s also available at the Mac & Wild in Fitzrovia.

Until the end of the month, 29 Poland St, Soho, W1F 8QR, corazonlondon.co.uk

Thought venison tacos were strange? Try haggis tacos. Yes, really – and miraculously, they’ve even managed a vegan option. They’re laying them on with “Scottish” Pina Colada slushies, made with a hearty slug of Dewar’s.

Jan 25, The Curtain, 45 Curtain Road, EC2A 3PT, thecurtain.com​

Radio 4 Kitchen Cabinet pair Andi Oliver and Rachel McCormack have teamed up. Oliver’s taking care of the food, twisting Scottish staples into the likes of haggis-stuffed aloo tikki, while McCormack lays on whisky pairings.

Jan 25, Andi's, 176 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0JL, andis.london

Bog standard brick and mortar restaurant too dull? BrewDog’s small batch spirits company LoneWolf have got together with pop-up maestros The Art of Dining for a night of smoked salmon, haggis pie and lots of cocktails. They’re warming up on Jan 23 & 24 with a gin n’ tonic vending machine, too.

Jan 25, Old Street underground station, EC1Y 1BE, eventbrite.co.uk

This decent east London bar is promising “an absurdist Burns night”. Besides plenty of cocktails and lots and lots of whisky, there’ll be spoken word and performance and sound art from an array of acts. There’ll also be music courtesy of Piper Gordon the highlander.

Jan 25, 489 Hackney Rd, E2 9ED, thenatural-philosopher.com

Don’t tell the Italians: on a base of truffle gorgonzola and mushroom – already an iffy combo – Goat are adding haggis. Yes, London now has haggis pizza. Still, the whisky flight which can be ordered alongside it looks to be excellent value (£16 for four very respectable drams across Scotland), they've got a whisky cocktail masterclass upstairs and they’re offering up your first martini half price until the end of January.

Jan 25, 333 Fulham Rd, SW10 9QL, goatchelsea.com​

Seemingly the most straightforward one of this list, unless you know those involved. Scientific cocktailist Matt Whiley is stirring up whisky mixes to go with a menu of Scottish-inspired treats from top chef Adam Handling, best known for his Frog restaurants. Both are known for their innovative and decidedly different approach to pairing flavours, so expect something out of the ordinary. There’ll also be performances from the aptly named Loud Poets. If you can’t make Thursday, they’re doing something similar on Tuesday Jan 23 at The Lamb Tavern in Leadenhall Market.

Jan 25, 363-365 How's Street, E2 8EE, eventbrite.com