As we turn a fresh page onto a new year, our attention turns to ways in which to ease the so-called 'January blues'.
Transitioning from the festive season (which often means a jam-packed social schedule) can be difficult, made harder by cold weather, grey skies and an often limited post-Christmas cash flow. Luckily, London's offering of things to do in the capital this month adds a healthy dose of excitement to our calendars.
From world-renowned performances at the Royal Albert Hall to the best places for 'no & low' tipples for Dry January, HELLO! rounds up the unmissable restaurants, bars, and cultural highlights to have on your radar to start your 2025 in style.
Best things to do in London in January

Be mesmerised at Cirque du Soleil at the Royal Albert Hall
Every year, world-renowned performers take over London's Royal Albert Hall as Cirque du Soleil brings electrifying acrobats, jaw-dropping trapeze artists and belly-laugh entertainment to the city.
To celebrate 40 years of dreaming the impossible, Cirque du Soleil brings their most joyous and jubilant show to London, CORTEO.
With unique staging, creating an intimate and immersive experience, CORTEO will present countless feats of spellbinding acrobatics including aerial acts swinging from chandeliers and floating over the audience, CORTEO is a timeless celebration in which mesmerising stunts will make you question where illusion ends and reality begins.
To book tickets, visit www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/events/2025/corteo

Run and rave with Plenish
Haven't you heard? Run clubs are the new dance clubs. If you're free on Friday 31 January, lace up for the perfect wake-up call with Plenish's Run & Rave event.
Expect an exhilarating wake-up with movement, music, and plant-powered refreshments.
Attendees will start by choosing their favourite Plenish shot before setting off on a 6km run through the heart of central London. Returning to the Runlimited store for an unforgettable morning rave, with an exclusive set hosted by popular Radio 1 DJ, Sarah Story.
Runlimited, London, EC2V 6AH, 7-10am, sign up for free via Eventbrite.
Best restaurants to visit in January
If you think the start of the year is blue, why not brighten your days with a slice of London's unrivalled food scene? From new restaurant openings to seasonal menus, HELLO! shares their favourite bites of the month...

Spice up your life at Hutong
Luxe Chinese dining destination Hutong, is a glamorous, high-end restaurant that boasts incredible views of the London skyline. Situated within the Shard, the restaurant is a popular destination with discerning diners who are looking for a special or memorable experience.
One of my favourite cuisines is Asian and I typically eat a lot of fish and meat when I'm dining out, so I have decided to make a particular effort to add more plant-based meals into my diet this year. So I was genuinely pleased to discover that Hutong is offering a special Jasmin Vegetarian and Vegan menu this month!
Priced at £70 per person, the set menu stacks up an array of flavoursome dishes including a Chinese leek spicy pepper soup, spring rolls, and corn and mushroom dumplings to start, and wok-tossed lotus root and chilli-infused tofu for main. For dessert, you’ll be presented a delightful chocolate tart, and you can choose from a curated selection of alcohol-free cocktails too, if you’re still going strong with Dry January.
Book your visit at hutong.co.uk
Reviewed by Arianna Chatzidakis, Creative Content Director

Experience steaks in a unique way at Bricco e Bacco
A steak dinner is always a special occasion, and while a chain restaurant can hit that spot, sometimes that ultimate flavour just isn't there. Thankfully, Bricco e Bacco is no chain restaurant and the central London establishment certainly delivers when it comes to having that succulent piece of meat.
Nestled a ten-minute walk from Oxford Circus underground, getting to this Sicilian restaurant is incredibly easy and you are in for a treat when you walk through the doors. On the menu is a selection of high-quality steaks, ranging from the Japanese wagyu to the UK's shorthorn to the Spanish Rubia Gallega, which I settled on. The menu also handily ranks each steak on its marbling, softness and flavour while our server explained our choice in further detail, allowing you to have more of a experience than just a simple dinner, something the establishment prides itself on.
We didn't have to wait too long for the steak to arrive and when it did, the steak was still cooking on Himalayan salt rocks, allowing you to choose just how rare you like it. Want it a bit more well-done, then just press it into the rocks for a bit longer, but if you prefer yours blue or rare, then just take it off. For those of you who do prefer on the more well-done side, the rocks don't stay hot forever, so cook in a batch as opposed to cook one, eat one, cook the next. And when you're finished, the steak will be taken back into the kitchen and the last slithers of meat on the bone will be taken off for you, and those were some of the best parts of the meal.
Every part of this steak hit in the way I wanted it to. I went off steaks for a small part of my life, but this has completely revived my love of them and if my stomach had room for it, I would happily have ordered a second portion.
It wasn't just the steaks that delighted, a starter of bruschetta (which I can now pronounce properly thanks to our host) was the perfect appetiser, while the dessert of Pititto al Limone made me wish I hadn't agreed to split it with my friend. I could happily eat that every day of the week.
The only downside is the cost. Settled in Fitzrovia, it's not a cheap restaurant, with our steak coming out at £170 per kg. However, I can say it was worth every single penny and is without a doubt one of the best meals I've had since living in London. If you can afford it, you absolutely have to go and if you can't, it's worth saving up for.
Reviewed by: Matthew Moore, Online News Writer

Try Sucre’s new Argentinian fire dining roast
Located in the heart of Soho, Sucre’s new Argentinian Fire Dining Roast offers a compelling culinary spectacle every Sunday, combining rustic open-fire cooking with South American flair.
I started with the Chorizo Platter, and honestly, it was a brilliant way to kick things off. The sausages were smoky and had just the right amount of spice. For the main, I tried the bavette steak with chimichurri, which was tender and full of flavour. For non-meat eaters, the menu includes options like the celeriac risotto, making sure everyone has something to enjoy.
Dessert was a real highlight with the indulgent Dulce de Leche fondant served alongside smooth mascarpone cream, a sweet and satisfying end to a flavourful meal.
I also tried one of their cocktails, the ‘Latino Americano’. It featured Tanqueray gin, Ilegal Mezcal, Cocchi Vermouth and pink grapefruit soda. The drink was refreshing with a nice smoky edge from the mezcal, so definitely worth trying!
What stood out the most was the atmosphere - the open flames create a cosy, inviting vibe, and its' perfect for whether you’re catching up with friends or just enjoying a laid-back meal.
If you’re in the area on a Sunday, it’s worth checking out.
More information at https://sucrerestaurant.com/london/
Reviewed by Rafael Rubio, Global Director of Audience Development

Indulge in Asian delicacies at Tattu
Tattu offers a selection of small and larger dishes, including signatures such as wok fried angry bird, delicious chicken smothered in roasted chilli peppers, cashews and sesame soy - come highly regarded this did not disappoint!
We also ordered melt in your mouth sticky beef short rib, sliced into succulent pieces alongside stunning wagyu beef dumplings presented in a decadent bamboo steamer, almost too good to eat! There is quite literally something for everyone, whether you love seafood, a kick of spice or some classic egg noodles.
Portion sizes are very reasonable so whether you're visiting with a group or just two, the small plates between you all go a long way. Tattu isn't only open for dinner, they offer a fabulous lunch menu with 2 courses for £34.90 or 3 courses for £39.90.
To book, visit https://tattu.co.uk/
Reviewed by Lauren Connolly, Senior Digital Designer

LEON'S delicious New Year menu
For my lunchtime treat, I opted for the herby falafel wrap, and let me tell you, it was the perfect choice for a midday pick-me-up. It was bursting with flavour, and the filling was a delightful mix of crispy onions and tangy pickles. Naturally, I couldn't resist adding a side of pickled cucumber. And because one side is never enough, I indulged in my all-time favourite, the Leon Baked Fries – golden, crunchy, and incredibly satisfying.
To top it all off, I treated myself to an iced chai latte from the Golden Drinks Glow range. Is it still too cold for iced drinks? Maybe, but I couldn’t resist! It was refreshingly creamy and paired perfectly with the delicious warm food.
I’ll definitely be back soon, and the Korean BBQ Pork wrap is already calling my name.
Reviewed by Iona MacRobert, Editorial Assistant
Best bars to visit in London in January
Doing Dry January doesn't mean you have to pass on visiting some of London's most exclusive bars, stylish speakeasies and cosy pubs this month. From tempting tipples to non-alcoholic cocktails, here is where HELLO! has been sipping this month.

Step back in time at Cahoots
If you're a fan of quirky bars then Cahoots latest opening on the edge of Borough Market needs to be on your list.
You'll be fully immersed in the best parts of 1940's Britain as you enter through the Post Office facade. If you've been to any of the other Cahoots locations you'll know that they don't do theming by halves.
Every nook and cranny is expertly adorned with whimsical, postal themed nik-naks that let your imagination run wild.
Sticking to the theme you'll be greeted by a cheery postal worker on entry where you'll take part in a quick role play, before being ushered through a hidden door. Once inside the two-floor bar you'll be mesmerised by the attention to detail.
For the full theatrics, we recommend ordering the Pamela cocktail that arrives with a flourish of dry ice and flashing lights or Signed, Sealed, Delivered, a delicious blend of gin and Aperol that shoots through the overhead mail sorting system and arrives with an overhead tannoy announcement for you to go and collect.
To book, visit www.cahoots.co.uk/cahoots-postal-office
Reviewed by Lydia Mormen, Junior Beauty Writer

Sing away your January blues at BAM Karaoke Box
Having booked a booth at BAM Karaoke Box in Victoria for a small group of friends last summer, I can attest that the venue is the ultimate girls night out. With 22 private karaoke rooms and a range of cocktails, playlists and finger food, it’s a real mood-boosting activity to book if you’re feeling low. And mood-boosting is definitely what I need in January, when the highs of the festive season are over and it’s dark and cold outside.
Luckily, this on Monday 20th January, BAM’s karaoke rooms, which host up to 35 people will be available to book for just £5 per person, which is a fraction of the usual cost, and all in aid of CALM Charity.
You can sing from a curated ‘Blue Monday’ playlist, plus make use of the ‘Happiest Hour’ from 6-7pm which features food and drink for just £2. Genius!
Book your visit here www.designmynight.com
Reviewed by Arianna Chatzidakis, Creative Content Director
Best coffee shops to visit in January
Kickstart 2025 with London's newest functional lattes
If you’re kicking off the new year with an eye for healthier options but still craving your coffee fix, you'll want to mark your calendar for a visit to Black Sheep Coffee. Starting January 8, their new Functional Latte range is worth checking out. HELLO!'s Audience team tried the Get the Glow Latte first, infused with a unique mushroom blend and marine collagen. It’s designed to enhance your skin's radiance, and honestly, it felt like a treat to sip something that felt so indulgent yet beneficial. The Gut Revival Latte was next on our list, packed with prebiotic fibres aiming to balance your digestive health, a great choice if you’re looking to reset after the festive indulgence.
For those needing a mental boost, the Lion’s Mane Latte offers clarity in a cup. It’s smooth, subtly flavored, and just what you need to sharpen your focus on a chilly January morning. And if you prefer something cold, their Functional Iced Lattes come with the same health-focused benefits. The Turmeric Matcha line isn't to be overlooked either; both the hot and iced versions blend the spicy warmth of turmeric with the earthiness of top-notch Japanese matcha. It's a vibrant, creamy concoction that adds a bit of zest to your day and is perfect for those looking for something a bit different from the usual coffee or tea.