Hearth Felt
Here’s something you never see when walking into a bar – an open fire with absolutely no one around it. We’ve been gathering in front of fires for a natter for 1.5 million years, which is when academics believe that humankind first began interacting with the naked flame. At first, fires provided warmth and light, the flames helping ward off unwelcome visitors of the animal kind, its smoke deterring insects. But then, as meeting places for a community, fires began to provide a social function. Simply put, without the communal fire, languages are likely to have developed differently and more slowly.
Granted, evolutionary theory is unlikely to be at the forefront of our minds when huddled around a fire. But many of the same qualities that attracted our ancestors remain pertinent – though these days, animals are encouraged to curl up around the hearth with a bowl of water and a Bonio rather than be moved away. An open fire not only provides comfort, they are multi-sensory experiences. Researchers at Southeastern Louisiana University say they become a focal point when you are with friends, drawing you in, enhancing conversation, helping to prevent distraction from any outside stimulation. With winter beginning to bite, we’ve collected five of the best bars, eateries and cafes in which you can fire up conversation or just hunker down and bask in the warm glow.
Temper, W1 WC2
The streets of central London have been attracting London’s night-time bon viveurs for centuries. The key to success here, always, has been to put on a bit of a show – Temper does that in spades. The restaurant has two spots in the West End; one on Mercer Walk in Covent Garden, and another situated in a Broadwick Street basement in Soho. Both major on meat and open-fire cookery. And before you feel guilty about all that carnivorous fun, bear in mind that Temper source all their cattle directly from farms, and butcher them in-house, which, the restaurant group says, leads to less food waste, and cuts down on meat consumption. The flames are pretty impressive too: the Soho restaurant has a six-metre firepit, while the Covent Garden branch’s glowing coals are just as impressive. Grab a seat in either restaurant, and you’re right at the heart of the operations in this carnivore’s idea of heaven, to feed your eyes and your stomach, as well as thaw out after mooching around icy city streets. A long central firepit is the fuel for Temper’s chefs to do an endless dance of the grilled steaks, as well as providing a mesmeric visual focus. Trust us – it’s strictly no jacket required here.
25 Broadwick Street, London W1F 0DF; 5 Mercer Walk, Mercers Yard, London, WC2H 9FA
The Gun, E14
This sprawling, Grade II-listed Docklands pub has plenty going for it, and not just its views across to the emerging Peninsula, to the looming presence of The O2 arena. There’s its decor, which doubles as a military history lesson, and head chef Matt Colk’s British-leaning menu that includes a range of 45-day aged Hampshire rare breed steaks. But tucked away in the snug, musket-festooned Gun Room is an open fire that provides warmth and light on frozen nights by the Thames. Lord Nelson, who used to live up the road, was a regular at The Gun – upstairs in the River Room he carried out illicit meetings with his lover, Lady Emma Hamilton. Rather than flames of passion, bag yourself a chair in the Gun Room and encounter a blaze of a rather more sedate kind.
27 Coldharbour, Docklands, London E14 9NS
https://www.thegundocklands.com/
The Pelton Arms, SE10
Greenwich is at the centre of the world, both geographically and temporally. Walk down Pelton Road, past Georgian terraced houses, towards The Pelton Arms – a solid and inviting-looking corner pub near The Cutty Sark – and you may feel like you’ve wandered back in time. The Pelton is the antithesis of Mama Fuego. This is no architect-designed glass palace with views over the Thames; it’s just the sort of lively, inviting neighbourhood hangout that London is so rich in. And just like Mama Fuego, you can curl up with a drink on velvet-covered seats by the fireside. Board games, dominoes and bar billiards carry on the trad pub theme – but, fireplace aside, it’s the Pelton’s status as a live venue, where blues, ska and R&B dominate, that further elevates its status as hidden Greenwich gem.
23-25 Pelton Road, Greenwich, London SE10 9PQ
The Plume of Feathers, SE10
When it comes to keeping the fires burning, few pubs have as much experience as The Plume of Feathers. Nearly 330 winters have come and gone since it was built in 1691 to slake the thirsts of coach travellers on their way to and from Kent. Today, it serves the dog walkers and strollers from Greenwich Park, which you’ll find behind the beautiful old wall right across the road. It’s a CAMRA-recommended establishment, so you’re guaranteed a decent pint of beer, and there’s a menu of pub faves delivered in generous portions – they’re big on burgers here, like the Police Escort, served with stilton and portobello mushroom. And then there’s the fire in the dining area, roaring away during the winter months. For freezing/rain-soaked patrons and their hounds, there’s a portable heater on hand to help dry you both out if the fireplace has been commandeered.
19 Park Vista, Greenwich, London SE10 9LZ
