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| | It’s almost here! 12 days until Christmas! With that in mind, now is the time to take festivities up a gear. For a little inspiration, we’ve covered all the Christmas hits for you like a gin pop-up, a staycation and even included some carols. Whatever you do, enjoy!
Ho, ho, ho.
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| | EAT: | | | El Pastor | |  | | | By now you know we’ve been counting down the days for the Hart Brothers’ latest launch – El Pastor (we do love a taco). Just opened (in Borough), expect quality ingredients and an in-house tortilla factory – this is no average Mexican! Menu highlights include a range of veggie or fish tacos, tostadas and lots of fresh salsa. Tequila and Mexican beers are a given. Olé!
| | | | Now open, 7a Stoney Street, SE1 9AA
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| | DRINK: | | | Ginvent | |  | | | Tis the year of gin – and if you haven’t quite had your fill yet, here’s a Ginvent pop-up bar in the heart of Soho. For one weekend only, Gin Foundry gets you sorted with festive cocktails, speed tasting and 24 different gins to sample from the calendar, with everything from barrel aged to fruit infused. It’s time for a booze-filled countdown.
| | | | 16th- 18th December, The Vinyl Factory, 51 Poland Street, W1F 7BE
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| | TREAT: | | | Spa at the M | |  | | | Urban escape anyone? Shoreditch might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think relaxation and chilled vibes but the new Spa at the M by Montcalm is where you’ll get a pick-me-up this season. Try out the pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and the Natura Bisse city detox. Plus, there’s something called ‘The Blissful Facial’, which, after a late Christmas party night, sounds like bliss.
| | | | Prices vary, 151-157 City Road, EC1V 1JH
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| | LISTEN: | | | UJ’s Spotify Christmas Cheese Playlist | |  | | | Michael Bublé, Mariah and ahem, Justin Bieber? Well, it is Christmas. Press play!
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| | TRY: | | | The Holy Birds | | | Sponsored Listing | |  | | | Having just opened at the end of November, The Holy Birds is our new stop-off point when we’re at Spitalfields. The Calabrese brothers’ latest venture combines first-class cocktails (naturally) and poultry – The Holy Bird – in surroundings that celebrate the music of the 60s. Look up, one of the interior highlights is the Murano glass chandelier. Plus on Saturdays, they offer a bottomless Babycham brunch. We’re sold.
| | | | Times and prices vary, 94 Middlesex Street, Spitalfields, E1 7EZ
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| | SHOP | | | Barry The Cactus | |  | | | This year we’re trading the ol’ tree in for Barry the Cactus. This low maintenance gem only needs some daylight (though that could be hard…) and water every few weeks. With the online cactus shop still pending, head into their pop up shop at Soho Radio to get your own Barry. Can’t make it in? Email with your request. #spikeupyourlife.
| | | | Soho Radio, 22 Great Windmill Street, W1D 7LD
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| | SEE: | | | Some Voices Present Christmas Movies | |  | | | Want to sing with 400 of your closest friends in Elephant and Castle? Neither do we, but some say it’s FESTIVE FUN! Head to the Coronet to sing all your favourite Christmas movie tunes – including songs from Love Actually and that Oasis one from the John Lewis advert. There will also be candy cane cocktails and a DJing Santa to add to the festive vibes. Christmas jumpers optional.
| | | | Tickets from £17, 13th – 14th December, doors open from 7pm, The Coronet, 28 New Kent Road, SE1 6TJ
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| | ROUND UP: | | | Art Basel 2016 | | 
Photo: © Sam Deitch/BFA.com | | | Last week we hit the ground running in Miami to take in the shows, parties, and general mayhem that is Art Basel, all from our base camp at the new ME Miami.
| | | | Read all about our highlights
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| | GO: | | | Great Northern Hotel | |  | | | Not going away for Christmas? Haven’t got any gifts sorted? Don’t panic, there’s still time. Book in at the Great Northern Hotel, get a Fortnum & Mason stocking and binge on sea salted caramel truffles (which they provide). Then head to Paris in the AM (this one’s on you). Christmas treat sorted.
| | | | King’s Cross St Pancras Station, Pancras Road, N1C 4TB
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| | SEE: | | | A Christmas Carol at The Vaults | |  | | | The Vaults Theatre gets the Fitzrovia Radio Hour treatment this Christmas as the Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol, gets a makeover as a live 1940s-style studio recording. Expect ghosts, sharp suits and a festive welcome treat to get you in the spirit for this rendition. No snoozing here. Bah humbug.
| | | | Now until 31st December. Tickets from £20, Launcelot Street, SE1 7AD
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| | BOOK: | | | Italian Adventure | |  | | | Love Italy? Feel like a trip with good wine and great pasta is on the cards? Then check out Tuscany Now & More, the experts on anything in the area. From cars and villas, to restaurants, tours, and anything else you can think of, they can recommend the best of everything, tailor made for you.
| | | | Read all about our time in Tuscany with Tom Aikens, and a truffle hunt here
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Reproductions of any portion of this website only with our express permission. Urban Junkies is a free weekly mailer. All listings and features are editorial: We do not receive any payment from venues, artists or promoters. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of information listed but we cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions.
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