Venue Name:
Wagtail Restaurant & Rooftop Terrace
Category
BEST VENUE WITH A VIEW
Creativity, Style & Theme (Max 300 words)

Wagtail Rooftop, Restaurant & Terrace offers a unique winter retreat above London’s skyline, combining alpine charm with city glamour. This Christmas, Wagtail presents The Après Escape, a concept that transforms the venue into a sleek winter terrace inspired by mountain lodges and après-ski indulgence.

The concept celebrates festive elegance and high-energy experiences, blending sophisticated décor with playful seasonal touches. Wagtail’s design balances the iconic skyline of the City of London as its backdrop, paired with intimate alpine-inspired décor to create a space that is versatile for small gatherings, private dining, and large festive parties. The creative concept ensures that every visit is Instagram-worthy and memorable combining unmistakably premium experiences with thematic styling, inventive drinks, and panoramic city views.

By uniting high design, inventive cocktails, and London’s most breathtaking rooftop views, Wagtail delivers a festive concept that is both unique and instantly recognisable. It is a venue where style, creativity, and elevated views converge, providing a Christmas party experience that cannot be replicated elsewhere in the city.

Atmosphere & Guest Experience (Max 300 words)

Wagtail’s festive atmosphere is designed to immerse guests in the magic of winter high above London. The après-ski inspired décor, featuring fairy lights, pinecones, lanterns, and cosy blankets, sets the tone for celebrations that are both stylish and welcoming. Guests immediately feel transported from the city streets to a luxurious alpine terrace, with sweeping views of landmarks including The Shard, Monument, and St. Paul’s Cathedral.

The venue’s atmosphere is further enhanced by dynamic lighting, curated music, and live entertainment. Seasonal DJs provide a high-energy soundtrack for après-work drinks, evening parties, and late-night celebrations, while panoramic terrace views complement the vibrant energy inside. The space is carefully zoned to accommodate intimate private dining, group gatherings, and full venue events, ensuring the experience feels personalised for every guest. The combination of striking visuals, elevated styling, and high-quality service ensures that guests are immersed in the festive spirit from arrival to departure.

Wagtail delivers a memorable and multifaceted festive experience with the rooftop’s combination of design, entertainment, and panoramic views - making it one of London’s most desirable destinations for Christmas parties, offering experiences that linger long after the event ends.

Sustainability & Responsibility (Max 300 words)

Wagtail embraces environmental responsibility and community impact, aligning with ETM Collection’s wider sustainability initiatives. Seasonal décor is reused across years, reducing waste while maintaining a premium festive experience.

The venue also contributes to social responsibility, partnering with Magic Breakfast, a UK charity providing nutritious breakfasts to children who arrive at school hungry. From 1st January to 31st March, Wagtail adds a discretionary £1 donation to bills, providing nearly three breakfasts per donation. By helping children start their day well-nourished, the venue contributes to improved focus, wellbeing, and educational outcomes across the community.
Food sourcing is mindful, with seasonal ingredients used in festive menus wherever possible, and operational processes are designed to reduce waste and energy consumption. Drinks and catering follow best practice sustainability, including responsible glassware use, waste monitoring, and recycling initiatives.

By combining eco-conscious operations with charitable engagement, Wagtail ensures that festive celebrations are indulgent yet responsible. Guests can enjoy the panoramic skyline, immersive décor, and signature experiences knowing that the venue prioritises both environmental and social impact.

Food & Beverage (Max 300 words)

Wagtail’s festive menus combine seasonal sophistication with British culinary tradition, creating dining experiences that complement the venue’s panoramic views. From intimate lunches to large gatherings, the menu showcases the best seasonal produce, from Wood Pigeon with celeriac purée and blackberries, to Fillet Mignon with potato terrine and red wine jus, finished with indulgent Dark Chocolate Biscoff Swiss Roll. Menus are available from £65 per person, catering to parties of all sizes.

The Aprés Escape cocktail programme, produced in partnership with GREY GOOSE® Vodka, enhances the alpine-inspired concept with inventive festive serves. Guests enjoy cocktails such as the Tangerine Sour, Chocolate Orange Espresso Martini, Triple G Martini, and classic vodka martinis, alongside luxurious rituals like Goose Bumps with chilled vodka and caviar.

Flexible party packages elevate group celebrations, including premium canapés, large bites, and sliders, alongside bowl-food options for informal dining. Drinks packages provide four hours of unlimited beer, wine, spirits, and soft drinks for £75 per person, ensuring seamless and indulgent service across the rooftop and interior spaces.

Menus and drinks are designed to complement the après-ski theme and spectacular city views, encouraging guests to linger on the terrace while enjoying the food, drink, and festive ambience. Every detail—from flavours to presentation—is carefully crafted to enhance the overall experience.
By combining innovative menus, premium drinks, and tailored packages, Wagtail elevates Christmas celebrations to memorable events that engage all the senses, ensuring every guest enjoys a luxurious and immersive festive experience.

Event Management & Service (Max 300 words)

Wagtail delivers flawless event management through experienced event planners, structured operational processes, and highly trained staff. Each event is overseen from enquiry to execution, with planners ensuring menus, cocktails, décor, and layout are tailored to each client’s needs.

Staff training is comprehensive, covering advanced mixology, sommelier-led wine guidance, and customer service excellence. Teams are empowered to provide confident, attentive, and intuitive service, ensuring every guest feels welcomed and valued.

The venue accommodates a wide range of event sizes: exclusive hire for up to 360 guests, private dining in The Nest for 13, or terrace events for 60–100. Operations are coordinated meticulously to manage transitions between meals, drinks, and entertainment without disruption.

Managers monitor service quality via observation, feedback, and guest reviews, allowing proactive adjustments to maintain high standards. Every detail, from table settings to drink service, is designed to support a seamless and memorable guest experience.

By combining personalised planning, operational precision, and expert service, Wagtail ensures every Christmas celebration is executed flawlessly, leaving guests free to enjoy the rooftop views, festive décor, and curated experiences.

Entertainment & Add-ons (Max 300 words)

Entertainment at Wagtail is central to the high-energy après-ski experience. DJs provide music for brunches, dinners, and late-night celebrations, creating a lively festive atmosphere that energises guests. Curated lighting, fairy lights, and panoramic skyline views enhance the immersive experience, while cosy alpine touches encourage intimate and social moments.

Guests can enjoy bespoke cocktail packages from the GREY GOOSE® festive menu, including the Tangerine Sour and Chocolate Orange Espresso Martini. Premium food packages, such as canapés, large bites, and sliders, complement the drinks and encourage mingling and social interaction.
Exclusive seasonal experiences such as Goose Bumps - chilled vodka with caviar - add luxury and theatre to the celebrations, while terrace layouts provide flexibility for small and large groups. On New Year’s Eve, the venue capitalises on its iconic city views for unforgettable celebrations against London’s skyline.

The combination of music, immersive décor, curated drinks, and skyline vistas ensures Wagtail delivers unique, memorable, and high-energy entertainment that sets it apart in London’s Christmas market.

Why You Should Win (Max 300 words)

Wagtail stands out as a Christmas venue due to its uninterrupted 360 city views, alpine-inspired concept, and award-winning service. The rooftop’s transformation into The Après Escape combines stylish décor, cosy alpine touches, and fairy-lit terraces, offering guests a festive experience that is both memorable and visually striking.

Flexible venue hire accommodates groups from 13 to 360 guests, making it suitable for intimate gatherings, terrace parties, or full-scale events. Seasonal programming includes late-night DJs and exclusive curated cocktail menus in partnership with GREY GOOSE® Vodka.

The food and drink offering is exceptional, combining British winter classics with inventive twists, alongside premium cocktail packages and bespoke canapés. Every detail, from table settings to service, is meticulously planned to deliver a seamless and personalised experience.

Sustainability and social responsibility underpin operations, including energy-efficient systems and contributions to Magic Breakfast, ensuring that celebrations are indulgent and responsible.

By blending scale, style, immersive experiences, and unmatched skyline views, Wagtail offers a festive destination unlike any other in London. Its combination of creative theming, elevated service, flexible event capabilities, and breathtaking vistas ensures every guest enjoys a Christmas celebration that is luxurious, memorable, and unique.