Nestled right next to the historic Tower Bridge is a pop-up lodge that brings a taste of the après-ski lifestyle to London.
The Alpine Lodge (directly in front of Vicinity) creates a woodland setting, and is adorned with faux fur chair throws and snow-dusted evergreens, alongside lanterns and ski equipment. There's even a ski lift - just take a seat and ask a member of staff to turn on the snow machine for that Insta-worthy snap. Visitors can take in unbeatable views of the Thames and Tower Bridge, and you can spot The Shard in the distance.
The food offerings are tasty and comforting. There's The Ultimate Turkey Sandwich - a flame-grilled turkey burger, topped with bacon and cranberry sauce, tucked into a toasted brioche-style bun with a side of gravy for dipping, or the Chicken Schnitzel Burger, with sauerkraut and mustard mayo in a pretzel bun. I tried the veggie Bockwurst Hot Dog, which had a flavoursome topping of sauerkraut, ketchup, mustard and pickles. Depending on your appetite, you might also want to order the Loaded Rosti Potato Bites - topped with beef, chilli sauce, pickled red cabbage slaw and gherkins.
Every Thursday and Friday, guests can enjoy the Swiss fondue - a creamy blend of Emmental and Gruyere cheese melted with white wine, schnapps and garlic, and served with new potatoes, ciabatta and pickled onions for dipping. There's also a choice of pizzas on offer, and kids will love the waffles for dessert. Prices are reasonable, between £10-£13.50 for the hotdog/burgers, from £16 for a 12 inch stone-baked pizza, and between £4-£7 for the waffles.
The drinks menu serves the usual wines, beers, spirits and soft drinks, alongside wintery delights such as mulled cider, mulled wine, hot chocolate (enjoy with whipped cream and marshmallows or add a boozy shot), Aperol Spritz, and Alpine White - a cocktail of Finlandia vodka, Jack Daniel's Tennessee Fire, Captain Morgan dark rum, gomme syrup and coconut milk. I tried this tasty tipple, and it was creamy and refreshing - like a wintery version of a Piña Colada. Again, the prices were in line with what you'd expect to pay in the heart of London - around £7 for a pint, £11.50 for a 175ml glass of white wine, £12.25 for the Alpine White cocktail.
The Alpine Lodge doesn't require booking - you can just rock up and grab a table. So, if you're exploring the area over winter, drop in for a warming bite or a drink and the chance to take some fun photos. Find out more here.
Where: Alpine Lodge at The Vicinity, St Katherine's Way, London E1W 1LD - The Alpine Lodge is directly in front of Vicinity, which is situated in The Tower Hotel.
When: Open 12pm-7pm. Now until early March 2025.