WigWamBam! rooftop bar pops up at Queen of Hoxton

Inside the 'wigwam' at the Queen of Hoxton

After the success of the summer’s rooftop cinema, the Queen of Hoxton have created another hidden hang out spot right up in the Shoreditch skyline. Thursday night saw the opening of WigWamBam! a pop up bar timed nicely to hit the January lull. Climbing up the heavily muraled and graffitied stairwell, lit entirely by candles, certainly worked up a thirst. However, a warm welcome awaited at the top – quite literally. Emerging straight into the well-heated wigwam, it was hard to remember that it was outdoors. As chilly as a roof-top in January sounds, braziers on the decking and an open fire inside the wigwam itself kept everything toasty.

With log seats and the tented roof it felt somewhere between festival camping and Alpine chalet. Bratwurst were being served up from a huge circular grill suspended from the ceiling above the sawdust floor. The winter cosiness extends to the (cash only) bar, where hot buttered rum and mulled wine & cider are available.

Wigwambam! on the Queen of Hoxton's rooftop

Small, beach-hut like loos out on the decking mean there’s no need to climb back down again and instead you can sit back in one of the outdoor seats to admire the panoramic views over London, as well as the rather pleasing, if not slightly strange sight of crossed wigwam poles in front of soaring office blocks. A great deal of effort has been put in to making the most of the space, and creating something that feels a little bit different compared with the floors below. With a programme of live acoustic music promised over the next three months, it’s set to be an enjoyable addition to this Shoreditch mainstay. Head up whilst the clear, dry nights last.

WigWamBam! Queen of Hoxton Rooftop Bar
Open 4-10 pm, (venue open until later)
1-5 Curtain Road
Hackney
EC2A 3JX