Festive season is upon us and, in the spirit of celebration, there’s no better time of year to visit great new bars than December. It might be cold outside but with cocktail bars centring around wood fires in London and spicy South American flavours in Japan’s Niseko ski resort, there are new bars to keep you warm this winter.
Some of the openings this month are second iterations of many already successful bars. From Ryan Chetiyawardana’s Seed Library to Luca Dusi’s Passione Vino, expect new editions of old favourites, as some of the drinks world’s most celebrated names continue to bring their celebrated cocktail and wine lists to new audiences. Take a peek below to discover the best new bars to open this December.
The best new bars to visit in December 2025
Passione Vino
London
Passione Vino has been a staple in Shoreditch for more than a decade, existing as part shop, part bar, part restaurant where East Londoners can order homemade pasta whilst choosing from a seriously good Italian wine list. The team behind this beloved spot will now be serving a slice of la dolce vita in Clerkenwell, as they open up the second iteration of Passione Vino in a disused tattoo parlour on Exmouth Market. Alongside what promises to be an impressive and explorative wine list, there will be an excellent food offering, centred around the sandwich. Expect fluffy, warm loaves of Altamura and Schiacciata stuffed with fillings from oxtail to smoked trout and more. With the connections that are forged over a bottle of wine existing as the basis of this space, owner Luca Dusi intends to host supper clubs, wine tastings and more, with the intention of bringing as many people together as possible.
Open now, passionevino.co.uk
Seed Library
New York
Another second venture opening up this December is Ryan Chetiyawardana’s Seed Library, who will be making home at the Hotel Park Avenue in New York. The original bar at One Hundred Shoreditch in London has built a strong reputation for serving excellently crafted drinks without pretence. As one of the most celebrated bartenders in the world, Chetiyawardana has opened a string of bars across Europe, include London’s White Lyan and Lyaness, and Seed Library represents his second spot in the states. Expect a frequently changing drinks menu that focuses on sustainability and experimentation within a causal and friendly atmosphere.
Open now, seedlibrarynyc.com
Smokey Kudu
London
Smokey Kudu, the cocktail bar at South African restaurant Kudu in Marylebone, boasts a cocktail menu inspired by South African ingredients and south London spirit. An inventive list of more than 15 drinks includes the Braai Negroni – tarragon, mezcal, Gran Classico, vermouth, Noilly Prat and Campari – and the SE15 Martini – bucchu, vodka, gin and Cocchi Americano, offering fresh takes on the classics that sit alongside a variety of original serves. With pages and pages of spirits and digestifs, the options are extensive and include some huge South African names, including wines from Klein Constantia, Mullineux and Graham Beck.
Open now, kuducollective.com
Tepache
Niseko
Taking its name from a fermented pineapple drink that originated in Mexico, Tepache is set to be Hokkaido’s largest agave bar, with an extensive list of mezcals and Tequilas to warm the souls of locals and skiers alike. Opening just in time for the winter season, Tepache is billed as a haven for adventure seekers, as it sits within Niseko’s steep slopes. Its extensive agave-led list will also include cocktails such as the Tepache Highball – Tequila, house-made umeshu and fermented tepache soda – and the Signature Margarita – Tequila, Cointreau, wine syrup, yuzu and lime. Alongside a creative drinks list will be a selection of bar snacks inspired by Central America. Expect mouthwatering ceviche, as well as hearty enchiladas and tacos, all of which will incorporate local ingredients, to give a Japanese twist on Mexican classics. The perfect spot to head for apres-ski.
Opens 12 December, tepache-niseko.com
Fuego
London
From the team behind Arros QD restaurant in Fitzrovia, say hello to Fuego, a new cocktail bar inspired by the a love of smoky flavours. Putting their own chargrilled spin on more traditional serves, Fuego will be harnessing all things fire, with cocktails such as the Sol Y Humo – red vermouth, crisped grapefruit, smoked paprika syrup and cava – and the Brasa Roja – gin, Campari, smoked rosemary and burnt orange vermouth – featuring on the list. For those who want a flavour of Arros QD, Fuego will also be serving up a variety of bar snacks, including stone bass ceviche, gildas and a charcoal Iberian pork skewer.
Open now, arrosqd.com
