As the trade gears up for the festive season, London has become dotted with an array of pop-up bars to draw in crowds of discerning drinkers. With some backed by brands, and others by bars and restaurants, one thing’s clear: the trend has moved on from the typical set menu-style affair and the drinks have become the star of the show.

Cointreau’s offering in Piccadilly – Cointreau Privé – has been created in association with burlesque queen Dita von Teese, with the décor themed around her own LA abode and coming complete with an array of live entertainment, signature Cointreau cocktails and a 4am license on Fridays and Saturdays.

Also showcasing a cabaret/speakeasy hybrid is Patrón XO Cafe Noir, in the heart of Soho. Running for only three nights, there will be cocktail masterclasses for guests, followed by a Christmas quiz hosted by performance artist Jonny Woo, who will also be in charge putting the evening’s entertainment together.

A more food-centric offering, is the Disappearing Dining Club’s Too Much Is Never Enough pop-up in Bethnal Green (pictured), where guests enjoy each course of their dinner on a different floor. There’s still a heavy slant towards drinks though, as each is accompanied by a complimentary cocktail, made with spirits from the Bacardi Brown-Forman Brands portfolio.

Fitzrovia cocktail bar Bourne and Hollingsworth is also entering into the spirit of things with their new venture, The Fourth Wall ‘London’s first wandering bar’. Heading east to Shoreditch, each weekend a replica of the original bar is assembled in a secret location, with the address only decipherable through hints sent to email subscribers – this week’s was a crossword puzzle. The furniture, music, decor and drinks list have all been devised to perfectly mimic the bar itself, proving once and for all that it is possible to be in two places at once.

Cointreau Privé will be open at a secret location from 29 November to 17 December from Wednesday to Sunday. Visit the Cointreau Privé website to book tickets

Patrón XO Cafe Noir will be open at Bureau Club, Unit 2, 13 Kingly Court, London, W1B 5PW, from 29 November to 1 December. Visit the Patrón Social Club website to reserve your place.

Too Much Is Never Enough can be found at 123 Bethnal Green Road, London, E2 7DG until 22 December, from Tuesday to Thursday. For more information visit the Disappearing Dining Club website.

The Fourth Wall pops up in East London on Fridays and Saturdays. To sign up for more information visit The Fourth Wall website.

News item from Imbibe.com, 25-11-2011