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Hotels, restaurants and even underground cocktail bars; there are a ton of different venues to have your Crimbo do in Bath and Bristol...
ABBEY HOTEL
This place isn’t short of festive venues; the Apres-Ski pop-up Bar is back as of 24 November; the ArtBar will be mixing more outlandish cocktails than ever; the Igloo is a perfectly chilled space for a party; and Allium is cooking up set menus (from £27.50). It’s throwing in a cabaret night, Tenors Un Limited performance, fondue lunch parties and a Bavarian party, too. ✱ abbeyhotelbath.co.uk
AT-BRISTOL
The Science Centre has over 200 interactive exhibits to try out. Release your inner scientist and explore the bar laboratory, satisfy your senses with a three-course meal and feel the vibrations of the dance floor. ✱ at-bristol.org.uk
AVON GORGE HOTEL
Overlooking the Clifton Suspension Bridge, there are few more iconic Bristol settings than this hotel’s restaurant, which is offering everything from festive lunches (£19.95 for three courses) to casino-themed party nights (£45), which include a cocktail, three-course meal, roulette, blackjack, and a disco. ✱ theavongorgehotel.com
BAMBALAN
Bambalan looks set to make a big impression with its first Christmas; the festive menu (£20) takes its inspiration from North Africa and the Middle East,
with punchy, vibrant flavours in dishes like venison and prune tagine. ✱ bambalan.co.uk
BATH FUNCTION ROOMS This venue at Green Park Station offers a range of Xmas packages, with each including a ‘DIY disco’ and festive photo booth. Three-course dinners start at £29.50, or there’s the option of pizza cooked in the outdoor wood-fired oven with a glass of Prosecco for £15. ✱ bathfunctionrooms.co.uk
BISTROT PIERRE
As well as Christmas menus running from 1 December (the three-course lunch is £17.95 and the dinner £26.95), Bistrot Pierre is also offering a complimentary glass of fizz when you dine from the festive dinner menu 1-8 December (excluding Saturdays). And the Gallic generosity doesn’t stop there – organisers who book a large group meal get a £20 voucher. ✱ bistrotpierre.co.uk
BOCABAR
This Paintworks restaurant has nailed it when it comes to providing one of the coolest backdrops to a Christmas do, and its two-year-old Glastonbury sibling is doing great things too. Both sites are serving Xmas lunches (£21 for three courses, £17 for two) and dinners (£26 for three courses, £23 for two), as well as buffets (£18 per head) for larger parties. ✱ bocabar.co.uk
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BRISTOL HARBOUR HOTEL
Bristol’s newest hotel is a rather swanky Corn St affair. It’s going to be offering three-course Christmas lunches and dinners (£25 and £40), as well as party lunches and party nights (from £32.95), with bubbles, a three-course meal, wine and dancing. A great excuse to check out these new digs, we think. ✱ harbourhotels.co.uk
BROWNS
Whether you choose the splendour of the ex-Bristol University refectory or the magnificent former magistrates’ court in Bath, both branches offer a festive lunch menu (£24.95 for three courses) until 6pm, as well as a festive brunch at £14.95, which includes a glass of Champagne. ✱ browns-restaurants.co.uk
THE CASTLE INN
Dating from the 12th century and located in the heart of the pretty Castle Combe, The Castle Inn has a delicious Christmas menu (£26.50 for three courses or £20.95 for two) with dishes like deep-fried duck egg, and spicy braised pork belly with purple potatoes – that’s if the roast turkey doesn’t tempt you, of course. ✱ castle-inn.info
CAU
Argentinean steak restaurant CAU likes to do Xmas a bit differently, and its festive menu in Bristol and Bath is a
crumbsmag.com