Prepare for your January health kick halo to slip. Make way for an abundance of plaid, pipers, and potatoes. Here are six of the best Burns Night blow-outs.

You don’t have to be Scottish to embrace Burns Night. It’s basically a gigantic birthday bash for the poet Robert Burns – and we’re all invited. After a month in our PJs, working an impressive body-shaped dent into the sofa, it’s time to haul ass and go out-out. Wear head-to-toe plaid and enjoy a night of piping and poetry. Here are six foodie spots to party this weekend…

The Beehive White Waltham – Thu 23 Jan

It’s sitting pretty in the Top 50 Gastropubs in the UK (No 8, to be precise) so a Burn Night Supper, courtesy of chef Dominic Chapman is going to seriously good. You’ll be playing Burns Night bingo here – piper, poetry, haggis, whiskey… HOUSE. What’s on the menu? Smoked salmon Blinis, Cullen Skink, Haggis, neeps and tatties, Cranachan and a wee dram. £55pp.

 

The Corn Stores, Reading – Thu 23 Jan

Not your average pub by a long shot, the Corn Stores Reading is a stylish hangout in Reading town centre. Slip into your finest tartan for a (not so) sophisticated evening, full of Scottish flavour. Hot toddy on arrival, a four-course Haggis dinner and a whisky to numb the sound of the piper – what could possibly go wrong? £45pp.

 

West Berkshire Brewery Taproom, Yattendon – Sat 25 Jan

A nod to the Scottish Bard, West Berkshire Brewery will be celebrating all day with Scottish specials on the menu, whiskey and barrel-aged beer. Put on your kilt, dust off your sporran and join in the Scottish shenanigans.

 

De Vere Wokefield Estate, Reading – Fri 24 Jan

If you’re going to throw a birthday party, there has to be dancing, right? De Vere Wokefield Estate is putting on a fully-loaded, whisky-fuelled night out, then take your partners and hit the dancefloor and hope for the best, because there’s a Ceilidh, too. Come on, this Friday night humiliation is all for a good cause – Naomi House and Jackplace.

 

15 Queen Street, Maidenhead – Sat 25 Jan

Roaring fire, sludgy green Farrow & Ball walls and a Burns Night set menu to celebrate Robert’s birthday. This is a Scottish inspired menu, so if the idea of Haggis makes you heave, you’ll be in safe hands here – your mains are salmon, venison and a veggie dish. Booking required. £30pp.

 

Ascot Brewing Co, Camberley – Sat 25 Jan

Poetry is pie and a pint. Well, it is for Mr Muddy. Ascot Brewing Tap Room, is offering a crowd-pleasing menu for Burns Night – and like Rabbie says, “we have meat, and we can eat!” A piper free zone. £11pp.