Chrimbo thirst quenchers

Snowed under with the seasonal chores? Chances are you'll need a break.

The St James's Bar & Restaurant Fortnum & Mason, 181 Piccadilly, W1 (020-7734 8040)

Shopping in Fortnum & Mason is a must-do at this time of year. All those wonderfully packaged presents, mince pies, chutneys, Christmas puddings and drinks make it so festive. The St James's Bar & Restaurant on the fourth floor also makes for the perfect place to relax over a glass of the strong stuff, or a nicely camp afternoon tea.

Fifth Floor Bar Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge, SW1 (020-7235 5250)

The recently refurbished bar on the top floor of this favourite shopping emporium is still the place to be seen on London's shoppingandsupping circuit. Great Martinis - the Plymouth gin Martini is fabulous, though a little wobble-inducing - and top-of-the-range champagnes are all worth exploring. The atmosphere is appropriately sedate during the day, and appropriately opportunistic in the evenings.

Base Bar Selfridges, 400 Oxford Street, W1 (08708 377 377)

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a visit to Oxford Street to see the lights - well, for out-of-towners, at least. Shoppers in Selfridges have no less than 17 different eating and drinking spaces to choose from. The Base Bar on the lower ground floor is one of the most happening destinations, where people gather to listen to the music. It offers bottled beers, champagnes, cocktails, sushi plates and sandwiches.

Waitrose Canada Place, Canary Wharf, E14 (020-7719 0300)

Do all your food shopping under one roof and then head for the store's Oyster & Steak bar near the wine department. Here you can plan your alcohol consumption by taking a bottle from the shelves and paying a small corkage charge for the privilege of drinking on site. This is a terrific way to sample some quality wines at little more than supermarket prices.