I've gone on strike this year so I'm thinking we'll eat out for Christmas lunch. So far I've managed to find both Dam House and Mercure (St Pauls) Hotel are doing lunch on Christmas day.

I'd appreciate any advice as to which of these I should go for - and I know Jackdanny works at Dam House so don't need him to tell me to go there!

I really haven't made up my mind - and, indeed, if anyone knows of anywhere else doing Christmas Day food (apart from Indian cuisine) please do let me know

Ta muchly

Cafe Rouge is open and £30 a head which isn't bad. The food is never fantastic there but you can't go wrong for £30 on x-mas day!!

What's St Paul's doing?

Thanks Tollick - Cafe Rouge sounds good and a lot cheaper than either of the other 2, but I was hoping for something slightly more special. St Pauls is doing 3 courses for around £60 which is a lot more pricey but the setting is better and i suspect the food would be as well..... hmmmmm need to think some more about it now.

Thanks Tollick - Cafe Rouge sounds good and a lot cheaper than either of the other 2, but I was hoping for something slightly more special. St Pauls is doing 3 courses for around £60 which is a lot more pricey but the setting is better and i suspect the food would be as well..... hmmmmm need to think some more about it now.

Just because it is more expensive might not make it more special......St pauls will have massive overheads to open on xmas day where as Cafe Rouge is a lot smaller. How good something is shouldn't always be based on price.

If you want it really nice ill happily charge you £100 a head ;)

why dont you try tivoli they are doing nice italian

We're getting married in St Paul's next year - love the hotel!!

If you can afford St Paul's - just do it!! It's Christmas!

I've gone on strike this year so I'm thinking we'll eat out for Christmas lunch. So far I've managed to find both Dam House and Mercure (St Pauls) Hotel are doing lunch on Christmas day.

I'd appreciate any advice as to which of these I should go for - and I know Jackdanny works at Dam House so don't need him to tell me to go there!

I really haven't made up my mind - and, indeed, if anyone knows of anywhere else doing Christmas Day food (apart from Indian cuisine) please do let me know

Ta muchly


Get ya self down to St Pauls!;)

Just because it is more expensive might not make it more special......St pauls will have massive overheads to open on xmas day where as Cafe Rouge is a lot smaller. How good something is shouldn't always be based on price.

If you want it really nice ill happily charge you £100 a head ;)


I imagine the OP was thinking that a large hotel might be a bit more plush in terms of decor and surroundings rather than a cafe. Having had afternoon tea in the bar/lounge at St Pauls though I would check it out first, I thought the ambience and decor owed more to NCP than Colefax and Fowler.

Went to cafe rouge last year; it was ok. the money we saved on not going to the st paul's was used to buy a bottle of champagne and tawny port and other treats to have at home. It was great not having to watch my OHstressing himself to make lunch. Even better, we nipped into the st pauls hotel for a pre-meal glass of champage. They thought we were guests and wouldn't let us pay. The environment was lovely. Don't think I would ever bother with making a Christmas meal for two again.

Both have nice views; it is nice to see the winter gardens from the st pauls; going to the dam house means your money goes to a local business (I think) and not corporate chain.

It's a local place the Dam House, independant

Ivory for definite

What's happening at the ivory then?

Great food and drink, from casual sharing platters to a proper sit down meal. More live entertainment coming soon, if you know artists get them to phone us 0114 2760888

What's happening at the ivory then?

A recent review was less than glowing.

I do like the Ivory,

Ivory Bar - yes it's very good and a great place.


... but the Dam House pips it!

They are both good, but it's down to what you like really.

Dam House are open New Years Eve too.

So Ivory is open on Xmas day then? Are you open for drinks?

We already have lunch sorted, but i am looking for bars/pubs that are open so that we can have a few drinks after lunch.

Does anyone know of anywhere else that is open on Christmas Day?