IF YOU don’t like naff, then you best run for the hills (or the other side of Manchester at least) because, at Miracle on Edge Street, ‘garish is good’. That’s the motto at this pop-up grotto, the brainchild of the team behind Northern Quarter bar, The Pen and Pencil.
Anything goes, and that extends to the random drink receptacles
Characterised by tons of tinsel, piles of presents and a breadth of baubles, it reflects owner Dan Pollard’s philosophy that ‘Christmas should be more than a little cheesy.’
Opening from 1-23 December, the bar will trade over fifteen days from Wednesday to Saturday, with private hire also available for parties of up to 120.
Tomorrow’s launch promises 50% off drinks from 5-7pm; and the first 50 in will bag a Christmas jumper (which is actually a long-sleeved t-shirt but hey ho). Wear your Miracle jumper on your second visit, or else something of equally bad taste, and the staff may even give you a free shot.
Aesthetically, Miracle on Edge Street is like entering a giant present. Wrapping paper and Christmas cards plaster the walls, one boasting a big red bow. Elsewhere you’ll find multicoloured fairy lights, droves of tinsel drapery and a disco ball hanging ready for some late night bopping. Red paper tablecloths line long wooden tables, each with a snowball centrepiece, and you might spot Santa Claus making his escape up the chimney.
Naturally, the weekend soundtrack is disco house - courtesy of The Pen and Pencil DJs Tim Lawton, Tom Malam and Dan Wainwright - while the rest of the time will see a variety of playlists ‘interspersed with the odd Christmas song’.
As for tipples, there’ll be wines, spirits and, randomly, a selection of Chilean craft beers on draft - including Nazca IPA, Brave Red Ale, Real Golden Ale, Rebel Imperial Pilsner and Brutal IPA. Indeed, why not chuck some South American seasoning into the mix? Anything goes, and that extends to the random receptacles you can expect your beverage to arrive in: from snowman mug to tin cans and the odd champagne flute.
There’ll be no fizz, mind - unless it’s in a cocktail, of which there’s a comprehensive selection exclusive to Edge Street. Concoctions include: Just Pudding It Out There (Martell, Amaretto, ginger syrup, nutmeg, muddled tangerine), Special B-rudolph (Bourbon, Licor 43, homemade candied pecan syrup, apple juice, lemon), Gingle Bells (Portobello Road gin, Triple Sec, homemade fig syrup, lime, cranberry), North Pole Dancer (Santa Teresa Claro rum, Mozart Dark, chocolate liqueur, Frangelico), Yule Be Sorry (Martell, Branca Menta, Santa Teresa Claro rum, amaretto, gomme, chocolate bitters) and Nana’s Chocolate Orange (Belenkaya vodka, Grand Marnier, hazelnut syrup and mocha mix.). Garnishes span whipped cream and sprinkles to chocolate coins and clip-on stockings.
So you’ve got the gist but how does it look? Well, as camp as, er, Christmas.
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