London’s joyously OTT, über-kitsch, retina-dazzling, tchotchke-stacked Christmas-themed pop up bar has sold out for the past six years running.
And by some miracle, the organisers have decided to bring it back for 2024.
Yes, the tinsel-bedecked Miracle is back for another season, once more taking over the mezzanine bar of the Henrietta Hotel in Covent Garden and effectively setting off a festive hand grenade that cloaks every spare inch of wall and ceiling with gloriously nostalgic Christmas decor.
The pop-up’s origins lie over in the US, and unsurprisingly that shapes a lot of the decoration here: you’ll see old-school Santas aglow with rosy cheeks and fat sacks (of presents); prancing reindeer; coloured candle bulbs festooned across the walls and an entire B&Q aisle’s worth of tinsel covering any gaps. If the Grinch walked in here, he’d probably disintegrate on arrival.
Aside from the unique decor, of course, Miracle’s primary function is to get you into the festive spirit through the means of equally kitsch cocktails (with non-boozy options available), all served in one-of-a-kind bespoke Christmas vessels. Are they pricey? Indubitably! But of course you’re going to be paying a couple of extra quid for the novelty of drinking eggnog out of a pair of Santa’s pants.
Addie Chinn
Tickets go ridiculously fast for Miracle, and it has to be said that as a tightly-run ship the changeover between sittings can feel a bit perfunctory – you’ll probably be held downstairs in the lobby for a while as the team tidy up after the previous group, and as your own 1h45m slot comes to an end you’ll need to leave your table pretty sharpish. But if you miss out on getting a booking in advance, it’s always worth dropping by for a walk-in spot. Just try to arrive near the start of a session so that you can maximise your time there, otherwise you might only get 20 minutes to sit down and drink up.
The good news, of course, is that this year you can always go for a pre-or post drink meal at Henri, Jackson Boxer’s candlelit bistro that now sits on the hotel’s ground floor.
It’s definitely one for the nice list.
NOTE: Miracle returns to the Henrietta Hotel from 11th November – 23rd December. Tickets are already going quickly – you can make a booking here. A few tables will be held back for walk-ins each day.
Miracle at Henrietta | Henrietta Hotel, 14 – 15 Henrietta Street, London WC2E 8QH
Feeling festive and highly organised? Take a look at the winter light trails you can book now
