If you haven’t heard of the Christmas pop-up bar in Calgary, you may be a bit behind the times, but I had to find out for myself what all the holiday hoopla was about.
After my third attempt at trying to visit the highly anticipated Miracle on 1st Street pop-up bar hosted by Proof, I finally made it and boy, did I ever feel the Christmas cheer on the inside and out.
A trend that started in New York five years ago, the Miracle pop-up concept is not the first of its kind, but it is the first in Western Canada. And while the price tag for each cocktail is reminiscent of a bar in the Big Apple, the holiday-inspired concoctions did not disappoint.
From the moment you walk in the front door, you’re greeted by all the tinsel, gift wrap and bulb lighting you can imagine that is prevalent throughout the entire space – all details considered – including the festive plastic covered tablecloths and smell of freshly baked goods.
The Christmassy glassware itself would have been an investment, which perhaps plays into the price, but adds all the jingle bells and whistles you’d expect from a themed bar. The new menu features ten cocktails and two shots which are packed with festive (and boozy) punch.
The Yippie Ki Yay Mother F****r! is seriously delicious made with sweet potato, Barbados Rum, Cachaça, Trinidad Overproof Rum, Dry Curaçao, Marshmallow Orgeat and lime, presented in the tackiest but best-possible Santa mug, complete with a tropical umbrella dusted in icing sugar. It isn’t too sweet and is perfectly refreshing, although maybe a little heavy on the ice.
The Yippie Ki Yay Mother-F****r is amazing and tacky, just like the Miracle on 1st Street!
Christmas vacation-in-a-cup was followed by Run Run Rudolph which is an interesting blend of gin, mulled wine purée, lemon and prosecco, which for mulled spice fans, would be a joyful delight. I don’t like gin, or mulled wine for that matter, but still managed to drink it to the dregs.
The pop-up bar runs until December 23 and is worth the trip but plan ahead as it’s nearly packed by 5 PM. Don’t be a Grinch and take my advice and book an Uber in advance so that you can thoroughly enjoy your oh, holy night.
By Caitie Lawrence
Now that you’re tipsy, it’s time to set some goals for 2019 — consider wearing vintage clothing for the entire year. One Calgarian did, and this is how it went down.
