If festive films have taught me anything, it’s that Christmas is a time for miracles. A time when singing can power Santa’s sleigh, eight year-olds can outwit burglars, and unsupervised kids can mount a festive takeover of an airport (honestly a cracking film, and a lot less terrifying than it sounds). And now London’s very own Christmas miracle is preparing to wing its way back to town. The charmingly festive Christmassy cocktail bar Miracle at Henrietta is returning this November for its seventh year of cocktail-fuelled revelry and festivity.
Miracle is a huge hit over in the US, and London is once again its only stop in the UK. And quite frankly, the rest of the UK is missing out big time. Given its American origins, you’d be right to assume that Miracle is bigger and less restrained than the usual English Christmas gathering. Every year, they open up with even more gloriously kitschy décor on display. This year, they’ll serve up festive cheer from November 11 – December 23.
Aimed at transporting you back to Christmases past, an army of throwback Christmas ornaments, colourful lights, and an oversized fireplace transform the Henrietta Experimental in Covent Garden (hence the name) into a ravishingly retro space. It’s outrageously over the top, but we’ll never stop loving it!
Not sure what to expect? We went along last year to check it out for ourselves (and have a few cheeky drinks in the middle of the workday):
The drinks are a Miracle
Eye-popping décor is hardly the only string to Miracle at Henrietta’s bow. Their wonderfully wacky Christmas concoctions are just as outlandish. And they’re also ever so slightly cheeky, with a stand-out drink from last year named the Elfing Around (gin, mulled wine reduction, grapefruit shrub, aromatic bitters, and orange bitters). Recent years have also included drinks like the Bad Santa (a hot toddy of cider, sherry, cinnamon, and popcorn & bacon butter) and the Christmas Carol Barrel (tequila, coffee liqueur, dry curacao, spiced chocolate, aromatic bitters, and orange bitters).
All the drinks are served in gloriously tacky Christmas vessels so you’ll be full of festive cheer by the time you tumble back to reality. We’re particularly fond of the SanTaRex. It comes served in the most ADORABLE dinosaur-shaped vessel. Just look at that tiny Santa hat!
And don’t worry, we know that drinking on an empty stomach is never a good idea. Previous years have seen guests able to order all manner of snacks from the Italian Supper Club at Henrietta to accompany their drinks. And we’re sure something similar will return this year.
So what are you waiting for? Bookings are sure to go like hotcakes, so act fast to secure your seats and get ready and sleigh those cocktails! Bear in mind, most spots are reserved for bookings, but they do set aside a few tables each evening for walk-in guests.
Miracle at Henrietta is open from November 11 until December 23. Book your visit here.