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Photos by Meg Ryan
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With the days until Christmas quickly counting down, it might be time to reward yourself with a cocktail.
Now inside Newark’s Klondike Kate’s Restaurant & Saloon is The Sleigh Bar. The Christmas-themed pop-up bar will continue to celebrate the holiday through the new year with festive decorations around the restaurant bar, an Instagram-worthy gift wrap bow wall and, of course, a sleigh.
“It all really came together nicely,” said Nick Manerchia, special events director for Martuscelli Restaurant Group. The restaurant group operates Klondike Kate’s along with La Casa Pasta in Newark, Chesapeake Inn and Ship Watch Inn, both in Chesapeake City, Maryland.
RELATED: Christmas-Themed Pop-Up Bar Opens in Downtown Wilmington
Manerchia came up with the idea of the Sleigh Bar for Klondike Kate’s, located at 158 E. Main St. in Newark, after visiting multiple different pop-up bars including Miracle Bar in South Carolina. Since then, the Miracle Bar has become a chain since, popping up at bars across the U.S. and internationally.
“I absolutely loved it. I fell in love with it. I love Christmas,” Manerchia said. “…I love anything that’s just a show and lights and sparkle.”
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By Meg Ryan |
Manerchia wanted to bring a Christmas pop-up to Klondike Kate’s last year, but the timing was off, so this year it had to come to fruition. It took about a month for himself and other staff members to bring together all the decorations.
Guests will find Santa neons, plenty of colorful garland, a wall full of gift bows and more.
As it turns out, finding a sleigh to honor the bar’s namesake turned out to be one of the biggest challenges of all. Finally they found one in Philadelphia and got it into the restaurant by removing the front doors.
“It worked out,” he said with a sigh of relief.
The Sleigh Bar also has a seasonal cocktails list thought up by the restaurant’s bar manager.
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By Meg Ryan |
Drinks include Gingerbread White Russian, Grandma’s Butterscotch Coffee and the Christmas Cookie shot. Drinks come in Santa cups and can be upgraded to a souvenir jingle ball cup.
Manerchia said while the drinks are delicious, they’re also perfect for your social media feed.
“They have to be Instagrammable,” he said.
After seeing how successful Sleigh Bar has already been this year, Manerchia said the restaurant plans to bring it back next year with a few tweaks. As for expanding into other holidays? It’s being discussed.
“I would love to do something with Halloween or even Valentine’s Day,” he said.
More information:
Sleigh Bar at Klondike Kate’s Restaurant & Saloon
Pop-up bar open through New Year’s Day
158 E. Main St. in Newark • 737-6100 • klondikekates.com