I was invited along to try out a new pop-up bar in Birmingham’s Bullring: Once Upon A Time In Birmingham. You’ll find Once Upon A Time In Birmingham been designed as a festive world first by Bompas & Parr. The venue is lit up with 88,000 fairy lights and it’s a festive tea parlour, party bar and event space. It’s in the space in the Middle Mall of the Bullring that was previously occupied by Jamie’s Italian so it’s well located and the perfect spot to meet up with friends for a Christmas drink.
We tried a number of the cocktails from the selection on offer and a few of the desserts from the menu. There’s very much a Christmas theme going on especially with the drinks selection. You can order from a wide range of beers, wines and spirits or you can opt for one of the cocktails. Once Upon A Time In Birmingham seems made for cocktails, so we decided to sample those. I started with the Plum, Apple & Cinnamon Colour Changing Ice Tea (the tall green drink pictured above). It’s a refreshing drink with that hint of Christmas going on with the cinnamon flavouring. Or go for that Christmas favourite eggnog in the shape of the Flambéed Golden Eggnog with a gold dust meringue topping.
There are lots of fun features to enjoy from vibrating seats and over the top Christmas decorations within to bar area, to light up toilet bowls in the ladies. I recommend you try looking at the lights through the special glasses available – perhaps best to try it before you have your drinks as it’s a touch peculiar.
Food wise there’s a selection of desserts available and you can even opt to try a festive Christmas afternoon tea. They are the perfect treat if you like something sweet. My personal favourite was this amazing clear jelly which looked really special under the lights and had a delicate festive flavour.
A gold dust meringue topping sounds amazing! I’d love to try one of those cocktails!!
Katie xoxo
This looks like such a great place for a Christmas party, very festive. I love the idea of Christmas afternoon tea as well x
The fairy lights give the venue a really lovely effect. I’m glad they’ve found a use for the venue, otherwise places abandoned by businesses that have gone under can drag down a whole area.
Once Upon A Time In Birmingham looks and sounds wonderful! The fairy lights really stand out and makes the whole venue enticing. That clear jelly looks a bit frightening to me, but the choice of cocktails that they offer sound really good.
the lights make the place look so pretty, looks like a great place to go although not too sure on the clear jelly! x
Looks like an exciting place that should be successful
sounds fantastic