Cowan’s Public is a Nutley bar known for its rotating selection of craft beers, signature cocktails, and traditional bar food menu. During the month of December, Cowan’s Public, located at 229 Centre Street, transforms itself into a holiday pop-up bar named “Miracle on Centre.” This holiday pop-up has the bar completely decked out in Christmas lights and holiday garland – it’s definitely the place to be to get the full festive experience this season. Here’s everything about the event and why you should go this month.
The History
(Photo credit: @miracleoncentre)
The Miracle pop-up bar concept began in 2014 with an East Village cocktail bar called Mace. The owners completely transformed the space with over-the-top Christmas decorations and holiday-themed drinks. The owner’s friends and fellow bar owners began asking how they could recreate the holiday cheer in their own spaces, and the concept expanded worldwide in 2016.
(Photo credit: @miracleoncentre)
All Miracle locations aim to serve up holiday cocktails in a festive setting. The bar is meant to create a space of holiday nostalgia and cheer.
Read More: All About the Holiday Lights Spectacular at Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange
The Decor
(Photo credit: @miracleoncentre)
Outside of the holiday season, Cowan’s Public is a bar that feels like stepping back into a different time. With its dark hardwood floors and classic polished wood bar, it is like stepping into a piece of Americana from the 1930s or ’40s.
(Photo credit: @miracleoncentre)
The holiday pop-up bar only amplifies this atmosphere. With the classic holiday decor, from the Christmas tree and homey fireplace to the booths decked out with garland and tables covered with red, green, and white plaid tablecloths, the bar could easily be a set piece for an Irving Berlin movie.
Even the outside of the classic brick building is dressed for the holidays. The front window is painted with the classic Miracle on Centre logo and faux snow, with light-up candy canes leading the way to the front door, which is decorated with a wreath and garland.
The Menu
(Photo credit: @miracleoncentre)
The star of The Miracle on Centre menu is its holiday cocktails, served up in festive drinkware. Sip on a Christmapolitan — with vodka, elderflower, dry vermouth, spiced cranberry sauce, rosemary, lime, and absinthe mist. Or to warm up on a chilly December night, try the Bad Santa, a hot milk punch with two types of rum, pineapple juice, Batavia arrack, lemon juice, almond milk, eight different spices, coconut water, and coconut oil.
(Photo credit: @miracleoncentre)
Beverages are served in kitschy mugs and glasses from Santa face mugs to etched glasses with holiday designs. For those who want to experience the holiday spirit all year round, the festive drinkware is available for purchase. 10% of the proceeds of the glassware sales go to the James Beard Foundation’s open for a good campaign, which provides support to independently owned restaurants that are recovering from the effects of COVID-19 on the restaurant industry.
See More: Where to Buy Holiday-Themed Desserts in the Montclair Area
(Photo credit: @miracleoncentre)
In addition to the festive drinks, the bar has a selection of holiday-themed snacks for customers to munch on while enjoying some holiday sips. The names are in tribute to classic holiday movies such as Die Hard with “John McClanes to Die for trail mix;” Home Alone with Marv and Harry’s gingerbread popcorn; and Nightmare Before Christmas with Jack Skellington’s Chocolate and Marshmallow cookies.
