Preston bar owners bring festivities with new mulled wine hut

The owners of Baluga Bar and The Winter Lodge, in Preston, have introduced a new pop-up version of the Winter Lodge, offering takeaway mulled wine and other festive treats.
Andrew Ball will be serving up Christmas treats at the pop-up barAndrew Ball will be serving up Christmas treats at the pop-up bar
Andrew Ball will be serving up Christmas treats at the pop-up bar

Ryan Peake, who co-owns both bars with Nick Carter and Hiran Panchal, is a self-confessed Christmas fanatic who was eager to spread some festive cheer with the introduction of the pop-up bar on Fishergate.

As a small scale version of their successful bar, The Winter Lodge, there will be German & Belgian beers, mulled wine, hot dogs, prosecco, hot chocolate, and Belgian waffles being served throughout December.

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And along with the rest of the hospitality industry, they are holding out hope for restrictions to be lifted on December 16 when Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces which areas will be placed in which tiers.

Their new hut has been introduced in a bid to bring some excitement in the run up to Christmas, which has been dampened due to the pandemic.

Ryan said: “A lot of people are disappointed with the cancellation of major Christmas events this year, from Christmas Parties, the Christmas lights switch-on, markets to Santa’s Grotto visits.

"This little pop-up bar is our way of injecting a bit of Christmas cheer, just with extra hand sanitiser. We haven't opened Baluga as a club since March and have 30 staff to look after during this very difficult time. I am obsessed with Christmas and it starts in September at my house.

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“We have read that the ‘R’ rate is decreasing in the North West, which shows the area is doing something right, so we hope it’s enough. Until then, we will keep trying our best to keep our business alive during these extremely difficult times.

Festive drinks and food will be served from 11am dailyFestive drinks and food will be served from 11am daily
Festive drinks and food will be served from 11am daily

"We want people to show some support to a local business fighting to keep the Christmas spirit alive in Preston and come down for a mulled wine or German beer from the festive menu."

In 2018, owners Nick, Hiran and Ryan took over Baluga bar, in Preston's Miller Arcade and turned the venue into one of the city’s premier nightspots.

And last year, their second venture, the Winter Lodge was opened, as an alpine-lodge style bar complete with a cosy fireplace to spread some festive cheer.

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Late-night shoppers in Preston can now expect to pick up a hot drink and Christmas snacks as the lodge will be operating from Fishergate in the run up to Christmas, opening from 11am.

More information can be found here.

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