Christmas Invades Galaxie with Annual Holiday Theme, Menu
Christmas has invaded Galaxie in NuLu. With the theme “Miracle on Market Street,” the cool bar is awash in red and green, with an all-new menu and drink specials through Christmas Eve.
The annual transformation from a casual eatery and bar that serves “wakatakas” (Galaxie’s take on tacos) and highly-regarded margaritas to a holiday hideout is, well, startling. Not to sound crass, but it looks like Kris Kringle threw up. And kept on throwing up.
The main bar area is barely visible from the street, as the windows are awash in snowflake decorations, and once visitors step inside, they’re greeted by a neon sign reading “Miracle on Market Street,” hanging right next to the permanent “Galaxie” sign. Chair backs are covered with big santa hats, tables are now red and white, wall art has been wrapped in holiday paper and a Christmas tree sits in the corner, leading the way to the back room.
But behind the bar, instead of the usual mixed collection of tequilas and other liquor, are a variety of holiday glasses and vessels (which are for sale), in which the special holiday drinks are to be served. The cocktails are all holiday themed, with names like Christmapolitan, Santa’s Little Helper, Christmas Cricket, Snowball Old Fashioned and Grandma Got Run Over by a T-Rex. Cocktails range from $12 to $15 each.
And don’t order anything from the non-holiday menu unless it’s the signature margarita; all other drinks are suspended until “Miracle” ends. The same goes for the food menu – no wakatakas, no guacamole until after Christmas. Instead, you can order dishes like Roast Turkey Sliders with cranberry chutney, Hoison BBQ Meatball Wraps, Honey Baked Ham Rolls and Spinach Saag. (You can at least get chips and queso.)
But it’s not until one steps through the doorway to the back area that the transformation really kicks in. A Santa Claus mural and wall of stockings give way to a back bar and lounge area with big screens showing a hearth scene and playing classic Christmas music like “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
Strings of lights hang from the ceiling, while chairs and couches are placed for holiday sipping. One little nook features two plush red comfy chairs next to a faux fireplace. On the walls are more Christmas-wrapped frames, wreaths, lights and stockings, with more Santa-hat seatcovers and more Christmas glassware (also for sale).
Above a rack of the holiday glassware is a neon sign that reads, “Merry Christmas, Ya Filthy Animals,” a callback to the film “Home Alone.” (Except that the sign is misspelled “Filty” for some reason.)
If you’re an uber-fan of Christmas and the holiday spirit, Galaxie is exactly where you want to be for the next few weeks. If not? Well, the wakatakas will be back in late December.
Galaxie is located at Galaxie Miracle on Market Street. The holiday hours are Sunday-Thursday, 4 p.m.-midnight, and Friday-Saturday, 4 p.m.-2 a.m.
