Christmas party season arrives at Bears Bowling bar and grill

The Christmas party season has arrived at Bears Bowling in Star Lane, close to the Waterfront - and that means Christmas cocktails.

Bears owner Charles Manning said: “We are getting very busy with Christmas bowling party bookings, for local companies and businesses, and families too.

“It is going to be our busiest Christmas so far.

“We are only really closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, so the staff will be working very hard.”

Charles, bar manager Thadeus `Ted’ Bandu and assistant manager Joe Bass have come up with a range of special Christmas cocktails to help customers celebrate the festive season.

Charles explained: “We wanted to come up with some additional cocktails that were warm and spicy for the season, and winter. A few of the cocktails have Christmas spices in them.

“There are others with chocolate flavours, creams and coffee liquer.”

They have had to taste the new choices.

Charles added: “It is a tough job, but it had to be done,” he added.

Charles’ choice is Dancer’s Daiquiri, which includes white rum, orange and cherry brandies on crushed ice.

Ted’s choice is spicy Ginger Cosmo - vodka, ginger wine, cranberry and fresh lime.

While Pineapple Sunset includes pineapple juice, cranberry spirit, vodka and white rum.

Another of Charles’ favourites is Dark & Stormy, which has Gosling’s dark rum, ginger beer and fresh lime juice in it.

“It is a very good summer time drink, and in winter too,” he said.

There is an Expresso Martini, with Bailey’s and kahlua (coffee liquer).

“We already have the classic cocktails, of course.

“But some of them are a bit masculine. We wanted to find some that were attractive to our female customers,

“We have tried to come up with some that are fruity and sweet.

“We have a range of alcoholic milkshakes too, ideal for desserts on a party night, with lots of ice cream, creme de menthe and other flavours.

“There are also mocktails which are non-alcoholic.

“We are also having a cockails Happy Hour between 5pm and 7pm each evening in the run-up to Christmas, with two cocktails for £9.50.”

On New Year’s Eve the focus changes to house music at Bears.

The Bear House Project, organised by Circus, features two rooms and a host of star DJs including Jay Funk, Marek, Steve Bentley, Mowgli, Rizla, Ben Jammin and JC Unique.

There is also live sax by Mark Marcus.

“It is going to be a great night with something for everyone. All the DJs being featured have their own following and fans.”