NORTHWICH’s Pina Colada Festival is almost upon us.
The town will soon be transformed into a Caribbean carnival with live music, parades, dancing and games.
But at the heart of it all is the titular cocktail and there will be no shortage of venues serving the sweet treat.
At least 25 bars, café and restaurants will be dishing out piña coladas on Saturday (August 19).
Some can’t wait to get going, such as Culinary Concept in Barons Quay which will be getting the party started on Friday with a sold-out drag show featuring resident Queen Heidi Wurst.
Then on Saturday, they will be serving South African style piña coladas while a DJ provides tunes throughout the day.
Speaking of DJS, the Green Dragon will be offering free shots every time the DJ plays Rupert Holmes' Escape (The Piña Colada Song).
Manager Charlene Haddock said: “We are really looking forward to it, it’s great for our town and a fantastic way to get new people into our pub.
“Last year was a huge success and I’m hoping this year will be the same!”
Also hopeful of another successful year is the Salty Dog, which sold out of piña coladas within hours last time round.
Manager Alexandra Pop said: “We are very excited for another year of making the delicious cocktails for the Northwich town folk! Hands down, ours are the best!
“Have I mentioned we have been the only ones making the cocktails in actual pineapples? Yeah. It's a lot of work, but fun too!
“We've slowly increased the amount of pineapples we have been using to make the cocktails, to keep up with demand as previous years we sold out of them within four hours of being open!
“So fingers crossed this year we will be even more prepared."
The Swinging Witch on Crown Street was similarly busy in 2022.
“Last year we sold nearly 1,000 piña coladas with queues for entry until midnight and we aim to do more this year!” said landlady Emma Smith.
“We have a fantastic day planned with a Caribbean steel band playing from 11.30am until 2pm and then our resident DJ playing until 2am.
“We are also raising money for St Luke’s Hospice throughout the day.
“Although it’s one of the busiest days of year we love it!”
Vicky Booth, manager of The Bird & Hat, added: “We are really excited to welcome the people of Northwich and surrounding areas to our town to celebrate the event of the year.
“It’s great fun for adults and children as there is something for everyone spread amongst the town.
“We serve only the freshest piña coladas week in week out with us being the only rum bar in town.”
It’s not just bars and pubs taking part, coffee shop Abda will offering visitors something a little bit different.
Head baker Sophie France said: “We’re going even bigger for the Piña Colada Festival this year and are very excited to announce a special food menu, as well as our usual drinks.
“Since it is such a fabulous weekend, we are also staying open a little later until 6pm so we can fit in as many pina coladas as possible for you all!
“We’re offering our take on the classic piña colada mocktail, combining the Indian drink ‘lassi’ with the classic piña colada pineapple and coconut combo, as well as our piña colada iced coffee, and some homemade cake specials too!”
Venues serving pina coladas*
- Abda
- BEAR
- Board Beans
- Bombay Quay
- Culinary Concept
- Geek Retreat
- Goblin Coffee & Beer
- Grape & Bean
- Green Dragon
- Ivy Cottage Interiors
- Kanya
- Quayside
- Sew Easy
- Sunny BBQ
- Swinging Witch
- Temple Cafe Bar
- The Bird & Hat
- The Bullring NW
- The Salthouse NW
- The Salty Dog
- The Penny Black
- The Witton chimes
- Vinnies
- Wildwood
- ZaZa Cafe
*According to the festival guide published by Visit Northwich
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