You won’t find shepherds, an ox or a donkey here — but you will find a team of wise hosts behind the bar, mixing up Christmas cocktails, serving fresh winter bakes and pouring from 10 ever-changing beer lines showcasing local legends and beloved guest brews.

Dressed head-to-toe in Christmas charm, the Stables Tavern in the St John’s district is giving full cosy-Narnia energy this year, with twinkling lights, festive garlands and beautifully decorated trees setting the scene for nights out with friends, after-work drinks or long overdue festive catch-ups.

Think roaring fire. Think mulled wine. Think live music from Thursday through Sunday. It’s everything you want from a Christmas pub — relaxed, welcoming and full of seasonal spirit.

And alongside the Tav’s usual mix of great draught beers and live performances, the team will also be rolling out early-bird Christmas… (feel free to paste the next section when you’re ready and I’ll continue seamlessly).

goodies in the form of homemade pastries, Great North Pie Co. pies, Christmas cocktails and more:

• Mulled wine
• Winter Spiced Spritz – Aperol, Prosecco, ginger beer, cranberry, winter spices
• Morello Cherry Sours – Amaretto, morello cherry, orange
• Noel Old Fashioned – Woodford Reserve, bitters, winter spices
• Terry’s Rumtini – Sailor Jerrys, Kahula, coffee, orange
• Winter Spiced Spritz 0% – Ginger beer, cranberry, winter spices
• Xmas Sausage Roll – Turkey, pork, sage and cranberry*
• Winter Bake – Chicken, bacon, stuffing, cranberry and bechamel sauce*

*both served with spiced cranberry ketchup

Stables Tavern is open daily from 12pm to 11pm; it will be open on Christmas Eve 12pm- 7pm; Boxing Day 12pm-close; New Year’s Eve – open all day.

For more info and to book, go to their website.