The stage is set for a fun season.

And if you fancy soaking up a little Christmas atmosphere on your lunch break today, head for Cork’s Victorian Quarter, where an unassuming little laneway has been treated to a festive makeover.

The Harley Street Market, alongside The Metropole Hotel, opens at 12 noon until 9pm tonight, inviting visitors to drop by for hot drinks and alfresco food.

Just around the corner on Mac Curtain Street, The Shelbourne Bar is getting ready to open their doors at 5pm, serving a range of tasty bar bites and dessert cocktails (we have our eye on a Brandy Alexander and the Parmesan Curry Chips).

Twas was the night before opening…. #ThankCorkItsChristmas pic.twitter.com/a6jHcgqoij

— Shelbourne Bar (@Shelbournebar) December 3, 2020

Booking is essential via Facebook messenger so reserve a spot before you venture in.

You can even team your trip with a little gift shopping; The Shelbourne is selling Irish Whiskey Gift Boxes containing whiskey, tasting notes and a QR code to take you to a tasting video with their whiskey experts.

MacCurtain Street reopens

If slow-cooked barbecue tickles your fancy. White Rabbit is back open today too from 4pm; they’re now taking reservations for December 4th on via whiterabbit.ie and you can pick up their barbecue sauces as a stocking filler while you’re there.

Gallaghers is also open for bookings on the corner of Bridge Street and Cask is back in business too, with a new cocktail named after Bushmills master blender Helen Mulholland (the ‘Helen’ is a maritime-inspired Manhattan-style blend of Bushmills 10, Cask Vermouth and Pom Pom Seaweed) and an opening weekend line up of DJ’s including Darren Kelly (Friday), Greg C (Saturday) and Ian Richards (Sunday).

“To book a table simply log onto our website, caskcork.com. No need to ring or email, just book online,” says Cask’s Andy Ferreira.