Humbug, Santa’s Christmas Dive Bar Experience, is back for its third year of Christmas shenanigans. A new location, a refreshed layout, and a slightly reworked show, but how does it stack up against previous years? I went along last week, eager to find out.

Humbug is a really fun concept; it is basically a Christmas themed bar hosted by Santa himself, part theatre, part cabaret, all party. You get close encounters of the Christmassy kind, fabulous cocktails, delicious food, and the kind of chaotic festive energy that Humbug has become known for.

This year they have dropped the word ‘immersive’ from the name, which honestly makes sense. So many productions use that label loosely, even when the audience barely interact with anyone. Humbug has always had a bit of interaction built in, but the focus this year leans more toward a shared party atmosphere rather than deep immersion. My review of last year’s show focused heavily on how much I loved interacting with and witnessing the sweary, irreverent Santa, so I was curious to see how things had shifted.

On arrival, we were asked to queue for around 15 minutes before being let in. Not the greatest start, but there is a reason. The experience opens with what can basically be called ‘the immersive bit’, where small groups are brought through two introductory rooms to meet Howard the postman and Daphne the waitress. Howard has lost the Christmas mail, Daphne dreams of being a singer, and apparently Santa has lost his Christmas spirit – all three for the third year in a row. These threads form the main narrative for the event, that the action on stage keeps dipping in and out of.

As much as Howard and Daphne’s storylines are good fun – especially for first time visitors – I really hope they evolve things next year. These characters are well-written and the performers bring a lot of heart to them, but the narrative beats are exactly the same ones they have used for the past couple of years. These threads run throughout the night rather than just appearing at the start, which means returning guests will recognise so many moments. I genuinely want to keep coming back to Humbug year after year, but for that to work the story needs to grow with the show instead of repeating the same arc in a new venue.

Once you move past the intro and into the bar itself, things settle into the fun, chaotic rhythm that Humbug does best. The new venue looks great, glittering and colourful and unapologetically Christmassy. There is the Mariah Carey shrine, the Home Alone neon signs, and all the quirky, over the top decor that has made Humbug feel so unique over the last few years. The food is still excellent. I had a fantastic burger followed by yummy waffles, and I would happily return just for the menu. The drinks are good, the staff are fun, and the entire place has that warm Christmas night out with mates energy that Humbug always nails.

Santa himself has had the biggest transformation. Last year’s gloriously sweary Santa was my favourite part of the experience, especially the ‘intimate audience with Santa’ moment that VIP ticket holders enjoyed. It was cheeky and chaotic and something that felt completely unique to Humbug. This year they have levelled the playing field so everyone gets the same experience. I understand why, because it is fairer and smoother, but I would be lying if I said I did not miss that close up encounter. It added something spontaneous that really stuck with me.

This year’s Santa is a totally different creation, like Santa crossed with Elvis. Full rhinestoned red suit, big belt buckle, swagger, hair, and singing voice, he is basically the King of Christmas. He is genuinely fun, and the crowd loved him. It is a different energy, more showtime than sweary mischief, but still entertaining in its own right.

Overall, Humbug is still a lively, ridiculous, festive night out. If you want a silly, high energy Christmas party with great food, strong drinks, and a room full of people who are absolutely up for a good time, you will get exactly that. I had some cracking cocktails and a genuinely fabulous night. If you have been before, you will still get a kick out of the new Santa energy, even though some of the story beats in the show feel overly familiar now.

I cannot wait to see what they do with it next. There is so much potential here, and I really hope they keep building on it year after year. I will definitely be back to find out. Here is to more festive chaos next year, and until then – may your cocktails always be strong and your baubles never shatter!

Visit Humbug, Santa’s Christmas Dive Bar Experience at The Vaults Theatre, before the bar closes for another year on December 31st 2025!

Tickets from humbugchristmas.co.uk

Words by Nick Barr

Photos by Grant Walker