Bon viveurs, hedonists, tourists and locals are going to relish a new cocktail bar and bistro that opened its doors with a stylish VIP bash on Thursday evening. Local Mayor Duncan Jack officially presided over the launch of Mirage and glasses of fizzy embellished with pomegranate seeds were presented to guests on their arrival at the venue.

The new bar and bistro will bring a vibrancy and celebratory sense of occasion to Wednesday Market, and compliment the popular Brazilian restaurant Chamas Rodizio Bar & Grill. Diners will be able to move between the two venues, perhaps having pre- dinner cocktails at Mirage before heading off for a feast at Chamas, or returning to Mirage afterwards for a dessert or liqueur coffee.

In an imaginative and clever twist guests at the VIP launch were offered a diverse choice of splendidly conceived canapés; miniature versions of some of the food available on the Mirage menu. One highlight of the night was the “British Burrito”, Yorkshire puddings with slow cooked pulled beef. Owners Nicola and Ali Tekce are keen to give the menus a British/Yorkshire twist and have ensured that the food is locally sourced.

Even the cocktails have a flavour of Yorkshire, using Harrogate’s Slingsby gin and offering unique concoctions like Absolut Raspberry, St Germain, Lemon, Sugar and Rose Water (“Miss Yorkshire”) and Havana Club 7, Lime, Beetroot Juice, Cinnamon, Fever Tree Ginger Beer, Bitters (“EE By Gum.”)

The food menu includes light bites and platters for sharing, salads, pizzas and burgers. An ingenious twist is the inclusion of a strategically placed dedicated patisserie bar at the entrance, offering a deliciously tempting menu of Yorvale ice creams and gloriously decadent sundaes, waffles, smoothies and milk shakes.

The drinks menu is bursting with creative Mirage cocktails, but also includes classic cocktails, fizz cocktails, gin, wine, spirits and draft and bottled beers.

Mirage hopes to restore the heart and vibe to Wednesday Market with a live music offering, including jazz from 7 pm ’til late on Fridays, with a DJ every Friday and Saturday night. On the last Friday of the month the seven-piece soul band Soul Patrol will also perform at the venue.