On the 11th of April 2026, come along and visit Black Phillip’s Impossible Market!
A unique multi-sensory event, Black Phillip is slowly redefining what it means to experience a market! After a very successful themed market in The Castle Museum, Black Phillip returns in its new role, as the Room Spell “Special Event Organiser”.
Nestled within the heart of York, opposite the iconic Betty’s tea room, A beacon for alternative thinking stands tall. Impossible Bar! a perfect venue for such a strange event, that comes with a staggering amount of history, some of which is still visible and unchanged! Two rooms, that are full of the very best alternative artists and makers, await your impending arrival!
Black Phillip’s Impossible Market is the latest visionary concept to crawl out from the brain of Black Phillip. Much more than just a “pop-up market”; it’s an immersive and bizarre portal, to a world of sensational sights, spectacular sounds, terrifying textures, and custom-made special scents, that will invite you in, to explore the stalls of superb, talented traders. All traders at this event are vetted and selected by Black Phillip itself, to only allow the very best in their artistic fields a platform to display and (hopefully!) sell their work. Homewares, print makers, Room Spell candles (obviously!), trinket sellers, niche clothing sellers, taxidermists, etymology enthusiasts, jewellers, the list is endless! Basically, if you cant think of something hand made, Black Phillip has probably found a vendor of it and has booked them!
From the moment you cross the threshold of this Impossible Market, the tinkering with your senses will begin!
The air will seem alive, with an eclectic fusion of aromas that weave through the atmosphere, creating a fragrant tapestry that tells stories of distant lands, cultures and artistic interpretations of well-known aromas. The olfactory symphony on offer at this Impossible Market has been carefully designed by Black Phillip, to awaken your senses, priming them to take heed, as you venture deeper into the experience.
The interior of the market will be a kaleidoscope of colours and textures, with decorations inspired by the ever-shifting canvases of abstract dreams. Sensory installations designed to feel like a journey through nature, will provoke your wonder and curiosity. Each area of the market will reveal new surprises, and will encourage new ways of thinking.
Musical soundscapes will fill the air; a carefully created collection of ambient noises and hypnotic sounds, made especially for the event. The psychoacoustics, which are cleverly worked into the soundscapes, will create a soundtrack that seems to evolve with the energy of the room. Sudden shifts in tempo and volume will create moments of spontaneous shock, which will make the boundary between the normal and the paranormal difficult to define!
Impossible Bar will of course have its world famous innovative menu of curious cocktails and tantalising treats, including a collection of signature drinks and dishes, that have been crafted especially for the event, to add even more wonder. Mixologists, akin to alchemists, will conjure up cocktails that embody the essence of seasonal and sustainable ingredients, mixed with luxury and whimsical wonder.
So come along! Black Phillip’s Impossible Market isn’t just about people selling things; it's a vision for the future of social interaction and community building, whilst proudly supporting and celebrating alternative culture. A sanctuary where creativity thrives and every sense is engaged, as the mundane transforms into the extraordinary. It stands as a testament to the power of imagination, inviting all who enter to embrace their sense of wonder and rediscover the joy of art.
Be there, or be somewhere else that is much more boring!
SATURDAY 11th APRIL 2026
IMPOSSIBLE BAR YORK – OPPOSITE BETTYS TEA ROOM
12PM - 4PM
FREE ENTRY
Also check out other Arts events in York, Workshops in York.
