What's a Holiday Pop-up Bar?
With holiday spirits now in full swing, bar patrons can expect to see a new type of bar experience – complete with all the decor and festivity of the Christmas season – popping up in local bars, restaurants, and empty buildings. The "pop-up" trend started about a decade ago with pop-up restaurants and quickly expanded to include bars. Pop-up bars are typically themed and always temporary, but holiday pop-up bars appear at the end of the year to transform local spaces and mesmerize attendees with festive decorations, holiday-themed cocktails, and cozy atmospheres.
Christmas Pop-up Bars Near You
Whether they are a unique operation or a chain bringing the experience to locations across the globe, holiday pop-up bars typically run from after Thanksgiving to the end of December. Hundreds of holiday pop-up bars can be found throughout the U.S., so grab your tinsel and eggnog and check out this list of festive pop-ups that could be happening in your area.
Miracle
Miracle, a Christmas pop-up bar, first appeared in New York City in 2014 after owner Greg Boehm's mother suggested he turned his unfinished bar space into a temporary winter wonderland. Following its first appearance, Miracle became a hit with bar goers. This holiday season, there will be more than 100 Miracle bars popping up across the globe.
When: November 25 – December 31
Where: Cities in more than 35 U.S. states, as well as international pop-ups in Canada, England, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama, Romania, and Switzerland
Our Favorite Drinks: The Run Run Rudolph, made with gin, mulled wine purée, Prosecco, lemon, and cane syrup; and the SanTaRex, made with rye whiskey, spiced apple cider concentrate, oloroso sherry, hard cider, lemon juice, and baked apple bitters
Sippin' Santa
Sippin' Santa, presented by Beachbum Berry, is a companion experience to the Miracle pop-up bar. It was established in 2015 at Boilermaker in New York City and combines the joy of Christmas with a relaxing Tiki theme. For the 2019 holiday season, there will be 27 locations spread out across North America, with cocktails professionally crafted by award-winning bartender Brad Smith.
When: November 25 – December 31
Where: Cities in Arizona, California, Colorado, Washington, D.C., Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington
Our Favorite Drinks: The Christmas Eve of Destruction, made with dark Overproof rum, herbal liqueur, lime juice, nutmeg syrup, and angostura bitters; and the Kris Kringle Colada, made with dark Jamaican rum, Cynar, pineapple and lime juice, allspice, and cream of coconut
Christmas Club
The Christmas Club pop-up takes over the Country Club, a bar and country dance club in Chicago's Wrigleyville neighborhood. The pop-up will consist of two floors, three party rooms, and three different bars. Patrons can expect an appearance by Santa, as well as other popular Christmas figures.
When: November 20 – January 5
Where: Wrigleyville in Chicago
Our Favorite Drinks: The Nutcracker, made with Skrewball peanut butter whiskey, melted chocolate, and Irish cream; and the Blanco Navidad, made with Altos tequila, coconut milk, Triple Sec, and fresh lime
Snow Globe in the Sky
The Ophelia, a rooftop lounge in New York City, transforms into The Snow Globe in the Sky during the holiday season. Located on the 26th floor of the Beekman Tower, the pop-up consists of a 17-foot ceiling adorned with garlands and snowflakes, as well as a greenhouse terrace with 360-degree views of the city.
When: Mid-November through the end of February
Where: Midtown East in New York City
Our Favorite Drinks: The Rising Star, made with rum, cognac, cinnamon simple syrup, and lotus cookie-infused cream; and the Fireside, made with whiskey, Kina L'Aéro d'Or, Suze, Lillet blanc, and orange bitters
Blitzen's
Blitzen's has been popping up in Here & Now, a Los Angeles bar with swanky cocktails, since 2016. One of the first in the Los Angeles area, Blitzen's has gotten bigger and better each year. For 2019, guests can expect 15 holiday-themed cocktails and a seasonal food menu – but they can also take part in the joy of giving, as the pop-up also functions as a fundraiser for PATH (People Assisting the Homeless).
When: December 3 – 31
Where: Here & Now in downtown Los Angeles
Our Favorite Drinks: Yule Shoot Your Rye Out, made with rye, gingerbread syrup, and bitters; and the Mele Kalikimaka, made with Jamaican rum, Plantation Pineapple rum, Licor 43, coconut, spiced cranberry sauce, and lime
