Holiday pop up bars are the newest trend sweeping the nation, transforming themselves into winter wonderlands throughout the country, including the South. Companies like Miracle are known for their over-the-top style. All have a similar menu but the decorations vary slightly.
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The majority of the bars do not accept reservations, so you’ll have to go early to get a spot. In the case of the Miracle bars, the wait times can be hours long with the line wrapping around the building. The best way to get in is to go during off-peak hours, an hour before closing, and as soon as it opens.
Wear your best ugly sweaters to the holiday pop up bars in the South. They can be purchased at places like Stein Mart. I purchased the alpaca sweater above from Michael’s. Amazon also has a great selection of festive gear.
Alabama
Birmingham
Queen’s Park in Birmingham is the setting for Miracle On 24th Street, Miracle’s only location in Alabama. The Loft District cocktail bar’s pop up will run from November 25th until December 30th. Seating is limited and is first come first served as no reservations are accepted. It’s open Sunday to Thursday from 4 pm to midnight and Friday and Saturdays from 4 pm to 2 am. There is no onsite parking and the food menu is limited so eat in advance.
Fairhope
Little Whiskey Christmas Club is a year-round Christmas-themed bar in Fairhope, across the bay from Mobile. It opened in 2018 to celebrate once the presents are unwrapped, complete with over-the-top decorations. They have karaoke nights hosted by Santa and Mrs. Klaus and festive cocktails like the eggnog Bushwhacker, a nod to the regional favorite.
Arkansas
Bentonville
Miracle On 2nd Street is the state’s only Miracle location, set up at Undercroft in Bentonville. The speakeasy-style bar is hidden beneath a historic church. No reservations are accepted. The bar is open Mondays from 4 pm to midnight, Tuesdays from 4 pm to 1 am and closed Sundays.
District Of Columbia
Miracle On Seventh Street, presented by Drink Company, runs from November 21 to December 31 in Washington DC. Part of their decorations celebrate the World Series-winning Washington Nationals. It’s open from Sunday to Thursday from 5 pm to 12:30 am and Friday and Saturdays from 5 pm to 1:30 am. No reservations are accepted.
Archipelago is home to a Sippin Santa pop up at the U Street tiki bar. Tropical cocktails have a festive spin and a percentage of sales supports a local charity. The festivities run from November 29 to December 6. They’re open Sunday to Thursday from 5 pm to 12 am and Friday and Saturdays from 5 pm to 2:30 am. No reservations are accepted.
Tiki TNT’s Tacky Ass Tiki X-Mas transforms the funky tiki bar into a festive pop up with decorations of Santa in tropical prints, holiday punch, and Santa mugs. It will run from November 23 to January 6. No reservations are accepted as it’s first come, first served. They’re open Monday to Friday from 3 pm to 1 am, Saturday from 11 am to 1 am, and Sunday from 11 am to 11:30 pm.
The chosen people aren’t left out at Chai-vy and Cohen-y Hanukkah Bar, a pop up at Ivy and Coney. They have Manischewitz and shots sipped from a Menorah alongside snacks like latkes. The celebrations run from December 2 to 31. They’re also hosting a Hanukkah candle lighting and Chinese food on December 25.
For more information, visit Eater DC’s list of holiday-themed bars.
Florida
Daytona Beach
Miracle at Hard Rock Daytona Beach’s Sessions Restaurant runs from November 29 to December 31. The festive Daytona Beach pop up bar is open from 11 am to midnight daily and no reservations are accepted. Guests can also stay overnight at Hard Rock Daytona Beach.
Delray Beach
Miracle at Death Or Glory was the first outpost in South Florida. The pop-up bar in a 1920s home runs from November 25 to December 31. It is open Monday to Friday from 3 pm to 2 am and Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 2 am. There are no reservations.
Fort Lauderdale
Miracle On Las Olas is set on Fort Lauderdale’s most famous street at Java & Jam, run by the same owners as Death Or Glory. The diner-style pop up will run from November 27 to January 2. It’s open Sunday to Tuesday from 5 to 10 pm and Wednesday to Saturday from 5 pm to midnight. There are no reservations.
Flight 19 is the area’s Sippin Santa pop up, offering tiki cocktails and Polynesian fare in a former naval station building. It will go from November 25 to December 31, apart from Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The bar is open Sunday to Thursday from 12 pm to 11 pm and Friday and Saturday from 12 pm to 1 am. Reservations are available on their website and on OpenTable.
Gainesville
Miracle On University is located at Madrina’s in the college town of Gainesville. The bar is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 4 pm to 2 am and reservations are not offered.
Jacksonville
Miracle On The Square is located at Jacksonville’s Grape And Grain Exchange, an upscale liquor store and cocktail bar. The bar is open Sunday to Wednesday from 12 pm to midnight and Thursday to Saturday from 12 pm to 2 am. They do not offer reservations.
Miami
Miracle At Wynwood is located at Miami‘s legendary bar Shirley’s at Gramps. They have the funky, festive cocktails in unique glassware as well as events like music and workshops. It runs from November 29 to December 27. They’re open Sunday to Thursday from 7 pm to 1 am and Friday and Saturday from 7 pm to 3 am. There are no reservations.
Riverside Holiday Village at The Wharf, a popular entertainment district, has its own lounge from December 12 to December 22. It includes 30 different cocktails, over 500,000-holiday lights, and live music on weekends. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite.
The Reindeer Room at the Rumbar at Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne runs from December 1 to January 1. It has a menu of light appetizers and festive drinks.
Sippin Santa at the Kimpton Angler’s Hotel South Beach’s Minnow Bar is completely tiki-themed with tropical cocktails. The bar runs from November 25 to December 25. They’re open from 5 pm to 2 am and no reservations are offered.
For more information, visit Eater Miami’s list of holiday-themed bars.
Orlando
Miracle On Orange is located in downtown Orlando‘s The Courtesy Bar. It runs from November 24th through December 24th with Yule Tide cocktails, decor, live music, and dishes. It’s open on Monday from 7 pm to 2 am, Tuesday to Friday from 5 pm to 2 am, and Sunday from 3 pm to 2 am. There are no reservations.
The Avanti Palms Resort‘s Lobby Bar has an outpost of Sippin Santa near Universal Orlando Resort‘s Volcano Bay, where it runs shuttles. It will be open from November 25 to December 31 from Monday to Sunday from 4 pm to midnight. There are no reservations.
Pensacola
Miracle On Palafox is at the Old Hickory Whiskey Bar starting on November 29. It’s open from 2 pm daily and doesn’t accept reservations.
St. Petersburg
Miracle At Mezzo is held at St. Petersburg‘s Intermezzo Coffee & Cocktails, a short drive from downtown Tampa. It’s open from Sunday to Thursday from 5 pm to midnight and Friday and Saturday from 5 pm to 2 am. They don’t accept reservations.
Georgia
Atlanta
Miracle On Monroe is the Christmas bar’s original Atlanta location, held for the second year at Tapa Tapa, a Spanish restaurant. It’s open from November 25 to December 29 but closed on the 25 and 26. The hours are from Wednesday to Thursday from 5 pm to midnight, Friday to Saturday from 5 pm to 1 am, and Sunday from 5 pm to midnight.
Miracle On Highland is located at Parish: The Brasserie and Neighborhood Cafe in Inman Park. It runs from November 29 to December 31, culminating in a New Year’s Eve party. It’s open Wednesday and Thursday from 5 pm to midnight, Friday and Saturday from 5 pm to 1 am, and Sunday from 5 pm to midnight. Reservations are available for weekend brunch from 10 am to 2:30 pm.
Little Christmas Spirit at Little Spirit in Inman Park transforms the small bar into a holiday-themed space. The menu includes cocktails like boozy hot chocolate and mulled wine.
Bo Ling Chop Suey Palace at Hampton + Hudson in Inman Park takes its inspiration from A Christmas Story. The sports bar has Chinese food and cocktails from December 11 to 23 from 6 to 11 pm. There are no reservations.
Sippin Santa is back at Bon Ton, a popular Viet-Cajun restaurant. It’s open from November 25 to December 29 but closed on December 25 and 26. The hours are Monday from 5 to 11 pm, Tuesday to Thursday from 11 am to 11 pm, Friday and Saturday from 11 am to midnight, and Sunday from 11 am to 11 pm.
Likewise Bar’s Holiday Tiki Experience is tucked inside Citizen Supply, a store upstairs at Ponce City Market. They’re offering a Hawaiian-themed holiday tiki bar with drinks like the mai tai and banana sazerac. There is also holiday decor and music and complimentary bites from Produce and Parcel on December 5 from 3 to 9 pm, 6 from 12 to 10 pm, and 7 from 12 to 10 pm.
The Blitzen Room at Biltong Bar at Ponce City Market features the restaurant’s menu of South African snacks alongside boozy hot chocolate and egg nog. It’s open during standard business hours from December 2 to 26 from 11 am to 10 pm.
Mele Kalikimaka at SOS Tiki Bar is the Decatur tiki bar’s holiday concept, running from November 27 to December 28, including Christmas Eve. Here you’ll find tropical cocktails and dishes inspired by Christmas movies. It’s open Wednesday to Saturday from 6 pm to late night.
Yebo Ski Haus in Buckhead is one of two concepts the South African restaurant does, running until the spring. It takes on a ski-lodge style decor with cozy fire pits and blankets. The menu remains constant but warm cocktails are added. Reservations are available.
Red Sky Tapas in Marietta has its own A Christmas Story-themed space from November 19 to December 31. The restaurant has a holiday menu with items like turducken egg rolls and eggnog-like cocktails.
Santa’s Bar at Noble Fin in Peachtree Corners runs from November 29 to December 31. They offer holiday cocktails like whiskey eggnog and spiced hot chocolate. It’s open from Monday to Saturday from 5 to 9 pm and reservations are accepted.
Decked Out Bar at W Atlanta-Buckhead inside Cook Hall runs Monday to Saturday from 6 pm to midnight. Among the events are a “Thank You, Mr. Scrooge” event where guests can donate a teddy bear to a children’s hospital in exchange for a complimentary cocktail. There’s also an ugly sweater contest.
Elf’d Up Bar at W Atlanta-Midtown features festive sips and bites like the Mules Are Better Than Reindeer. The bar runs from Thursday to Saturday from 6 pm to 1 am until December 28. They’ll also have the same Mr. Scrooge event along with an event for the troops and “Don We Now Our Gay Apparel,” an LGBTQ+ event with a drag show and clothing drive.
Slay Bar at W Atlanta-Downtown is inside the Living Room, featuring live music and entertainment with a special holiday menu. It runs Monday to Saturday from 6 pm to midnight. In addition to the other W Atlanta events, this property will have a holiday trivia night on December 11.
Mingle & Jingle is a pop-up bar at Best End Brewery in Atlanta’s West End in the Chef’s Kitchen. If features festive cocktails, dozens of strands of lights, and even a giant Santa bear to pose for photos.
For more information, visit Eater Atlanta’s list of holiday-themed bars.
Savannah
Sippin Santa at The Alida Hotel in Savannah runs from November 27 to December 31 with tiki-inspired cocktails at the property’s bar The Trade Room. They’re open from 3 to 11 pm daily. No reservations are offered.
Kentucky
Louisville
Miracle On Market in Louisville’s Galaxie Bar is the state’s only holiday pop up bar. It’s open from November 29 to December 31. In addition to festive cocktails, they have an ugly sweater contest and karaoke. They’re open from Sunday to Thursday from 5 pm to midnight and Friday and Saturday from 5 pm to 2 am. No reservations are offered.
Louisiana
Lafayette
Miracle At Pamplona Tapas Bar is the Cajun country’s pop up holiday bar. They’re open November 26 to December 31 on Sunday and Monday from 5 pm to midnight, Tuesday to Thursday from 11 am to 11 pm, Friday from 11 am to 2 pm, and Saturday from 5 pm to 2 am. Reservations are available by Tock, phone, or email.
New Orleans
Miracle At Barrel Proof is open from 4 pm to close daily, located in the Lower Garden District of New Orleans. They offer events like an ugly sweater party as well as festive cocktails. They’re open from 4 pm daily but closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Miracle At Longway is at Longway Tavern in the French Quarter from November 25 to December 31. They’re open from Monday to Thursday from 4 pm to close and Friday to Sunday from 10 am to close. No reservations are offered.
Beachbum Berry’s Latitude 29 is an outpost of Sippin Santa in New Orleans, open from Sunday to Thursday from 3 to 11 pm and Friday and Saturday from 1 pm to midnight. Located in the French Quarter, it offers tiki-inspired cocktails and food. Reservations are available by phone at (504) 609-3811.
Bingle Bar is set inside the Ritz-Carlton New Orleans and includes decor like a gingerbread steamboat and a gingerbread streetcar featuring famous local residents.
Snakes and Jake’s Christmas Club Lounge is a year-round Christmas themed dive bar. It’s open starting at 7 pm nightly in the Uptown Carrollton area. It has Christmas ornaments strung from the ceiling and other funky decor.
Mississippi
Biloxi
Miracle At Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Biloxi is the only Christmas pop up bar in Biloxi as well as the only one in the state. It runs from November 29 to December 28 from 8 pm to 2 am. Every Friday is ugly sweater night and reservations are not offered.
North Carolina
Asheville
Miracle On Haywood Road is at The Golden Pineapple, a West Asheville cocktail bar in a historic building. It’s open November 25 to December 31. Their hours are Monday to Thursday from 5 pm to midnight, Friday from 5 pm to 2 am, and Sunday from 2 pm to midnight. No Reservations are offered.
The Montford Rooftop Bar is Asheville‘s only Sippin Santa location, running from November 25 to January 1. The bar offers mountaintop views with Tiki-inspired decor. They don’t offer reservations and are open Monday to Thursday from 3 to 10 pm, Friday from 3 to 11 pm, Saturday from 12 pm to 11 pm, and Sunday from 10 am to 10 pm.
Durham
Jack Tar + The Colonel’s Daughter is located next to Durham‘s Unscripted hotel, named for the property’s previous name. A holiday pop-up is at The Colonel’s Daughter, the small bar inside, running from November 29 to December 31. It features mid-century inspired decor and holiday lights as well as festive drinks.
Raleigh
Miracle At The Haymaker is set inside a stylish Raleigh cocktail bar from November 29 to the end of the year. It’s open Monday and Tuesday from 4 pm to midnight and Wednesday to Saturday from 4 pm to 2 am. There are no reservations, but they do offer buyouts for holiday parties and events.
Winston-Salem
Miracle On Cherry Street is located at Butcher & Bull in Winston-Salem, a downtown steakhouse. It’s open daily from December 3 to January 1 from 11 am to midnight. No reservations are offered.
South Carolina
Mount Pleasant
Miracle At Handcraft Kitchen And Cocktails is located inside a restaurant in Mount Pleasant, a suburb of Charleston just over the Ravenel Bridge. The space is covered in over 10,000 feet of wrapping paper and thousands more lights. It runs from November 25 to December 31, open from Monday to Friday from 11 am to 2 am and Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 am to 2 am. Reservations Available via Resy or Phone
Tennessee
Chattanooga
Miracle At Bode is the only holiday pop up in Chattanooga, held at Bode Chattanooga, a trendy hotel in the heart of downtown. The bar runs from November 25th to December 31st. It’s open from 5 to 11 pm daily and no reservations are offered.
Knoxville
Miracle On Gay Street is held at Knoxville‘s Sapphire Fine Food & Fancy Drinks, a cocktail bar in a former jewelry store. It’s open Monday to Saturday from 4 pm to 3 am and Sunday from 5 pm to 3 am. Reservations are available on Resy.Com.
Nashville
Miracle At Hidden Bar is set inside the Noelle Nashville, a stylish hotel. They’re hosting the World’s Largest Ugly Sweater Party and a New Year’s Eve party. It runs from November 27 to January 1 from Tuesday to Sunday from 5 pm to 1 am. No reservations are offered.
The Hub At Bode Nashville is a Sippin Santa outpost at the apartment-style hotel in Nashville. It’s open from 5 to 11 pm daily and no reservations are offered.
The Bobby Hotel Nordic Village is the trendy hotel’s rooftop retreat, featuring igloos and cabins for sipping festive drinks while admiring views of Nashville. It runs from November 14 from Sunday to Wednesday from 4 to 11 pm and Thursday to Saturday from 4 pm to 1 am. Reservations are required for the seating times and there are minimum group sizes. Guests can also stay at the Bobby Hotel.
HQ Beercade’s Reindeer Games is the downtown beer bar’s holiday installation with decorations, themed cocktails, and food. There are also photo ops including one inspired by National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. It’s open during regular hours, from Monday to Thursday from 4 pm to 3 am and Friday to Saturday from 12 pm to 3 am.
For more information, visit Eater Nashville’s list of holiday-themed bars.
Virginia
Richmond
Miracle On Cary Street is located at The Jasper in Richmond runs from November 27 to December 31, but closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. They’re open from 5 pm to 2 am daily and no reservations are offered.
Is there a holiday pop up bar near you?
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