Between holiday light displays and seasonal movie releases, it’s beginning to look a lot like… well, you know.
And if you’re looking to get into the Christmas spirit – emphasis on spirits – there are numerous pop-up bars decking the halls. Here are 10 places bartenders will be making a drink, shaking it twice. Your choice whether it’s salty or spiced.
Plus: One booze-free holiday pop-up that’s great for the whole family.
Avantiki
Open now through Dec. 29
The rooftop space at Denver’s Avanti Food & Beverage food hall will be transformed into a pop-up called Avantiki, a beach-inspired destination where the vibes are warm and the drinks are strong. Libations come served in hula-clad Santa mugs and other fun vessels to match the vibe. Entry costs $5 and benefits CHOW or the Culinary Hospitality Outreach and Wellness program, which supports mental health and wellbeing in the service industry. While Avanti in Boulder won’t be as decked out with baubles and lights, it will serve the holiday menu of drinks.
Located at Avanti Food & Beverage, 3200 Pecos St., Denver. avantifandb.com.
Big Holiday Energy
Open now through Jan. 1
The spirit of Christmas saved Call to Arms Brewing Co. in Denver. That’s according to the owner, who considered throwing in the towel after several tough pandemic years. But luckily for holiday revelers, he didn’t and now the brewery goes all out hanging Christmas trees from the ceiling, decking out a Hanukkah room, and tacking up lights in nearly every corner for that perfectly twinkling selfie. This year, Call to Arms is building the pop-up around the theme of Christmas movies.
Located at Call to Arms Brewing Co., 4526 Tennyson St., Denver. calltoarmsbrewing.com.
The Christmas Pop Up Bar
Open Fridays and Saturdays now through Dec. 23
Ho-ho-how many shots do you think it would take for Santa to stumble down the chimney? Find out at Mile High Spirits’ seasonal pop-up, aptly named The Christmas Pop Up Bar. Located in the distillery’s barrel room, the bar serves four unique holiday shots. Entry is free, but a reservation is encouraged since spots are limited.
Located at Mile High Spirits, 2201 Lawrence St., Denver. eventbrite.com/cc/christmas-pop-up-bar-shots-with-santa-2852319.
Festivus for the Rest of Us
Open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays now through Dec. 31
Up on the rooftop, reindeer pours. That’s the scene at BurnDown on South Broadway on Thursday through Saturday nights during the pop-up Festivus for the Rest of Us, hosted on the restaurant’s third-floor rooftop bar. Starting at 6 p.m., locals can find libations such as a frozen negroni and peppermint Irish coffee and toast to the season with skyline views.
Located at BurnDown, 476 South Broadway, Denver. burndowndenver.com.
Miracle
Open now through various dates depending on location
Born as a single location in 2014, Miracle popularized the concept of holiday-themed pop-up bars and led a worldwide proliferation of festive libations to be sipped among over-the-top decor. Miracle comes to six different locations in Colorado this year, each with the same menu of seasonal beverages, like the Christmas Cricket (tequila, vanilla liqueur, mint amaro, coco pandan, mole bitters) and the Snowball Old Fashioned (rye, gingerbread, bitters, orange essence). Because they’re so popular, most encourage or require a reservation.
Located at Cousin Pat’s Pub & Grill (451 S. Saint Vrain Ave., Estes Park), The Eddy Taproom & Hotel (1640 8th St., Golden), /pôr/ Wine House (836 Main St., Louisville), The Post Chicken & Beer (1002 S. College Ave., Fort Collins), Trainwreck (812 S. Sierra Madre St., Colorado Springs), and Union Station (1701 Wynkoop St., Denver). miraclepopup.com.
Mistletoe Lounge
Open now through Dec. 24
Those who shop local at the Cherry Creek Holiday Market can reward themselves with a festive drink at the Mistletoe Lounge, a new addition to holiday happenings at the shopping center. Inside a heated tent, bartenders mix up Hot Toddys, Mocha Martinis, hard cider and a variety of non-alcoholic hot chocolate recipes to enjoy alongside the hustle bustle. Stop by on a Saturday to catch some live music.
Located at the Fillmore Plaza at Cherry Creek North, 105 Fillmore St., Denver. cherrycreekholidaymarket.com/mistletoelounge.
Sippin’ Santa
Open now through various dates depending on location
As a tropical counterpart to the ever-popular Miracle pop-up, Sippin’ Santa has been delighting drinkers with a beach staycation since 2015. The pop-up takes over three bars in Colorado this year, each serving cocktails that are equal parts holiday and vacation. That includes the Surf Nut, a blend of Puerto Rican rum, coconut water, coconut cream and apricot brandy; the Merry Spritzmas, featuring prosecco, aperitif, port wine, cognac, falernum, lemon and bitters; and the namesake Sippin’ Santa with rum, lemon, orange and a gingerbread mix.
Located at Allusion Speakeasy (323 N. Tejon St., Colorado Springs) Ay Papi (248 Detroit St., Denver), and Bernard’s Tiki Room at The Arvada Tavern (5707 Olde Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada). sippinsantapopup.com.
Sleigh Bar
Open now through Dec. 24
Before you take part in McGregor Square’s seasonal offerings like ice skating and drag shows, stop by the Sleigh Bar at Milepost Zero to add some pep(ppermint) to your step. The pop-up bar returns with cheeky drinks like the Hot Co-Ho-Ho (vodka or whiskey mixed with Mexican hot chocolate) and the Yellow Snow (Smirnoff Ice with lemonade). On Mondays, all drinks are $2 off.
Located at Milepost Zero, 1601 19th St., Suite 150, Denver. mcgregorsquare.com/events/sleigh-bar.
Snowdrift
Open now through Dec. 30
Physically in Denver, mentally on a warm Caribbean island. That’s the energy at Snowdrift, which takes over Adrift tiki bar with an abundance of decor and specialty eats and drinks. Adrift is known for its sharable punch bowl cocktails and this season’s festive flavor is the Ho Co-Co Gingerbread Nog, a mix of multiple rums, raspberry liqueur, coconut cream, gingerbread syrup, lemon juice and spices. Bring two to three of your best buds to share it with.
Located at Adrift, 218 S Broadway, Denver. adriftbar.com.
Tinseltown: The Christmas Speakeasy
Open now through Dec. 30
Expect cocktails and carols when you slip into Tinseltown, billed as a Christmas speakeasy because it’s hidden on the third floor of a building near the 16th Street Mall. Tickets ($15) are required for entry to this 90-minute holiday experience. Rumor has it Santa’s elves will be there for photo ops.
Located at The Venue at Denver Pavilions, 500 16th St., Suite 320, Denver. viralventuresusa.ticketspice.com/tinsel-town-denver.
Bonus one for the kids: Santa’s Little Man Factory
Open now through Dec. 31
So you can’t find a babysitter for the kiddos? No sweat. The holiday pop-up Santa’s Little Man Ice Cream Factory trades 21+ cocktails for family-friendly treats and entertainment, including ice cream-making classes, cookie decorating and gingerbread houses. All that plus an indoor slide and appearances by the big man himself. Pair it with Little Man’s seasonal ice cream flavors like eggnog, gingersnap and candy cane for a buzz minus the booze.
Located at Little Man Ice Cream Factory, 4411 W. Colfax Ave., Denver. littlemanicecreamfactory.com.
