Why go to a regular bar when you could go to one that looks like the inside of Santa’s workshop? To get in the holiday spirit — with a glass of spirits in hand — check out these seven festive pop-up bars in NoVA and DC that are serving seasonal cocktails with a side of kitschy décor.
Miracle on Exchange St. at Sense of Thai
Miracle, a Christmas-themed pop-up bar, is bringing kitschy décor and festive drinks to Sense of Thai St. in Ashburn. Drinks include the creamy, minty Christmas Cricket; the spiced cranberry and elderflower Christmapolitan; and the Elfing Around #2, with cognac, mulled wine, champagne, and bitters. Gaudy holiday gifts are for sale, including holiday mugs and shot glasses — and 10 percent of proceeds from the Santa’s Head, Santa Pants, and Christmas Carol Barrel mugs benefit the Seva Foundation. This is one of 145 Miracle locations internationally. 20413 Exchange St., Ashburn
Sippin’ Santa at Tiki Thai
Miracle will also host Sippin’ Santa, a second holiday pop-up concept, at Reston’s Tiki Thai. It will have similarly over-the top décor and holiday gifts — which also benefit the Seva Foundation — but its own slate of jolly drinks. Try the Merry Spritzmas spritz with tawny port, falernum, fig preserves, and cardamom bitters or the Ho Ho Hot Buttered Rum with flavors of spiced honey butter, vanilla, and passion fruit. 12100 Sunset Hills Rd. Ste. 107, Reston
Joy On The Avenue
Del Ray’s ever-changing pop-up bar has worn many hats over the years, including a spooky Halloween theme this fall and a Miami Vice theme over the summer. This time of year, it’s decked out with string lights, tinsel, and ornaments. The drink menu features holiday specials like the cranberry and rosemary– flavored Rudolph 75 with Citadelle gin and the Warm Me Up with rye whiskey, gingerbread simple syrup, and chocolate bitters. 2312 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria
Blitzen Bar at Makers Union
The Reston location of Makers Union is quite the jolly scene. The space is full of holiday decorations and music. Seasonal cocktails include the Candy Cane Colada with flavors of peppermint, pineapple, and coconut; the Apple Crisp Martini; and spirit-free mocktails like the Cranberry-Ginger Mockmule. To kick off the pop-up, there will be holiday karaoke on December 1 from 9 p.m. to midnight. 1811 Library St., Reston
Snow Globe at Cantina Bambina
Cantina Bambina’s winter décor lets its guests get the feeling that they’re sitting in a life-sized snow globe. Take in the bar’s light displays as you gaze out to The Wharf’s waterfront and enjoy themed drinks and snacks while you’re at it. There’s a Mexican Hot Cocoa with cinnamon, spices, and tequila and a spiked hot cider to keep you warm, plus an old fashioned with pomegranate molasses for a holiday twist on a classic cocktail. 960 Wharf St. SW, Washington, DC
Chicken+Whiskey
Chicken + Whiskey, a Peruvian rotisserie chicken restaurant with locations in DC, Virginia, and Maryland, will host a holiday pop-up at its Navy Yard location. Expect holiday karaoke every Wednesday night, a ceiling full of ornaments, and exclusive holiday cocktails. There’s the pomegranate-orange-tequila Jingle Juice, a Jameson-spiked hot cider, and the Let’s Get Lit shots of vodka, green tea, melon, and lime, which are served in ornaments. 70 N St. SE, Ste. 119, Washington, DC
Wunder Garten’s 7th Annual Winterfest
Wunder Garten is home to a full calendar of holiday events, like the European Union’s Holiday Food Tour on December 5. At Wunder Garten, you can cozy up at a fireplace and sip on hot chocolate, spiked hot cider, and mulled wine. And if you haven’t gotten a tree yet, shop at the Christmas tree lot to pick one up while you’re there. Winterfest runs through December 23. 1101 First St. NW, Washington, DC
Feature image of Tiki Thai courtesy Miracle
For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine’s Food newsletter.
