While shopping and sightseeing are often the focus of a holiday trip to New York City, dining is still part of that component. There are restaurants and bars that also get heavily into the holiday spirit by putting on pop-up settings and seasonal food and drink menus. Visit these popular holiday pop-up bars in New York City.
Miracle on Ninth Street
MIracle on 9th Street
Miracle is a holiday cocktail pop-up concept dating back to 2014. It was started by hospitality trailblazer Greg Boehm at his NYC bar, Mace on 9th Street. Now marking a decade, the 2024 edition of Miracle on Ninth Street in New York City takes place at The Cabinet Mezcal Bar in Manhattan’s East Village.
Try various cocktails served in novelty glasses. Christmasaurus is a tropical mix of pineapple rum, mezcal, and toasted cumin. Christmapolitan puts out a festive twist on this classic drink, with spiced cranberry sauce and rosemary, while the Snowball Old-Fashioned is a cozy blend of rye whiskey and gingerbread. There’s also a Hot Buttered Rum, prepared with aged Jamaican rum and spiced butter.
Mariah Carey’s Holiday Bar
Held at various Virgin Hotels across the U.S., Mariah Carey’s Holiday Bar features cocktails made … [+]
Mariah Carey’s hit song, “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” has become a mainstay and the singer is now the inspiration behind a pop-up holiday bar at select Virgin Hotel locations across the United States. There’s one in NYC, as the aptly-named “Mariah Carey’s Holiday Bar” will also feature fun holiday cocktails made with Carey’s Irish cream liqueur, Black Irish. There’s also a “Letters To Mariah” station and a rotation of holiday music, including her famous hit!
Blitzen’s Bar at Omni Berkshire Place
Blitzen’s Bar is a holiday pop-up bar at Omni Berkshire Place, the NYC location for Omni Hotels & … [+]
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Omni Berkshire Place, the NYC location for Omni Hotels & Resorts, is hosting the seasonal pop-up, Blitzen’s Bar. It features libations from renowned mixologist, author and bar owner, Julie Reiner, who co-founded NYC cocktail bars Clover Club, Milady’s, and Leyanda and served as a judge on Netflix’s hit series Drink Masters.
Blitzen’s Bar is outfitted with neon signs, kitschy leg lamps, hanging tinsel and vibrant baubles. Visitors can order from a menu of 12 cocktails, including two non-alcoholic options.
“The Blitzen” is a unique twist on a rum negroni, the “Frost Bite” offers a festive take on a pina colada and “Tidings of Whiskey & Joy” is a play on the New York Sour. Each drink is topped with distinct garnishes, from gingerbread cookies to toasted coconut “snow,” and complete with holiday-themed cocktail umbrellas.
Festive food menu options consist of “Reindeer Nuggets,” a serving of marinated castelvetrano olives; “Ralphie’s Nibbles,” soft pretzel bites with maple mustard; and “Popcorn Garlands,” with winter truffles and parmesan. Sweet snacks encompass Santa’s Secret Cookie Stash, an assortment of holiday cookies.
Elsie Rooftop’s Winter Wonderland
Elsie Rooftop has turned into a winter wonderland.
In Bryant Park, Elsie Rooftop’s “Winter Wonderland” transforms this 25th floor spot into a festive hub with sweeping views of the city skyline and even the famous Times Square ball.
Adorned with twinkling lights and white trees all throughout the space, the venue’s decor also incorporates poinsettia flowers, life-size Santa replicas, giant Christmas ornaments on the space’s flower awning, gingerbread creations with faux snow accents on tables. Try Elsie’s Christmas Cocktail Tree, which features eight holiday cocktails at a price of $150.
Gnomeo’s at Romeo’s
An amaretto eggnog sour at Gnomeo’s, aka Romeo’s in East Village.
The East Village cocktail bar, Romeo’s, temporarily becomes Gnomeo’s, a whimsical holiday bar. The festival atmosphere is graced by garlands, wreaths, twinkling Christmas trees, fake snow, and playful gnome décor. The bar’s iconic nineties movie portraits will be swapped out for photos of Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
The pop-up cocktail menu includes Amaretto Eggnog Sour with Adriatico Amaretto and Hennessy and garnished with green and red sprinkles; a Peppermint Espresso Martini, topped with Peppermint Foam; and Festivus Cranberry Highball with Grey Goose, Dolin Blanc, and Clarified Cranberry Cordial, garnished with cranberries and a rosemary sprig.
Sunday In Brooklyn’s Snowday In Brooklyn
Sunday In Brooklyn has been putting on “Snowday In Brooklyn” since 2018.
“Snowday In Brooklyn” began in November 2018 as a winter-themed cocktail pop-up at Sunday In Brooklyn in Williamsburg.
2024 marks its seventh anniversary, and this seasonal concept is now available in the entire restaurant during dinner hours. Patrons can choose from 14 whimsical winter cocktails. The Partridge In A Pear Tree is a spiced tequila and pear brandy punch served in a stunning bird glass. Another option is the Polar Bear Club, a rum and Aquavit frozen Pina Colada served in a cute honey bear jar. Food orders range from their French Onion soup with gruyere and grilled sourdough to their Poppy Seed-studded Pigs In A Blanket.
Jingle Jangle at The Dead Rabbit
The Dead Rabbit has a holiday popup called Jingle Jangle.
The Dead Rabbit, a popular Irish bar in Lower Manhattan’s Financial District, is presenting their pop-up, “Jingle Jangle.” This seasonal wonderland encompasses a 14-drink deep cocktail menu and a playlist of classic Irish Christmas music. For 2024, The Dead Rabbit will have a temporary second location at The Rooftop at Pier 17 near The Seaport district.
Also near The Seaport’s Pier 15 is known as Santa’s Winter Wonderland now through the end of December 2024. Offered in partnership with Fever, this wonderland is made up of outdoor heated glass houses and hallways full of holiday magic.
Loreley Beer Garden’s Holiday Winter Wonderland
Loreley Beer Garden on the Lower East Side turns into a winter wonderland.
Loreley Beer Garden on Manhattan’s Lower East Side holds a Holiday Winter Wonderland pop-up, both inside their location and within their heated outdoor garden. See six-foot snowmen, candy canes, a sleigh, gingerbread houses, snow globe display, Christmas trees, and thousands of ornaments.
The menu of festive drinks lists sweet and savory choices. There’s Boozy Bourbon Black & White Hot Chocolate, with bourbon, Ghirardelli’s white and semi-sweet chocolate, and topped with toasted marshmallows. Spiked Eggnog is full of rum, whipped cream. and caramel, while Tipsy Rudolph is made with cranberry, tequila, triple sec, and lime served in a red ornament-shaped glass. Or try Loreley’s signature Gluhwein.
Great Jones Distilling Co.’s Whiskey Wonderland
Great Jones Distilling Co. puts on a “Whiskey Wonderland” pop-up bar.
In Manhattan’s NoHo district, Great Jones Distilling Co.’s “Whiskey Wonderland” brings a festive vibe to, the first legal whiskey distillery since Prohibition. It takes over the distillery’s speakeasy into a cozy winter chalet, with this a hidden, underground gem open to the public via reservation for a limited time.
This overhaul is complete with twinkling lights, a crackling fireplace, ornament-clad trees, and a curated menu of 100 percent New York-made whiskeys, cocktails, and bites. Reservations can be made through Resy.
