These 16 Twin Cities area holiday pop-up bars offer a merry vibe

Holiday pop-up bars are back with snow globe margaritas, a build-your-own gingerbread house and more.

By Ella Anderson

For the Minnesota Star Tribune
December 6, 2024 at 10:00PM
Joanne Kneller Spence, of Cambridge, jokes with Santa during Jingle Bar at Brit's Pub on Wednesday. (Aaron Lavinsky/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

It’s the merriest and brightest season of all, and the list of local restaurants and bars decking the halls to celebrate is growing. With a variety of cocktail concoctions from the gingerbread mule to the tipsy elf, photo opportunities in an all-new “ski chalet” and a plethora of jubilant decor, a visit to these pop-ups will fill you with yuletide cheer..

Jingle Bar at Brit’s Pub: The nationwide, magical Christmas pop-up bar has made a home in Brit’s Pub this holiday season. Get jolly with holiday tunes, seasonal cocktails, games, entertainment and prizes. Tickets starting at $15.50. Dates and times vary, now though Jan. 12, Brit’s Pub, 1110 Nicollet Mall, Mpls, thejinglebars.com.

Holiday Flight Club: Experience holiday traditions around the world through cuisines, dishes and cocktail parings from various countries — all from the comfort of Travail’s seasonally decorated basement bar. Tickets starting at $135. Seatings at 5:45 p.m. and 8 p.m., now through Jan. 4, Travail’s Basement Bar, 4134 Hubbard Av. N., Robbinsdale, travailkitchen.com.

Nico’s Navidad: With five themed rooms, a full holiday cocktail menu, Candy Cane Bar, Whoville, Bar Humbug and a life-size Santa, it’s safe to say Nico’s in Uptown has enough Christmas cheer to share. Accepting reservations and walk-ins. 4-10 p.m. Mon.-Thu., 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Fri. and Sat., 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sun., now through Jan. 5, Nico’s Taco Bar, 2516 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls., nicostacobar.com.

Down Through the Chimney: Immerse yourself in a winter wonderland as you sip on handcrafted cocktails and nibble on holiday bites by the Santa-approved fireplace at Hotel Emery’s holiday pop-up bar. Accepting reservations and walk-ins. 4 p.m.-midnight Wed.-Sun., now through Dec. 29, Hotel Emery, 215 S. 4th St., Mpls., hotelemery.com.

A pair of “Pear Tree Martinis” and an “Old Fashioned Christmas” are ready to be served to patrons during Jingle Bar at Brit's Pub in Minneapolis. (Aaron Lavinsky/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Jingle Bar at Lola’s Lakehouse: Jingle Bar returns to Lola’s Lakehouse for another holiday season with cheerful craft cocktails and mocktails, live music and festive fare. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are encouraged. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon.-Thu., 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri. and Sat., 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sun. Now through Dec. 31, Lola’s Lakehouse, 318 E. Lake St., Waconia, lolaslakehouse.com.

Mid Century Modern Holiday Pop Up: Build your own mini-gingerbread house as you sip on holiday-themed cocktails or hot mulled blackberry “wine” in Dashfire’s cocktail room. 4 p.m.-midnight Thu.-Sat., now through Dec. 28, Dashfire, 1620 Central Av. NE., Mpls., dashfire.us.

The Red Nose Room and Après Ski Chalet: Red Cow’s Red Nose Room is back this year with the new Après Ski Chalet. Both with their own unique holiday menus featuring a variety of merry bevvies and foods — including Christmas cookies and Boozy Cider. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Tue.-Thu., 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Sat., 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun., now through Dec. 31, Red Cow Uptown, 2626 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls., redcowmn.com.

The Naughty List: Head to Umbra for some of the North Pole’s rarest spirits, from spiced Caribbean rum and egg nog-infused Kentucky bourbon to elven-distilled gin and mulled cider. Bar and lounge seating is first-come, first-served. 11 a.m-10 p.m. Sun.-Sat., now through Dec. 31, Umbra inside the Canopy Hotel, 708 S. 3rd St., Mpls., umbrampls.com.

Jingle Giles: Earl Giles presents its first six-week-long holiday pop-up event, featuring themed craft cocktails, seasonal dishes, live music, trivia and holiday markets. Reservations are encouraged. 3-10 p.m. Mon.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sun., now through Dec. 31, Earl Giles, 1325 NE. Quincy St., Mpls., earlgiles.com.

Hell-a-dazzle: Step into an explosion of holiday cheer in Hell’s Kitchen’s underground lair. The festivities feature Christmas kitsch décor from wall to wall, a 35-foot bloody mary and mimosa bar and live music. Reservations are encouraged. 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Sun.-Thu., 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri. and Sat., now through Jan. 13, Hell’s Kitchen, 80 S. 9th St., Mpls., hellskitcheninc.com.

The Nutcracker Suite: Nestled away in the Sovereign State winery is an enchanting cocktail lounge with seasonal drinks like the “Sugar Plum Fairy Martini” and the “Nutcracker.” Guests must have tickets to the Spirit of Winter event to attend. Tickets start at $15. 4-8 p.m. Sun.-Thu., 4-9 p.m. Fri. and Sat., and 4-8 p.m. on Dec. 23. Runs now through Dec. 29, Sovereign Estate Winery, 9950 North Shore Road, Waconia, sovereignestatewine.com.

Miracle Bar: The Miracle Bar is popping up at two locations in Minnesota this holiday season. Both Pinz and River City Extreme will feature one-of-a-kind seasonal cocktails and vibrant decor. Tickets start at $15. 4-10 p.m. Mon.-Thu., noon-11 p.m. Fri. and Sat., noon-9 p.m. Sun., now through Dec. 29, two Locations, Pinz, 7520 N. 32nd St., Oakdale, and River City Extreme, 3875 School Blvd., Monticello, Minn., tripleshift.com.

Friends make a toast with their “Pear-Tree Martinis” during Jingle Bar at Brit's Pub in Minneapolis. (Aaron Lavinsky/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Winter Wonder Bar: There’s snow doubt Creekside Supper Club takes Christmas seriously. Sip on a holiday cocktail and enjoy a classic supper club meal in their decked-out dining room. Reservations are recommended. 4-9 p.m. Tue.-Thu., 4-10 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-10 p.m. Sat., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-9 p.m. Sun., now through Jan. 12, Creekside Supper Club, 4820 Chicago Av. S., Mpls., creeksidemn.com.

Dorit’s Tavern: Located on Surly’s second floor is a unique holiday pop-up featuring cold beers, killer pizza and Jell-O shots. The mid-’80s-themed dive bar is taking reservations. 3-9 p.m., now through Jan. 5, Surly Brewing Co., 520 Malcolm Av. SE., Mpls., surlybrewing.com.

No Coal for You!: Black Sheep Pizza is decking out their coal-fired pizzeria and bar for the holidays with an all-new lineup of happy hour food and drinks for the season. The restaurant and bar also extended happy hour and late-night hours. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun.-Thu., 11 a.m.-2:30 a.m. Fri. and Sat., now through Jan. 4, Black Sheep Pizza – North Loop, 600 Washington Av. N., Mpls., blacksheeppizza.com.

Welcome to the Jingle: Hola Arepa, the Latin street food restaurant, is doing a tropical take on the joyful season with its holiday bar in the jungle, featuring specialty cocktails and reggae and afrobeat Christmas playlist. 4-10 p.m. Tue.-Thu., 4-11 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Sat., 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun., now through Dec. 29, Hola Arepa, 3501 Nicollet Av. S., Mpls., holaarepa.com.

Ella.Anderson@startribune.com is a University of Minnesota student reporter on assignment for the Star Tribune.

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about the writer

Ella Anderson