It’s the best time of the year – bars are decked out for the holidays and serving special menus. And while it may seem like holiday pop-up bars have always been around, they’re fairly new.
The idea of a holiday pop-up bar – where a bar transforms for a time in December – started in 2014 in New York City. Greg Boehm turned his bar Mace into “Miracle on Ninth Street” for 30 days, and since then, the pop-up has expanded around the country, including here, with “Miracle on 5th Street.”
Austin took to the trend quite well – the city is full of pop-ups with festive holiday menus this time of year. Here’s some of our favorites to visit this month:
🎄 Donn’s Depot
We’re pretty sure this one qualifies as a pop-up bar. Donn’s Depot, the storied Old West Austin bar housed in rail cars, goes all out during December. The 46-year-old bar gets smothered in lights, snowflakes, wrapping paper, inflatables, nutcrackers, ornaments, garlands, Christmas trees, specialty drinks, and more and more and more.
🕎 Get Lit at Kitty Cohen’s
Kitty Cohen’s, the East Austin bar with a tiny backyard pool, pulls out all the stops for Hanukkah with its “Get Lit” pop-up. We’re talking a big, inflatable menorah, little dreidels lining the bar, an inflatable flamingo wearing a Hanukkah sweater, and a festive L’chaim drink made with rye whiskey.
🎁 Winter Wonderglam at Gibson Street Bar
Ducking into Gibson Street Bar on South Lamar during December is like being taken into another world. The bar transforms its backyard with giant nutcrackers, lights, disco balls, photo booths, and offers a a wonderful virgin hot chocolate.
🧑🎄 Sippin’ Santa at Nickel City
Fair warning: This one gets packed to the brim most nights, but it’s totally worth it if you can get in! Sippin’ Santa is Nickel City’s Christmas tiki pop-up and includes drinks in beachy Santa cups, a North Pole Punch made with bourbon, and fun decor that is both Christmas-y and beachy!
