12 Christmas Pop Up Bars in New York City (Worth Waiting For)

Host Bar The Cabinet

Dates: Early November to late December

In 2014, Greg Boehm was constructing his new bar when he put a pin in the project and opted to string up Christmas decorations and serve creative, holiday-themed cocktails. He called it the Miracle on 9th Street, and it became a resounding success, returning year after year and even spreading across America and into new continents.

With warm, colorful lights and creative holiday cocktails, Miracle on 9th is one of the most popular holiday pop-up bars in New York City. They go the whole nine yards, dusting off creative seasonal cups like a T-Rex wearing a Santa hat and even Santa shot glasses. They serve only drinks, so the Christmas pop-up is strictly 21+.

Dates: Early November to early March

Although not a traditional bar, the igloos at the Winter Village at Bryant Park still offer a fun seasonal drinking experience in New York City. Groups of up to eight can reserve a clear, heated, plastic igloo at the treasured holiday market for 90-minute sessions ($215 for up to 4 guests, $430 for up to 8 guests).

Each reservation has a complimentary carafe of hot chocolate or hot apple cider, but a la carte bites and beverages are also available for purchase. There are options, including beer, wine, and Christmas-themed cocktails, but outside food is not allowed.

Host Bar Thief

Dates: Early November to late December

Miracle on Union is a sister location to Miracle on 9th Street. Santa greets guests at the door, and the welcoming atmosphere and holiday drinks can make it easy to lose track of time. But there’s no need to sweat the time; Miracle on Union is open late (2 AM).

Of all the Christmas pop-up bars in New York City, Miracle on Union might have the best drinks. Quirky names like the Snowball Old-Fashioned, Grandma Got Runover by A T-Rex, and Christmas Carol Barrel are only the tip of the iceberg. They don’t just have cute names, the cocktails taste great!

Host Bar Leyenda Address: 221 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11201 Dates: Late November to late December

Leyenda is a Brooklyn bar that shines a light on Latin-American spirits. For the holidays, it transforms into one of the best Christmas pop-up bars in Brooklyn, dubbed Sleyenda. Staying true to its roots, the bar’s holiday menu adds twists to popular Latin-American drinks.

The Coquito Ho Ho, Kwanzaa Colada, and Mexican Hot Chocolate are classic cocktails sprinkled with festive touches. And for all my fellow Netflix lovers, Sleyenda is partly owned by Julie Reiner, who was recently a judge on the show Drink Masters.

Dates: One day only in early December

Hudson Yards is a mall that hosts one of the best free holiday pop-up bars in NYC, creating a VIP lounge on its fourth floor with live music and champagne. There are also photo-ops spread across the mall, including some with Santa Claus. The event only happens for one day, but it is worth adding to your calendar since many of the mall’s stores offer discounts.

Some of the top deals include 30% off at Brooks Brothers, 25% off at Coach, and 30% off at Muji. The mall’s restaurants also participate in the popular NYC Christmas pop-up, with Ana Bar & Eatery offering an all-night happy hour and the Bronx Brewery presenting limited-time holiday brews.

Host Bar Bacall’s

Dates: Late November to Late December

Frosty’s is one of New York City’s biggest Christmas pop-up bars, with a whopping four bars across three floors. With that much real estate, the photo-taking opportunities and the drinks are abundant. Christmas cocktails are available, and a crowd favorite is the Bad Santa, a house-made coquito.

The Christmas pop-up also has a family-friendly restaurant, so kids can take advantage of some photo-taking opportunities too. Tickets to the pop-up bar experience range between $30-$40 depending on the day, but the restaurant offers free reservations (fair warning, though, the food at the restaurant is mediocre; stick to small bites and drinks).

Host Bar Roberta’s Address: 261 Moore St, Brooklyn, NY 11206 Dates: Month of December

Roberta’s makes some of the best pizza in New York City, and every year, it hosts Grinchy’s, one of the best Christmas pop-up bars. The Bushwick restaurant transforms into a holiday tiki bar where you can drink festive cocktails under memorable decorations. The only drawback to Grinchy’s is that they don’t serve Roberta’s famous pizza; guests have to finish their drinks and head next door to the main restaurant for some pie.

Pete’s Tavern opened in 1864, making it one of the oldest bars in New York City. In fact, they stayed open through prohibition by posing as a flower shop. It’s also one of the best-decorated Christmas bars in New York City. Hundreds of Christmas lights adorn the quaint neighborhood bar.

It’s also said that O. Henry wrote the famous holiday short story “The Gift of the Magi” at Pete’s in 1905. It’s become a timeless tale of love and sacrifice, where a couple facing financial struggles each secretly gives up their most prized possession to buy a gift for the other. The fun bit of history makes Pete’s one of the best bars in New York City to visit for Christmas.

Named after an Irish gang that ran rampant in lower Manhattan, the Dead Rabbit was voted the #1 Bar in the World in 2016. Founder Jack McGarry hails from Belfast, Ireland, and aimed to create one of the best upscale cocktail bars in NYC with the atmosphere of an Irish Pub.

And to our luck, the charming pub becomes one of the best Christmas pop-up bars in New York City during the holidays. The bar is decorated with charming wreaths and lights, and the warm, welcoming vibe contributes to the festive feeling. There’s live music and seasonal Irish cocktails, like hot toddies.

Not only is Loreley Beer Garden one of the best Christmas bars in New York City, it’s also home to the largest heated outdoor patio in the Lower East Side. The decorations are second to none inside and in the outdoor seating area. Loreley Beer Garden is one of the most famous holiday bars in New York City, so making reservations is highly encouraged.

While at Loreley Beer Garden, try any of their holiday cocktails. I’m partial to the famous Boozy Black & White Hot Chocolate made with bourbon and my wife loves the Spiked Eggnog!

One of the most viral Christmas restaurants in New York City, Oscar Wilde decorates nearly every conceivable surface for the holidays. The animatronics, lights, and baubles all fit into the Victorian-era restaurant where craft cocktails are the specialty. However, due to the restaurant’s fame, reservations go quickly, so book them as soon as possible.

Named after the owner’s mother, Rosemary’s aims to make dishes with the same love a home-cooked meal has. The Italian restaurant even has a rooftop vegetable garden that helps provide the produce they serve their guests.

Rosemary’s is also one of the best Christmas bars in NYC for a dinner date night. The joint is cute and classy, with wreaths hanging on the windows and lights covering the ceilings without ever feeling overwhelming.