Skip to main content

The 9 Best Holiday-Themed Bars Worth a Visit

Happy's Bar Chicago.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

About the only thing better than a top-notch bar is the holiday incarnation of it. You get all the great drinks and company plus some festive menu items and enough lights and decorations to make Clark Griswold jealous.

Sure, any old watering hole can throw up a string of bulbs and pop on a Christmas album and say it’s celebrating. That’s fine and dandy, but we appreciate the places that go full hog and really embrace the December majesty. We’re talking special cocktails, over-the-top kitsch, and enough cheer to cure even the darkest, coldest days of the year.

Here are the nine best holiday-themed bars to check out this festive season.

Happy’s

Chicago

Happy's Bar Chicago.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Happy’s is very much what it advertises itself as — a giddy bar set in the building of the Chicago Athletic Association. It went on a brief hiatus last year, like most things, but came roaring back in 2021 with seasonal drinks and bites. Frequenting the place feels like being inside of a gingerbread house, with enough twinkling lights to put you in the best kind of stupor.

Loreley Beer Garden

NYC

Loreley NYC Bar.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

A true German Biergarten in the heart of NYC, Loreley ought to have a strong Christmas presence. Anybody who’s been to Berlin knows that Germans take the holiday very seriously, with holiday markets on just about every street corner. Lorely mimics that energy, with charming holly strands and decor inside and a fully heated winter wonderland outside as well. Come for the spiked egg nog and mulled wine and stay for, well, another round.

Colada Shop

Washington, D.C.

Colada Shop D.C.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

This delightful Cuban bar in our nation’s capital flips all the right switches with its holiday bar. In a genius move, the bar has taken special drink concoctions from top bartenders in the city and put them on the list. So, if you’re thirsty for something like a Hot Buttered Yum (rum, sherry, and spiced butter) or a Winter Island (rum, Triple Sec, spiced pear liqueur, passion fruit Champagne syrup, green tea, and coco lopez), put Colada Shop on your list.

Sippin’ Santa

Phoenix

Sippin' Santa Phoenix.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

This pop-up hosted by Phoenix bar Bitter & Twisted runs through Christmas Eve and touts a heavy touch of tiki. The menu is rum-soaked and the place throws together more than 10,000 lights for your pleasure. If your idea of Christmas is vintage escapism to a hot island locale riddled with palm trees (although let’s face it, you’re already in the desert if you’ve made it here), Sippin’ Santa is your spot. Even cooler, it’s all set in the historic Luhrs Building in downtown Phoenix.

Donn’s Depot

Austin

Donn's Depot Texas.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Dive bars can make the absolute best holiday bars. There’s a certain unapologetic nature to these beloved establishments and Donn’s Depot in Austin very much embodies this. The Lone Star State bar is known for its honky-tonk and cheerful crowd, going at it since 1978. This time of year, it goes all out with decorations, along with a special menu of roughly 20 holiday cocktails (hot and cold) as well as flavored shots like the Snickerdoodles or Moldy Fruit Cake. As the menu exclaims, “Merry Christmas to y’all, and to y’all a good night!”

Playa Provisions

Los Angeles

Playa Provisions post card.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Playa Provisions is a beach-y bar set a sand hill away from the Pacific in Playa del Rey. It’s incredibly cozy, with fire pit’s roaring and world-class drinks and grub from Chef Brooke Williamson (a Top Chef winner). The seasonal beverage menu includes things like homemade wassail and a variety of espresso Martinis and some of the best from-scratch egg nog out there. Who says you can’t get in the spirit of the season while it’s 70 and sunny out?

Zoo Lights

Portland

Oregon Zoo Lights.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

As the name suggests, this seasonal affair actually occurs at Oregon’s biggest zoo. However, with beer and wine stands en route throughout, it’s practically the biggest seasonal bar of them all, with millions of light bulbs and actual critters to boot. It’s kid-friendly and crowded but worth the slower pace. Zoo Lights keeps adults happy with a slew of beers and wines from the Pacific Northwest. There is an option to drive thru the event, but we suggest a stroll so you can sip on a drink or two.

Yebo Ski Haus

Atlanta

Yebo Ski Haus.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

For a good part of the year, this ATL bar goes by Yebo Beach Haus. During the holidays, it swaps its surfy ways for a ski lodge approach, one that’s incredibly inviting. The food and drinks are inspired by the cuisine of South Africa, and things go full-comfort food while the place is in ski house mode. You can try an ostrich slider or bobotie crêpes with a glass of Chenin Blanc or Dirty Martini in hand. Best, it extends into February, so you can kick the first two months of the year off in cheery style.

Miracle in Miami

Miami

Miracle in Miami.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

This pop-up at beloved bar Gramps in the Wynwood neighborhood, along with another bar in Miami, is the work Drink Miami. Yeah, it’s a reference to a classic football game full of weird plays, but in this case, it’s all about seasonal drinks and festive Florida fun. It’s modeled after the best office parties ever, so expect loud props, imbibers dressed up in sweaters, and lots of happy toasting. No wonder we recently put Gramps on our best bars list.

Mark Stock

Mark Stock is a writer from Portland, Oregon. He fell into wine during the Recession and has been fixated on the stuff since. He spent years making, selling, and sipping Pinot Noir in the Dundee Hills before a full return to his journalistic roots in 2016. He's helplessly tied to European soccer, casting for trout, and grunge rock. In addition to The Manual, he writes for SevenFifty Daily, Sip Northwest, The Somm Journal, The Drake, Willamette Week, Travel Oregon, and more. He has a website and occasionally even updates it: markastock.com.

Send all editorial inquiries HERE.

The best Prime Big Deal Days water bottle deals: Stanley, YETI, Ninja, more
Taking a break from hiking to drink some water from an insulated water bottle

Whether you're ready or not, the Prime Big Deal Days discounts have arrived. It's one of the best times of the year to save big on, well, whatever it is you need from electronics and power tools to outdoor gear, apparel, and more. One item in particular that's fairly popular, but you might not see often, is a decent water bottle. We're supposed to be drinking about six to eight glasses of water per day and carrying a water bottle with you throughout the day makes that so much easier. Plus, they're great to have when you're working out, running, hiking, or doing various activities. We've taken the liberty and gathered up all of the best Prime Big Deal Days water bottle deals to help you find your next, favorite bottle. Take a look for yourself.
Hydro Flask water bottles (various sizes) -- Up to 45% off

You'll find a wide variety of Hydro Flask water bottles on sale during the event, starting at 20% off up to about 45% off. There are various sizes, and various designs, and many come in assorted colors, so you really have the opportunity to find your perfect bottle here. Some standouts include the stainless steel bottle for $30, which is 45% off, or the for $24, which is 40% off.

Read more
The best Prime Big Deal Days grill deals: Roast your meat in style
Food cooking on grill

It's that time again when the Prime Day Big Deal Days discounts are flooding out, which means it's a great time to get yourself some outdoor gear, or whatever you've been deal-hunting for. Prime Day Men's grooming deals? Yep, there are plenty. Pit Boss Prime Day Big Deal Days deals? Yes, there are so many of those, too. At the same time, there are so many deals, including grill deals, there's a lot to sift through. So, to make things a little easier we've picked out a few of our favorites. Blackstone, Traeger, Grill Boss, Ninja, we've found our place. Whether you're a grillmaster who's an expert on the cooking ivories or you're looking to scoop up your first ever grill for your new home, this is the place to be.

 
Royal Gourmet 30-inch BBQ charcoal grill and offset smoker -- $119 $140 15% off

Read more
Prime Day is next week, but this Pit Boss grill has a sweet deal today
The Pit Boss Ultimate Outdoor Gas 2-Burner Griddle on a white background.

Amazon will officially launch its Prime Big Deal Days deals next week, but if you can't wait to buy a new grill, you should check out this offer from Best Buy -- $45 off the popular Pit Boss Ultimate 2-Burner Lift-Off Griddle. The discount slashes its price from $499 to $454, which is a steal considering all of the features of this cooking machine. You're going to have to hurry with your purchase if you're interested though, as we're not sure how much time is remaining before the bargain ends.

Why you should buy the Pit Boss Ultimate 2-Burner Lift-Off Griddle
The Pit Boss Ultimate 2-Burner Lift-Off Griddle is a unique grilling machine because it's extremely portable. The brand's Lift-Off technology will let you remove the entire griddle top for easier transportation, so you can bring it to your favorite campsite or any outdoor event. It's also easy to clean up because of the griddle's non-stick ceramic cooking surface, which also provides protection against scratches and rust, and a grease management system that collects all the excess oil in a tray.

Read more