It seems Christmas pop-up bars grow in number more and more each winter. Good news for us, there are sooo many to choose from this year, from long-timers to newcomers, for the jolly Whos and even grumpy Grinches and gremlins among us.
Snowglobe Social at Red Cow
Maybe it’s cold outside, but inside the Snowglobe Social at Red Cow Wayzata there’s plenty of holiday cheer to keep out the frigid air. Redecorated to make the space feel like the inside of a snow globe—shake it up with a seasonal menu of festive foods and beverages. Uptown, Wayzata, November 24 through December 31
Christmas Lounge at Holman’s Table
Deck the halls, or in this case, the table—Holman’s Table, to be precise. Open during happy hour and dinner service, the Christmas Lounge is bedazzled with midnight blue and shining silver ornaments and holds a massive Christmas tree that exudes holiday cheer for splitting a holiday cocktail. You can even experience your own ride on Santa’s sleigh by soaring in on a Saturday helicopter ride. Don’t forget to stop under the wedding arch for a festive photo. St. Paul, November 27 through December 31
Gaelic Glow at the Local
I mean, if you take an Irish bar and up the cozy factor even further by converting it into a holiday pop-up, what happens??? Ecstatic explosions of tinsel and eggnog? Beyond the pints, the Local is also offering a holiday cocktail menu with silver-dusted vodka and stout Old Fashioneds and also some nonalcoholic cozy sips. Plus there’s plenty of Irish comfort food and rumors of singalongs and Santa cameos. Sláinte! Downtown Mpls., November 28 through early January
Down Through the Chimney at Hotel Emery
Hotel Emery is staying the holiday pop-up course with a slice of Santa’s workshop in downtown Minneapolis. You are encouraged to write a letter to Santa and stick it on the wall as you sip a drink, keep your eyes peeled for a hidden pickle. Sip on a specialty drink—maybe a Clausmopolitan or a Red-Nosed Rancher—and snack on Nice List Skewers and Brie Merry Pastry Bites. Rezzies recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. Downtown Mpls., November 25 through December 26
Hell-a-dazzle at Hell’s Kitchen
The best basement in the city is making it Merry and Bright again with this year’s annual Hell-a-Dazzle! It’s a well-lit candy wonderland down in the basement. Explore the Bloody Mary and mimosa bar ice cave, grab a photo in the booth, and ring in the season with holiday music events on special dates. Downtown Mpls., November 25 through January 3
No Coal for You at Black Sheep Pizza
Black Sheep Pizza in North Loop is decked to the nines with tinsel and general merriment with their holiday pop-up. Find a sheep-drawn sleigh, custom black sheep candy canes and miniature bags of coal, along with drinks, like a gumdrop flight of holiday candy-inspired shots or a Home Alone: Lost in New York Sour mocktail. You can even give St. Nick a pitch for why you’ve made the nice list at the letter-writing station or catch him in the flesh on select dates. North Loop, November 27 through December 31.
Holiday Spirits at King Coil Spirits
King Coil Spirits is bedecked and bedazzled for the holiday season, and ready to pour you cocktails like Sugar Plum Fairy Old Fashioneds and Abominable Snowmen made with Blackstrap Rum, cream, black walnut amaro and spiced maple syrup (honestly they kind of nailed it, I feel like this is exactly what our big yeti friend sips in his ice cave after a long day hunting elves). St. Paul, now through December 31
Dorit’s Tavern at Surly Brewing Co.
This season, Dorit’s Tavern looks like it came straight out of a Christmas movie, or several of our favorite holiday classics. Watch out for the leg lamp (it’s fra-gee-lay) and some of Kevin McCallister’s iconic traps between the holiday menu of Jell-O shots, pizza, and themed cocktails. You can probably still expect a sprinkle of Gremlins references, which Surly Brewing maintains is indeed a Christmas movie. They are taking rezzies and will accept walk-ins for the bar too! Prospect Park, December 1 through January 3
The Naughty List at Umbra
Umbra, tucked inside the Mill District’s Canopy by Hilton, is bringing back its Naughty List holiday pop-up for the second time! They’ve got all the twinklers and sparklers, all the festive bits and baubles, and of course seasonally-appropriate cocktails. A bonus: No cover charge, no reservations required, you can slip in for bar and lounge seating first-come-first-served. Mill District, November 30 through December 30
Tiki Christmas at Bina’s
Another banger of a holiday pop-up awaits just next door at Bina’s, where you will find the Tiki Christmas cocktail list of your dreams, plus all the lights and tinsel and sparkly things. Northeast Minneapolis, November 13 through early January
Frosty’s Bar at Brit’s Pub
Honestly kudos to Brit’s Pub for doing Frosty justice and giving him his own proper pop-up. Our favorite snowman is expected to make surprise appearances, brought to life with that corncob pipe and button nose. Be sure to purchase a ticket ahead of time to catch the festive drinks and snacks, trivia, and seasonal shenanigans that involve, among many things, singing. This is your scene, Buddy the Elf, you’re in Brit’s Pub and you’re singing! Downtown Mpls., select dates November 27 through December 30
Past, Present, and Future at Travail
Nothing like cleaning up the fake blood from the Haunted Basement to sprinkle tinsel and glitter everywhere! Travail is setting up a holiday dining experience that incites holiday cheer for even Ebenezer Scrooge, featuring the (alcoholic) spirits of Christmas past, present, and future and a multi-course menu. Make a reservation at the link above. Robbinsdale, December 3 through January 9
Nico’s Navidad at Nico’s Taco Bar
Nobody does it quite like Nico’s! The WHOLE HOUSE on Hennepin Avenue is once again draped with holiday cheer, as per usual—the Christmas casa features five themed rooms that bring to life the sweet jingle of silver bells, strike at the frozen heart of ice, and paint the world in Cindy Lou Who’s holiday spirit. Locations on St. Paul’s Como Ave., which is lit up with enough lights to please Clark Griswold himself, and South Minneapolis’s Penn Avenue are decked out in different variations, so be sure to stop by all three for a full dose of the holiday vibes. Uptown, St. Paul, South Mpls., now through January
Jingle Bar at Lola’s Lakehouse
Tons of lights and tinsel, of course, but the restaurant has really committed to the jingle with all the festive cocktails, mocktails, and snacks your holiday heart could dream of, plus live music, a workout class ending with Santa’s arrival, an ugly sweater contest, and lunches with Santa. Also! There’s an outdoor heated patio, so bundle up to get cozy outside. Waconia, now through December 31
Winter Wonderbar at Creekside Supper Club
Throughout the past couple holiday seasons, Creekside has entered the holiday chat in a MAJOR way. The supper club space has a natural major cozy factor, of course, but they’ve decked out their space with antique holiday statues and baubles galore. Hit them up for trivia nights, special warming fireside cocktails (we hear they make a mean Carajillo) or just commit to the Brandy Old Fash for the season. South Mpls., November 13 through January 17
Skaalvenn Christmas Bar
Skaalvenn Distillery out in Brooklyn Park was already a cozy little nook fit for holiday sipping—but now, in accordance with the season, the whole place has been decked out with more than 20,000 individual lights (dare you to count them). That is MAXIMUM twinkle. The bartender is whipping up 12 cocktails of Christmas, with four cocktails for three weeks, including one inspired by the Polish Christmas pork roast Pieczen Wieprzowa. Staples from previous years, like the Peppermint-tini and Pandan Express cocktail, will also return. Plus, it’s open on Sundays. Make a reservation at the link above. Brooklyn Park, November 27 through January 10
Après Ski at Can Can Wonderland
Instead of coasting down the slopes, Can Can Wonderland offers the mini green and, this year, a ski chalet adorned with hanging Santas, snowflakes, and decorative skis. Take a break from the electric flashes of a long round of pinball under the cozy glow of soft blue and yellow lights and sip on a holiday beverage. St. Paul, now through a TBD date
The Jingle Bar at Aster House
The East Coast festive pop-up touches down at Aster House this year, bringing holiday drink and snack menus and a selection of Christmas carols that is sure to have you rockin’ around the Christmas bar. Of course, the bar is wrapped up in tinsel and twinkling lights galore. Family-friendly frivolities include reindeer ring toss, elf bingo, Christmas karaoke, and brunch with Santa. Don your ugliest holiday sweater for the chance to win the best dressed contest. Mpls., select dates December 3 through 23
Breakfast with Santa at The Lexington
A meal at The Lexington might be more of a special Christmas wish these days, but you can try and ask Santa to grant it when he appears for breakfast there. The space is overflowing with festive cheer, and when St. Nick can’t make it in the flesh, you can still say hi and take photos by the animatronic Santa staircase. Plus, live jazz trios on select dates throughout the season are set to ring in the holiday spirit. St. Paul, November 27 through December 24
Murray’s Steakhouse
Murray’s Steakhouse gets a tasteful twinkle of tinsel, shimmering ornaments, and holiday lights to welcome Santa for special events. Join Santa to de-stress by sipping a wine and enjoying a five-course meal at dinner with Santa and stop by the holiday shop for stocking stuffers galore. Murray’s is also ringing in the New Year with dinner and a night of live music and dancing. Reservations are limited and available online or by phone. Mpls., November 22 through December 31
Tinsel Town at The Burrow
Foxy’s Den at the Burrow is outfitted with all the cozy comforts of Christmas nostalgia for the season. Walls lined with big ribbons, ornaments of every color, and, of course, a bar lit up in holiday lights all make for the coziest backdrop after family fun. Shake off the holiday stress with a little axe-throwing before you head over for a themed cocktail and snack. Oakdale, now through January 31
Winter Wonderland at The Fair on 4
Where State Fair food meets holiday drinks, The Fair on 4 combines the two most wonderful times of the year. And they’re taking that classic winter blue hour seriously. The 36,000-square-foot space is coated in a blanket of blue and white decorations from massive hanging snowflakes to frosted faux pine trees. Zip around the ¼ mile go kart track, throw an axe, and get back to those holiday wish lists over a cozy beverage. Mall of America, November 13 through mid-January
Jingle My Bells at Buddy Boy Fine Barbeque
If you’re in search of some casual holiday spirit without the bold lights and surprise Santa appearances, Buddy Boy Fine Barbeque is the place for you. The Christmas tree-lined dining area and glow of the warm fireplace create the coziest vibe for a night out. Minnetrista, November 13 through a TBD date
Last updated November 12, 2026
Dining and Cooking