The vacation season is right here, and Houston’s bar scene is pulling out all of the stops to unfold Christmas cheer. From over-the-top décor to imaginative cocktails, these festive locations promise an expertise as shiny because the twinkling lights that adorn them. Whether or not you’re donning your glitziest outfit or rocking a kitschy sweater, right here’s the place to toast to the magic of the season.
The Santa on Acid is a part of Betelgeuse Betelgeuse’s vacation menu.Courtesy of Betelgeuse Betelgeuse
Betelgeuse Betelgeuse
Celebrated for its offbeat vibe, Betelgeuse Betelgeuse activates the Christmas allure in December. Whereas actual dates for the transformation of its Montrose Boulevard and Washington Avenue places haven’t been introduced, patrons can count on merry elixirs just like the frozen grasshopper with 14 Home mint vodka, white chocolate syrup, creme de cacao, and ancho reyes, and the visions of sugarplums with 13 Nonetheless Austin Gin, Damson Plum Gin, pomegranate liqueur, lemon, turbinado, and Lambrusco. Examine the temperature earlier than you head to Betelgeuse Betelgeuse to pattern the Christmas Cocktails choice—the eatery solely affords a number of the drinks when the temperature dips beneath 65 levels.
Fireplace at Heights & Co.
This can be the coziest of Christmas bars to select from as Heights & Co. is as soon as once more holding film nights with all of the trimmings of the season by way of December 23. The film display screen is about up on the bar’s patio, with blankets, house heaters, and hearth pits on demand when the temperature drops. Charming s’mores boards, with a home ganache, torched marshmallow cream, marshmallows, and graham crackers, will be loved with a tabletop hearth pit. Cutesy glassware holds boozy drinks similar to a salted caramel carajillo and a cookies and cream espresso martini. Showtimes run Sunday by way of Thursday at 5:30 pm and seven:30 pm, and Friday and Saturday at 5:30 pm, 7:30 pm, and 9:30 pm. Reservations are required to safe a spot.
That is the primary yr that Frosty’s Christmas Bar has made its solution to Houston. Courtesy of We Love Pop Ups
Frosty’s Christmas Bar
There should be some magic within the air with Frosty’s Christmas Bar, coming to life at 2106 Dallas, Suite 100. This two-story spectacle boasts a number of bars, vigorous dance flooring, and photograph ops galore. The dad or mum firm, We Love Pop Ups, is thought for dazzling occasions in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles, with Frosty’s making its Houston debut. The festive setup is worthy of Buddy the Elf with outsized nutcrackers, twinkly lights, and themed nights. The pop-up is open Monday by way of Thursday from 4 pm to shut, Friday from 4 pm to 2 am, and Saturday and Sunday from 2 pm to 2 am, and runs from November 29 to January 5. Visitors beneath 21 are welcome earlier than 7 pm. Ticket costs vary from $25 to $350.
Aero Cocktail Co. is decking its halls with the Jingle Bell Bar pop-up.Picture by Angelique Prepare dinner Cavazos
Jingle Bell Bar at Aero Cocktail Co.
The inventive minds behind The Cursed Cauldron are taking up Aero Cocktail Co. as soon as once more, however this time for Christmas. Operating November 27 to December 28, patrons can discover Jingle Bell Bar with three themed rooms and two bars. Traditional Christmas allure fills the primary bar, whereas the Candyland Lounge affords candy surprises. Upstairs, the Après Ski Lodge units a comfortable scene with a woodland-inspired ambiance. Sip on winter-inspired drinks just like the Winter Wassail of Misplaced Irish whiskey, apple brandy, and cider, and snack on Santa’s Cookie Platter or Irma’s tamales. Entry is free, however particular occasions like burlesque exhibits and cookie-decorating workshops require tickets. The Jingle Bell Bar is open Tuesday by way of Saturday from 4 pm to 12 am, and Sunday from 2 pm to 10 pm.
Miracle is celebrating its sixth yr at Johnny’s Gold Brick this season.Courtesy of Johnny’s Gold Brick
Miracle at Johnny’s Gold Brick and Winnie’s
A Houston vacation staple, the Miracle pop-up returns for its sixth yr at Johnny’s Gold Brick and its third at Winnie’s. Revellers can increase a glass to the vacations with jolly drinks similar to the favored Christmapolitan, a vodka concoction with spiced cranberry sauce, and absinthe mist. For a prehistorically good time, there’s the daring new Christmasaurus with pineapple rum, mezcal, Velvet Falernum, and apricot liqueur, paired with wealthy flavors similar to toasted cumin and coconut milk. Each places are open every day, excluding Thanksgiving and Christmas, till December 30. Reservations are advisable, however dinner at Winnie’s is walk-in solely.
The Yuletide cocktail is obtainable at Nickel Metropolis’s Sippin’ Santa pop-up.Courtesy of Sippin’ Santa
Sippin’ Santa at Nickel Metropolis
The Houston outpost of the favored Austin bar has rapidly turn out to be a standout within the metropolis’s nightlife scene. This season, Nickel Metropolis provides a retro, kitschy aptitude with the Sippin’ Santa pop-up, providing a playful tackle Santa’s tropical getaway. Open every day from 12 pm to 2 am by way of December 27 (closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas), the festive oasis invitations friends to flee the winter blues. Sippin’ Santa and Miracle have the identical dad or mum firm with beloved vacation mugs in inventive shapes similar to Santa’s Head, and SanTaRex as a part of the enchantment. Patrons can take the charming glassware residence after having fun with creations similar to Frosty the Merman, a rye drink with pear, apricot, and allspice liquors.
The Chifley Lodge within the Galleria is internet hosting Tinsel City pop-up, together with three themed rooms for friends to remain in.Courtesy of Chifley Lodge
Tinsel City at Chifley Lodge
The Galleria’s Chifley Lodge invitations all to immerse themselves in a winter wonderland, full with the Tinsel City pop-up and festive-themed suites. Via January 4, the resort’s restaurant, Rouse, will dazzle friends with glittering adornments, dwell music on weekends, and scheduled themed nights. Attendees can lengthen the magic by reserving one of many three decked-out resort rooms — Sweet Cane Lane, Tinsel City, or the Polar Expertise — full with cookies, sizzling chocolate, and turndown service.
Toasted Coconut is providing a large bevy of drinks for the vacations.Vivian Leba
The Toasted Coconut
Escape to an island paradise on the Toasted Coconut. This Montrose gem is famend for decking its halls with aptitude and this yr’s menu options fan-favorite drinks just like the Puerto Rican Coquito, cream of coconut, rum, cinnamon, and nutmeg, alongside new creations. Bar supervisor Tiffany Kirk advised CultureMap that she’s excited in regards to the Crimson and Clover Membership, which has the bizarre components of beet tempered by raspberry. The cleverly named “there’s all the time caffeine within the banana stand” is the Toasted Coconut’s nod to Senegal’s nationwide espresso drink, Cafe Touba. The concoction contains a house-made stout discount with Grains of Selim, an African spice akin to black pepper, topped with a banana chilly foam for a bitter espresso taste balanced by candy cream.
Cheers to the season at 12 Days of Christmas pop-up in Swallow’s Nest. Picture by Ryan O. Harris
12 Days of Christmas at Finn Corridor
Finn Corridor’s 12 Days of Christmas pop-up transforms Swallow’s Nest on the mezzanine right into a nostalgic yuletide haven. Choose from cocktails infused with honey harvested from the eating corridor’s sixth-floor terrace bees, or the cleverly named “Sleigh Responsibly” menu with non-alcoholic delights. From December 12 by way of December 23, patrons can sharpen their abilities in mixology lessons with native knowledgeable Roberto Rivas, take a look at their information at vacation trivia nights, sway to soulful Motown or jazz, or dive into hands-on workshops impressed by Santa’s headquarters. Finn Corridor vendor FireNoodz is serving bites to stave off any starvation pains
