Jacob Stoker / Dasher's Dive Bar
The concept began in New York’s East Village, when Greg Boehm took a hiatus from building a permanent bar to open Miracle, a 30-day holiday-themed pop-up featuring festive specialty cocktails. The idea took off from there, and Boehm franchised the concept. Picking up on the holiday scent, in 2016, the owners of Planter’s House opened Miracle, a kitschy tinsel-and-garland-covered sendup of the holiday. Now called Miracle STL, the event sold out in subsequent years, prompting a sister concept: Sippin’ Santa, the city’s first tiki-inspired holiday pop-up bar, which promptly sold out as well. In 2022, there are over a dozen holiday-themed bars to choose from in metro St. Louis.
Courtesy of Dasher's Dive Bar
At this interactive Christmas pop-up bar, guests can enjoy holiday cocktails, comedy, photos with Santa, Christmas karaoke, and Christmas trivia games. The Dasher’s Dive menu features classic cocktails with a twist, such as a Moscow Yule made with cranberry juice and topped with cranberries and a rosemary sprig. The menu also features a Mistletoe Martini, made with vodka, Bailey’s, Godiva chocolate liqueur, hot chocolate mix, half and half, and a sugar cookie rim. Mocktails are available for purchase as well. The $19.95 ticket includes a welcome cocktail and snacks throughout the two-hour reservation. Through December 23. 5555 St. Louis Mills, 314-528-2020.
Courtesy of STK Barkeep
Down the Chimney
For the holiday season, the Piper Palm House in Tower Grove Park is transforming into a winter wonderland. Starting December 15, guests can admire the historic lily ponds from inside the conservatory while sipping from a menu of holiday-inspired cocktails created by Pat Gioia and STL Barkeep. The menu includes Down the Chimney, Blood in the Snow, Frosted 75, and more. In addition to cocktails, Tower Grove Park is featuring live entertainment and local food trucks, as well as an outdoor holiday market with handmade goods and crafts on December 18. Family-friendly hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Through December 23. No reservations needed. 4271 Northeast, 314-771-4454.
Courtesy of World Chess Hall of Fame
The World Chess Hall of Fame is putting on a “kitschy winter wonderland.” Adult guests can enjoy a variety of chess-inspired drinks, and children can enjoy hot chocolate, cookies, and other treats. Guests can also enjoy appetizers from Kingside Diner. $5 per person during the day, $15 per person at night. Reservations required. 4652 Maryland, 314-367-9243.
Courtesy of Molly's in Soulard
From November 25–December 23, Molly’s in Soulard hosts its fourth annual LIT Christmas Pop-up Experience (pictured above), complete with a comprehensive list of the “12 Drinks of Lit-mas,” two holiday-inspired shots, and several small bites. $10 per person. Reserve tickets in advance. 816 Geyer, 314-241-6200.
Courtesy of Miracle
The local classic pop-up returns at Small Change in Benton Park and offers a range of Christmas-themed drinks, including the Christmapolitan, Elfing Around, and Santa’s Helper. View the full menu here. $5 per person, with proceeds benefiting Santa’s Helpers, Inc. The event runs through December 31. The second release of reservations will be available December 1 at noon. 2800 Indiana.
Courtesy Narwhal's Crafted
Peppermint Mocha
The frozen cocktail bar is offering several seasonal favorites, such as the Spiked Apple Cider, Peppermint Mocha, and the Salted Caramel White Russian. Both Midtown and St. Charles locations.
Join Santa for a pre-Christmas vacation at Planter’s House in Lafayette Square. The Kris Kringle Colada, Sippin’ Santa, and Azul Navidad are just a few drinks that add to the tropical ambiance of Miracle STL’s sister concept. See the full menu here. $5 per person. Reserve a spot in advance. Planter’s House, 1000 Mississippi, 314-696-2603.
Courtesy of Sleigh Shed
HoCoCoa
This holiday season, the Train Shed at Union Station is transformed into a holiday destination, with holiday appetizers and creative cocktails, such as Santa’s Red-Eye Fix (1220 vodka, espresso, Giffard vanilla liqueur, simple syrup, heavy cream, whipped cream, and cookie crumble) and HoCoCoa (Ghirardelli hot cocoa, Dorda double chocolate liqueur, peppermint bark cream liqueur, and toasted marshmallow). See the full drink menu here. Through December 31. Union Station, 201 S. 18th, 314-923-3949.
Courtesy of Tinsel Tavern
Budweiser Brew House at Ballpark Village is getting a new look this holiday season. Enjoy a holiday pop-up bar decked to the halls, with floor-to-ceiling décor, a festive food and drink menu, and featured events such as the Holiday Drag Brunch and NYE at Tinsel Tavern. $20 per person. Reserve in advance. Ballpark Village, 601 Clark, 314-797-7530.
Courtesy of Le Meridien St. Louis Clayton
Courtesy of Le Meridien St. Louis Clayton
Le Meridien St. Louis is transforming its rooftop terrace into the ultimate winter escape with The Chalet, a European-inspired ski resort pop-up bar. The Chalet is open to the public Fridays through Sundays through February, and guests can try warm cocktails such as Mulled Wine, Bourbon Hot Toddy, Smoked Hot Chocolate, and more. Appetizers such as Baked Brie and Pork Belly Brochette will also be available. Open Fridays 5–8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from noon–6 p.m. Le Meridien St. Louis Clayton, 7730 Bonhomme.
Enter a winter wonderland filled with festivity and cheer, featuring a delicious variety of cocktails, beers, shots, and wines at the decked-out Christmas bar. Guests can reserve a table or VIP couch, which includes a table for two hours, festive treats, a winter wonderland walkthrough afterward, and more. Starting at $15. Reserve in advance. Wednesdays through Saturdays in December. 5546 Chestnut, Cottleville, 636-730-1905.
Courtesy of Three Sixty
Escape to Three Sixty, atop the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark. The decked-out bar is offering eight specialty cocktails, including the Son of a Nutcracker shot, made with Frangelico, amaretto, heavy cream, and cinnamon. The event also features the Down the Chimney shot, made with blueberry Red Bull, Smirnoff blueberry vodka, and lemon. The event runs through December 31, and a cover charge applies to guests after 10 p.m. 1 S. Broadway. Call 314-241-8439, or email 360rooftop@360-stl.com for reservations.
Courtesy of 12 Bars of Charity
This St. Louis bar crawl raises money for local charities, including St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Stray Rescue of St. Louis, Young Friends of Kids with Cancer, and more. Participants can choose which charity to support and receive a sweatshirt that represents their picks. Starting at $40. December 17, 2–6 p.m. 601 Clark.
