Food

Our Guide to Festive Holiday Pop-Up Bars Around DC

Heated igloos, holiday lights, hot cocktails, and more.

Santa Claus is taking a vacation from the North Pole at Sippin' Santa's Surf Shack. Photo courtesy of  Sippin' Santa's Surf Shack.

Christmas music is back on the radio and bars around DC are decking their halls for the holiday. Get into the spirit of the season and check out these festive pop-up bars:

 Sippin’ Santa’s Surf Shack at Archipelago
1201 U St., NW
Who needs Christmas in July when you can have a luau in December? Take a vacation at Sippin’ Santa’s Surf Shack, the pop up at U Street tiki bar Archipelago. It’s a fitting backdrop for summery drinks like a Kris Kringle Colada, island decor, and Santas in swimwear. Details: November 29 through December 31. 

Winterfest at Wunder Garten
1101 1st St., NE
The NoMa beer garden is serving seasonal beers, hot cocktails, and boozy cider and cocoa. Both aspiring influencers and space enthusiasts will appreciate the Polar Tunnel, a colorful virtual art installation designed by NASA engineers. Tuck into a heated igloo or warm up by the fire pits surrounded by holiday lights. Swiss restaurant Stable is popping up with warming eats like fondue and butternut squash soup served in bread bowls. Details: December 6 through December 22.

Maccabeats by Dreidel (Sipsmith Gin, Manischewitz Cassis, Lemon, Perrier) drink from Miracle on 7th. Photo courtesy of Miracle on 7th.

Miracle on 7th
1843 7th St., NW
This year, the Christmas bar is decked out with festive Nats decorations in honor of the World Series win. The “candy cane baseball wonderland” theme features oversized baseballs and baby shark motifs. Sip cocktails with punny names like Maccabeats by Dreidel and G & Tree, a Christmas tree twist on the classic gin and tonic with pine liqueur. Details: November 22 through December 31.

Bar Mitzvah at Ivy and Coney
1537 7th St., NW
Celebrate Hanukkah at Ivy and Coney’s third annual fete. The bar has a custom-made shot menorah (dubbed the ShotNorah) that can fit eight crazy drinkers at once. In the holiday spirit, the bar is donating some of the proceeds to HIAS, an organization that helps refugees, and throwing a fundraiser for Bread for the CityDetails: December 2 through December 31.

Sausages for sale on the terrace of the Conrad hotel. Photo by Albert Ting.
Sausages for sale on the terrace of the Conrad hotel. Photo by Albert Ting.

Après Ski at Conrad DC 
950 New York Ave., NW
Snuggle under a faux fur blanket with hot buttered rum and mulled wine on the Conrad hotel’s terrace. If you get hungry while sitting around the fire, order from a menu of alpine-inspired snacks like smoked sausages and s’mores. Details: November 22 through February.

A Dos Mamis Story at Dos Mamis
819 Upshur St., NW
Petworth’s female-driven cocktail bar hosts its first holiday pop-up, which includes plenty of spiked hot chocolate. The month will be packed with special events. On Wednesday, December 11th, test your holiday hunches during a trivia night, and on December 13th, enjoy a happy hour with nog shots and holiday cocktails. On December 14th, you and your furry friend can snap a picture with Santa, or you can cuddle up with friends and your favorite drinks on December 16th for a special screening of Elf. Details: December 3 through December 31.

Sleigh All Day at Walters Sports Bar
Ten N St., SE
If you’ve ever wanted a photo in Santa’s sleigh, now is your chance. The Navy Yard bar is getting a massive version that’s perfect for photo-ops alongside plenty of winter and Christmas-themed brews. They’re also dressing up their patio with fire pits so you can warm up with new cocktails such as cherry-flavored Jingle Juice or a pastrami-washed Red Nose Rye. Sleigh All Day will serve $34 bottomless brunches every Saturday for the rest of the month and at 8 PM they’ll host a Mrs. Claus themed drag show. Details: December 7 through December 31.

Aly Prouty
Editorial Fellow

Aly Prouty joined Washingtonian in September 2019. Her work has been featured in Taste of Home, Milwaukee Magazine, Girls’ Life, and more. She graduated from Marquette University and lives in Northern Virginia.