Raise a glass and your holiday spirit at these Christmas-themed bars and restaurants
If Santa ever needs a drink during the holidays (and he probably does), there are several bars and restaurants where he would feel right at home sippin’ on a cocktail.
These are the places that go all out for the holidays with over-the-top decorations and themed drinks. Many are pop-up bars that take over local establishments and require tickets, but there are also spots where patrons can just walk in and feel the cheer as they toast the season.
ALSO SEE: Where to find Miracle and Sippin’ Santa pop-up bars for kitschy Christmas fun
Here are a few holiday pop-up bars and other spots throughout Southern California that really get into the holiday spirit.
Casa Vega
When: 11:30 a.m.-midnight daily
Where: 13301 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks
Information: casavega.com
Aside from being a long-standing celebrity hangout, Casa Vega is also known for really getting into the holiday spirit by going all out with floor-to-ceiling decorations. This year, the decorations will be bigger than ever with Christmas trees, string lights, tinsel everywhere and more ornaments than in previous years. And since the restaurant is naturally dimly lit, the holiday lights will really pop. They also serve a holiday menu that’s still being ironed out but, so far it includes drinks like the Snowball Margarita.
FIVE on The Hill’s Jingle Bell Tavern
When: Opens at 5 p.m. daily (with brunch from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays) Dec. 1-31
Where: 555 Universal Hollywood Drive, Universal City
Cost: No cover charge
Information: experiencethehill.com/gatherings
Guests can expect the tavern to be decked out in full-blown holiday gear, but the focus here is on cocktails like Grinch, which should make your heart grow three sizes since it’s a sweet mix of Shōchū, a Japanese distilled spirit, with cranberries and cinnamon dusted pears. They’re also serving the vodka-infused Winter Wonderland, which is spruced up with white chocolate liqueur, peppermint schnapps and garnished with a candy cane. To keep things old school, but still festive, try the cinnamon spice Old Fashioned.
Frosty’s Christmas Bar
When: Various times Nov. 30-Dec. 30
Cost: $20-$55
Where: 6555 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles
Information: frostyschristmas.bar/los-angeles
Frosty is ready to party at this new Los Angeles pop-up. Expect over the top décor with lots of lights, snow, candy canes, photo ops, oversized ornaments hanging everywhere and holiday-themed cocktails.
Krampus Cove
When: 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Nov. 24- Dec. 31
Where: Lost Property Bar, 1704 Vine Street, Los Angeles
Cost: $25
Information: blacklagoonpopup.com/live
The Krampus Cove pop-up is the spot for those with a dark holiday soul. The bar celebrates the legend of Krampus, who is pretty much the evil Santa. The space will be decked out with Gothmas décor including black Christmas trees, spooky dolls, evil elves and be on the lookout for visits from Krampus himself. To help you work up the courage to meet the evil creature, there will be themed drinks with names like the RedRum-pum-pum-pum.
Roxanne’s Holiday Speakeasy
When: 6 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Mondays; 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays Nov. 27-Dec. 31
Where: Roxanne’s, 1115 East Wardlow Road, Long Beach
Cost: No cover
Information: 562-426-4777 or instagram.com/roxannesbar
This Long Beach speakeasy gets all decked out for the holidays with a snow machine outside, several Christmas trees and tinsel inside, as well as life-sized nutcrackers displayed through the space. On Thursday nights, holiday movies screen in the parking lot. They also do special holiday drinks like the Coquito, which is a Latin version of eggnog. And since its a proper speakeasy, try the holiday hot toddy made with high-end whiskeys.
Santa’s Secret
When: Shows are at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. on select evenings Nov. 24-Dec. 31
Where: The Beverly Center, 8500 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles
Cost: $58 and up
Information: vossevents.com
The secret is out: Santa’s been naughty this year and he wants you to join him for an adults only North Pole party. Santa’s Secret is a journey down a winding path through holiday installations that include dancing Nutcrackers, sultry gingerbread ladies and an ice queen inside a life-sized globe. This all leads to Santa’s speakeasy bar, where there will be a five-piece band performing as well as burlesque dancers. It’s all hosted by “RuPaul’s Drag Race” star Asia O’Hara.
The Lobby Bar
When: 4p.m.-2 a.m. Mondays-Fridays; 10 a.m.-2 a.m. Saturdays-Sundays
Where: 3730 Main Street, Riverside
Information: 951-742-5020 or lobbyriverside.com
This Riverside spot is decked out with hundreds of ornaments, lights and upside down Christmas trees. Yes, they hang their trees from the ceiling. Some of the new holiday cocktails this year include the Dirty Snowman, a thick milkshake-like drink made with vodka and Bailey’s chocolate liqueur. Or try the Christmas in Cali, which is served in a Santa mug. And for a little Latin flavor, go for the Feliz Navidad, made with tequila and tamarind.
Tinseltown: The Christmas Speakeasy
When: 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays; 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays Nov. 24-Dec. 30.
Where: Pattern Bar, 100 W. Ninth Street, Los Angeles
Cost: $22
Information: viralventuresusa.ticketspice.com/tinsel-town-los-angeles
You might be able to sit elbow to elbow with Santa at this over-the-top holiday pop-up. There will be tinsel hanging everywhere as well as elves mingling in the bar, holiday music, gingerbread houses, warm winter drinks with and without booze, Christmas trees and Santa himself is rumored to be a regular here.
Holly Jolly Holiday Bar at EP & LP
When: Various seating times through Dec. 30
Where: 603 N La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood
Cost: Tickets start at $23 per person
Information: bucketlisters.com/experience/holly-jolly-holiday-bar-at-ep-lp
The pop-up is decked with floor-to-ceiling tinsel, ornaments and other holiday décor. And come thirsty because they’re serving holiday-themed bites, cocktails and mocktails too.