Say cheers to the season at one of these holiday-themed pop-up bars in Charlotte
Crews have been decking the halls to turn Charlotte’s bars into winter wonderlands as part of the iconic Christmas-themed cocktail pop-up bars Miracle and Sippin’ Santa — and there are plenty of local spots with similar festivities offering cocktails, seasonal decorations and more.
“It’s incredibly exciting to be kicking off the 2023 season, almost a decade to when we first started,” says Greg Boehm, founder of Miracle. “Witnessing the growth and transformation of Miracle and Sippin’ Santa, along with the addition of numerous cities and partners to the family, makes each season even more remarkable than the last.”
Nearly 200 bars across the country are participating this year, including locations in and around Charlotte. Here are the ones you can check out this holiday season through Dec. 31, along with local bars joining in on the fun in their own ways.
Miracle locations
Miracle locations will offer themed cocktail menu with fan favorites such as the Christmapolitan and Christmas Cricket. New this year is Rudolph’s Replacement, The Krampus and Marshmallows & Unicorns.
Location: 2433 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203
Hours: 5 p.m.-12 a.m. daily
Location: 2495 S North Carolina 16 Hwy, Denver, NC 28037
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. and Friday–Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. (closed Sunday)
Reservations: https://reservations.shift4payments.com or call 704-966-1434
Events:
- Tuesday, Nov. 28: Horse-drawn sleigh rides
- Saturday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 16: Christmas trivia with DJ Chris
- Friday, Dec. 15: Music and Christmas Karaoke by DJ Dean
- Wednesday, Dec. 6: Ugly Sweater Night
- Monday, Dec. 4 and Wednesday, Dec. 20: Christmas PJs Night
- Friday, Dec. 8 and Tuesday, Dec. 12: Grinch Night — dress as your favorite Grinch or Cindy Lou Who
- Monday, Dec. 18: Kids Christmas movie/ PJ night — Wear your Christmas PJ’s to watch a movie outdoors on the big screen, toast marshmallows, warm up at the hot cocoa bar and play games..
Sippin’ Santa locations
Sippin’ Santa locations will feature also themed cocktail menu with new drinks like the Surf Nut, Sharkey’s First Christmas and Ginger Snapper. Returning favorites include Jingle Bird, Holiday on Ice and the original Sippin’ Santa.
Sippin’ Santa at The Royal Tot
Location: 933 Louise Ave Suite 350, Charlotte, NC 28204
Hours: Monday-Tuesday, 4 p.m.-12 a.m.; Wednesday-Thursday, 4 p.m.–1 a.m.; Friday 4 p.m.–2 a.m.; Saturday, 11 p.m.-2 a.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Sippin’ Santa at Thigs Cocktail Bar
Location: 21234 Catawba Ave, Cornelius, NC 28031
Hours: Tuesday–Friday, 3 p.m.-10 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Events:
- Trivia and karaoke each week.
Other Christmas pop-up bars
Location: Havana 33, 637 Williamson Rd., Mooresville, NC 28117
Events:
- Thursday, Dec. 14, 6-8 p.m.: A holiday cocktail class will guide you through the creation of three drinks as you munch on appetizers. You will take home a bartender kit, too. $45 per person; purchase tickets online.
Location: Humbug, 2501 The Plaza Suite 1 Charlotte, NC 28205
Opening date: Dec. 1
Tickets are required, and party size is limited to four people. Purchase online for $10.
Location: Optimist Hall, 1115 N Brevard St UNIT 1, Charlotte, NC 28206
Hours: Through Dec. 31, Monday-Thursday 5-10 p.m.; Friday 4 p.m.-midnight; Saturday noon-midnight; Sunday noon-10 p.m.
Tinseltown will be first-come, first-serve, but there will be a waitlist. Cocktails on the menu include a Feliz Navidad coquito, Ya Filthy Animal eggnog, Be Sure to Drink Your Ovaltine hot chocolate and a Kidnap Sandy Claws sugar cookie martini and more — several of which can be made into mocktails.
Location: El Thrifty at Optimist Hall, 1115 N Brevard St UNIT 100, Charlotte, NC 28206
Cocktail offerings include the Seashell Spritz, Frosty’s Flamingo, Tropical Sleigh Ride, Why Grandma Got Ran Over By A Reindeer and more.
Location: 1440 S Tryon St #105, Charlotte, NC 28203
In collaboration with 3rd Rock Events. VINYL has been transformed into a Winter Wonderland with seasonal drinks that include a Cinnamon Espresso Martini, L.A. Woman (Montelobos Joven mezcal, Espolòn Reposado tequila, Génépy Le Chamois, lime and Orgeat) and Oye Cómo Va (El Tesoro Reposado tequila, lime, pineapple, cinnamon, coconut, Scrappy’s Bergamot Bitters and Bittercube Trinity Bitters).
Editor’s note: This article was originally published July 21, 2023, and has been updated.
This story was originally published July 21, 2023 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Say cheers to the season at one of these holiday-themed pop-up bars in Charlotte."