Tis the season for holiday bars, which return for another year at restaurants around town. From Atlanta to Alpharetta, we’ve rounded up the top ten pop-up bars to check out for seasonal cocktails, dining rooms dripping in holiday cheer, and festive foods.
Blind Elf at The Blind Pig Parlour Bar
Buckhead
Blind Elf returns for another year at The Blind Pig Parlour in Buckhead. Expect holiday decor and colorful lights everywhere, along with holiday-themed drinks like the Mistletoe Margarita and Polar Express Martini. The food menu features snacks like parmesan snow French fries, charcuterie and cheese, and takes on s’mores and milk and cookies. Open daily at 5 p.m., starting Nov. 29. Reservations encouraged.
Winter Wonderland at Amore e Amore
Inman Park
The family-owned Italian restaurant kicks off the season with its Winter Wonderland-themed holiday menu. Look for special cocktails and dishes, occasional guest appearances during dinner from Santa, and a dining room decked out in holiday decor. Open at 5 p.m. during regular business hours. Reservations encouraged.
Westside Sleigh at Westside Motor Lounge
English Avenue
The Echo Street restaurant and bar complex debuted Westside Sleigh this year. Look for festive decor, holiday-themed cocktails, food from pop-up chefs, live music, and a Grinch dance-off contest. Open Wednesday through Sunday, starting at 5 p.m.
Festiveman above Breaker Breaker
Reynoldstown
Floridaman, the 21+ rooftop bar at Breaker Breaker in Reynoldtown, will transform into Festiveman for the holiday season. Expect an assortment of holiday yard decor, colorful lights, themed cocktails like a hot buttered rum, and some special holiday dishes. Open Friday and Saturday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
Chrismukkah Bar at Daily Chew
Morningside/Lennox Park
Daily Chew over on Liddell Drive will launch its Chrismukkah Bar, starting Dec. 6. The new holiday bar, which melds Christmas and Hanukkah, will operate on Fridays and Saturdays, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., through Dec. 21. Expect latkes and caviar, holiday cheese balls and crackers, and sufganiyot (jelly and creamed-filled doughnuts) paired with holiday cocktails like boozy eggnog, yuzu pine margaritas, and spiced hot toddies. Non-alcoholic drinks will also be served. Look for a Hanukkah party hosted at the holiday bar on Dec. 25.
Tiki Holiday at S.O.S Tiki Bar
Decatur
Tiki Holiday is back! Once again, the holiday pop-up will transform the Decatur tiki bar into a festive destination dripping with Christmas lights, ornaments, and tinsel, serving rum cocktails spiked with holiday cheer and boozy hot chocolate. Open Wednesday through Saturday, starting at 6 p.m.
The Snow Globe Lounge at The Select
Sandy Springs
The Sandy Springs restaurant becomes a winter wonderland again, complete with upside-down Christmas trees hanging from the ceiling, colorful lights, and holiday-themed cocktails. Open nightly, starting Nov. 29. Reservations encouraged.
Holiday pop-up at Lagarde American Eatery
Chamblee
The Chamblee restaurant, known for its New Orleans-inspired dishes, includes a festive makeover for the holiday season this year. Expect holiday-themed drinks like the Dirty Santa (eggnog spiked with pistachio and coffee liqueur) and the Naughty Hot Toddy, paired with loaded brisket tots, Cajun crab dip, and more. The restaurant will host breakfast with Santa on Dec. 15. Open during regular business hours.
Shiloh’s Chalet in Alpharetta
Alpharetta
This holiday bar in downtown Alpharetta offers apres ski vibes throughout the season. Sip on cocktails like an espresso martini, ginger snap buttered rum, and Irish coffee to pair with dishes like grilled cheese and tomato soup, roast beef sliders, and s’mores for dessert. Reservations are highly encouraged. Open daily at 5 p.m.
Santa’s Pizza Shop at Minnie Olivia
Alpharetta
The folks behind Minnie Olivia Pizzeria know that even Santa loves pizza. Starting Dec. 1, the downtown Alpharetta restaurant will become Santa’s Pizza Shop for the holiday season, featuring themed cocktails, colorful lights and decor, and chances to win pizzas for playing the Elf on the Shelf hide-and-seek game. And Santa makes appearances on Sundays, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Open during regular business hours.