The weather outside may turn frightful, but the cocktails at these holiday bars sound pretty delightful. Here are 12 area bars and pop-ups serving up loads of festive cheer.
Joy on the Avenue at Del Ray’s Pop-Up Bar
2312 Mt Vernon Ave., Alexandria
Del Ray’s neighborhood pop-up bar brings a North Pole-inspired holiday post office to life from November 22 through January 4. Down festive cocktails like the cinnamon-and-bourbon-based Four Wiseman or a vodka-and-Amaretto-spiked eggnog, or try non-alcoholic options like a cranberry/rosemary spritz. Holiday-themed snacks include Thanksgiving poutine, Whoville cranberry-and-brie Bites, and a Bavarian pretzel, all amid twinkling lights, vintage mailbags, and more than 2,500 Christmas bulbs overhead.
Miracle at Black Whiskey
1410 14th St., NW
The popular holiday pop-up Miracle is back at this Logan Circle bar, running from November 28 through December 31. Sip festive cocktails like the Christmapolitan (vodka with spiced cranberry and rosemary), a gingerbread-scented old fashioned, and the Candy Cane Lane, a mix of white rum, chocolate and mint while taking in over-the-top, kitschy holiday décor.
The Coquito Bar at La Cosecha
1280 Fourth St., NE
This Union Market food hall will debut a bar devoted to coquito, the rich Puerto Rican coconut-and-rum holiday drink, on Friday, November 14 (it’ll run Tuesday through Sunday during the holiday season). Look for four takes on the beverage: coconut-and-vanilla, dark-chocolate-pistachio, vegan molasses-ginger, and a non-alcoholic spiced coconut cream. You’ll also find festive cocktails like a smoked cinnamon old fashioned and cranberry-thyme margarita, plus Latin small plates such as truffle-honey pan de bono and pastelón empanadas. Get extra-festive with a “coquito tree” tasting flight served in ornament glasses.
The Elf Bar at Divino Ristorante
2505 Wisconsin Ave., NW
This Glover Park Italian dining room will transform into a North Pole-inspired playground from December 4 through Christmas Eve. Sip holiday cocktails like a Santa Spritz or cranberry negroni while posing in front of a Christmas wall and taking in twinkling lights on the heated, enclosed deck, which seats 75. Kids are welcome, too.
Snowglow at the Dome
1309 Fifth Street., NE
Snowglow at the Dome takes over Union Market rooftop bar Hi-Lawn now though January 4. Hang out in the immersive snowglobe–inspired winter wonderland over drinks like spiced eggnog punch, walnut Manhattans, and torched-cherry hot chocolate. Shareable small plates include brie en croute, wagyu party meatballs, and rum balls.
Chai-vy and Cohen-y Hannukah Bar at Ivy and Coney
1537 Seventh St., NW
This Shaw bar’s annual Hanukkah bar returns for December with latkes, Manischewitz shots, and plenty of tongue-in-cheek holiday cheer. The highlight is the 16-foot-wide “shotnorah,” where eight people can take a shot at once, with proceeds from Manischewitz sales benefiting Bread for the City. The bar will stay open through Christmas, with holiday movies and Chinese food on the menu.
Destination: Dreamlands at Duke’s Grocery and Problem Child
1513 17th St., NW; 10128 River Rd., Potomac; 2000 Pennsylvania Ave., NW (Duke’s Grocery). 3000 Connecticut Ave., NW (Duke’s Counter). 1201 Half Street., SE (Problem Child).
The team behind Duke’s Grocery will launch holiday pop-up Destination: Dreamlands on Thursday, December 4. Each Duke’s location, plus sibling bar Problem Child, gets its own theme. There’s a gingerbread wonderland in Dupont; a panda-filled “Bamboo Land” near the zoo; a North Pole workshop in Potomac; an Alice in Wonderland–style cocktail den in Foggy Bottom; and a Stranger Things–inspired bar in Navy Yard. Expect a handful of themed cocktails at each spot.
Lulu’s Wine(ter) Garden
1940 11th St., NW
This Southwestern-inspired Shaw wine bar debuts its third annual holiday pop-up on Wednesday, November 19, and it will run through early January. Check out seasonal drinks like coconut-rum coquitos, mulled Lambrusco spritzes, and mesquite-honey hot toddies amid the cactus Christmas trees, glowing luminarias, and cozy outdoor patios with heat lamps. Wintry eats, like ancho/lime tomato soup and Christmas enchiladas, are on the menu, too.
Home Alone at Tiki TNT
1130 Maine Ave., SW
This Wharf tiki bar goes full Home Alone for the holidays starting November 24. Island Christmas music sets the mood as you sip Kevin McCallister–inspired cocktails and nosh on themed pizzas.
Holiday Bar at Colada Shop
2920 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington
Colada Shop’s Holiday Bar returns to its Clarendon location November 21 through January 1. The tropical winter escape with twinkling lights will serve festive cocktails like a Candy Cane Colada, churro Manhattan, MoHoHojito, and warm rum cider.
Home Alone Pop Up at Hotel Heron
699 Prince St., Alexandria
Starting November 28, the area will get its second Home Alone-inspired pop-up at Old Town’s Francis Hall at the Hotel Heron. Sip cheeky cocktails like the Filthy Animal! (a spiced colada with housemade Coco Loco); Rockin’ Round Xmas (a bourbon drink with bourbon-infused chocolate mousse); and Keep the Change! (a mix of cinnamon-infused tequila, lime, and agave with a cinnamon-toast rim) while reveling in ‘90s nostalgia.
Caroled at The Commodore
1636 17th St., NW
This Dupont neighborhood fixture flips into a full-blown A Christmas Carol bar starting December 2, with themed rooms inspired by Scrooge’s past, present, and future. Downstairs becomes Fezziwig’s, a Victorian-style tavern strung with lanterns and wreaths and pouring nostalgic cocktails. Upstairs splits into two moods: a festive, exuberant Room of Christmas Present and a darker Room of Christmas Yet to Come.
The Naughty List at Tiki on 18th
2411 18th St., NW
If you’re feeling a little naughty this holiday season, this Adams Morgan tiki bar is for you. Expect a “flirtatious winter escape” with some tongue-in-cheek humor through January 5. Themed cocktails include “Snicker on This Doodle,” a snickerdoodle milk punch, “Frostbite Affair” served in a cheeky boob glass, and “Santa’s Cookie & Milk,” a boozy take on the nostalgic combo that actually comes with a side of cookies. Meanwhile, you can enjoy Tiki on 18th’s Filipino menu with specialties like sizzling pork sisig and lumpia spring rols.
