The holiday season is here, and Houston’s bar scene is pulling out all the stops to spread Christmas cheer. From over-the-top décor to imaginative cocktails, these festive destinations promise an experience as bright as the twinkling lights that adorn them. Whether you’re donning your glitziest outfit or rocking a kitschy sweater, here’s where to toast to the magic of the season.
The Santa on Acid is part of Betelgeuse Betelgeuse's holiday menu.Courtesy of Betelgeuse Betelgeuse
Courtesy of Miracle
Miracle pop-up has made its way to Johnny's Gold Brick and Winnie's.
Betelgeuse Betelgeuse
Celebrated for its offbeat vibe, Betelgeuse Betelgeuse turns on the Christmas charm in December. While exact dates for the transformation of its Montrose Boulevard and Washington Avenue locations haven’t been announced, patrons can expect merry elixirs like the frozen grasshopper with 14 House mint vodka, white chocolate syrup, creme de cacao, and ancho reyes, and the visions of sugarplums with 13 Still Austin Gin, Damson Plum Gin, pomegranate liqueur, lemon, turbinado, and Lambrusco. Check the temperature before you head to Betelgeuse Betelgeuse to sample the Christmas Cocktails selection—the eatery only offers some of the beverages when the temperature dips below 65 degrees.
Crazy Christmas Lights Holiday Pop-up at Bandista
Step through a bookcase at downtown’s luxurious Four Seasons hotel to discover a merry and bright wonderland at speakeasy-style Bandista. The intimate lounge embraces the seasonal spirit with an eclectic mix of dazzling decorations and an ambitious holiday cocktail menu. Highlights include the “Wallow in Self Pity,” a yuzu vermouth cocktail with winter melon, pineapple, lime, and egg white, and “Your Favorite Side Dish,” a creative mix of agave spirits, toast-infused vermouth, and celery bitters. Reservations are essential for this intimate experience, which runs through January 1.
This may be the coziest of Christmas bars to choose from as Heights & Co. is once again holding movie nights with all the trimmings of the season through December 23. The movie screen is set up on the bar’s patio, with blankets, space heaters, and fire pits on demand when the temperature drops. Charming s’mores boards, with a house ganache, torched marshmallow cream, marshmallows, and graham crackers, can be enjoyed with a tabletop fire pit. Cutesy glassware holds boozy beverages such as a salted caramel carajillo and a cookies and cream espresso martini. Showtimes run Sunday through Thursday at 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm, and Friday and Saturday at 5:30 pm, 7:30 pm, and 9:30 pm. Reservations are required to secure a spot.
This is the first year that Frosty's Christmas Bar has made its way to Houston. Courtesy of We Love Pop Ups
Frosty’s Christmas Bar
There must be some magic in the air with Frosty’s Christmas Bar, coming to life at 2106 Dallas, Suite 100. This two-story spectacle boasts multiple bars, lively dance floors, and photo ops galore. The parent company, We Love Pop Ups, is known for dazzling events in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles, with Frosty’s making its Houston debut. The festive setup is worthy of Buddy the Elf with oversized nutcrackers, twinkly lights, and themed nights. The pop-up is open Monday through Thursday from 4 pm to close, Friday from 4 pm to 2 am, and Saturday and Sunday from 2 pm to 2 am, and runs from November 29 to January 5. Guests under 21 are welcome before 7 pm. Ticket prices range from $25 to $350.
Aero Cocktail Co. is decking its halls with the Jingle Bell Bar pop-up.Photo by Angelique Cook Cavazos
Jingle Bell Bar at Aero Cocktail Co.
The creative minds behind The Cursed Cauldron are taking over Aero Cocktail Co. once again, but this time for Christmas. Running November 27 to December 28, patrons can explore Jingle Bell Bar with three themed rooms and two bars. Classic Christmas charm fills the main bar, while the Candyland Lounge offers sweet surprises. Upstairs, the Après Ski Lodge sets a cozy scene with a woodland-inspired ambiance. Sip on winter-inspired drinks like the Winter Wassail of Lost Irish whiskey, apple brandy, and cider, and snack on Santa’s Cookie Platter or Irma’s tamales. Entry is free, but special events like burlesque shows and cookie-decorating workshops require tickets. The Jingle Bell Bar is open Tuesday through Saturday from 4 pm to 12 am, and Sunday from 2 pm to 10 pm.
Miracle is celebrating its sixth year at Johnny's Gold Brick this season.Courtesy of Johnny's Gold Brick
Jingle and Mingle at Lyric Market
Before watching lords and ladies leap across the stage at Houston Ballet’s Nutcracker, attendees can grab a Christmas cocktail or mocktail at Lyric Market’s Jingle and Mingle pop-up. Glittering Christmas trees await around each corner and tinsel shimmers from above at this free event. Sip on the “Peppermint Express,” a vodka-based blend with RumChata, peppermint, and cold brew, or the holiday mule, a non-alcoholic concoction of lime, ginger beer, and cinnamon syrup. Patrons can play Santa Claus by donating to the Toys for Tots box at Lyric Bar, with free two-hour parking provided to those who either donate a toy or purchase a cocktail. Live Christmas tunes can be heard every Friday and Saturday from 6-8 pm through December, making it a merry outing for all ages.
Julep
Julep brings Southern charm to the holidays with a dazzling display of sparkling lights, 1,000 presents suspended from the ceiling, and a parlor filled with nutcrackers. Owner Alba Huerta and her skilled staff have created a menu that features innovative takes on classic favorites, such as the spiked hot cocoa with vodka and toasted marshmallows, the holiday spice Old Fashioned that incorporates sherry and spiced cocoa bitters, and the applesnap Julep that blends bourbon and sous-vide apples. From December 2 through December 31, Julep will open at 3 pm daily. Book through Open Table to ensure a seat.
Miracle at Johnny’s Gold Brick and Winnie’s
A Houston holiday staple, the Miracle pop-up returns for its sixth year at Johnny’s Gold Brick and its third at Winnie’s. Revellers can raise a glass to the holidays with jolly drinks such as the popular Christmapolitan, a vodka concoction with spiced cranberry sauce, and absinthe mist. For a prehistorically good time, there’s the bold new Christmasaurus with pineapple rum, mezcal, Velvet Falernum, and apricot liqueur, paired with rich flavors such as toasted cumin and coconut milk. Both locations are open daily, excluding Thanksgiving and Christmas, until December 30. Reservations are recommended, but dinner at Winnie’s is walk-in only.
The Yuletide cocktail is available at Nickel City's Sippin' Santa pop-up.Courtesy of Sippin' Santa
Sippin' Santa at Nickel City
The Houston outpost of the popular Austin bar has quickly become a standout in the city’s nightlife scene. This season, Nickel City adds a retro, kitschy flair with the Sippin’ Santa pop-up, offering a playful take on Santa’s tropical getaway. Open daily from 12 pm to 2 am through December 29 (including Thanksgiving and Christmas), the festive oasis invites guests to escape the winter blues. Sippin' Santa and Miracle have the same parent company with beloved holiday mugs in creative shapes such as Santa's Head, and SanTaRex as part of the appeal. Patrons may purchase the charming glassware to take home after enjoying creations such as Frosty the Merman, a rye drink with pear, apricot, and allspice liquors.
The Chifley Hotel in the Galleria is hosting Tinsel Town pop-up, along with three themed rooms for guests to stay in.Courtesy of Chifley Hotel
Tinsel Town at Chifley Hotel
The Galleria’s Chifley Hotel invites all to immerse themselves in a winter wonderland, complete with the Tinsel Town pop-up and festive-themed suites. Through January 4, the hotel’s restaurant, Rouse, will dazzle guests with glittering adornments, live music on weekends, and scheduled themed nights. Attendees can extend the magic by booking one of the three decked-out hotel rooms — Candy Cane Lane, Tinsel Town, or the Polar Experience — complete with cookies, hot chocolate, and turndown service.
Toasted Coconut is offering a wide bevy of beverages for the holidays.Vivian Leba
The Toasted Coconut
Escape to an island paradise at the Toasted Coconut. This Montrose gem is renowned for decking its halls with flair and this year’s menu features fan-favorite drinks like the Puerto Rican Coquito, cream of coconut, rum, cinnamon, and nutmeg, alongside new creations. Bar manager Tiffany Kirk told CultureMap that she’s excited about the Crimson and Clover Club, which has the unusual ingredients of beet tempered by raspberry. The cleverly named “there’s always caffeine in the banana stand” is the Toasted Coconut’s nod to Senegal’s national coffee drink, Cafe Touba. The concoction features a house-made stout reduction with Grains of Selim, an African spice akin to black pepper, topped with a banana cold foam for a bitter coffee flavor balanced by sweet cream.
Trashmare at Trash Panda Drinking Club
Eerie blends with merry at Trash Panda’s Trashmere, a holiday pop-up inspired by The Nightmare Before Christmas. This tiki bar escape channels Oogie Boogie’s playful mischief and Sandy Claws’ holiday magic with creative riffs on six classic cocktails, a shareable concoction, and two hot drinks. Flavors are as imaginative as the theme, featuring the Nightshade Tea, a smooth blend of Amaras Mezcal Verde, Suze liqueur, toasted marshmallow, and Trinity bitters. For a bolder sip, try the Bone Daddy, a spicy cocktail served in a collectible Jack Skellington mug, crafted with Trash Panda’s limited edition El Tesoro Nixta corn liqueur, Ancho Reyes Verde, and horchata. Pair your drinks with Trashmere-exclusive bites, such as the rich and zesty chicken pozole ($12) with a tomatillo and chili broth, or the subtly sweet arroz con leche ($10). Take a themed mug of Jack Skellington, Sally, Zero, Oogie Boogie, or Lock, Shock, and Barrel home with you for $17.
Cheers to the season at 12 Days of Christmas pop-up in Swallow's Nest. Photo by Ryan O. Harris
12 Days of Christmas at Finn Hall
Finn Hall’s 12 Days of Christmas pop-up transforms Swallow’s Nest on the mezzanine into a nostalgic yuletide haven. Select from cocktails infused with honey harvested from the dining hall’s sixth-floor terrace bees, or the cleverly named “Sleigh Responsibly” menu with non-alcoholic delights. From December 12 through December 23, patrons can sharpen their skills in mixology classes with local expert Roberto Rivas, test their knowledge at holiday trivia nights, sway to soulful Motown or jazz, or dive into hands-on workshops inspired by Santa’s headquarters. Finn Hall vendor FireNoodz is serving bites to stave off any hunger pains.
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This article has been updated on November 27 and December 2 with additional bars.
