Where to drink now

Houston’s 9 most festive holiday bars serve lots of Christmas cheer

Jingle Bell Bar at Aero Cocktail Co. will feature festive beverages and tasty treats.

Angelique Cook Cavazos

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.

Betelgeuse Betelgeuse holiday cocktail 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.

Fireside at Heights & Co.
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.

people celebrate at frosty's christmas bar 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.

jingle bell bar at aero cocktail co has fun, festive drinks 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.

johnny gold brick's at christmas Miracle is celebrating its sixth year at Johnny's Gold Brick this season.Courtesy of Johnny's Gold Brick

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.

cocktail at sippin' santa pop-up 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 27 (closed on 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 can take the charming glassware home after enjoying creations such as Frosty the Merman, a rye drink with pear, apricot, and allspice liquors.

chifley hotel tinsel town pop up 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 Holiday drinks 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.

Christmas cocktail at Finn Hall 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

where to drink nightlife cocktails holiday bars houston

Bowling over Houston

Gluten-free Austin restaurant picks River Oaks for first Houston store

Rendering of Honest Mary's in River Oaks

Rendering by Mark Odom Studio

Honest Mary's, an Austin-based eatery, is expanding with a new location in Houston's River Oaks in fall 2025.

It will be a Houston homecoming for restauranteur Nelson Monteith with the fall 2025 debut of Honest Mary’s in River Oaks.

“It’s a joy and honor to bring a brand we’ve worked hard to create in Austin and finally be able to share that concept with friends and family in Houston,” Monteith said in a statement. “There’s a bit of built-in comfort in knowing there are folks here who are already fans of Honest Mary’s. They’ve been asking us for years to open a location in Houston, and now it’s happening.”

Located at 2047-A West Gray St., Honest Mary's will occupy the current La Madeleine space. It is not known at this time when La Madeleine will close, but construction on Honest Mary's is expected to begin in May 2025.

Monteith and his wife, Mary, launched Honest Mary’s in 2017 after embracing mindful eating to improve their health. Since then, the Austin-based eatery that describes itself as serving "life-giving fast food" has expanded to four locations, with the upcoming River Oaks spot marking its arrival in Houston.

“There’s healthy food, fresh food, and fast food,” he said. “We wanted to create something that fits into that sweet spot without sacrificing quality or convenience. The trend towards healthy eating and the reality of busy lifestyles aren’t slowing down. We offer a place that caters to both.”

At the center of Honest Mary’s menu are five signature bowls ranging from poke to vegetarian, including the smoky poblano ($10.25) that features a basmati rice base with fresh vegetables of wild arugula, sweet corn, and pickled onions in a creamy poblano sauce. Co-partner and chef Andrew Wiseheart, known for Austin’s Contigo and Ladybird Taco, leads the kitchen.

Honest Mary's menu features healthy, gluten-free bowls. Guests can choose from five signature bowls at Honest Mary's, or create their own.Courtesy of Honest Mary's

Diners can build their own bowls by selecting a base like quinoa, proteins including grilled chicken and tuna, and vegetables such as sweet potatoes. Pickled onions, cucumber salad, and avocado are among the topping selections, with sauces like lemon garlic and cashew-lime crema.

Scratch-made sipping broths round out the menu, with the chicken bone broth packed with celery, carrots, onions and parsley, or an umami-rich seaweed and mushroom broth.

A selection of house-made aguas frescas and teas, local craft beer, wine, kombucha, and organic cold-pressed juices will be available, as will Honest Mary’s popular almond butter cookies sweetened with maple syrup and topped with a sprinkle of Maldon salt.

Rendering by Mark Odom Studio

Honest Mary's, an Austin-based eatery, is expanding with a new location in Houston's River Oaks in fall 2025.

With its fully gluten-free menu, Honest Mary’s caters to a range of dietary preferences, including vegetarian, vegan, and dairy-free. To align with Monteith’s dedication to nutrition, Honest Mary’s uses seed oils sparingly and prioritizes local and organic ingredients when possible.

“River Oaks Shopping Center has a unique blend of history and vibrant new concepts, making it the ideal home for us,” Monteith said. “We aim to be a neighborhood spot where people can enjoy delicious, healthy food.”

Lunden McGill and John Frazier of Baker Katz brokered the deal for the 2,200-square-foot space and additional patio with seating for 38 inside and 44 outside. Mark Odom Studio is responsible for architecture and design.

Honest Mary’s signature elements of terra cotta and blue tilework will be incorporated to provide consistency between all five locations, while Art Deco-inspired decor of lush greenery, warm wood tones and natural light will align the space with the River Oaks Shopping Center’s structure.

Takeaway, delivery, and dine-in will be provided daily from 11 am to 9 pm.

news-you-can-eat openings honest mary's