Wildly extravagant, outrageously cheerful, marvelously kitschy – and oh-so fun! With floor-to-ceiling decorations, limited-edition craft cocktails and festive surprises at every turn, these St. Louis pop-up bars will put you in a holiday state of mind.
Cocktails and Claws
November 6 to December 31
Fresh seafood paired with festive drinks – we would expect nothing less from 4 Hands + Peacemaker this holiday season. At the new Kirkwood location of the beloved craft brewery, merrymakers can dig into crab claws and crab cakes alongside classic deviled eggs topped with caviar, pigs in a blanket made with sweet bao buns and traditional Swedish meatballs smothered in rich, savory gravy.
Cocktails and Claws tops off the celebratory experience with spirit-forward cocktails – think Resting Grinch Face (vodka, triple sec, white cranberry, simple syrup, lime and cotton candy), Max on the Rocks (brown butter- and pecan-washed rye whiskey, simple syrup and black walnut bitters) and Sugar & Spice (amburana, green apple liqueur, brown sugar, caramel simple syrup and cream). In true 4 Hands fashion, this holiday feast will satisfy every craving for comfort, camaraderie and cheer.
Up on The Rooftop
November 7 to December 28
Decked out in glittering decorations, Up on The Rooftop will make you feel merry and bright. The holiday pop-up bars at Three Sixty atop the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark and the Gold Tower at Westport Plaza offer seasonal drinks and small plates among the extravagant décor. Spoiler alert: You’ll find everything from presents to reindeer hanging from the ceiling!
This year, our go-to cocktails are You’re a Mean One, Mr. Spritz (blanc vermouth, allspice, apple, green falernum, lemon and sparkling wine), Peppermint Condition (vodka, coffee liqueur, hot chocolate, amaro, almond, peppermint whip and peppermint crunch) and Spiced Pumpkin Painkiller (dark rum, pumpkin spice, coconut cream, orange, ginger, lime, nutmeg and streusel).
Moose Mug Lounge
November 8 to December 31
“I don’t know what to say except it’s Christmas and we’re all in misery.” The Griswolds have taken over Art Bar at Angad Arts Hotel! Renamed Moose Mug Lounge for the holiday season, the rooftop popup dazzles and delights guests with National Lampoon-themed décor such as an inflatable RV, a lotta sap Christmas tree, a namesake family fireplace, an immersive light display and movie-inspired cutouts for comical photos. Open to those 21 and older, Moose Mug Lounge has also gone all out with its seasonal cocktail menu, with drinks such as Uncle Lewis’ Old Fashioned (bourbon, cranberry juice, cinnamon simple syrup and club soda) and Clark’s All-Nighter House-Lighter (vanilla vodka, Bailey’s Irish Cream and espresso topped with whipped cream and cookies) sure to give you a buzz.
The Sleigh Shed
November 12 to December 30
The Train Shed at St. Louis Union Station transforms into a glittering holiday retreat this season. With wall-to-wall bling, The Sleigh Shed puts the excess of the holidays on full display. During their visit, guests can enjoy creative cocktails such as Freeze Navidad (tequila blanco, falernum, sweet vermouth, melon liqueur, pomegranate syrup and lime juice) and Not the Gumdrop Buttons (gingerbread-infused brandy, spiced chai, soft-serve vanilla ice cream and gingerbread whipped cream), alongside appetizers and desserts. Don’t wait – gather a group, secure a table and lose yourself in this wonderland of whimsy.
The Chalet
November 14 to January 3
Enjoy cozy luxury at The Chalet perched on the sky-high deck of Le Méridien St. Louis Clayton. With exclusive indoor-outdoor experiences, it serves as the ultimate winter escape. At the outdoor pop-up bar, try your hand at curling for $60 per hour, gather around a fire pit and savor seasonal bites and sips such as warm mulled wine and smoky hot chocolate. Wooden pergolas, twinkling lights, heat lamps and fleece blankets add to the allure.
The Chalet pop-up bar is open to the public on Friday and Saturday from Nov. 14 to Jan. 3, with $20 general admission tickets including live music, open seating and a build-your-own s’mores bar.
Pop-Ups in the Delmar Maker District
November 14 to January 6
In the Delmar Maker District, two local haunts are adding extra sparkle to St. Louis’ unparalleled holiday season. At Steve’s Hot Dogs, guests can step into a high-energy, family-friendly, candy-coated fantasy. Designed for all ages, the concept features a dedicated hot chocolate station, s’more kits, coloring sheets and board games. While the kids play, adults can enjoy one of six festive cocktails, including the creamy Melting Snowman Margarita and the spiced Naughty Nog.
A stone’s throw away, The Fountain on Delmar transforms into The Iced Fountain, where guests can spend a retro-glam evening sipping signature cocktails from commemorative glasses. Blue, silver and white décor create a stylish, mid-century aesthetic, complemented by themed entertainment such as retro Christmas movie trivia. Both holiday pop-up bars will donate a portion of ticket sales to the Dollars for Delmar campaign, which will help rebuild and sustain the small neighborhood businesses following last spring’s devastating tornado.
Santa’s Speakeasy
November 18 to December 27
Hidden Gems adds a dash of disco to the holidays. For the second year in a row, the ostentatious dive bar will host Santa’s Speakeasy, a retro hideaway that mixes Hidden Gem’s signature pink shimmer with nostalgic Christmas charm. Turning up the cheer, this year’s pop-up bar will feature eight cocktails and mocktails – all as playful as they are photogenic.
“Last year’s response completely blew us away – guests really embraced the over-the-top holiday magic,” co-owners Amanda Helman and Susan Logsdon say. “We knew we had to [make it] even bigger this year, with new surprises, new photo ops and more sparkle.”
Miracle STL
November 18 to December 28
Drink for a good cause at Miracle STL. The Christmas-themed pop-up cocktail bar donates its reservation fees to Santa’s Helpers, which has been giving the gift of happiness to children in the St. Louis region since 1968. Boasting kitschy holiday décor and strong holiday cocktails, Miracle STL will transport you to the best office party ever, putting even the grouchiest Grinch in the holiday spirit!
Sippin’ Santa
November 18 to December 28
Every year, Planter’s House transforms into St. Louis’ premier Tiki pop-up bar complete with tropical Christmas vibes. From mugs shaped like sharks, pelicans, pineapples and mermaids, sip cocktails that blend Jamaican, Haitian and Nicaraguan rums with banana liqueur, figgy bitters, honey-butter batter and cinnamon syrup, among other island-inspired ingredients. Each drink transports imbibers to paradise – with surfing Santa as your guide! Don’t miss your chance to snag a seat at Sippin’ Santa before it sails away for the season.
The Holiday Lodge
November 21 to January 3
Returning this season, The Holiday Lodge invites guests into a grove of twinkling trees at the base of snowy mountains. Among the merry trimmings, indulge in Instagrammable cocktails and decadent nibbles. A holiday playlist, rustic accents and plush pillows add to the immersive experience, and classic holiday movies will play on two floor-to-ceiling screens to complete the snug space. Open Sunday through Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m., The Holiday Lodge offers storybook moments among the glowing skyline.
Polar Patio Pop-Up
November 21 to January 4
Named the No. 2 brewer in the world by RateBeer, Side Project Brewing will transform its Maplewood location at 2657 Lyle Ave. into the Polar Patio Pop-Up this holiday season. Tented, heated and decorated to the nines, the patio is the perfect place to gather around winter beers, specialty cocktails and gooey slices from Side Project Pizza. The family-friendly pop-up will keep kids entertained with snowflake-decorating, card-making and photo stations full of holiday props – plus, Santa Claus plans to stop by on Dec. 13 from 3 to 6 p.m.
Cozy: A Christmas Bar
November 28 to December 28
Cozy up at The Garage, nestled in St. Louis’ vibrant music quarter. Once a weathered parking garage, the space was transformed by brothers Jeremy and Ryan Binkley into a lively event venue infused with vision, creativity and a splash of spray paint. Now, they’ve taken it up a notch with a highly anticipated Christmas bar featuring an expansive cocktail menu, dazzling seasonal décor and a welcoming vibe. Perfect for small groups of friends or large groups of coworkers, The Garage is the ultimate spot to sip and celebrate in style.
Tinsel Tavern
November 28 to December 28
’Tis the season to get blitzened, and Crown Room at Ballpark Village has a holiday pop-up bar that yule love. The unforgettable experience includes brilliant décor, spruced-up photo ops, festive food, cheerful cocktails and themed events. When you check in at Tinsel Tavern, donate a new, unwrapped toy to receive 50 percent off your reservation fee.
LIT
November 28 to December 23
Outrageous décor, Christmas costumes, themed menus and holiday tunes – this is LIT, a seasonal pop-up experience at Molly’s in Soulard. As you embrace the festive atmosphere, enjoy one of the 12 drinks of LITmas. Past highlights included Partridge in a Pear Tree (Bombay Sapphire Gin, fresh pear purée, St-Germain elderflower liqueur, lemon and a Champagne float), Melted Snowman (Licor 43, Disaronno, RumChata and cream) and Mistletoe Kiss (Deep Eddy Lemon Vodka, rosemary simple syrup and white cranberry juice).
Avalanche
December 3 to 31
This thrilling holiday pop-up bar transports guests from downtown St. Louis to the Lodge & Leisure Ski Resort. While the cozy atmosphere, dedicated staff and stiff drinks at Avalanche set the scene, news of an impending avalanche causes the excitement to build. Before disaster strikes, make the most of your final hours with delicious dishes, craft cocktails, specialty ice cream, engaging games and photo booths. To celebrate the final night of Avalanche, Work & Leisure will host a New Year’s Eve bash.
The Floating Sleigh
December 4 to 28
From bow to stern, the spirit of the season shines brightly aboard the Riverboats at the Gateway Arch. This December, the Tom Sawyer – a replica 19th-century paddlewheeler – will dock at the St. Louis riverfront, inviting cheer chasers to come and go from The Floating Sleigh, which is one of the region’s newest holiday pop-up bars. Twinkling lights and shimmering garland frame the moment, while cool cocktails and festive fare ensure that you have a jolly good time.
The Floating Sleigh is open on Thursday, Friday and Sunday evenings. Want to explore more of the Mighty Mississippi? Consider family-friendly cruises such as Caroling with Santa (Dec. 6 to 24) or PJs & Pancakes with Santa (Dec. 6 to 21).
Looking for more things to do during the holidays in St. Louis? We’ve got endless inspiration!
