Best Christmas Bars/Pop-Ups in Charlotte, NC
Between November and early January, a few of our favorite cocktail bars and rooftop destinations transform into a winter wonderland. From snow and Christmas trees to bright twinkly lights and every kind of festive cocktail perfect for celebrating the season, Christmas pop-up bars are springing to life all over Charlotte, North Carolina. When we are ready to try our hand at landing on the Naughty List, we love to grab a friend and hit up one of these spots for a wintery good time during the holiday season.
“Tinseltown” at Billy Sunday
1115 N Brevard St Optimist Hall, Charlotte, NC 28206
(980) 960-0166
The already fun cocktail bar downstairs at Optimist Hall is destined to become one of your new favorite holiday haunts this year with their Tinseltown event which runs November 29 through the end of the year. Expect seasonal drinks like Sugar Cookie Martinis and Apple Pie Old Fashioned on the menu, but Tinseltown doesn’t accept reservations so get your name on the list at this sure-to-be-crowded event early if you want to enjoy sipping cocktails with Kris Kringle and the bunch this holiday season.
Humbug’s “House of Krampus”
2501 The Plz Unit 1, Charlotte, NC 28205
(704) 910-6436
A ticketed holiday experience at popular watering hole Humbug, House of Krampus is returning again this year. Your ticket gets you two hours of specialty cocktails and holiday snacks at this festive event based on the folklore surrounding Krampus, the popular European character whose sole purpose is to scare naughty children at Christmastime. Partygoers can choose from patio, bar or table seating and groups are limited to four per reservation.
“Miracle” at Backstage Lounge
2433 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203
(704) 705-8447
Fresh off their Spooky Speakeasy, Backstage Lounge’s holiday pop-up bar is back for another year, opening mid-November through December 30. No reservations are needed to enjoy Miracle, a speakeasy with a fun telephone booth entrance that requires a keyword to enter (posted weekly on social media.) Expect creative cocktails like Jingle Bells Nog, Christmas-politans and Rudolph’s Replacement to fuel the holiday cheer at this laid-back neighborhood bar this holiday season.
Supperland Speakeasy’s “Ugly Holiday Sweater”
1212 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC 28205
(704) 817-7514
This holiday “spirit experience” pairs holiday cocktails with special dishes from the Supperland kitchen. By reservation and ticketing only, this four-cocktail experience is best served with an ugly sweater, but they are not required for entry to this holiday event. Situated underneath the Supperland restaurant, the Speakeasy hosts The Ugly Holiday Sweater drinking and dining experience between November 26 and January 6, 2024.
The Garrison’s “Winter Wonderland”
314 Main St, Pineville, NC 28134
(704) 889-4277
For a Hallmark-esque holiday pop-up experience, we love to visit Winter Wonderland at Pineville’s The Garrison. The spot’s sleek bar and stunning chandelier decor is decked out in holiday finery and festive drinks and nibbles are offered here starting November 21. Reservations are suggested but not required to enjoy Winter Wonderland, but it does bring in a crowd so if you have your heart set on enjoying this beautiful pop-up, plan ahead. Regular menu items like Liam’s Favorite Tarheel Burger and the Cheerwine Short Ribs are available along with seasonal specialty food and drink offerings.
“Winter in the Queen’s Garden” at JW Marriott
600 S College St, Charlotte, NC 28202
(704) 333-1101
Overlooking downtown Charlotte, the rooftop pool Aura cranks out faux snow for their holiday pop-up called Winter in the Queen’s Garden. We love this Christmas bar option because the poolside bar atmosphere is unique and the Aura serves up sharable winter cocktails like their boozy hot chocolate, perfect for four people. Other drinks we have to try this year are the pumpkin-flavored Spiced with a Purpose as well as the coffee-infused Illusion of the Night, both perfectly paired with winter-themed bites like the Poblano Queso, a cheesy dip that will warm you up from the inside with mildly spicy poblano peppers as the star ingredient.
Thigs Cocktail Bar’s “Sippin’ Santa”
21234 Catawba Ave, Cornelius, NC 28031
(980) 689-4234
A beachy twist on holiday pop-ups, the Sippin’ Santa event at Thigs Cocktail Bar offers a unique experience this holiday season. With multiple ticketed events to choose from like classes for cocktails, ornament decorating, Christmas cookie making and bourbon tasting. Free events like an Ugly Sweater contest, live music and Christmas movie trivia and karaoke are also on the schedule, making Sippin’ Santa a pop-up event that even the Grinch in your bunch will love.
PapaDoc’s “Tinsel Town”
3990 Charlotte Hwy, Lake Wylie, SC 29710
(803) 752-5416
Thursdays through Saturdays in November and December as well as Wednesday evenings in December, Papa Doc’s transforms into Tinsel Town for a holiday pop-up party on the waterfront of Lake Wylie. Over-the-top decorations, photo ops your Insta will love and a special holiday cocktail menu make Tinsel Town a perfect place to celebrate the season with friends and family. We love Cousin Eddie’s Frozen Spiked Eggnog, Mistletoe Mules and crazy Elf’d Up Shots at Tinsel Town, but the fresh seafood served at Papa Docs is fantastic every day of the year.
For more recommendations on where to eat and drink in the city, check out our Charlotte page, here!
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