Best Christmas Bars/Pop-Ups in Louisville, KY

One of the most fun activities between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day is discovering the holiday spirit in surprising places, and the Christmas pop-up bars in Louisville, KY are all designed to help even the grinchiest among us find their holiday spirit. From all-out holiday decorations to creative, festive drinks and once-a-year additions like outdoor igloos to help you jingle the night away, these Christmas pop-ups are our holiday must-dos this year in Louisville. 

1. A Christmas on Story Avenue at The Whirling Tiger

1335 Story Avenue, Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 632-1440

This popular live music venue is known for its great music and fun bar scene. But A Christmas on Story Avenue includes two events in one again for this holiday season. A visit to Whirling Tiger’s main holiday pop-up for its over-the-top decor and fun drinks is the perfect way to catch Christmas spirit. But the second pop-up, called Secret Santa’s, is located upstairs and includes a small entrance fee for this Thursday through Sunday extra holiday event. Hallways and rooms are decked out in everything from Santa’s sleigh to an upside-down nativity installation, and Secret Santa’s seasonal drinks like the Naughty-or-Nice Jello Shots will make a visit here a holiday highlight.

2. Miracle On Market

732 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 749-6200

This holiday popup is known for showing kitschy Christmas movies on a big screen which creates the perfect festive backdrop to your holiday outing. Miracle on Market also offers seasonal holiday drinkware that you can order along with your cocktail like the cherry red Christmasauraus mug that holds the pineapple and coconut concoction of the same name so popular with Miracle attendees. Other favorites here are the Naughty or Nice Santa shot glasses, perfect for celebrating your past year’s accomplishments with other Miracle on Market merrymakers.

3. Lucky Penny’s Jimmy Can’t Dance Pop Up

730 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 676-7199

For a jazzy holiday experience, Lucky Penny is offering a separate popup called Jimmy Can’t Dance inside of the ongoing Disco Blizzard pop up for a unique Christmas event. Running only a week and beginning on December 17, this swanky spot inside Hotel Genevieve is perfect for a chill holiday outing. Drinks like Under the Mistletoe, Elf’s Tears and The Sour Nutcracker pair perfectly with peppermint-spiked Christmas Crunch Popcorn, the perfect companions to live jazz music under twinkling holiday lights.

4. Blitzen Bar at the Omni Hotel

200 W Liberty St, Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 313-6664

We look forward to this yearly holiday event because it is always so festive. The Omni’s Pin + Proof location includes bowling lanes set amidst gorgeous stone walls and swanky seating options that give speakeasy vibes, making it a perfect spot for a surprise Christmas pop-up bar. Cocktails come adorned with Christmas-themed toppings like “snow” and gingerbread men while tasty snacks like pretzel bites and marinated olives are the perfect addition to your festive outing.

5. Merry at the Marriott

280 W Jefferson St, Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 627-5045

The lobby bar at downtown’s Marriott hotel transforms into a winter wonderland, complete with snowy trees, snowflakes and all the trappings of a classic holiday. Some of the tastiest drinks here are the Peppermint Espresso Martinis, a festive twist on a bar favorite, and the Gingerbread Old Fashioneds. We love to snag a holiday-themed charcuterie board to share while sitting in front of the roaring fireplace, enjoying the holiday spirit in this low-key, classic holiday pop-up experience.

6. Tinsel Tavern at Pizza Bar

445 S 4th St, Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 915-8113

Located inside of 4th Street Live along with other bars and restaurants, Pizza Bar is always our go-to spot for a slice or a pie that is rumored to be one of the best in Louisville. But when Tinsel Tavern takes over, we love to stop by for a glass of cheer and the wildly festive atmosphere Pizza Bar is known for. Some of the great drinks like the Santa-Gria and Gingerbread Nookie are not to be missed, and every year there is a “steal the glass” option so we can take home a festive holiday glass when we down our sip of holiday cheer. Tinsel Tavern also serves pizza and fun snacks like Red Rider Sliders and Buffalo Ho-Ho-Ho Dip to keep the party going all night long.

7. CandyLand at The House of Marigold

10310 Shelbyville Rd, Louisville, KY 40223
(502) 384-3767

This adorable brunch and dinner spot goes all out for the holiday season and we are here for it. The House of Marigold transforms into a spectacular pastel CandyLand with over-the-top decor that sets the perfect backdrop for a holiday brunch or cocktail activity to ring in the season. We love the attention to detail in the decor and the thoughtful menu additions during CandyLand like the Sugar and Spice cocktail topped with vanilla sweet cream, the Gingerbread Pop Tarts and the Naughty Chai, perfect for warming up from the inside during the holiday season.

8. Rooftop Igloos at 8Up Elevated Drinkery & Kitchen

350 W Chestnut St, Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 631-4180

This rooftop bar is already one of our favorite spots to go in Louisville, but when the weather turns cold and Santa’s sleigh is coming soon, we love to reserve a rooftop igloo at 8Up for a holiday celebration. A full sharable menu is available on the rooftop with choices like Pop-Pop Shrimp, Filet Skewers and tasty Zeppolis (rich Italian doughnuts that come with caramel and chocolate dipping sauces), so we love to nibble and sip our way through the evening inside a cozy igloo while toasting the season with our favorite people.

For more recommendations on where to eat and drink in the city, check out our Louisville page, here!