Get your holiday spirits on at one of six Christmas pop-up bars, which are decked out to the nines with holiday décor and slinging next-level drinks with seasonal inspiration. Miracle is open in Nutley, Jersey City, New Brunswick, Verona and Wood-Ridge, while Sippin’ Santa, a tiki-themed Christmas bar (think Santa on a surfboard instead of a sleigh) is now open in Harrison. All spots are mixing up holly jolly concoctions through New Year’s Eve.
Miracle started in the East Village of NYC in 2014 and quickly expanded to other US locations, plus Canada, Panama, England and Switzerland. This year there are nearly 200 participating locations across the US.
While the decor is Instaworthy on its own, the true star of the show is the cocktail menu. Noteworthy drinks at Miracle locations include the Christmapolitan, a twist on the classic made with vodka, elderflower, dry vermouth, spiced cranberry sauce, rosemary, lime and absinthe mist and for those who have been naughty, there’s the Bad Santa, served hot. This season will feature a variety of new deliciously merry cocktails such as Grandma Got Runover by A T-Rex, Island of Misfit Toys and Rudolph’s Rum Rhapsody.
The Vanguard’s Sippin’ Santa in Harrison, a tiki-style pop-up with Polynesian-inspired drinks and decor, boasts drinks like the Kris Kringle Colada (dark Jamaican rum, cynar, allspice, lime & pineapple juice and cream of coconut) and the White Russian Christmas (odka, dark-roast cold brew, condensed milk, ancho chile liqueur, cinnamon syrup). New cocktails for this season include Island of Misfit Toys, Jingle Bird, Yule Tide, Undertow Toddy and Rudoph’s Rum Rhapsody (for two).
Better yet, this pop-up is more than just cocktails. All drinks are served in kitschy, collectible glassware, all of which are available for purchase. Check each site for safety measures in place as well as menus and hours.
Miracle on Centre at Cowan’s Public
229 Centre St., Nutley
Opens November 21 – January 1
Miracle on Mercer at Franklin Social
292 Barrow St., Jersey City
Opens November 21 – January 1
Miracle at on George Street at Catherine Lombardi’s
3 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick
Opens November 25 – December 31
Miracle on Valley at Gus’ Last Word
119 Valley Blvd., Wood-Ridge
Opens November 21 – January 1
Miracle on Bloomfield at The Parkside Social
706 Bloomfield Ave., Verona
Open November 21- January 1
Sippin’ Santa at Harrison at The Vanguard
705 Frank E Rodgers Blvd South, Harrison
Opens November 21 – January 1