
Get your holiday spirits on at one of a number of Christmas pop-up bars, which will be decked out to the nines with holiday décor and slinging next-level drinks with seasonal inspiration. Miracle will return to locations in Freehold, 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 coming Harrison.
Miracle started in the East Village of NYC in 2014 and quickly expanded to other U.S. locations, plus Canada, Panama, England, Australia and Switzerland. This year there are over 125 participating locations across the U.S.
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 Hot Buttered Rum, served hot. Other deliciously merry cocktails such as Carol Barrell, Snowball Old Fashioned, Koala Kooler and Christmas Cricket are sold in mugs and glasses you can purchase for your at-home Christmas parties.
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). Other cocktails include Island of Misfit Toys, Jingle Bird, Yule Tide, Undertow Toddy and Rudolph’s Rum Rhapsody (for two).
And the restaurants serve holiday food specials, too, so if you can’t find a babysitter, you can take the kids out with you.
Most Miracle bars open on November 20.
Miracle on Centre at Cowan’s Public
229 Centre St., Nutley
Miracle on Mercer at Franklin Social
292 Barrow St., Jersey City
Miracle on George Street at Catherine Lombardi’s
3 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick
Miracle on Valley at Gus’ Last Word
119 Valley Blvd., Wood-Ridge
Miracle on Bloomfield at The Parkside Social
706 Bloomfield Ave., Verona
Miracle at The Bistro
Inside iPlay America, 108 Schanck Rd., Freehold
Sippin’ Santa at Harrison at The Vanguard
705 Frank E Rodgers Blvd South, Harrison
Crystal Springs Resort in Sussex County has its own share of holiday pop-up bars. The Schnapps Shack, located adjacent to the Glice skating rink in front of the Crystal Springs Clubhouse at 1 Wild Turkey Way in Hamburg, has toasty fire pits where you can enjoy your hot signature cocktails or your choice of 10 different Schnapps varieties. Snack on warm cider donuts, toffee apples, homemade soup of the day, or a foot-long hot dog with all the fixings. Current hours will be 11 am to 8 pm November 29 and 30.
Or, let the spirit of the season take you to Frosty’s Cantina & Winter Workshop, located at Minerals Hotel, 2 Chamonix Dr., Vernon Twp. Order a spiked hot chocolate or a vanilla latte to wash down a beef hot dog or chili. The Winter Workshop is fun for all ages and includes marshmallow roasting, fire pits and axe throwing. Hours of operation are 3-8 pm Fridays and Saturdays, starting November 22.
Il Vecchio Cafe, part of the Calandra’s chain of restaurants, has its own Frosty’s Snow Bar in Caldwell. Frosty’s Cocktails include cranberry apple sangria, spiked hot chocolate and a chocolate espresso martini. Try the Santa’s Hat: vodka, grenadine, lime juice, lemon soda, light whipped cream and a sugar rim with a candy cane; or Ebenezer’s Nightcap, made with bourbon, spiced chai, sparkling apple cider and a candied ginger twist.
Sinner’s Steakhouse in Point Pleasant Beach is transforming into a jolly ol’ sinful Christmas extravaganza – but for the whole family. Try a signature cocktail like Reif Rum Coquito, Cousin Eddie’s Egg Nog or Scrooge’s Usual; or you can make your own hot chocolate. Desserts will get a festive twist. And the full menu will be available. You can sit inside or on the heated terrace.
The Sun Tavern is hosting Roselle Park’s first and only Christmas pop-up bar, called Santa at The Sun. There will be drink specials and merry surprises all December long.
Charlie’s of Bay Head is known for its beautiful waterfront dining in the summer, but come wintertime is becomes a whole new experience with beautiful decor and cheerful drink specials.
Cucina Calandra in Fairfield hosts The Grinch’s Grotto, with the Grinch himself appearing on select nights. Visit their sister location, Calandra’s Italian Village in Caldwell, for the Holly Jolly Lounge.
Harry’s Ocean Bar & Grille in Cape May introduced a Halloween pop-up in October, but has transformed the Jersey Shore establishment into a winter wonderland for Jingle Bar. The décor is top-notch, with people lining up down the avenue to see all the Instagram-worth decorations. The specialty cocktails include festive drinks like Mistletoe Margarita, Blue Christmas, Snowflake Eggnog, Peppermint Tini and The Grinch. There is live music every weekend, two dates for Brunch with Santa and a New Year’s Eve Soiree.
Whitechapel Projects is holding the Kringle Cove Holiday Express holiday restaurant and bar pop-up in Long Branch. Special events throughout the holiday season include Merry Brunchmas with Elsa, Olaf, Elf and the Grinch; cookies with Sweet Dani B; pet photos with Santa; wreath making classes; a musical showcase; and a s’mores station.
Linguini By The Sea’s Winter Wonderland at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City is open from late November through December 30. There will be specialty cocktails and seasonal menu specials. And the Jingle Bell Bar will have a pop-up holiday bar experience from November 29 through December 31.
And don’t miss out on a trip to NYC to see The Queen of Christmas-inspired bar at Mariah Carey’s Black Irish Holiday Pop-Up. Located inside the Virgin Hotel, there are festive photo ops, martinis named after Mariah (and featuring the Black Irish brand), lots of Christmas music and decor, and weekend brunch.
Check each restaurant’s or bar’s site for opening dates, operational dates, hours and menus.
There’s also a really cool Hanukkah-themed bar that will pop up in NYC from December 23 to January 4, 2025. Maccabee Bar will serve festive drinks like Latke Sour and Ocho Kandelikas while you eat potato pancakes and take pictures of all the blue and gold decor.
Check out the amazing decor and festive drinks on our Instagram page, and what’s ahead for the 2024 holiday season.
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