‘Tis the season for revelry and cheer, and where better to find them than at the bottom of a festive libation surrounded by twinkling lights?
Holiday pop-up bars have become beloved traditions in Denver and beyond, though we’d argue the term “pop-up” is something of a misnomer since it takes extensive time, effort and funds to pull them off. Nonetheless, itap near impossible to feel like a Grinch when you’re immersed in displays overwhelmed by decor.
Here are 33 places where you can cozy up and celebrate the season, whether you want to double down on Christmas, find a tropical escape or bring the whole family.
$10,000 for decor and more: Here’s what it takes to build holiday pop-up bars
Denver
Atomic Christmas at Atomic Cowboy
If you’re craving pizza, brunch food and Christmas vibes, good news: Atomic Cowboy locations across Colorado will be reimagined as Atomic Christmas. The restaurant houses both Denver Biscuit Co. and Fat Sully’s pizzeria under one roof (and more in select markets), plus festive decor, a hot chocolate bar, Christmas music and seasonal cocktails from Nov. 28 through Jan. 1. That includes locations in Congress Park, Berkeley, and Baker. For more information, visit .
Avantiki at Avanti Food and Beverage
Tiki cocktails and immersive decor help transport drinkers from Avanti in the Highlands to the warm shores of a beachfront destination at the food hall’s holiday pop-up Avantiki, which runs Nov. 28 to Dec. 28. Admission costs $5, which goes to support Culinary Hospitality Outreach and Wellness, an organization providing mental health support to hospitality industry workers. Avanti is located at 3200 Pecos St. in Denver. For more information, visit .
Big Holiday Energy at Call to Arms Brewing Co.
Beloved Denver brewery Call to Arms is preparing to close at the end of the year, but not before one last party. From Nov. 21 to Dec. 22, the taproom becomes Big Holiday Energy, an over-the-top pop-up that will host festive events, including pictures with Santa (Dec. 6) and holiday movie screenings. Call to Arms Brewing Co. is located at 4526 Tennyson St. in Denver. For more information, visit .
Blanco Navidad at Blanco Cocina + Cantina
Mexican restaurant Blanco Cocina + Cantina is celebrating the season with Blanco Navidad, a holiday pop-up running now through Dec. 31. Expect the dining room to be packed with Christmas trees and twinkling lights, and for bartenders to be shaking up festive cocktails, including The Christmas Tree sampler featuring mix-and-match margaritas. Blanco Cocina + Cantina is located at 4177 E. 9th St. in Denver. For more information, visit .
Christmas at Cirrus
From Nov. 19 to Dec. 24, cannabis lounge Cirrus Social Club will be gussied up and channeling a classy Christmas aesthetic for its pop-up. Think New York City high society – emphasis on high, thanks to the lounge’s menu of marijuana flower and edibles. Holiday programming includes a themed drag show (Dec. 4) and live jazz group playing seasonal tunes (Dec. 11). Cirrus Social Club is located at 3200 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver. For more information, visit .
Christmas Pop Up at Church & Union
Church & Union, a modern American restaurant in LoDo, plans to decorate its downstairs as a holiday escape with “twinkling decor, festive cocktails and all the cozy vibes you could ask for,” per a statement. The pop-up opens Nov. 25 and includes a specialty holiday menu of food and drinks. Church & Union is located at 1433 17th St., Suite 150 in Denver. For more information, visit .
The Delorean
The Delorean, a 1980s-themed bar, invites guests to go back to the future with holiday decor and specialty cocktails. From Nov. 28 to Dec. 28, expect throwback seasonal accents and drinks like the Cousin Eddie (a White Russian with cinnamon) to satisfy your inner child. The Deloran is located at 1753 S. Broadway in Denver. For more information, visit .
HiFi Holiday
Head to the Populus Hotel – recently named the world’s best new hotel – for a limited time holiday listening bar. The hotel partnered with Denver’s ESP HiFi, a vinyl-focused spot on Santa Fe Avenue, to bring HiFi Holiday to life. For two weekends (Dec. 12-14 and Dec. 19-21), the hotel’s second floor will be “a glowing, sensory refuge” serving Japanese-inspired cocktails and tunes curated by local DJs. The Populus hotel is located at 240 14th St. in Denver. For more information, visit .
Jingle Bao Rock at Bao Brewhouse
From Nov. 28 to Jan. 4, Chinese restaurant Bao Brewhouse will be decked out from the tea room to the taproom with ‘90s Christmas decor and festive events, such as holiday movie nights, drag brunch (Dec. 14) and an ugly sweater party (Dec. 19). The business is also offering a free cocktail or cookie shot to guests who bring a new, unwrapped toy for its holiday Toys for Tots donation drive. Bao Brewhouse is located at 1317 14th St. in Denver. For more information, visit .
The Jingle Bar at Club Vinyl
If you’re looking for a festive night out, The Jingle Bar at Club Vinyl nightclub aims to satisfy with trees, twinkling lights, tunes and more. Each night the pop-up is open from Dec. 4 to 23, expect holiday games, prizes for the best dressed patrons, and drinks like Mrs. Claus’ Cookie Martini. Admission costs $18. Club Vinyl is located at 1082 Broadway in Denver. For more information and tickets, visit .
Litmas at Linger
Naughty is nice at Litmas, hosted by mortuary-turned-restaurant Linger in the Highlands. Stop by the eatery’s rooftop between Nov. 26 and Dec. 31 to enjoy boozy drinks, cozy igloos, firepits and Christmas mugshot photo station. Linger is located at 2030 W. 30th Ave. in Denver. For more information, visit .
Miracle at Union Station
Miracle, billed as the original holiday pop-up experience, returns to Colorado with three locations. Denverites can stop by the lower-level Gallery Bar at Union Station from Nov. 26 through Dec. 24 to enjoy festive cocktails and seasonal decor. Don’t forget, you can always buy the cute glassware to take home with you. Union Station is located at 1701 Wynkoop St. in Denver. For more information, visit .
Mistletoe Lounge at Cherry Creek Holiday Market
Sipping and shopping can both happen in one stop at the Cherry Creek Holiday Market, which hosts a pop-up called the Mistletoe Lounge now through Dec. 24. Attractions include decor and festive drinks, of course, as well as live music Thursday through Sunday. The Cherry Creek Holiday Market is located Cherry Creek North, 105 Fillmore St. in Denver. For more information, visit .
North PL at Poka Lola Social Club
Starting Nov. 28, Poka Lola Social Club near Union Station will be known at North PL where guests can find more than a dozen specialty holiday cocktails and festive events. Poka Lola Social Club is located at 1850 Wazee St. in Denver. For more information, visit .
OverFlyte at FlyteCo Tower
Head to the top floor of FlyteCo Tower in Central Park from Dec. 2 through Jan. 18 to find holiday lights, decor and drinks. That is, of course, in addition to virtual golf games, axe throwing, darts and more. FlyteCo Tower is located at 3120 N. Uinta St., Suite 300 in Denver. For more information, visit .
Santa’s Little Man Factory at Little Man Ice Cream
Bring the whole family to an all-ages pop-up thatap sweet as the season, literally. Santa’s Little Man Factory, open Nov. 26 through Jan. 4, features “an exuberant explosion” of lights and holiday magic, complete with caroling, bingo led by Mrs. Claus, an in-store slide, crafting opportunities and more. The shop will also sell specialty ice cream flavors like eggnog and gingersnap. Little Man Ice Cream is located at 4411 W Colfax Ave. in Denver. For more information, visit .
Season's Greetings at Death & Co.
From Dec. 3 to 30, the mezzanine enclave known at Suite 6A at Death & Co. will be known at Season's Greetings. Expect “festive lighting, vintage décor, and a nostalgic cocktail and food menu,” per a statement. That includes Vintage Eggnog and a gingerbread toddy. Death & Co. is located at 1280 25th St. in Denver. For more information, visit .
Ski House at Larimer Lounge
Free music and après-skis ski vibes are the bread and butter of Ski House, a pop-up winter venue built inside the Treehouse space next to Larimer Lounge. The spot featured a heated winter tent plus show every weekend from Dec. 12 through April 11, so you can celebrate the season beyond the new year. Larimer Lounge is located at 2721 Larimer St. in Denver. For more information, visit .
Snowdrift at Adrift
Tropical paradise is always the vibe at Adrift, but a winter storm is rolling through to transform the restaurant into Snowdrift from Nov. 25 to Jan. 3. The pop-up features seasonal tiki drinks, including two new punch bowl cocktails for sharing, as well as limited-time food items, snow-capped palm trees and special events. Adrift is located at 218 S. Broadway in Denver. For more information, visit .
Starlight Lounge at Retrograde
Retrograde, a speakeasy located through a freezer door at Sweet Action ice cream shop in North Capitol Hill, hosts a holiday pop-up called Starlight Lounge. From now until Jan. 31, guests can enjoy cocktails inspired by Christmas cookies and ethereal decor. Stop by Monday through Thursday to take advantage of $1 discounts on all drinks plus a free mini ice cream cone with any order. Retrograde is located at 530 E. 19th Ave. in Denver. For more information, visit .
The Tipsy Tundra at Ball Arena
Denver’s hockey and basketball arena is getting in the spirit this year and transforming the Michelob Ultra Mountain House restaurant on its ground level into a holiday pop-up. Dubbed The Tipsy Tundra, the bar will be open all game nights and during select concerts from Nov. 20 until the New Year. It will open two hours prior to arena doors and you do not need an event ticket to belly up. Ball Arena is located at 1000 Chopper Cir. in Denver.
The Ugly Christmas Sweater Pop Up Shop at Punch Bowl Social
In addition to bowling and bar games, you can shop and sip to celebrate the season at Punch Bowl Social. The venue hosts a pop-up store for the nationally renowned Ugly Christmas Sweater Shop, open through Dec. 28, so guests can dress in style while enjoying Very Merry Karaoke on Friday nights with a festive drink in hand. Punch Bowl Social is located at 65 Broadway St. in Denver. For more information, visit .
XXXMas Pop-Up Bar at Los Chingones
So you expect to be on the naughty list? Head to Los Chingones in RiNo for the XXXMas Pop-Up Bar, billed as a “risqué pop-up on the rooftop” serving bold and raunchy holiday cheer through Dec. 21. That includes festive cocktails, including a Jell-HOHOHO shot. Los Chingones is located at 2463 Larimer St. in Denver. For more information, visit .
Suburbs
Atomic Christmas at Atomic Cowboy
If you’re craving pizza, brunch food and Christmas vibes, good news: Atomic Cowboy locations across Colorado will be reimagined as Atomic Christmas. The restaurant houses both Denver Biscuit Co. and Fat Sully’s pizzeria under one roof (and more in select markets), plus festive decor, a hot chocolate bar, Christmas music and seasonal cocktails from Nov. 28 through Jan. 1. That includes locations in Aurora, Golden, Colorado Springs, and Centennial. For more information, visit .
Blitzen’s at OMNI Interlocken (Broomfield)
Expect “tinsel, twinkle, and a touch of North Pole magic” at Blitzen’s pop-up bar, now open at Shep’s restaurant inside the OMNI Interlocken in Broomfield. The pop, which runs until Jan. 11, features specialty seasonal cocktails and fun bites, like a Santa-approved cookie plate. The OMNI Interlocken hotel is located at 500 Interlocken Blvd. in Broomfield. For more information, visit .
Magic on Main at Little Man Ice Cream (Littleton)
I scream, you scream, we all scream for a holiday pop-up at Little Man Ice Cream in Littleton. From Nov. 21 to Jan. 4, expect cozy decor, crafting opportunities and special events, such as movie nights on Tuesdays and horse-drawn carriage rides on Dec. 10. Little Man Ice Cream is located at 2449 Main St. in Littleton. For more information, visit .
Miracle at The Eddy (Golden)
Miracle, billed as the original holiday pop-up experience, returns to Colorado with three locations. Folks in the foothills can stop by The Eddy Taproom & Hotel from Nov. 25 through Dec. 28 to enjoy festive cocktails and seasonal decor. Don’t forget, you can always buy the cute glassware to take home with you. The Eddy Taproom & Hotel is located at 1640 8th St. in Golden. For more information, visit .
Sippin’ Santa at The Arvada Tavern (Arvada)
Sippin’ Santa is the beachy cousin to Miracle holiday pop-up that trades snow for sand and shakes up tiki cocktails to mentally transport drinkers to warmer weather. From Nov. 28 to Dec. 31, Sippin’ Santa takes over Bernard’s Tiki Room at The Arvada Tavern. Find your island escape through the bar's phone booth and up the stairs. The Arvada Tavern is located at 5707 Olde Wadsworth Blvd. in Arvada. For more information, visit .
Sippin’ Santa at Gaylord Rockies (Aurora)
The Gaylord Rockies is a hub for holiday fun with its annual ICE! wonderland and other life-sized installations. New this year, the venue will host the tiki-themed Sippin’ Santa bar on the Old Hickory Terrance, from Nov. 24 to Jan. 2. Stop by to enjoy festive drinks or “carol-oke” on Dec. 8 and 15. Gaylord Rockies is located at 6700 N. Gaylord Rockies Blvd. in Aurora. For more information, visit .
Ski Jorts City at Lady Justice Brewing Co. (Englewood)
Take a trip to the mountains without leaving the urban core by visiting Ski Jorts City, which channels an après ski lodge vibe, until Dec. 31. In addition to oversized ornaments, fake snow and special events, the brewery will have two specialty beers – Butter Queer American Porter and Beer Hug Winter Warmer – on draft to celebrate the season. Lady Justice Brewing Co. is located at 3242 S. Acoma St. in Englewood. For more information, visit .
Mountains
Frozen Tap at Ice Castles (Cripple Creek and Silverthorne)
Ice Castles, a popular family-friendly winter attraction, is getting an adult upgrade as it returns to Colorado. The installations themselves are pop-ups, given they are built out of ice, but this year, both locations in Cripple Creek and Silverthorne will have igloo bars called Frozen Tap, equipped with boozy beverages, firepits and outdoor games. Tickets go on sale Dec. 2. Ice Castles’ two locations are located at 339 Irene Ave. in Cripple Creek and 125 Stephens Way in Silverthorne. For more information, visit .
Miracle at Lookout Bar (Avon)
Miracle, billed as the original holiday pop-up experience, returns to Colorado with three locations. Skiers in the mountains can stop by Lookout Bar in Avon from Nov. 20 through Dec. 30 to enjoy festive cocktails and seasonal decor. Don’t forget, you can always buy the cute glassware to take home with you. Lookout Bar is located at 42 Riverfront Ln. in Avon. For more information, visit .
WhoVail at Four Seasons Resort and Residences (Vail)
Located on the fourth floor of the Four Seasons in Vail, the Dr. Seuss-inspired storefront called WhoVail offers a chance to be immersed in whimsy. The hotel’s pastry chef builds the facade to resemble a life-sized gingerbread house and inside you can find cookies, green eggnog, and hot chocolate. Four Seasons Resort and Residence is located at 1 Vail Rd. in Vail. For more information, visit .
