Fueled by social media and old fashioned nostalgia, the holiday pop-up trend has erupted across the country as more and more bars jump on the bandwagon every year. Consumers are craving a big dose of Christmas cheer in the form of over-the-top decor, Christmas music, and Christmas-inspired cocktails. Stress of the season got you down? Here are 14 bars in Fort Worth that are making spirits bright.
Atlas
Known for its worldly vibes and interesting cocktails, Atlas has transformed its intimate space into a festive scene of elegant Christmas décor with stockings above the fireplace. A menu of six new Christmas cocktails includes the Holly Jolly Pomy made with Old Forester bourbon and pomegranate, and the green-hued Jiminy Cricket with vodka, crème de cacao, and crème de menthe.
Birdie's Social Club
The theme is “Christmas Vacation in Fort Worth” for Birdie's third annual holiday pop-up, an elaborate display of fire pits (both real and on TVs), Christmas tree scenes with presents, wrapped walls, yard décor, and more. As for cocktails, try The Grinch, a combo of citrus and melon, or the Fort Worth Jingling, a spiked peppermint hot chocolate with java whiskey. Don’t miss Christmas movie nights inside Birdie’s sister concept, Bourbon & Shine.
Brewed
Those looking for holiday pop-up imbibing during the day should consider this West Magnolia Avenue coffee and cocktail bar. Patrons will find a pastel palette of jumbo gumdrops, hanging candy canes, twinkling trees, and photo ops. Christmas cocktails include the Peppermint Mocha Espressotini, Christmas Cookies Martini, and the tequila and coconut rum-based White Christmas. There’s also a food menu of Christmas tree waffles and gingerbread French toast. Open 7 am–3 pm, the pop-up runs through December 31.
Chicken N Pickle
Grapevine pickleball destination (which also has a location in Grand Prairie) has debuted “The Holiday Hideaway,” a lodge-inspired pop-up with outdoor firepits, ski-themed décor, and “summit” views. The 21-and-up experience requires reservations to enter, which are $10 and include red pepper hummus and charcuterie for the table. Cocktails include the Northern Lights with blueberry liqueur, blackberry, lemon, and egg whites; Home for the Holidays with bourbon and cherry bitters; and a build-your-own spiked hot chocolate. The pop-up runs through January 1. Chicken N Pickle also has two igloos available to reserve for parties of up to eight.
Curfew
Located underneath The Tower building downtown, Curfew is back for another yuletide experience backlit by shiny disco balls, brand new cocktails, and bumping DJ music. Eight new cocktails this year include Santa’s Hard Tea tinged with mint and citrus, the lime and candy cane-infused Sour Grinch, and Max’s Ciderita made with apple spice and rosemary sprigs. Curfew also serves stone-fired pizzas until late.
The Down 'n Out
“Mele Kalikimake” from this South Main Street dive bar, an official “Sippin’ Santa” pop-up location. (The experience is a sister concept to the New York City-based “Miracle” pop-up, currently running at Nickel City.) The tropical-themed pop-up features a beach-inspired spin on Christmas cheer, complete with tiki drinks and a hula-dancing Santa. Libations for 2024 include Frosty the Merman with rye whisky and vanilla-clove syrup, the Jingle Bird with bourbon and pineapple rum, and Merry Spritzmas with prosecco, Aperol, tawny port, and cognac. The pop-up will run through December 31.
On the Blocks at the Gaylord Texan
Little known fact: There’s an adults-only ice bar at the Gaylord Texan as part of the hotel and resort’s annual ICE! Experience. Called On the Blocks, this 21-and-up experience features seasonal cocktails served from a bar made entirely of ice. The $16 ticket to get in includes one drink but note that guests must have an ICE! Ticket (this year featuring Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer) to get in. The experience runs through January 5.
Nickel City
It’s the only Fort Worth bar officially designated as a “Miracle” Christmas-themed pop-up, which originated in New York City and has expanded to nearly 250 bars worldwide. Each features the same professionally developed cocktail menu and big dose of holiday nostalgia. Returning drinks include the Christmaspolitan and the Snowball Old-Fashioned, served with a snowball-shaped ice sphere. New this year is the Koala LaLaLa made with blanco tequila, apple liqueur, and tamarind; and the cognac-spiked Jingle Balls Nog. The glassware is also for sale, with a portion benefiting the Seva Foundation. Miracle will run through December 29.
Omni Fort Worth Hotel
Downtown hotel is hosting a pop-up Lobby Saloon Bar on select dates featuring Christmas cocktails by the fireplace and a freshly trimmed tree. Drinks include the Sugar Plum Sparkler with prosecco and “edible shimmer,” the Gingerbread Old Fashioned with Woodford Reserve Bourbon and gingerbread syrup, and Milk & Cookies with vodka and Kahlua. The pop-up dates are December 7, 14, and 31 starting at 3 pm. The cocktails are also available at Whiskey & Rye daily through January 15. (Don’t miss the elaborately snowy scene of adorable polar bears in the lobby just outside Bob’s Steak & Chop House.)
Proper
A pioneer in the holiday pop-up bar craze trend, Proper is back for its eighth year of serving Christmas cheer. Called “Holly Daze,” the themed experience transforms the cozy space into a wonderland of wrapped presents, twinkling lights, hanging ornaments, and even a life-sized nutcracker. Cocktails range from the tequila and chili liqueur-based Reindeer Games to shooters like Santa’s Nightcap with Blackland pecan brown sugar bourbon, coffee, and cinnamon syrup. Glassware is also available for sale. Holly Daze will run through December 25.
Refinery 714 at Kimpton Harper
The 24th floor bar atop The Kimpton Harper Hotel downtown has launched a winter chalet-themed pop-up called “Holiday Blues.” Seasonal cocktails include the Frosted Footprint with prosecco, blueberry-rosemary syrup, and a gold sugar rim created in partnership with Lane Boots. (Hotel guests get 20 percent off the brand right now.) Other libations include the Winter Warmer made with whiskey and cherry liqueur, and spiked hot cider called Cheers to You. The pop-up runs through February 1.
Rodeo Exchange
New to the Christmas pop-up bar scene is "Honkytonk Holidays" inside Rodeo Exchange, the longtime cowboy bar in the Stockyards known for its two-stepping good times. Patrons will find three different country music-inspired bars with Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton as star-studded props. Themed cocktails include Rudolph’s Rodeo with cranberry and vodka, Cup of Ambition spiked cold brew, and Hard Candy Christmas with vanilla vodka, sour watermelon, and a sugar rim – the latter two a nod to Dolly songs. The pop-up will run through December 24. Cover charges are $5 Sunday-Thursday, $10 on Friday, and $15 on Saturday.
Texas Live!
Arlington boasts its own “Miracle” pop-up inside the Texas Live! Miller Tavern sports bar. Amid the jolly scene of Christmas-wrapped everything, patrons can find familiar favorites from the Miracle cocktail menu. Try the potent Yippee Ki Ya Mother F****r, made with three kinds of rum, or the Christmasaurus made with pineapple rum and mezcal. Bonus: on Mondays all Miracle cocktails are $2 off. Miracle will run through December 24.
Third Rail
Grapevine’s Harvest Hall (connected to Hotel Vin) has transformed its Third Rail bar into the "Holly Jolly Bar" again for 2024. The bar and live music venue is a festive spectacle of over-the-top wreaths, Santa suit-covered seats, and ornaments aplenty. This year’s cocktail lineup includes the Peppermint Bark Martini, Kris Kringle Cosmo, the Mistletoe Mule, and tequila-spiked Reindeer Games. Check out the live music schedule, too.
