Blitzen's Returns To Here & Now For Christmas In July

  • By: Ashley Joy Parker

The jolly holiday pop bar is back ….

Christmas and Hanukkah may be another five months away, but Here & Now is ready to sleigh the holidays this summer.

The beloved cocktail haven in Los Angeles’ downtown Arts District is bringing back its mega-popular holiday pop up Blitzen’s for a limited Christmas in July run. With an over-the-top overlay, the bar will be completely transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with fresh falling snow out front, ugly sweater-adorned bartenders, kitschy decorations that rival the Griswold family home and an entirely festive menu stacked with Santa-approved bites and booze.

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Served in yultide-themed mugs and glasswear, speciality cocktails include the Holly Jolly Old Fashioned, made with Laird’s Apple Brandy, rye whiskey, Becherovka, fig and old fashioned bitters, the Go Glen Cocoa (served hot), made with hot chocolate, Herradura Tequila, La Luna Mezcal, Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur and spice, the Partridge in a Pear Tree Martini, made with Pear Infused Finlandia Vodka, cinnamon, walnut, Mirto Liqueur and dry vermouth and the Resting Grinch Face, made with Nigori Sake, house fireball, cherry and soda.

The bar is also serving up Nice Shots (Bounty White Rum, Overproof Rum, Cointreau and Cherry Heering), Naughty Shots (La Luna Cupreata Mezcal, bourbon and Becherovka, cinnamon and Christmas spice) and the large format Welcome to the Party, Pal, made with Herradura Tequila, Argonaut Brandy, Strega, Benedictine and spiced cider, served in a ski boot-style pitcher.

Other standout Christmas cocktails include the Elfing Around, made with Chairman’s Reserve Spiced Rum, Amontillado Sherry, cream and egg, the Get Blitzen’d made with La Luna Ponche Navideno, La Luna Cupreata, allspice dram, hibiscus, ginger, lime and soda, the Whoville 75, made with Bombay Sapphire Murcian Lemon Gin, spiced cranberry, lemon and prosecco, the Island of Misfit Toys, made with Diplomatic Mantuano, Rhum JM, Overproof Rum, pineapple, coconut, gingerbread and lime and the Seven Levels of the Candy Cane Forest (served frozen), made with Finlandia Vodka, Crème de Menthe, Crème de Cacao Fernet Branca and peppermint ice cream.

Definitely come hungry as food specials include holiday favorites such as Pigs in a Blanket, Tamale de Carne, the Leftover Sandwich with turkey breast, cranberry and potato puree on sourdough bread and more. For those with a sweet tooth, the dessert menu is loaded with goodies like Peppermint Bark Oreo Pie, Santa’s Ice Cream Sandwich and, of course, cookies.

And don’t feel left out if you celebrate Hanukkah. In addition to the totally Instagramable Hanukkah Hallway (hello blue lights!), guests can nosh on potato and chickpea Latkes and wash them down with the Festival of Lights mocktail, made with Lyre’s Cane Non-Alcoholic Spirit, orange cordial, phosphate, orange cream citrate and soda.

Themed entertainment throughout Blitzen’s summer run will include live music, Christmas burlesque, carolers, DJs, drag queen bingo and special appearances by Summer Santa. The bar’s back patio will also be projecting Christmas movies on the building wall nightly.

In the spirit of the holidays, the jolly pop-up also gives back, acting as a fundraiser for PATH: People Assisting the Homeless. Blitzen’s will be giving a free cup of punch to anyone who brings in a quart-sized Ziploc of toiletries to donate. (Suggested products: shampoo, soap, sunscreen, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, hand sanitizer, socks, hot tea bags, disposable razors, combs and more.)

Check out the full Blitzen’s events calendar and details below.

Details

Where: Blitzen’s (Here & Now), 300 S. Santa Fe Ave., Los Angeles

When: July 11 through July 30.

Hours Of Operation: Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. and Friday and Saturday 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Reservations: HERE 

@hereandnowdtla @blitzensonsantafe

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