Beauty + Fashion
Ashley Joy Parker
Festive AF: Holiday Bars In LA
- By: Ashley Joy Parker
- December 5, 2023
Hallelujah. Holy shit. Where’s the Tylenol?…
Los Angeles may never truly experience a white Christmas, but that doesn’t mean we are lacking in holiday spirit. This December, there are a number of bars that have transformed into bonafide winter wonderlands that are sure to get even the grouchiest grinch in the holiday spirit. With holly jolly hotspots all around town, expect special seasonal menus, staffers donning gay apparel, kitchy decorations that rival the Griswold family home and more.
So sleigh the holidays and check the festive AF bars here in LA.
Frosty’s Christmas Pop Up Bar
Get ready to jingle and mingle as Hollywood’s newest holiday hotspot, Frosty’s Christmas Bar, is set to sprinkle festive magic on your Hollywood stars. A wintery wonderland of cheer and merriment, Frosty’s promises to be the ultimate destination for those seeking the joy and spirit of the holiday season. Established in Chicago in 2017, opening its second location in Times Square, New York in 2022 and now hitting the iconic Walk of Fame in Hollywood.
You can expect a unique, over the top and immersive experience in the magical world of twinkling lights, snowflakes, and all things festive. Frosty’s will be a spectacular Christmas pop-up bar that transports you into a cozy and enchanting winter wonderland.
Where: 6555 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles
When: Through Dec. 31
RSVP: HERE
Tinseltown Christmas Speakeasy
Tinseltown is coming, just in time for this festive season. The all-encompasing Christmas-themed pop-up at Pattern Bar will be fulfilling all your festive wishes. The event is overflowing with jolly jolly Christmas spirit. Guests can expect eleves, presents, tinsel, festive tunes and lots of winter warmer drinks, including a fabulous Christmas cocktail menu. The hall are more than fully decked with baubles, bows, hanging trees, wreaths and just about every festive goodie ever! No grinches allowed.
Where: Pattern Bar, 100 W 9th St., Los Angeles
When: Through Dec. 30
RSVP: HERE
Krampus’ Cove
Krampus’ Cove is an immersive cocktail experience at Lost Property Bar in Hollywood that takes the traditional celebrations surrounding Christmas and turns them on their head. This pop-up will celebrate the pulpy and macabre legend of Krampus and throw in some naughty elves, evil snowmen and more, all with innovative and delicious seasonally inspired cocktails.
This isn’t your kitchsy, cheesy kid-friendly Christmas bar. Think the devilish nemesis of jolly St. Nick with all of his wicked ways, a soundtrack of unexpected versions of your favorite (or least favorite) carols, imagine sipping on tasty cocktails while evil elves and Krampus himself wander the room, waiting to see if you have been naughty or nice.
With branding that leans into goth culture & cult horror with a touch of the strange and unusual, Krampus’ Cove is a demented holiday celebration and safe space to let your freak flag fly.
Each two hour seating will start with a welcome cocktail, shortly after our illustrious host of horrors will kick off the evening’s events. A full cocktail list of themed creepy holiday cocktails will be available once guests are seated. Seatings are at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. with RSVP. Don’t want to commit to a full seating? The pop up is open to the public after the last seating ends at 10 p.m. Happy Holidays Creepsters!
Where: Lost Property Bar, 1704 Vine St., Los Angeles
When: Through Dec. 30
RSVP: HERE
Spirits of the Season
Get ready to be swept away into a jazzy wonderland at the holiday pop-up bar, Spirits of the Season! Hidden on the second floor of the historic Nocturne Theatre in Glendale, this sensational bar invites you to sip on vintage cocktails crafted with holiday flair, surrounded by immersive Christmas decor that will transport you to a festive dreamland.
As you explore the five festively themed hideaways, don’t miss the allure of the speakeasy cabaret area—a hidden gem where the magic intensifies. Sit back, relax and enjoy your favorite seasonal songs, performed live by a holiday jazz crooner. It’s not just a bar; it’s a spirited celebration, and you’re invited to groove, sip, and revel in the joy of the season. Entry is only $15, and you must be 21+ to enter.
Where: Nocturne Theatre, 324 North Orange Street, Glendale
When: Through Dec. 23
Buy Tickets: HERE
Swiss Chalet Pop Up at Fairmont Century Plaza
For those looking to be transported to the Alps and live the true Après-Ski lifestyle, the Fairmont Century Plaza‘s Swiss Chalet Dining Pop Up is not to be missed. The Swiss Chale features an exciting new menu of hearty Alpine favorites and delightful winter cocktails, which are designed to be enjoyed inside the beautifully built wood chalets. Featuring chic cozy décor and all of the delicious tidings of an idyllic winter getaway, these Swiss Chalets offer a one-of-a-kind epicurean moment in the heart of Los Angeles.
Open nightly beginning at 5 p.m.. Each chalet fits up to eight guests. $105 per person.
Where: Fairmont Century Plaza, 2025 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles
When: Through Dec. 31
Reserve your spot: HERE
Holly Jolly Holiday Singalong Piano Bar
Step into a winter wonderland of music and merriment at the Holly Jolly Piano Bar Singalong. If you’ve ever dreamed of celebrating the holiday season in a cozy, festive atmosphere where you can sing along to your favorite traditional and pop holiday songs, this event is a must for your bucket list. The cozy pop-up at Three Clubs, which is adorned with twinkling lights, garlands, and all the trimmings of a classic Christmas setting, features a live pianist filling the air with the enchanting melodies of both timeless Christmas classics and contemporary holiday hits. And the piano bar isn’t just for show – it’s for sharing! Grab a songbook, join your fellow carolers, and sing your heart out to beloved holiday tunes. From “Jingle Bells” to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” they’ve got it all covered with their epic singalong sessions. One themed cocktail is included with each ticket.
Where: Three Clubs, 1123 Vine St., Los Angeles
When: Through Dec. 28
RSVP HERE
Miracle at Neighbors & Miracle at The Ordinarie
Miracle is an international Christmas-themed pop-up cocktail bar experience that serves holiday cocktails in a festive setting. With kitschy holiday décor, professionally-developed cocktails and the nostalgic energy of the best office party you’ve ever been to, Miracle is sure to get even the Scroogiest of Scrooges in the holiday spirit.
Two bars in LA have the holiday honor of hosting Mircale pop ups this year. Neighbors in Playa Vista and The Ordinarie in Long Beach. Both spots are over-the-top with holiday cheer featuring similar cocktails menus, including festive favorites like Chrismapolitan made with vodka, elderflower, dry vermouth, spiced cranberry sauce, lime, rosemary, and absinthe mist and the The Krampus made with reposado tequila, oloroso sherry, allspice dram, mezcal, ginger, hibiscus, lime and hellfire bitters and more. The Christmas mugs they come in are even available for purchase. You may even see Santa stop by so you better watch out.
Where: Neighbors, 12751 Millennium Dr. #140, Los Angeles and The Ordinarie, 210 The Promenade N. Long Beach
When: Through Dec. 31
Reserve your for spot Miracle at Neighbors: HERE
Reserve your for spot Miracle at The Ordinarie: HERE
Jingle Bells at Joyce
DTLA’s newest gem of Southern hospitality Joyce is getting into the jingle bell spirit. The restaurant, helmed by chef Sammy Monsour formerly of the beloeved spot Preux & Proper, is going all out for its first holiday season, decking theie halls with festive decor and serving up several Santa-approved cocktails, like the gin based Papa Elf and the cookie-topped Yippie Kai Yuletide. Our favorite has to be the bourbon and rum spiked eggnog, better known as the Fra-Gee-Lay, served in a leg lamp-shaped glass. If you are hungry, order some shared Cornmeal Crusted Nasville Hot Catfish or Louisiana Crawfish Hushpuppies for the table or indulge in their mega-popular Whole Fried Mary’s Game Hem.
Where: Joyce, 770 S Grand Ave A, Los Angeles
When: Through Dec. 31
RSVP: HERE
The Holly Jolly Holiday Bar at E.P. & L.P.
West Hollywood’s E.P. & L.P. has once again converted their second floor into a holiday fanatic’s dream with the Holly Jolly Holiday Bar. The place is filled with gift wrap walls, hundreds of strands of light and holiday garland, a life size Santa statue, light up candy canes, gigantic paper snowflakes and peppermints and more. The bar that sits in the floor’s center is also decked out with ornaments, stockings, and garland as guests can watch bartenders prepare all their festive drinks from the special Holly Jolly menu.
The menu includes fun festive cocktails, like the spiked Hot Chocolate known as the Feliz Navidad, the gin-based Santa Baby, the Run Rudolph Rum and more. There’s also a variety of foods to go along with drinks, including shareables such as Chips and Guac and Waffle Fries and a selection of entrees, like the Truffle Bison Burger and the Turkey Pot Pie.
Reservations are valid for 90 minute slots and a includes a free drink: either the Milk and Cookies which includes Titos, Disaronno, Bailey’s, vanilla syrup and oat milk with a sprinkled sugar rim or the Drummer Boy with Stranahan’s Blue Pear Whiskey, Allspice Drum, Winter Demerara, syrup, bitters and orange.
Where: E.P. & L.P., 603 N La Cienega Blvd, West Hollywood
When: Through Dec. 30
RSVP: HERE
The Holidays at Casa Vega
Located on Ventura Blvd, Casa Vega has long been valley’s go-to spot for good Mexican. While the beloved restaurant keeps colorful lights up all year round, they take it to a whole other level around the holidays. And the floor-to-ceiling Christmas lights are just the beginning. Think endless strands of garland and tinsel and more. Casa Vega is also serving up a special holiday menu of drinks and grub including the extra special Snowball Margarita.
Where: Casa Vega, 13301 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks
RSVP: HERE
The Holidays at Alley Lounge
Tucked behind FIN Asian Tapas in Culver City, Alley Lounge is modern, not-so-secret speakeasy bar that transforms into a non-stop holiday party every December. With a slew of decorations and plenty of cheer, the bar is slinging several spirirted and seasonal cocktails, like the vanilla-infused espresso martini known as the North Pole Express-O, the green chartreuse-based drink the Grinch, the Candy Cane Crush, made with rum, coconut cream and peppermint syrup and more.
Where: Alley Lounge, 12223 W Washington Blvd., Los Angeles
No RSVP required.
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