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Christmas-Themed Pop-Up Bar Tinsel Returns to Midtown Village

The perpetual holiday party returns with expanded hours, an even bigger bar, and snow globe cocktails.


tinsel christmas bar philadelphia

Tinsel | Photo by Kory Aversa

Tinsel, the blinged-out, Christmas-themed cocktail bar that opened in the former Simpsons Jewelry space in Midtown Village last December, was originally going to be a one-time boozy winter wonderland: owner Teddy Sourias of Craft Concepts Group (the folks behind Tradesman’s, Brü, U-Bahn, and Cinder, among others) planned to open a new concept at 116 South 12th Street sometime in 2018.

But with plans for a new restaurant put on hold — and the fact that Tinsel was packed to capacity every night it was open in 2017 — the Christmas-themed cocktail bar is back with a bigger space, a new slate of seasonal cocktails, and even more holiday glitz starting Thursday, December 6th.

tinsel christmas holiday bar philadelphia

Inside Tinsel | Photo by Society Hill Films

After some renovations and serious decorating, Tinsel has more space in its three Christmas-themed rooms, a 33-foot-long bar adorned with wintry icons like the Krampus and a Game of Thrones white walker, and higher ceilings to accommodate massive chandeliers made of more than 100 beautifully-wrapped Christmas presents and another with more than 500 glass Christmas ornaments. This year, the bar’s Christmas-themed playlist was designed by DJ Robert Drake.

They’ve tweaked the drinks on offer, too. In addition to beer, wine, and holiday-inspired cocktails, there’s a selection of “ornamental” cocktails that come in keepsake glassware — including one served in an actual snow globe with edible snow that you can shake before you sip.

This year, Tinsel will be open starting this Thursday and all the way through to New Year’s Day. Hours are Monday and Tuesday from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m., Wednesday through Friday from 2 p.m. until midnight, Saturday from noon to midnight, and Sunday from noon until 10 p.m., with happy hour running from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. Check out the drink menu below (click to embiggen).