Festive Philly Bars for the Holiday-Obsessed Among Us
Want to fuel your love of Christmas by drinking out of ornaments and sitting under twinkle lights? You’ve come to the right place.
Holiday cocktails at Craftsman Row / Photograph by Cody Aldrich
The holidays are upon us, which means it’s time to get into the spirit — with spirits. (I only get to use that pun once a year; forgive me.) Want to throw on an ugly sweater and go somewhere you can drink a cocktail out of an ornament while surrounded by festive decorations for no reason other than to fuel your love of Christmas? You’ve come to the right place.
Tinsel
Tinsel / Photograph by Society Hill Films
Leading off with the Christmas bar that arguably started the trend in Philly, it’s the hyper-festive Tinsel. This former Midtown Village jewelry store is crammed with holiday cheer in every square inch, taking up two floors with two bars. Expect some very festive photos, with giant installations (including some Rakin/Bass characters and a Santa throne), all the lights and decorations they could find, and a soundtrack to match. Even better, some of the themed drinks come in cute glassware you can keep. (The Santa boot mug is a classic.) Tinsel opens on Black Friday each year.
November 28th through December 31st, 116 South 12th Street, Midtown Village.
Craftsman Row
Craftsman Row’s pop-up holiday bar / Photograph by Cody Aldrich
This Jewelers’ Row bar and restaurant goes all out for the holidays with ornaments (over 60,000 to be exact) cascading from the ceilings, 20,000 lights, and garland everywhere — plus themed menu items, cocktails, and over-the-top milkshakes (all of which can be made boozy). The cocktails come in fun take-home cups, including a gingerbread-man sipper to rival the Starbucks Bear, plus a drink that comes in a glass ornament! If you’re looking to bring the whole family, this is one of the few places that works for that too: They are also open for lunch daily.
Holiday-themed through January 1st, 112 South 8th Street, Washington Square West.
Taqueria Amor
Taqueria Amor / Photograph by Laura Swartz
For their fifth season, this Manayunk spot transforms into “Señor Grinch’s.” The restaurant is covered in lights, garland, and more festive decor — you’ll find Clark Griswold and Snoopy on the walls, too. There’s also a projector showing holiday movie clips all night. They also add seven special holiday cocktails to the menu, including the Grincharita and Cindy Lou’s Spiked Yoo-Hoo.
Through January 1st, 4410 Main Street, Manayunk.
The Prime Rib
Photograph courtesy of the Prime Rib
The Library Bar inside Live Casino’s Prime Rib is transformed for the holiday season — this year, with some movie magic. “Holiday Rewind” includes movie-inspired decor and cocktails highlighting classics like Home Alone, A Christmas Story, Elf, and more. The attention to detail this year is incredible: Each table has little callbacks to the movies, like Kevin McCallister’s plane ticket and receipt for his cheese pizza.
The Macy’s Believe-meter’s new home at the Prime Rib / Photograph by Laura Swartz
Even more magical? They acquired the Believe-meter from Macy’s holiday display before the Center City store closed, keeping a little bit of that Philly memory alive. The “Holiday Rewind” experience is open from Wednesdays through Sundays.
Wednesdays through Sundays from 5 to 11 p.m. through January 10th, 900 Packer Avenue, South Philly.
Wine Garden Holiday Pop-Up: Diamonds and Pearls
Wine Garden’s Holiday Pop-Up / Photograph by Cody Aldrich
After hosting their “Black Girl Magic” holiday pop-up last year at the Divine Lorraine, the mother-daughter duo behind the Wine Garden is taking on a new site: Suburban Station. This year, they’ve designed a sparkling holiday experience across two rooms — expect gold accents, festive Christmas trees, a mirrored feature wall, and more. Plus, specialty cocktails, mocktails, mulled wine, and cocktail towers. Reservations are required — a 90-minute timeslot will run you $12; VIP tickets are available for $38, which include a welcome cocktail and a mini vintage-style cake.
November 26th-December 31st, Suburban Station, 1617 JFK Boulevard, Center City.
Frankford Hall
This German beer hall-inspired Fishtown spot gets decorated for the holidays, including their outdoor patio with cozy fire pits and heaters, s’mores kits, and warm drinks like spiked apple cider. But families especially should be on the lookout for their popular “Frankford Hall-idays” weekends in December when they’ll have kid-friendly activities and visits from Santa.
1210 Frankford Avenue, Fishtown.
Uptown Beer Garden
Uptown Beer Garden’s holiday setup / Photograph by Laura Swartz
If you’re looking for an outdoor spot to grab a festive drink and festive photos, head to Uptown Beer Garden. (Though, bundle up, because while there is an enclosed-tent section and some heaters, it still gets very chilly.) This year, UBG’s holiday “Little Workshop” pop-up is filled with whimsical decorations and photo ops including a cute little gingerbread house section. As for drinks, you can choose hot and regular-temperature-themed cocktails, all served in keepsake cups. (Get the boozy hot cocoa!) You’re also in a prime location, as this one sits right across from Christmas Village in LOVE Park.
Through December 31st, 1500 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Center City.
Walnut Garden
Holiday drinks at Walnut Garden / Photograph by Laura Swartz
The Rittenhouse beer garden is Walnut Wonderland for the season, with holiday drinks, tons of twinkle lights, giant inflatables, and a Christmas tree you can walk through! Really! For added merriment, grab a s’mores kit ($9) and a gingerbread house ($8) to decorate. Head to the heated tent when it gets too cold to imbibe outdoors. Bring your kids! Bring your dogs!
Theming through December 31st, 1708 Walnut Street, Rittenhouse.
Butcher Bar
Yule Lodge at Butcher Bar / Photograph by Laura Swartz
The Yule Lodge has returned for the season, transforming Butcher Bar’s patio and garden into a cozy, plaid refuge filled with holiday-themed drinks, including mulled wine, naturally. They even have National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation-inspired reindeer glasses for an eggnog concoction.
Through January 17th, 2034 Chestnut Street, Rittenhouse.
McGillin’s Olde Ale House
McGillin’s all dressed up for the holidays / Photograph by Laura Swartz
According to their website, the beer taps have been flowing at McGillin’s since 1860. But it’s not just one of Philly’s oldest bars; it’s also a holiday standby for generations of Philadelphians. Visiting the decked-out McGillin’s is a Philly holiday tradition, like the Wanamaker light show or complaining about crowds at the Wanamaker light show. They’ve got themed cocktails, including an eggnog martini, a cranberry-heavy Poinsettia punch, and boozy hot chocolate and apple cider. They’ve also got a gift shop a block away at Juniper and Sansom with Philly-themed gifts as well as Irish imports.
1310 Drury Street, Midtown Village.
Evil Genius
Evil Genius decked out for the holidays / Photograph courtesy of Evil Genius
“Santa! I know him!” Evil Genius has turned that Elf quote into a seasonal beer, as well as a guiding principle at their Lab in Fishtown. The holiday saison is brewed with rose hips, chamomile, black currants, and dark Belgian candi syrup. The Lab, meanwhile, is decked out with a 14-foot-tall Christmas tree, which they’ll light on December 4th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in their kickoff holiday party. Outside, the beer garden will also be decorated for the season. Special events include the Santa 0.5K charity race around the block on December 6th and a holiday book fair on December 13th.
1727 Front Street, Fishtown.
Libertee Grounds
Photograph courtesy of Libertee Grounds
For the first year ever, Libertee Grounds is decking the halls of their dining room, lounges, and indoor mini-golf courses with their holiday pop-up, “Jingle Jawn.” Tickets are required for the experience; $22 gets you nine holes of mini golf, a special holiday-themed glass, one drink, and all the festiveness you can soak up in 30 minutes.
Through January 31st, 1600 West Girard Avenue, Fairmount.
Emo Christmas
Emo Christmas pop-up bar at the Divine Lorraine / Photograph by Laura Swartz
Give this one points for being completely different. While there are lots of festive pop-up holiday bars on this list, this one is the most dour. Go heavy on the eyeliner and head to the basement of the Divine Lorraine for Emo Christmas, a pop-up by Bucket Listers that asks the eternal question: “wHeRe ARe YAAAOOOUU?” And I’m so sorry for putting that in your head for the rest of the day. Wallow in sad throwback songs, pose for a pic with emo nutcrackers, and order a “Taking Back Christmas” or “Mezcal Confessional” to drown your sorrows. Tickets start at $17 and include a welcome cocktail.
Through December 28th, 699 North Broad Street, Poplar.
Bridget Foy’s North Pole on South Street
Photograph courtesy of Bridget Foy’s
Bridget Foy’s transforms this season starting on Black Friday, into “North Pole on South Street.” Expect sparkly decor, and themed drinks like the chestnut-praline and bourbon “Son of Nutcracker,” and a shimmery “Sugar Plum Claus-mopolitan.”
November 28th-January 4th, Bridget Foy’s, 200 South Street.
