Xmas cheers...the best seasonal pop-up bars in New Orleans (photo by Melissa Hom)
New Orleans' Best Festive Pop-Up Bars
by Marielle Songy
One of the best things about the holiday season is festive cocktails (and mocktails) in festive spaces. If you’re looking for some fun spots to get you in a celebratory mood, Out All Day has you covered with these popup holiday bars:
The Bower Bah Humbug
1320 Magazine St
Bower Bah Humbug holiday-themed bar takeover at The Bower Bar from November 27 to December 30. Revelers can enjoy Christmas-themed decorations and six to seven specially curated holiday cocktails in fun glassware from Beverage Director Mickey Mullins. Relish in the Magazine Street Miracle with bourbon, banana liqueur, and walnut bitters; Manger Baby Margarita with house strawberry tequila, lime, and triple sec; The Merry Mensch with tequila, Poblano liqueur, passion fruit, and smoked salt; Leave Me at the Plaza Hotel with Redemption rye, Dopo Teatro, and bitters; Nightmare Before Christmas with Fernet Menta, peppermint hot cocoa, and mini marshmallows; Eggnog Daiquiri with False Rive Spiced Rum, Italian amaro, vegan soft serve, and winter spice; and much more.
Miracle at Barrel Proof
1201 Magazine St
Miracle at Barrel Proof is one of those local annual Christmas traditions that shouldn’t be missed. Not only is Miracle happening in New Orleans, but it’s a worldwide event that raises money for a good cause. Miracle will donate 10% of all proceeds from the retail sales of its signature Santa's Head, Santa Pants, and Christmas Carol Barrel mugs to its official 2023 holiday charity partner, Seva Foundation, making them the perfect holiday gifts that keep giving! Joann Spiegel, the cocktail expert behind recipe creation for Miracle, has crafted an array of new and delicious holiday-themed cocktails that will debut on this year’s Miracle menu, like Rudolph’s Replacement made with vodka, coffee liqueur, white creme de cacao, orange curaçao, chai, almond milk, and aromatic bitters; The Krampus made with Reposado Tequila, Oloroso Sherry, allspice dram, mezcal, ginger, hibiscus, lime, and hellfire bitters; and Marshmallows & Unicorns made with gin, vanilla liqueur, velvet falernum, cherry liqueur, cardamon, black pepper, marshmallow, lemon, egg white, tiki bitters, and soda; alongside some enduring fan favorites, including the Christmapolitan, and Christmas Cricket, all served in Miracle’s signature kitschy glassware.
Sippin’ Santa at Beachbum Berry's Latitude 29
321 N. Peters St
Described as one of Imbibe’s “25 Most Influential Cocktail Personalities of the Past Century,” Jeff “Beachbum” Berry is excited to bring back Sippin’ Santa to its flagship location at Beachbum Berry's Latitude 29 in New Orleans and other select cities around the globe. This is always a fun stop during New Orleans holiday festivities as Beachbum Berry's Latitude 29 transforms into a Christmas tiki wonderland with collectible cups and strong cocktails. Among the enchanting additions to the Sippin' Santa menu is the Surf Nut, made with gold Puerto Rican rum, apricot brandy, lime, Caribbean-spiced coconut water, and cream of coconut; Sharkey's First Christmas made with vodka, aquavit, melon and walnut liqueurs, lime and pineapple juices and Ginger Snapper, a shot made with Navy-strength rum, ginger, and macadamia nut liqueurs. Returning favorites include Jingle Bird, Holiday on Ice, and the original Sippin' Santa.
Waldorf Wonderland at The Roosevelt Hotel and Sazerac Bar
130 Roosevelt Way
While it isn't technically a "pop-up" bar, I had to include the Sazerac Bar at The Roosevelt Hotel on my Christmas bars list. It has become a tradition for The Roosevelt Hotel to decorate and turn its grand lobby into a Waldorf Wonderland with more than 112,000 lights to reveal 1,600 feet of garland and 4,000 glass ornaments in a block-long extravaganza of holiday décor. The Sazerac Bar is one of the best places in New Orleans to soak up the holiday and enjoy a delicious cocktail and this year’s handcrafted cocktail selections include the Christmas Cookie, featuring Stoli vodka, cream, brown sugar syrup, and sprinkles, and the Candy Cane, made with Rumple Minze, white crème de cacao, cream and raspberry syrup.
by Marielle Songy
One of the best things about the holiday season is festive cocktails (and mocktails) in festive spaces. If you’re looking for some fun spots to get you in a celebratory mood, Out All Day has you covered with these popup holiday bars:
The Bower Bah Humbug
1320 Magazine St
Bower Bah Humbug holiday-themed bar takeover at The Bower Bar from November 27 to December 30. Revelers can enjoy Christmas-themed decorations and six to seven specially curated holiday cocktails in fun glassware from Beverage Director Mickey Mullins. Relish in the Magazine Street Miracle with bourbon, banana liqueur, and walnut bitters; Manger Baby Margarita with house strawberry tequila, lime, and triple sec; The Merry Mensch with tequila, Poblano liqueur, passion fruit, and smoked salt; Leave Me at the Plaza Hotel with Redemption rye, Dopo Teatro, and bitters; Nightmare Before Christmas with Fernet Menta, peppermint hot cocoa, and mini marshmallows; Eggnog Daiquiri with False Rive Spiced Rum, Italian amaro, vegan soft serve, and winter spice; and much more.
Miracle at Barrel Proof
1201 Magazine St
Miracle at Barrel Proof is one of those local annual Christmas traditions that shouldn’t be missed. Not only is Miracle happening in New Orleans, but it’s a worldwide event that raises money for a good cause. Miracle will donate 10% of all proceeds from the retail sales of its signature Santa's Head, Santa Pants, and Christmas Carol Barrel mugs to its official 2023 holiday charity partner, Seva Foundation, making them the perfect holiday gifts that keep giving! Joann Spiegel, the cocktail expert behind recipe creation for Miracle, has crafted an array of new and delicious holiday-themed cocktails that will debut on this year’s Miracle menu, like Rudolph’s Replacement made with vodka, coffee liqueur, white creme de cacao, orange curaçao, chai, almond milk, and aromatic bitters; The Krampus made with Reposado Tequila, Oloroso Sherry, allspice dram, mezcal, ginger, hibiscus, lime, and hellfire bitters; and Marshmallows & Unicorns made with gin, vanilla liqueur, velvet falernum, cherry liqueur, cardamon, black pepper, marshmallow, lemon, egg white, tiki bitters, and soda; alongside some enduring fan favorites, including the Christmapolitan, and Christmas Cricket, all served in Miracle’s signature kitschy glassware.
Sippin’ Santa at Beachbum Berry's Latitude 29
321 N. Peters St
Described as one of Imbibe’s “25 Most Influential Cocktail Personalities of the Past Century,” Jeff “Beachbum” Berry is excited to bring back Sippin’ Santa to its flagship location at Beachbum Berry's Latitude 29 in New Orleans and other select cities around the globe. This is always a fun stop during New Orleans holiday festivities as Beachbum Berry's Latitude 29 transforms into a Christmas tiki wonderland with collectible cups and strong cocktails. Among the enchanting additions to the Sippin' Santa menu is the Surf Nut, made with gold Puerto Rican rum, apricot brandy, lime, Caribbean-spiced coconut water, and cream of coconut; Sharkey's First Christmas made with vodka, aquavit, melon and walnut liqueurs, lime and pineapple juices and Ginger Snapper, a shot made with Navy-strength rum, ginger, and macadamia nut liqueurs. Returning favorites include Jingle Bird, Holiday on Ice, and the original Sippin' Santa.
Waldorf Wonderland at The Roosevelt Hotel and Sazerac Bar
130 Roosevelt Way
While it isn't technically a "pop-up" bar, I had to include the Sazerac Bar at The Roosevelt Hotel on my Christmas bars list. It has become a tradition for The Roosevelt Hotel to decorate and turn its grand lobby into a Waldorf Wonderland with more than 112,000 lights to reveal 1,600 feet of garland and 4,000 glass ornaments in a block-long extravaganza of holiday décor. The Sazerac Bar is one of the best places in New Orleans to soak up the holiday and enjoy a delicious cocktail and this year’s handcrafted cocktail selections include the Christmas Cookie, featuring Stoli vodka, cream, brown sugar syrup, and sprinkles, and the Candy Cane, made with Rumple Minze, white crème de cacao, cream and raspberry syrup.