Get your holiday drink on at these St. Louis pop-ups
Some dread the winter holidays; others think they’re the most wonderful time of the year. Whatever your feelings on the season might be, holiday pop-ups are an undeniably fun and festive way to close out the year. Here a few spots to give your holiday spirit a little extra spark.
Up on the Rooftop
Three Sixty, St. Louis’ premier rotating bar, is 400 feet above the downtown streets below. And if the thrill of that doesn’t speak to you, worry no longer: now the bar is holiday-themed. With a full menu and holiday-themed cocktails, like the vim and petal gin All the Jingle Ladies, the Three Sixty experience is a completely unique one to enjoy this season.
No cover charge before 10 p.m. Up on the Rooftop runs until Dec. 30. Three Sixty, 1 S. Broadway, St. Louis. 360-stl.com
Filthy Animal
With how often Lazy Tiger crops up on our lists, you would think that they were long-time veterans of the scene. You might be surprised to hear, then, that this is their first in-person themed pop-up for Christmas, but make no mistake: this Central West End crew always brings their A-game, and this iteration is sure to please.
Filthy Animal starts on Dec. 9 and runs Tuesday through Saturday, 5 to 11 p.m., until Dec. 31. Lazy Tiger, 210 N. Euclid Ave., St. Louis. lazytigerstl.com
Sippin’ Santa
Midwest chill getting you down? Come escape the cold with this island-themed Tiki Christmas cocktail bar, featuring both food and drink. The eponymous Sippin’ Santa, made with Demerara rum, amaro, lemon, orange and gingerbread mix is one you don’t want to miss. And with Miracle (Sippin’ Santa’s companion pop-up bar) selling out already, keep in mind that availability might go fast.
Reservations available online. Sippin’ Santa runs from 4 to 10 p.m. Nov. 23 to Dec. 31, except for Mondays, Christmas Eve, and Christmas. Planter’s House, 1000 Mississippi Ave., St. Louis. drinkchristmas.com
(Note: At the time of publication, all dates except New Year’s Eve were sold out; however, a waitlist is available.)
Jingle
The World Chess Hall of Fame just put the St. Louis bar scene in check with their holiday-themed event (with their classic chess twist, of course). Featuring ‘Nice’ hours (every day until 4 or 5 p.m.) with family-friendly treats and crafts for the kids and ‘Naughty’ hours (Wednesday through Sunday from 4 to 10 p.m.), when Jingle transforms into a cocktail lounge with chess-inspired drinks, there is something for everyone.
Tickets available online. Jingle runs until Jan. 2, and is open Sundays from noon to 5 p.m., Mondays and Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. World Chess Hall of Fame, 4652 Maryland Ave., St. Louis, worldchesshof.org
12 Bars of Charity
The 12 Bars of Charity event is a pub crawl that benefits local charity—it is the season of giving, after all! Hosted in Ballpark Village, there are over 20 participating venues, with the likes of Paddy O’s, El Burro Loco, McGurk’s and many others gracing the crawl with their presence. There will be a check-in required for the event, so plan to have all your ducks in a row before enjoying the festivities.
Tickets available online. 12 Bars of Charity is on Dec. 18, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., with check-in on Dec. 17 from 4 to 8 p.m. and Dec. 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ballpark Village, 601 Clark Ave., St. Louis, 12barsofcharity.com
Dasher’s Dive Bar
While Dasher’s is primarily known for their light show, Dasher’s Dive Bar helps take the edge off of slowly riding around (with a designated driver) looking at lights while your kids fight in the backseat. While the bar is, of course, 21-and-up, there are plenty of sober activities to partake in at Dasher’s, like the Christmas trivia, and they will have music and movies on-screen. With abundant holiday decor and a costumed staff setting the mood, your spirits will surely be lifted.
Tickets available online. Dasher’s Dive runs Dec. 3 to 4, 10 to 11, and 1 to -18, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. POWERplex STL, 555 Saint Louis Mills Dr., St. Louis, dasherslightshow.com
Toasted Chestnut Christmas
Public School House in Cottleville is hosting their take on the Christmas pop-up bar as well. With cocktails, beer, wine and liquor available, Toasted Chestnut has everything you need for a merry and jolly night. VIP couch tickets are also available for purchase, which include festive snacks for the table.
Reservations available online; a waitlist is available for sold out dates. Toasted Chestnut Christmas runs from Dec 1 to 4, 10 to 13, and 17 to 20, from 4 to 11:30 p.m. Public School House, 5546 Chestnut St., Cottleville, publicschoolhouse.com
Frosted
Tower Grove Park never disappoints with their events and this season is no exception. For a week in mid-December, Frosted will host local food trucks, live entertainment and cocktails from STL Barkeep. While you’ll have to try the cocktails to discern their ingredients, some of the drinks listed online, such as the Eat, Drink and be Rosemary, It’s Mint to Be and What’s In Santa’s Mug pique our interest. We might just have to do some further hands-on investigation here.
Frosted is free to enter. Proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test required for indoor seating. The event runs from Dec. 16 to Dec. 23, from 4 to 11 p.m., with extended hours from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Dec. 18 and 19. Piper Palm House, Tower Grove Park, 4257 Northeast Dr., St. Louis. towergrovepark.org
Wandering Winterland
Wandering Winterland is quite aptly named. While you would have had to drive to the other pop-ups on this list, risking bad weather and wasting gas, Wandering Winterland is a completely mobile holiday-themed car bar available for personal reservation. It comes stocked with a fire pit and a patio heater to guard against the biting cold, but with holiday tunes and both hot and cold cocktails available, Wandering Winterland can bring the holiday spirit to you.
Reservations available online. thewanderingsidecarbaco.com
