The best holiday bars in L.A.

Bask in the full holiday glory of Blitzen’s, Here and Now’s annual Christmas pop-up, which runs from November 22 to New Year’s Day. Every year, this tiny Arts District bar goes all out, whether that be with fake snow, carolers or a photo-ready sled out on their heated back patio. Sip on seasonal drinks, including the whiskey-infused You'll Shoot Your Rye Out and the Mele Kalikimaka (featuring a tropical trio of rums, of course). Blitzen's will also have a special food menu on hand full of themed holiday dishes like "leftover" turkey sandwiches and holiday pies from Get Pie High's Julie Jones, as well as plenty of live entertainment including Christmas carolers, holiday drag bingo and even seasonal burlesque on December 23 (check their calendar for all updates).

We shudder to think of what Casa Vega’s electric bill looks like after the month of December. A kaleidoscope of floor-to-ceiling Christmas lights with garland and tinsel cover this throwback every holiday season, and have for more than 40 years—making it one of the most festive spots in town. This year, owner Christy Vega has pulled out all the stops: Christmas trees, tinsel, string lights, light-up Santas, reindeer and garlands galore will deck the halls, including a newly renovated outdoor patio area with string-lit trees. Patrons can also enjoy a special holiday menu of drinks and bar bites: think Mexican coffee and hot chocolate in an adorable Santa mug.  

For a darker take on holiday cheer, look no further than this Hollywood speakeasy's collab with the award-winning Halloween pop-up bar the Black Lagoon. Running from December 6 to 31, Krampus Cove will pay homage to the creepy Alpine legend with black Christmas trees and chilling remixes of classic holiday cocktails with names like Violent Night, Better Watch Out and Santa's Slay. Earlier seatings for 5 or 7:30pm require $25 advance tickets that include one welcome cocktail with purchase, but the bar will also take walk-ins after 10pm.

Every December, this Culver City speakeasy hidden behind FIN Asian Tapas throws down for the holidays with seasonal cocktails and plenty of festive decor. This year, they're offering the Candy Cane Crush, made with rum, coconut cream and peppermint syrup; the Mule Tide (a cranberry take on a Moscow mule); and the Chilli Vanilli, a blanco tequila-based tropical getaway in a glass. 

It's a Jersey City Christmas at this Eagle Rock aperitivo bar, where the buzziest watering hole of the summer is now decked out in full holiday cheer and offering a trio of spirit-forward seasonal cocktails. Choose from a peppermint-infused espresso martini, a pear liqueur-infused hot toddy or an "Irish" coffee made with coffee amaro and cynar. In addition to its usual bar bite menu, Capri Club is also offering a $6 plate of Italian cookies.

From December 8 through January 2, this Burbank institution's reservation-only cocktail bar will throw a Winter Wonderland pop-up, complete with stylish holiday decor, cocktails inspired by holiday movies and "Whoville" holiday cream puffs made with roasted apples and caramel. Take in glittering views of the Valley as you sip on the apple brandy-based Lost in the Big Apple (inspired by Home Alone 2) or the Rebel Without a Claus made with gin and peach schnapps.  The Burbank restaurant’s sleek bar also features an outdoor patio with a fireplace—another perfect spot to cozy up with a drink this winter season.

For a truly luxurious holiday bar experience, this iconic Century City hotel is offering a $125 per person "apres-ski" dining experience inside three outdoor dining areas styled as Swiss chalets. With a six guest minimum (each table holds up to eight), each reservation-only experience includes family-style charcuterie, soup, salad and fondue—cheese or chocolate, your choice—plus supplemental seafood and caviar add-ons. Not willing to shell out? The high-end hotel bar's holiday drinks menu, which includes a hot spiked cider and an eggnog "of the Century," are available to enjoy à la carte at the fire pits or indoors. 

It’s never a question of whether Los Feliz’s ultra-cozy Big Bar is going hard over the holidays. The only question is how hard they’ll go, and this year, they're offering hot toddies, Irish coffee, a citrus-y tequila-based creation known as Here's to It to Do It, plus the To New Friends & Old Foes (bourbon, pomegranate, and champagne). On the non-alcoholic side, Big Bar's sister spot, Alcove Cafe and Bakery, is also offering peppermint, eggnog and gingerbread lattes, as well as non-spiked apple cider and peppermint hot chocolate. Continuing their at-home cocktail tradition from last year, Big Bar is also selling bow-topped drink kits for St. Germain spritzes, Irish coffees, martinis and more.

In its first-ever show of Christmas cheer, this critically acclaimed basement bar in the Arts District will host a holiday pop-up known as Season's Greetings in its Standing Room space throughout December. Kitted out with festive lights and a specialty cocktail and food menu, the Death & Co bar team is serving drinks like the Gingerbread House (bourbon, blackstrap rum, lemon, ginger, allspice) and "vintage" eggnog made with cognac, bourbon and rum. Note that Season's Greetings will only be available in the smaller Standing Room—not the entire bar—on Wednesdays and Thursday from 7 to 10pm and Friday and Saturdays 7pm to 1am. (The area is usually for walk-ins and guests waiting for table reservations.)