NYC’s top holiday pop-up bars this season

Famed for its pizza near and far, Roberta’s is hosting its first ever holiday pop-up this season. From December 1 through January 3, Roberta’s will host Grinchy’s at its Bushwick Tiki Bar. Christmas lights, giant candy canes and tinsel will ornament the space and hot toddies and frozen eggnog will join the menu for the occasion. 

This Hanukkah pop-up is new to NYC for 2022 by way of Boston. It will be open at Ollie in the West Village from December 13 through December 31, when you can order cocktails like the Latke Sour (apple brandy, potato, lemon, tobacco bitters) and the Hebrew Hammer (vodka, "leavened" sugar, lemon, raspberry). Previous iterations have also served lox, chicken liver and actual latkes. 

See and be seen with illuminated reindeer, snowmen and oodles of other holiday accoutrement at Loreley Beer Garden’s Winter Wonderland installation. It’s decorated inside and out from now through January 8, with drink specials across its heated spaces like festive spiked eggnog, boozy black and white hot chocolate and gluhwein. 

One of the classics of the genre, Miracle on 9th Street has returned to The Cabinet with Christmapolitans, nogs, “naughty” shots and other seasonally-titled tipples. The Brooklyn Branch, Miracle on Union, operates at Thief in Williamsburg. Expect string lights, faux snow and events like ugly sweater parties across locales.  

The Garret’s Feliz Coctelería’s annual celebration aims to “spotlight the family tradition of hand-made holiday decor that is common in Latin America” from now through January. Sip “Lump of Coal” and “San-Tiki-Claus” drinks from fun seasonal glassware immersed in its Christmas tree-lined latest transformation. 

Salon de Ning, The Peninsula Hotel’s rooftop bar, has been transformed into Chalet de Ning, intended to emulate a Swiss après ski experience from now until December 31. Vintage prints, slope accoutrement and faux-snow-dusted artificial foliage are all under those pop-up staples: huge plastic domes. Fondue, smoked trout rillettes and seasons cocktails are on the menu. 

Choose your fighter and celebrate amid “over-the-top gaudy” Christmas decorations at The Skinny from December 1 through the end of January. Expect live music and events, appearances by the venue’s own “naughty” Santa in addition to novelty drinks.