The holiday season is here and Santa, plus some of his elves (and maybe you too) might need a drink or two to deal with all of the holiday spirits (see what we did there?).
So with that in mind here are a few places that don’t care if you’re on the naughty or nice list because they will be tipping a glass and taking a shot at celebrating the holidays with pop-up bars and Christmas-themed restaurants with over the top decorations, themed drinks and food.
Casa Vega
When: 11:30 a.m.-midnight daily
Where: 13301 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks
Information: casavega.com
With its dimly lit interior and holiday specials like the Snowball Margarita, Casa Vega is long known as the spot to go to get into the holiday spirit. The San Fernando Valley staple has been around for nearly 70 years and for just as long, it has gotten into the holiday spirit, decking the place out with wall-to-wall with holiday decorations like Christmas trees, strings of lights and tinsel everywhere. It’s also a celebrity hangout, so don’t be surprised in you see Santa and a few Hollywood stars just chilling here.
Five on The Hill’s Jingle Bell Tavern
When: Daily through Dec. 31
Where: 555 Universal Hollywood Drive, Universal City
Information: experiencethehill.com/jinglebelltavern
This holiday pop-up offers hilltop views of the Hollywood Hills plus holiday themed cocktails and dishes. While menu details aren’t out yet, last year they served drinks like the like Grinch, which was a sweet mix of Shōchū, a Japanese distilled spirit with cranberries and cinnamon dusted pears, and the Winter Wonderland, which was spruced up with white chocolate liqueur, peppermint schnapps and garnished with a candy cane. So expect similar libations and of course tons of holiday decor and fire pits.
Frosty’s Christmas Bar
When: Nov. 29-Dec. 31
Cost: $10.80-$21.10
Where: 6555 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles
Information: frostyschristmas.bar/los-angeles
He may be made of snow, but Frosty’s Christmas Bar is going to be one holiday hot spot with an over-the-top and immersive experience. Visitors will be surrounded by thousands of twinkling lights, snow, huge ornaments and holiday-themed drinks like the Jingle Bell Fizz, Grinch-a-Rita and for those on the nice list, the nonalcoholic Santa’s Punch. The bar is only for those 21 and over.
Krampus Cove
When: Dec 5-Dec. 22
Where: The Varnish at Cole’s, 118 E. Sixth St., Los Angeles
Cost: $23.18 and up
Information: krampuscovepopup.com
This is the place for those with a dark holiday spirit because the bar celebrates the legend of Krampus, who is pretty much the evil Santa. The space will be decked out with dark décor including black Christmas trees, spooky dolls, evil elves and even Krampus himself.
Miracle
When: Through Dec. 31
Where: At Patrick Molloy’s, 50 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach; The Ordinarie, 210 The Promenade N, Long Beach; Denae’s Diner at The Delphi Hotel, 550 Flower St., Los Angeles; and Truss and Twine, 800 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Miracle is a worldwide holiday experience that transforms bars and other places into pretty much the North Pole with over the top holiday decorations. Think wall-to-wall Christmas stuff and even bartenders dressed up like Santa and elves serving holiday-themed cocktails in kitschy glassware. This year there are several local bars taking part in the event and they will be serving cocktails like the Snowball Old Fashioned, The Crooked Antler and for the daring, the tequila-infused Krampus.
Nauti or Nice
When: Daily Nov. 29-Dec. 31
Where: Port City Tavern, 4306 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach
Information: portcitytavernlb.com
Long Beach’s nautical-themed bar Port City Tavern is turning into a seaside winter wonderland during the annual Nauti or Nice Holiday Pop-Up Bar. The transformation will include holiday decorations like lights, ornaments and life-size displays including a disco ball snowman. But the real fun part here are all the events lined up such as the Cookies & Cocktails nights on Dec. 3, 10, 17 and 24, when people can order holiday-inspired drinks while decorating their own sugar cookies. There’s also an Ugly Sweater Disco Party on Dec. 12, a Santa Pub Crawl (wear a hat) on Dec. 14 and a Naples Boat Parade after-party and ugly sweater pub crawl Dec. 21.
Santa’s Secret
When: Various dates through Dec. 31
Where: The Beverly Center, 8500 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles
Cost: $75 and up
Information: santassecret.co/los-angeles
This one is for those on the naughty list who want to go on a secret journey with Santa down a holiday path through eight immersive installations that will include gingerbread characters and rugged lumberjacks plus snow globes. They all lead to Santa’s vintage speakeasy bar where people will find Christmas cocktails, live music and naughty variety shows.
Sipping Santa
When: Through Dec. 31
Where: Sauced BBQ & Spirits at 2015 Park Place, El Segundo, 13122 Jamboree Road, Irvine and 1535 W. Katella Ave., Orange
Information: sippinsantapopup.com
Santa goes tropical at three Sauced BBQ locations this season with a retro-kitsch pop-up that mixes Tiki with the holidays. Decorations will include things like palm trees decked out with ornaments, Santa’s on surfboards and nautical drink specials like the Frosty Merman, Sugar Plum Mai Tai and the Snowball’s Chace in Hilo. Plus there will be Tiki themed cups you get to keep with your drinks.