Drink Festive: Every Holiday Pop-Up Bar in Denver

Every year, many of the city’s best bars and restaurants deck their walls with festive decor to celebrate the holiday season, but this year, the merriment is off the charts. We’ve rounded up all the places going all out for their Christmas pop-up bars. There are options for everyone — whether you’re feeling naughty or nice.

Here’s where to drink festive this year:

Ace Eat Serve
501 East 17th Avenue
Open November 21
The Snowed Inn pop-up at this Uptown restaurant promises ski lodge vibes, festive cocktails and après-ski energy — without the I-70 traffic. 

Avanti Food & Beverage
3200 Pecos Street
Open November 28 through December 28
Avanti is hosting its annual holiday/tiki-themed pop-up, Avantiki, complete with island-style holiday decor and a festive drink menu. The entrance fee is $5, which goes directly to Avanti’s charitable partner, CHOW, and all guests will receive a complimentary shot in a glass you can take home. Reservations are strongly suggested. 

Bao Brewhouse
1317 14th Street
Open November 28 through January 4
This downtown restaurant is launching Jingle Bao Rock, a pop-up that will channel nostalgic Christmas vibes of the ’90s. Reservations are available via OpenTable.

Blanco Cantina + Cantina
4177 East 9th Avenue
Open November 13 through December 31
This restaurant, located off Colorado Boulevard, is hosting its first-ever holiday pop-up, Blanco Navidad. Its all-weather patio and bar has been transformed into a festive holiday experience with colorful décor, limited-time seasonal dishes, and festive cocktails like the Espress Ho Ho Ho Tini and Don Juan’s Spiced Cider. Reservations are highly encouraged.

Call to Arms Brewing
4526 Tennyson Street
Open November 21 through December 23
In September, Call to Arms announced that it would be closing for good in December. Now we know that its last day will be December 23, but it’s going out with a sparkly, festive bang. Starting later this month, it will host one final edition of Big Holiday Energy. Stop by anytime during the pop-up for festive fun, advent calendar prizes, a hot chocolate bar and more. Or hit up one of the planned events, which include a Kick the Keg party with the Colorado Brewers Guild on November 21, pictures with Santa on December and Duck Scavenger Hunts and a Nick Nack Auction on December 8.

Church & Union
1433 17th Street
Open November 25
The downstairs level of this downtown eatery will transform into a holiday pop-up with lots of lights and cozy vibes. Guests can indulge in festive cocktails plus holiday food specials alongside Church & Union’s regular menu. Reservations are available via OpenTable.

Grande Station
2299 Main Street, Littleton
Open November 28 through January 3 
This family-owned restaurant is hosting Prancer’s Pub, a holiday pop-up featuring festive food and drinks under twinkling holiday lights.

Hyatt Regency Denver
650 15th Street
Open November 2 through January 4
The Winter Lodge at Peaks Lounge returns to this downtown hotel for its second year, transforming the 27th-floor lounge into a cozy alpine retreat serving seasonal cocktails and bites. The skyline views will be particularly glitzy starting November 21, when the Mile High Drone Show starts; it will play nightly at 7 p.m. through December 31. 

Kimpton Claret Hotel
6985 East Chenango Avenue
Open November 17
This DTC hotel is hosting two holiday pop-ups this year: The Chalet, an urban après cocktail bar on the second-floor terrace (no reservations needed); and Sky Lodge at Halo Rooftop, a private dining experience for up to ten people in a greenhouse, along with a firepit and outdoor seating. Sky Lodge is available for booking nightly from 4 to 10 p.m.; guests may use the space a portion of that time or the entire six hours. Email skylodge@halobardenver.com for more information and to book the space. 

Lady Justice Brewing
3242 South Acoma Street, Englewood
Open November 12 through December 31
Englewood’s woman- and queer-owned brewery is bringing back its immersive taproom experience, Ski Jorts City, inspired by one of its signature beers, Ski Jorts Lager. It pays tribute to ’70s queer après-ski culture, and this year’s event includes two seasonal beer releases and weekly themed events, including Awkward Family Photos, the Ski Jorts Fun Run and the Canadian Tuxedo Formal. 

Miracle Bar
Multiple locations
Dates vary
The worldwide seasonal pop-up that’s known for over-the-top decor and a variety of festive drinks is returning once again to three Colorado locations:

• Gallery Bar (lower level) at Union Station, open November 26 through December 27; reservations are highly recommended.   
• The Eddy in Golden, open November 25 through December 28; reservations are recommended.
• Lookout Bar at the Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa in Avon, open November 25 through December 28; reservations are required.

Mistletoe Lounge
105 Fillmore Street
Open November 20 through December 24 during the Cherry Creek Holiday Market
Holiday shopping and sipping combine this season in Cherry Creek when Mistletoe Lounge opens in the midst of the neighborhood’s holiday market. Expect a cozy atmosphere, seasonal drinks and live music. The space is also available to rent for large groups.

Omni Interlocken Hotel
500 Interlocken Boulevard, Broomfield
Open November 12 through January 11
Blitzen’s Bar returns to the Shep’s space, which will become a holiday hideaway filled with tinsel, twinkle and a touch of North Pole magic. The seasonal menu includes options like the Sleigh Ride and the Naughty or Spice, along with bites like a cookie plate and “reindeer fuel.”  

Punch Bowl Social
65 Broadway
Open November 14 through December 28
The flagship location of this spot for food, drinks and games has partnered with Dallas’s Ugly Christmas Sweater Shop for a pop-up shop that will kick off with a launch event on November 14 from 9 p.m. to midnight. Festivities throughout the holiday season include a special cocktail menu and Very Merry Karaoke.   

Run for the Roses
1801 Blake Street
open November 26 through December 31
Head to this subterranean Dairy Block cocktail bar to catch Good Tidings, a winter forest escape-themed pop-up where revelers can sip modern crafted cocktails and cozy holiday favorites like boozy hot chocolate. Aged eggnog will also be available to take home, and novelty glassware will be available to purchase.   

Sippin’ Santa at Bernard’s Tiki Room
5707 Olde Wadsworth Boulevard, Arvada
Open November 28 through December 31
Head through the phone booth at the Arvada Tavern to find this holiday pop-up that’s an offshoot of Miracle Bar.

Steuben’s
523 East 17th Avenue
Open November 21 through December 3
This Uptown eatery is channeling classic Christmas nostalgia with Miracle on 17th Street. Expect twinkling lights, cheerful cocktails and a whole lot of holiday spirit. Plus, guests who bring a new, unwrapped toy to Steuben’s during the pop-up will receive a complimentary cocktail.

Bonus Booze-Free Pop-Ups

Doughnut Bar
1595 South Pearl Street
D Bar and Carmella’s @ Pearl Market & Wine have launched a holiday Doughnut Bar pop-up, open Wednesday through Sunday mornings until December 31. Expect handmade artisan doughnuts made with the finest ingredients (think King Arthur Flour, Nielsen Massey Vanilla and Valrhona chocolate) along with freshly roasted Glissade Coffee. For more information, follow @carmellas.co and @dbardenver on Instagram.

Santa’s Little Man Ice Cream Factory
4411 West Colfax Avenue
Open November 28 through January 4
You won’t find any boozy drinks at this pop-up, but you will find a lot of holiday cheer. Expect an explosion of twinkly lights and ornaments as the Little Man Ice Cream Factory hosts a month of holiday programming, including photos with Santa, bingo with Mrs. Claus, private ice cream-making parties, gingerbread house building, letters to Santa craft stations, live holiday music, community caroling, Santa Baby Swing, a Chanukah celebration dubbed “Oiy to the World” and more.