Looking to get your drink on while celebrating the season? Lucky for you, there are plenty of Austin holiday bars with themed pop-ups and specialty menus to enjoy.
Here are 9 of our favorite holiday themed bars and restaurants in Austin!
Miracle on 5th Street
Through December 27 | The Eleanor, 307 West 5th Street
Austin’s favorite Christmas cocktail pop-up bar is back. Sip on fun festive drinks like Rudolph’s Replacement (served in a dinosaur mug), the Christmapolitan, Snowball Old Fashioned, and new for 2023, Marshmallows & Unicorns! There are also naughty and nice shots as well as the ever popular shot ski. Dasher passes are recommended. Get all info here.
Sippin’ Santa
TBD | Nickel City, 1133 East 11th Street
The East Austin bar is once again listed as the official Austin locale on the Sippin’ Santa website. In past years, the drink roster included drinks like the Kris Kringle Colada (Dark Jamaican Rum, Cynar, Allspice, Lime & Pineapple Juice and Cream of Coconut) and the Christmas Eve of Destruction (Dark Overproof Rum, Herbal Liqueur, Nutmeg Syrup, Lime Juice and Angostura Bitters). Stay tuned for dates and details on this year’s event.
Happy’s Holiday Pop-Up
November 24 through December 24, Open daily at 4 p.m. | Wax Myrtle’s Mule Shoe Event Space, 506 San Jacinto Blvd Suite WM, 4th Floor
One of Chicago’s most loved and longest-running holiday pop-up bars, Happy’s, will be setting up shop at Wax Myrtle‘s this year. Expect over-the-top festive decorations and a full menu of holiday-inspired cocktails, featuring the ‘You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out!’ candy cane julep, ‘We Decided To Take A Vacation This Year’ tropical drink, ‘Rizzletoe’ Jagermeister Sour, and more. No reservations are required and it is a 21+ up bar.
15 Perfect Ways to Have a Very Merry Christmas in Austin
The Lodge at Hotel Van Zandt
Select Days in December | Hotel Van Zandt, 605 Davis Street
Holiday igloos return to the 4th floor pool deck at Hotel Van Zandt as the hotel presents, “The Lodge at Hotel Van Zandt.” This rooftop wonderland experience features après ski style vibes and encompasses all of the warmth and cheer of the season. Lodge reservations are available for select dates from December 1 through December 30, 2023. Reservations are $100 per igloo, plus a $200 food and beverage minimum (+ tax and gratuity) for two hours of service. Igloos can accommodate up to six guests comfortably.
Gibson Wonderland
Beginning November 24 | Gibson Street Bar, 1109 S Lamar Boulevard
The halls are being decked and the mistletoe is being hung as the South Lamar bar transforms into Gibson Wonderland. Guests will sip on festive cocktails, snap fun photos in the iconic Gibson Sleigh, and enjoy the expanded seating outside under the 60×40 tent that will house a large lit-up Christmas mug pop-up bar for toasty boozy beverages.
Lala’s Little Nugget
Always | Lala’s, 2207 Justin Lane
Lala’s is decked out for Christmas all year round, so there’s no better place to get in the holiday spirit. Their signature cocktails include: Grandma’s Boozy Eggnog, Prancer’s Punch, Peppermint Hot Cocoa, and more. Their Jolly Hour is every Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. with $3 domestic bottled beer, $3 tall boys, and $3 well drinks.
Donn’s Depot
All December | Donn’s Depot, 1600 West Fifth Street
It basically feels like Christmas all year round at Donn’s but they really outdo themselves for the holidays. They’ll be fully decked out for the holidays starting on Friday, December 1. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for details on any fun events.
Kitty Cohen’s Hanukkah Themed Get Lit Pop-Up
December 1 through 30 | Kitty Cohen’s, 2211 Webberville Road
The East Austin bar is hosting its fifth annual Hanukkah pop-up from Friday, December 1 through Saturday, December 30. Decked out in blue and silver, the bar features specialty drinks like Gin and Tonicah and Latke Punch.
Mozart’s Annual Light Show
Through January 6 | Mozart’s Coffee Roasters, 3825 Lake Austin Boulevard
Starting at 6 p.m. each evening, and replaying at the top of every hour until closing, enjoy dazzling lights set to music! The lights show will happen every night, excluding Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Full details here.
