Festive spirits: 7 Christmas, holiday pop-up bars you can try in Louisville this year

Are you ready to sip on some festive cocktails surrounded by tinsel, Christmas trees, and holiday decor as far as the eye can see?

Louisville bars are once again getting into the holiday spirit, with a variety of Christmas-themed pop-up bars opening at venues across town.

Here are seven Christmas pop-up bars in Louisville:

Christmas pop-up bars in Louisville

Blitzen's Bar at the Omni Hotel in downtown Louisville

The Blitzen’s Bar pop-up will return Nov. 28 to the Omni Louisville Hotel for the 2025 holiday season, serving up specialty cocktails crafted by mixologist, author, and bar owner Julie Reiner.

The Blitzen's Bar cocktail menu features eight signature drinks and non-alcoholic options, including:

• The Blitzen: Woodford Reserve Rye, liquid alchemist ginger/apple spice syrup, and angostura bitters, served in a holiday ornament
• Sleigh Ride: Grey Goose Vodka, Italicus, lime, Cheeky cranberry syrup and soda water, served with light-up ice cubes and garnished with cranberries,
• Espress-Ho Ho Martini: Don Julio Reposado Tequila, Mr. Black coffee liqueur, simple syrup and espresso, garnished with a mini MoonPie,
• Merry Spritz-mas (non-alcoholic): Curious Elixir #4, Fluère non-alcoholic bitter, lemon juice and Cheeky cranberry syrup
• The Gilded Grinch (non-alcoholic): Dubai Hot Chocolate with caramelized kataifi, pistachio whipped cream, a Stroopwafel and chocolate bar, served in a gold coffee mug

The Blitzen, served at Blitzen's Bar at Omni Hotel Louisville, is made with Woodford Reserve Rye, liquid alchemist ginger/apple spice syrup, and angostura bitters and is served in a holiday ornament.

“After the incredible response to Blitzen’s Bar last year, I’m thrilled to return with Omni Hotels & Resorts to make this holiday season even more memorable,” Reiner said in a news release. “Crafting cocktails for Blitzen’s is all about pushing the boundaries of tradition, and infusing classic holiday flavors with playful, modern twists - and this year’s menu delivers in the most fun and flavorful way.”

LOCATION: 400 S. 2nd St.

Christmas Bar at O'Shea's in the Highlands

As per tradition, this popular Irish pub will soon transform in a holiday destination. O'Shea's Irish Pub annually hosts a Christmas bar with decorations and themed drinks. O'Shea's in the Highlands, at 956 Baxter Ave., is one stop on an upcoming Christmas Bar Crawl set for Dec. 20.

The cancellation of the annual St. Patrick's Parade, along with coronavirus panic and really bad weather, didn't stop the celebration of all things Irish at O'Shea's in the Highlands on Saturday. 3/14/2020

The O'Shea's Family of Pubs has two other locations, including Patrick O'Shea's at 123 W. Main St. in downtown Louisville and H.M. Franks, ​355 Spring St., Jeffersonville, Indiana. O'Shea's in the Highlands is open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Wednesday-Saturday, noon to 2 a.m. Sunday and closed Monday.

LOCATION: 956 Baxter Ave.

The Lodge at Trial + Error on Whiskey Row

There's a new holiday pop-up bar to try this year. The Lodge, a ski lodge themed holiday cocktail lounge, will take over Trial + Error, which opened below Pursuit Spirits in downtown Louisville in August.

Pursuit Spirits is expected to open Thursday, Aug. 14, at 722 W. Main St. on Whiskey Row in Louisville. The distillery's downstairs bar, Trial + Error, will also open.

The Lodge will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and 11 a.m. to midnight Friday-Saturday starting Nov. 28 and through Jan. 3. Along with holiday decor and a big fireplace for photo ops, you'll find a menu of eight cocktails and two shots, which all have names incorporating quotes from holiday movies. 

The cocktail list includes a Grinch-inspired drink called "You're as Cuddly as a Cactus," that's made with vodka, creme de menthe, creme de cacao, chocolate bitters and coconut milk. One of the very quotable lines from "Elf" is also honored in the form of a clarified apple whiskey sour called, "I’m Sorry I Ruined Your Lives and Crammed 11 Cookies into the VCR." There's also a bourbon hot chocolate dubbed "KEVIN!" as an ode to "Home Alone" and a spiced blood orange spritz named "Four Alarm Holiday Emergency" for fans of "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation."

LOCATION: Trial + Error, 722 W. Main St.

Merry at The Marriott in downtown Louisville

Merry at the Marriott is returning to The Louisville Marriott Downtown. For the second year in a row, the hotel, 280 W. Jefferson St., will become a winter wonderland with festive menu items and decorations.

This year’s expanded menu features three new cocktails including Winter Wonderland, Rum Rum Rudolph and the Merry Margarita, plus two new mocktails, the Cranmerry Cooler and Hot Apple Cider.

In addition, the bar will bring back two of its signature cocktails, the Peppermint Espresso Martini and the Gingerbread Old Fashioned.

The Merry at the Marriott, located at the hotel’s lobby bar, will also have a food menu available. Group reservations with reserved seating and a dedicated server can be made at porchlouisville.com/merry-at-the-marriott.

The Merry will be open from 3 p.m. to midnight from Nov. 21 to Jan. 3, 2026 and is open to hotel guests and the public. Self and valet parking is available.

LOCATION: The Louisville Marriott Downtown, 280 W. Jefferson St.

Miracle on Market returns to Louisville's NuLu neighborhood

Miracle on Market is coming back to Galaxie, 732 E. Market St., on Nov. 18. This holiday wonderland serves inventive cocktails out of festive mugs, which you can sip on while sitting under colorful string lights and over-the-top decorations.

Hours are Monday to Thursday, 4 p.m. to midnight, Friday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday and Sunday, noon to midnight. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. All ages until 9 p.m., must be 21 years and older after 9 p.m. No reservation required.

Here are some of the items on the menu:

2025 Miracle on Market cocktail menu

The Christmapolitan cocktail at the Miracle on Market pop-up holiday bar features vodka, elderflower, dry vermouth, spiced cranberry sauce, lime, rosemary, and absinthe mist.

• Christmapolitan: Vodka, elderflower, dry vermouth, spiced cranberry sauce, lime, rosemary, absinthe mist 
• Snowball Old-fashioned: Rye whiskey, gingerbread, aromatic and wormwood bitters, orange essence 
• Candy Cane Lane (New): White rum, vanilla liqueur, dark creme de cacao, minty amaro, candy cane, soy milk *contains soy 
• Dancing Sugarplums (New): Gin, limoncello, plum wine, plum milk syrup, lemon, tiki bitters, nutmeg *contains dairy 
• Koala Lalala: Blanco tequila, dry vermouth, apple liqueur, tamarind, lemon, eucalyptus bitters, mint, soda 
• Cheery Cherry Chocosaurus (New): Brandy, Italian sweet vermouth, dark creme de cacao, blackberry liqueur, tart cherry and chocolate, lemon, chocolate bitters, brandied cherries 
• Blitzen Barrel (New): Cream sherry, mead, scotch, PX sherry, honey, sesame *contains sesame 
• Run Run Reindeer: Mulled wine reduction, prosecco, lemon, aromatic bitters 
• Rudolph’s Replacement: Vodka, coffee liqueur, white creme de cacao, orange curaçao, chai syrup, almond milk, aromatic bitters *contains nuts
• Miracle Mouse (New): Bourbon, French sweet vermouth, pamplemousse liqueur, vanilla liqueur, strawberry, grapefruit, orange acid 
• Jingle Balls Nog: cognac, cream sherry, almond milk, cream, egg, vanilla, nutmeg *Contains dairy, eggs and nuts
• The Krampus (select locations): reposado tequila, oloroso sherry, allspice dram, mezcal, ginger, hibiscus, lime, hellfire bitters 
• Yippie Ki Yay Mother F****r! (select locations):Barbados rum, rhum agricole, Trinidad overproof rum, ube and coconut orgeat, acid-adjusted pineapple juice 
• Coconut Hot Chocolate (New): Aged Jamaican rum, amaretto, chocolate hazelnut and coconut, coconut whipped cream, cacao dust *Contains dairy, nuts, served hot
• Carol Singer (Wassail) (New, select locations): Apple cider, white wine, peach liqueur, pear liqueur, apple brandy, orange, ginger, Christmas spices *served hot
• Secret Santa (select locations): House special — ask a staff member for details 
• *Nice shot (New): Brandy, strawberry, grapefruit 
• *Naughty shot (New): Tequila, habanero, ginger, hibiscus
• *Shot purchase comes with a take-home Miracle shot glass, included in price

2025 Miracle on Market non-alcoholic cocktail menu

The Cheery Cherry Chocosaurus at the Miracle on Market pop-up holiday bar features brandy, Italian sweet vermouth, dark creme de cacao, blackberry liqueur, tart cherry and chocolate, lemon, chocolate bitters, and brandied cherries.

• Snow Day Sipper (New): Chocolate hazelnut and coconut syrup, coconut whipped cream, cacao dust *contains dairy, nuts, served hot
• Silent Night (New): Tart cherry, chocolate, orange acid, soda  
• Mellow Mouse (New): Apple, strawberry, grapefruit, lemon, soda

LOCATION: Galaxie, 732 E. Market St.

Sippin' Santa at One Fourteen Whiskey Row

Sippin' Santa, a tropical wonderland with over-the-top décor, tiki-inspired holiday vibes, is opening at One Fourteen Whiskey Row on Nov. 17.

The Holiday on Ice cocktail at the Sippin' Santa holiday pop-up bar features vodka, dark-roast cold brew, condensed milk, ancho chile liqueur, and cinnamon syrup.

Every week will bring something new to Sippin’ Santa Whiskey Row, 114 W. Main St., including an Ugly Sweater Party on Dec, 9, plus themed nights like Holiday Trivia Wednesdays and Sippin’ Saturdays featuring DJs and late-night cocktails.

Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended for weekends and groups. Hours are Monday-Thursday, 4 p.m. to midnight, and Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.

2025 Sippin' Santa cocktail menu

The Wreck the Halls cocktail at the Sippin' Santa holiday pop-up bar in Louisville features Caribbean overproof rum, lime, tawny port, maple and vanilla syrups, and figgy bitters.

• Coco Ho Ho Ho (New): Gold Jamaican rum, lime, coconut, pineapple, pandan syrup, banana liqueur 
• Pineapple Upside-down Cask (New): Dark and gold Jamaican rums, lemon, pineapple upside-down mix, cherry liqueur 
• Frost Bite (New): Tequila, sage, pineapple, lime, cranberry syrup, spiced cranberry bitters 
• Wreck the Halls (New): Caribbean overproof rum, lime, tawny port, maple and vanilla syrups, figgy bitters 
• Nui Nui New Year(New): Your choice of vodka or gold Puerto Rican rum, lime, orange, allspice liqueur, nui mix, bitters *for two
• Hot Buttered Grog (New): Jamaican and Puerto Rican rums, honey-butter batter, island spices *contains dairy, served hot
• Sugar Plum Mai Tai: Haitian and Nicaraguan rums, lime, orgeat and cinnamon syrup, plum mix 
• Sippin’ Santa: Aged demerara rum, amaro, lemon, orange, gingerbread mix 
• Jingle Bird: Bourbon, pineapple rum, Campari, pineapple, lime, jingle mix 
• Holiday On Ice: Vodka, dark-roast cold brew, condensed milk, ancho chile liqueur, cinnamon syrup *contains dairy
• Secret Santa (select locations): House special — ask a staff member for details 
• Silent Nightcap (Shot): Dark chocolate, mint and orange liqueurs, espresso

2025 Sippin' Santa non-alcoholic cocktail menu

The Designated Sledder non-alcoholic cocktail at the Sippin' Santa holiday pop-up bar in Louisville features lime, coconut, pineapple, pandan syrup and tonic water

• Designated Sledder (New): Lime, coconut, pineapple, pandan syrup, tonic water
• Have a Very Merry Mock Tai (New, select locations): Wiki wiki mai tai mix, lime, club soda *contains nuts

LOCATION: One Fourteen Whiskey Row, 114 W. Main St.

Tinsel Tavern takes over Pizza Bar in downtown Louisville

Tinsel Tavern is popping up inside Pizza Bar at Fourth Street Live in downtown Louisville, starting Nov. 21. This immersive experience, which runs through Dec. 31, features floor-to-ceiling décor, seasonal cocktails, and festive small bites that bring the magic of the season to life.

Cocktails at Tinsel Tavern include:

• Electric Sex - Steal the Glass: Orange vodka, triple sec, fresh lemon, orange juice, Red Bull sugar-free
• Leg Melon-Kelikimaka: Blue Chair Bay Coconut Rum, spiced rum, melon liquor, blue Curacao, fresh lemon, pineapple juice
• Mistletoe Martini: Vodka, pomegranate juice, elderflower, Cointreau, lime juice, simple syrup
• Mojito-ho-ho: Blue Chair Bay Coconut Rum, fresh lime juice, Coconut Re'al, simple syrup, mint, pomegranate seeds, soda water
• White Christmas Morning: Dulce Vida Blanco Tequila, cranberry juice, Coconut Re'al, triple sec, sour mix
• Mule-Tide: Cinnamon infused vodka, apple cider, lime juice, ginger beer
• Fireside Spiked Cider: Apple whiskey, hot apple cider
• All Spice and Everything Nice: Bourbon, Fireball, maple allspice syrup, orange bitters, smoked with maple wood chips
• North Pole Peppermint Hot Cocoa: Baileys, peppermint schnapps, hot chocolate

Tinsel Tavern is open Monday to Friday, 5-11 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Reservations are now open and bar seating is first come, first serve. You can also book a Holiday Party on OpenTable.

LOCATION: Fourth Street Live, 411 S. 4th St.

This story has been updated to include The Lodge at Trial + Error.

Reach food and dining reporter Amanda Hancock at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Festive spirits: 7 Christmas, holiday pop-up bars you can try in Louisville this year