Get 'Merry' at this Louisville holiday pop-up bar. Here's what to try

The two horse statues near the entrance of Louisville Marriott Downtown don't usually wear wreaths adorned with gold ornaments, but this isn't just any time of year.

Passing that decorated pair, you'll find another duo of welcomers in the form of larger-than-life Nutcrackers on either side of the hotel's revolving doors.

Once inside, you'll see plenty of other signs that this first floor bar — that's usually called Lobby Bar — has transformed into a winter wonderland called Merry at the Marriott.

Unlike other holiday pop-up bars that lean into explosions of color, wrapping paper for wallpaper, and overall kitschiness, Merry opts for more subdued, sophisticated tones of white, silver and gold. That goes for a couple of towering Christmas trees and the gathering of cold weather creatures such as fuzzy polar bears, penguins and at least one owl that greet patrons upon walking in. Other decorations are scattered around, including a simple blue neon sign above the bar that reads, "Merry."

Winter Wonderland at the Merry at the Marriott inside the The Louisville Marriott Downtown

The menu is plenty festive with two popular cocktails returning from 2024, including the Peppermint Espresso Martini and Gingerbread Old Fashioned, which is made with gingerbread syrup and served with an adorable, miniature gingerbread man cookie hanging onto the cocktail glass.

This year’s menu features three new cocktails, such as Winter Wonderland, which comes in a wintry blue color and with edible glitter, and the Rum Rum Rudolph. For an interactive drink, try the Merry Margarita, which comes with a cranberry mixture in an ornament to be poured into the tequila drink. You get to keep the miniature ornament as a souvenir.

The menu also includes two new mocktails, the Cranmerry Cooler and Hot Apple Cider.

The Merry at the Marriott has a seasonal food menu, including lump crab hush puppies, an Iceberg Wedge salad, iron skillet cornbread and a double wagyu cheeseburger.

For group reservations with reserved seating and a dedicated server, visit porchlouisville.com/merry-at-the-marriott. The pop-up bar is open to hotel guests and the public. Self and valet parking is available.

Beyond Merry at the Marriott, Louisville is home to an array of holiday pop-up bars with different themes to fit your fancy this year, the Courier Journal previously reported. For a classic visit, stop by Miracle on Market at Galaxie or the Christmas Bar at O'Shea's. For a tropical twist, head to Sippin' Santa at One Fourteen Whiskey Row. And for something new in 2025, there's a pop-up bar called The Lodge at Trial + Error.

Here are a few other holiday pop-up bars that have been announced recently:

• Little Saint Nik’s Holiday Tavern at The Exchange Pub + Kitchen, 118 W Main St., New Albany, runs through New Year’s Eve. The floor-to-ceiling Christmas pop-up includes an outdoor, heated tent area, holiday martinis, a holiday version of Tiki Tuesdays, and weekly live music.
• Snowed In at Epiphany, 1525 Highland Ave., will feature season-inspired cocktails, non-alcoholic drinks and bites from Dec. 1-31 from 4-10 p.m. Thursday-Friday and 4 p.m. to midnight Friday-Saturday.
• Yuletide at Hell or High Water, 112 W. Washington St., is open Dec. 2 through Jan. 3 (closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day). The speakeasy on Whiskey Row will offer cocktails such as Hot Buttered Rum, House Hot Cocoa with pepper-infused tequila, Mulled Wine, Eggnog and a vegan Nog. Patrons can also enjoy light bites, including caviar service, and a shared Toddy for Two experience.

We featured Merry at the Marriott in the latest installment of our series, "Best Thing I Ate This Week." You can follow along by visiting Instagram.com/courierjournal.

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