Knoxville's top Christmas pop-up bars and drinks for holiday cheer

Brother Wolf bar on Jackson Avenue completely transforms for Christmas with decor, music and really fun holiday drinks, from classic cocktails to creations served in holiday-themed Santa, dinosaur and unicorn mugs.

The peppermint espresso martini at Miracle at Merll's at Merll's Pub and Patio on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, in Waukee.

It's got "nostalgic energy of the best office party you’ve ever been to," and it is wildly popular so expect a crowd.

While Miracle is the quintessential stop, downtown Knoxville is home to the Peppermint Trail, a collection of special cocktails, drinks and desserts.

There are so many different types of espresso martinis this Christmas that you can try one every day of the week.

Downtown Knoxville Christmas cocktails on the Peppermint Trail

You're a Mean One! (minty chocolate), Mistletoe Mojito (with a kiss of pomegranate), Let's Get Toasted (vanilla and chocolate martini with marshmallow/graham rim), Blackberry Gin Fairy (blackberry, orange, lemon and rosemary), Rumplemintstilskin (peppermint chocolate martini) at Alice in Appalachia, 18 Market Square in Knoxville - with views of the ice skating rink!

Mary + Bright (gin, rosemary syrup and pomegranate juice) and Peppermint Martini (espresso martini with peppermint bark Rum Chata) at Boyd's Jig and Reel, 101 S. Central St. in Knoxville

Santa's Sangria (available as a shared bowl), Peppermint Crunch Espresso Martini, Sugar Cookie Martini and Cranberry Rye Old Fashion at Cafe 4, 4 Market Square

Espresso Martini with Peppermint Cold Foam at Chivo Taqueria, 314 S. Gay St. in Knoxville

Angry Balls (with Angry Orchard Fireball), Mistletoe Kiss (vodka, lemon and rosemary), Fire Cider (Jack Daniel's Fire with lemon and apple cider) and Cranberry Mule at Cowboy Cantina, 110 S. Central St. in Knoxville

North Pole Tini (vodka and peppermint schnapps) and MaddieMintz shot (crown Royal Chocolate, Bailey's, Rumplemintz and a chocolate rim) at Downtown Grill & Brewery, 424 S. Gay St. in Knoxville

Santa's White Russian (peppermint bark-spiked frozen creamy drink) and Frostbite shot with Ole Smoky Mountain Java) at Fat Tuesday, 417 S. Gay St. in Knoxville

Poinsettia Mimosa, Irish Coffee with Tullamore Dew Whiskey, Maple Hot Buttered Rum, Fireball Cider and Pomegranate Mule at French Market Creperie, 412 Clinch Ave. in Knoxville

Avoiding The In-Laws (Buffalo Trace Bourbon and Bourbon Cream with Cruz Farm egg nog and nutmeg) at J.C. Holdway, 501 Union Ave. in Knoxville

Santa's Nightcap (Three Rivers Maple Rum, coffee liqueur, oat creamer and candy cane), Festivity Fuzz and a Holiday Cocktail Flight (Winter Party Punch, Whiskey Wonderland, Apple of my Rye and Bourbon Brew) at Knox Whiskey Works, 516 W. Jackson Ave. in Knoxville

Egg Nog Espresso Martini (house-made egg nog, coffee liqueur, Honeybee espresso) and Le Criquet (chocolate mint martini) at Lilou Brasserie, 428 S. Gay St. in Knoxville

Ginger Bells Toddy (whiskey, honey-ginger syrup and hot water), Dude-ish (Numbskull chocolate mint whiskey, Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream, cold brew and vanilla), Mrs. Claus. Cherry Pie (vodka, cherry pie syrup, ginger beer, lime) and Merry & Spritzy (gin, cranberry juice, rosemary syrup, sparkling water) at Maple Hall Bowling Lanes, 414 S. Gay St. in Knoxville

Santa's Cider Mule (Fireball apple, cider, ginger beer, lime), Meemaw's Pom Cordial (pomegranate vodka, cherry schnapps, Bailey's Irish Cream, grenadine), Pawpaw's Apple Punch (Fireball apple, pineapple juice, coconut cream, apple bitters, apple cider), Jack's Boozy Fruitcake (Blackberry Jack Daniel's raspberry schnapps, amaretto sour, Sprite) Grinch's Melon Sour ( cucumber vodka, melon schnapps, lime, sour) and Spiked Apple Pie (Fireball apple, vanilla vodka, butterscotch schnapps, apple cider) at Old City Sports Bar, 106 S. Central St. in Knoxville

Frosty in Wonderland (gin, amaro, coconut cream, peppermint syrup), Snowdrift Martini (vodka, cocao liqueur, white chocolate syrup, peppermint syrup) and Old Solstice (Rye, amaro, chamomile liqueur, cinnamon syrup, bitters), Ginny Gin Gin (gin, gingerbread syrup, connamon syrup, oak milk, lemon), Whiskey Hot Toddy (malt whiskey, chamomile liqueur, oleo saccharum) at PostModern Spirits, 205 W. Jackson Ave. in Knoxville

Menta Clause (vodka, Branca-Menta, cream de cacao, coconut milk, cold brew), Tingle Bells (Barbados run, pineapple) and It's a Wonderful Spice (bourbon, maple brown ale syrup, spice) at Tern Club, 135 S. Gay St. in Knoxville