Making spirits bright: Our exhaustingly festive list of holiday pop-up bars in Kansas City
Miracle // Photo by Sarah Sipple
We’re not sure how this list continues to grow each year. Nevertheless, Kansas Citians are clearly clamoring for the merriment, and we’re here for it.
From Olathe to North KC, food and drink-focused festivities abound in the KC metro. Here, The Pitch has gathered the important details, done a vibe check, and included some staff recommendations. We’ve made our list, checked it twice, now it’s your turn to decide which are naughty or nice.
For the most extreme, maximalist Christmas atmosphere, fan-favorite Miracle is your best bet. This year, Miracle has two locations, one on the Plaza and one in Crossroads at The Rockhill Grille. Both spots are open every day at 4 p.m., from November 29 – December 28, and reservations are encouraged, if not a necessity. Even on a weekday, I took my chances with a walk-in a few times last year and was not able to get in. However, reservations come with a fee of $20 per person. It’s this popular for a reason, folks.
The Pitch’s 2024 Best Local Brewery winner Boulevard Brewing Company is hopping into the festive mood this year with their Rec Deck the Halls at Boulevard Tours & Rec Center. For the fourth year in a row, Boulevard has produced an engaging holiday interaction with themed craft cocktails and beer creations. On top of the sips, Boulevard will also allow attendees to purchase keepsake glassware, beer advent calendars, holiday apparel, and more, as well as take part in shining shuffleboard and other holiday-themed activities. On top of the usual display, there is also a chance for Kansas Citians to reserve a private cabana-esuqe space for up to eight guests. The event is for those 21 and older, with a $5 cover fee, on a first-come, first-served basis. It will run from November 29 to December 28, each Friday and Saturday.
Reservations have sold out for Kingdom’s Greetings, but we’re including it so that you can snag a spot on the waitlist if you so wish, or so that you can make sense of the Facebook posts of friends posing at Arrowhead on a Wednesday night. The Chiefs and Vignettes have partnered for another go at Kingdom’s Greetings–a temporary Christmas-themed bar at the stadium. Reservations cost $25 and do not apply to food or drinks. The location swapped from last year’s Hunt suite to the Foolish Area near the east end zone. A menu of food and drinks from Vignettes and local vendors will feed the lucky guests who scored a reservation while photo-ops, music, and red-kingdom merriment entertain.
Kingdom’s Greetings // Photo by Sarah Sipple
In Westwood, The House is where to go if you’re craving a night out at a cooky (in a cool way) midwestern aunt’s house. The small home next to Lulu’s Thai Noodle Shop is full-on-festive with inflatables, vintage Christmas records spinning, firepits for roasting smores, and on-theme cocktails. And speaking of cocktails, this year, $1 from select cocktails goes to Operation Breakthrough. The House does not accept reservations and does not have a cover charge, but does have plenty of outdoor heaters to spread out and play a game of cornhole. Clark Griswold would be envious of this House.
Char Bar’s Westport location is transforming their beer garden into a Winter Snow Garden as the months grow colder. Starting November 29, the local barbecue joint will be taking reservations for a two-hour private igloo setting for imbibing. Each igloo holds five people and comes with sugar and spice smoked nuts and a bottle of prosecco or a n/a sparkling cider.
One of KC’s largest venues is joining in on the holiday festivities, transforming the T-Mobile Center’s Konica Minolta Founders Club into The Gingerbread. From November 29 to December 31, on Thursdays through Sundays, Kansas Citians can get in the holiday spirit at the short-lived bar, which offers seasonal cocktails like the Naughty Gingerbread or S’more Espresso Martini, paired with Santa Sliders, Naughty and Nice Pretzels, and more to help balance the booze. Tickets are marked at $14 per person on Thursday and Sunday and $18 on Friday and Saturday, open to guests 21 and older. The T-Mobile Center is eager for guests to enjoy the commodities among the whimsical holiday decor, centered around gingerbread figures and a gingerbread horse carousel to grant a little extra Christmas cheer this year.
Photo Courtesy of T-Mobile Center
For a French-inspired holiday pop-up, head to Cheval in Midtown. The intimate and moody cocktail bar is blending cultures, featuring a cocktail menu based on classic Christmas movies and French-inspired small plates and decor. If you see their espresso martini anywhere on the menu, order it. Reservations require a $5 deposit per person, and I recommend keeping this for duos and small groups only.
Westport’s new frozen drink spot, Frost, celebrates all things chill year-round, but a temporary theme just adds to the fun. Drink your way through Buddy the Elf’s journey from the North Pole to NYC with cocktails, mocktails, and treats. The $20 reservation holds your spot and includes your choice of one drink, with more available for purchase.
Nine Zero One Igloo Bar is back for another season of holiday love. The igloos have returned to the top of the Fontaine Hotel, packed full of seasonal decorations and timely tipsy drinks and bites. The two hours spent among the stars, glimpsing out at the city with that special someone, could be the perfect way to set the mood for the winter months. The igloos will be open for all of your magical desires from November 25 to March 16, and reservations start at $125 total for up to eight guests.
Tinsel and ‘Tinis at Union Station
Union Station is known as a family spot for the holidays and year-round, but one section is just for grown-ups. Tinsel and ‘Tinis is presented by Russel Stover, offering an exclusive bar experience amidst the holiday grandeur of Union Station. Tickets for entry are $15-25 depending on the time chosen, and cocktails, wine, beer, and soda are available for purchase. New this year is the addition of holiday entertainment such as Santa Claus, live carolers, and a DJ. Admission includes entrance into Holiday Reflections, which is a joy, but be prepared–it is brimming with children.
If you haven’t visited this Independence gem yet, here’s your excuse. Vivilore is a restaurant and retail space, and next door is its event space called The Mandarin. Drawing inspiration from the Bridgerton books and television series, Vivlore presents Merryton, a regency-themed holiday pop-up. Reservations are available for $10, for Thursday through Saturday seatings starting on December 5. A menu of hors d’oeurvres, small plates, and cocktails will be available amidst an elegant floral setting.
The Olathe winery is known for wine slushes, outdoor events, and its proximity to the family-friendly KC Pumpkin Patch. Now, KC Wine Co’s Jingle Bar has returned, offering a no-reservation, no-cover charge option for festive libations. The family-owned vineyard has transformed their brand-new barn into a twinkling, cozy oasis. Jingle Bar is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through December 22, with special events sprinkled throughout. While you’re there, pick up a hard cider advent calendar pack or a bottle of wine for gifting (we recommend the Norton.)
Winter Wine-derland is back at KC Wineworks. The Crossroads wine bar takes an understated approach to festive decor, focusing on winter rather than a specific holiday. Thus, this is a more inclusive option. The menu features Missouri wine, beer, cocktails, and non-alcoholic options, as well as food. Sarah’s recommendation: the Gingerbreadtini. 10% of the proceeds from the green Grinch cocktail go to Big Brothers Big Sisters KC. There is no cover charge or reservations for KC Wineworks.
Photo Courtesy of Hey! Hey! Club
The swanky basement at J. Rieger & Co has brought back the Sippin’ Santa holiday theme. With colorful lights, tiki-inspired drinks, and great bar snacks, consider this another reliable spot. Reservations are highly recommended, and the $5 per person reservation fee will be donated to HopeKids Kansas City. This tropical oasis only lasts through December 29.
Tom’s Town Distillery in Crossroads is twinkling so bright you can see it from the Streetcar. The light-tastic two-floor transformation is open now, with reservations encouraged. A $5 fee applies to all, whether you walk in or book your spot in advance. The menu offers food and drinks, with cocktails featuring Tom’s Town and other local spirits. Tinsel Town is open every day of the week through December 30.
Don’t send your Hawaiian shirts to storage for the winter quite yet. Shark Bar in Power & Light is the perfect setting for a tropical holiday takeover. Tinsel Tavern is going tiki this year, and the fun begins November 29. In addition to on-theme bar service Tuesdays through Saturdays, special events are sprinkled throughout the month. For example, every Wednesday, guests have the option to paint a souvenir glass or ornament, and December 20 is an ugly Christmas sweater contest. Reservations are $15.
Paragon Star Magic Tree Holiday Pop-Up Bar
The Magic Tree Holiday Pop-Up Bar is back in Lee’s Summit. Located at Paragon Star Sports Complex, the tipsy tree is offering guests a trip to a twinkling winter wonderland filled with all of your favorite holiday ornamentation. Between November 27 and December 22, on Thursdays through Sundays (3 – 9 p.m.), attendees can enjoy themed beverages, photo opportunities with immersive decorations, and trivia! Yes, festive, four-team trivia will be held where party-goers can compete for prizes. This is a cash-free site, and the required $10 reservation fee includes a Magic Tree souvenir glass, and a portion of the proceeds will go to The Magic Tree Foundation, which supports Operation Toy Soldier.
Photo Courtesy of Faulkner’s Ranch
Faulkner’s Ranch Jolly Country Christmas
Labeled as “where your favorite Hallmark Christmas movie meets Nashville honky tonk,” Faulkner’s Ranch Jolly Christmas Pop-Up Bar will not be one to miss this year. Their combination of festive food and exclusive beverages and a western-themed barn is unique. Immerse yourself in this off-the-beaten-path festivity this year between November 29 and December 22 on Thursdays beginning at 6 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays beginning at 4 p.m. Tickets are $15.
Chicken N Pickle Holiday Hideaway and Chicken N Pickle Igloos
Chicken N Pickle is doubling down on the seasonal greetings with their Holiday Hideaway and Chicken N Pickle Igloos.
The hideaway is a festive pop-up bar with a cozy lodge atmosphere surrounded by fire pits and summit views. The 21+ engagement will offer a variety of on-theme beer, wine, and cocktails and will also include red pepper hummus and a charcuterie board for reservations. At $10 per person for tables up to six, the hideaway will be open through December 31.
The Chicken N Pickle Igloos are a great way for larger groups of up to eight people to gather around in a comfy little bubble, surrounded by seasonal beers and bubbles. On the rooftop, guests can enjoy a two-hour drink-flight experience for $40. The igloos will be open for reservations now through mid-February.
Photo Courtesy of Chicken N Pickle
Frosty’s: a Christmas experience at Red Crow Brewing Company
Frosty’s Christmas Pop-Up is lighting up RedCrow Brewing Company these chilly months. Decorated from head to toe in holiday gear, the brewery will be hitting on all of the season’s festivities with exclusive winter cocktails and its usual menu. Through December 28, the brewery will be offering guests 21 and older a night to remember. Reservations are highly recommended as there are only five available tables and bar seating open for walk-ins.
Green Dirt on Oak Rooftop Igloos
Rooftop igloos seem to be the theme this year, and Green Dirt on Oak isn’t missing out on the fun. From November 30 to January 4, Green Dirt on Oak’s Crossroads rooftop will hold cozy igloos for Kansas Citians to gather with loved ones. Indulging into an immersive snow globe, the reservation includes some of the award-winning restaurant’s cookies and cheese, seasonal beverages, and light snacks to help pair with the booze. Their standard menu will also be available for purchase.
Local pickleball hubs and holiday cheer seem to pair well with each other, and SERV recognizes that. Head on over to Overland Park for a 90-minute holiday excursion in heated igloos, serving as a comfy, cozy resort from the bitter cold. Each reservation includes exclusive holiday drinks and eats, as well as access to the regular menu. On top of the coziness, enjoy card games with friends and family. Through December 30, SERV will be taking reservations for their igloo intimacy.
The Primrose presents The Poinsettia
Mission’s tidy cocktail bar, The Primrose, has been converted into The Poinsettia through December 31. Starting at 4 p.m. each day of the week besides Monday, The Poinsettia is the type of place where you could bring your in-laws for a pre-dinner cocktail, or catch up with high school friends visiting for the holidays. The cocktails are reliable, striking a balance between playful and familiar. This year, only one n/a option graces the menu, but the staff will work with you so that everyone leaves jolly. This is one of the few no-reservations and no-cover charge spots on this year’s list.
Next to The Primrose in Mission, Common Tiger is a cool speakeasy-style bar hidden behind a general store. New this year, Common Tiger has donned a ski lodge vibe for a seasonal concept that can last through the winter. Find the current password on the website or on QR codes within the bodega, and make your way to Common Tiger for a cocktail and mocktail menu with some overlap from The Poinsettia. No reservations or cover for this one!
Society, Christmas in the Crossroads
Society KC is hitting the season hard in the Crossroads yet again. On display from November 29 to January 4, members of the community can find their jingle jangle at Society. With premier seasonal features on the food and drink menus, Society is the place to head in the Crossroads for joy and cheer this season. Due to the pop-up’s popularity, reservations are recommended!
A train-themed Christmas pop-up in a train station… Who didn’t see that coming? Well, the holidays are a perfect time to be on the nose (glowing or not.) Inspired by The Polar Express, the nearly-secret rotating theme bar in Union Station is a hidden gem. Reservations for this, no matter the theme, sell out in seconds, but I’d say it is still worth a try. The small space on the second level of Union Station is brimming with decor and kitsch, but the drinks are almost always fabulous enough to stand on their own.
Scratch, Merry Little Libations
Scratch Kitchen and Catering in Prairie Village is feeling festive and focusing on food. With limited dates from Dec. 7 to 22, reservations are highly recommended. Reservations cost $10 to save your spot in this small restaurant. A special menu of food, cocktails, and wine will be available during the Merry Little Libations pop-up service. A jolly cocktail or mocktail is generally the focus of events like this, but Scratch shines with its wine and dessert menus.
The Naughty List at The Grand Hall
The Grand Hall at Power and Light Apartments is usually a place people only go for weddings and galas. This year, only if you’re naughty enough, you can visit it as a holiday pop-up bar. The Naughty List is a new bar this year, and it is yet to be determined if the $30 ticket for entry–not including drinks–is worth it. Only eight dates are available, so for those curious or nostalgic for the setting, book your spot fast.
Photo Courtesy of The Frosty Farmhouse
The Farmhouse KC is bringing the cheer with their Frosty Christmas Pop-Up. With hand-crafted Christmas cocktails, such as The Elf’n Martini, Santa’s Milk & Cookies, and Drunk Gingerbread Man, the venue is really getting into the spirit. On top of the luscious liquids, The Farmhouse KC will also offer dessert trays for reservations. Those 21 and older can make their required reservations (up to eight people) for the two-hour night out with a $25 per table entry fee now.
Vignettes is playing up pop culture like only they can. Blending Chappell Roan core with holiday glam, Pink Pony Christmas will surely be all over your social media when it opens on December 6. Reservations are highly encouraged, especially on weekends when it switches from all-ages to 21+. The menu will be appropriately ridiculous and feature obvious sips like red wine supernova and naked in Manhattan. The fun ends January 11, so pop in for a drink and enjoy the weekly slate of campy activities like Chappell trivia, music bingo, karaoke, and live music.
