Multiple Boozy, Holiday-Themed Bar Pop-Ups Are In the Works for Dallas

A bevy of boozy, holiday-themed pop-up bars are headed to the Metroplex this season, even as rising coronavirus cases throughout Texas threaten to put a serious damper on holiday cheer.

At least three temporary bars are in the works, including the wildly popular Miracle pop-up, which is hosted in more than 100 bars worldwide. This year, Miracle, which previously took place at HIDE in Deep Ellum, is moving to a larger location at 2010B Greenville Avenue. The 5000-square-foot space will feature multiple seasonally-themed rooms, including a room dedicated to The Grinch, a Nightmare Before Christmas room, and room inspired by the holidays in New York City. In addition to cocktails like the Snowball Old Fashioned, guests can take home a souvenir Santa mug and other merch.

Meanwhile, the sleek new bar recently opened by the owners of HIDE is also transforming into a Christmas pop-up. Royal 38, which opens November 18 at 2301 North Akard Street, will transform into Sippin’ Santa, the holiday-themed tiki bar featuring drinks created by famed mixologist Jeff “Beachbum” Berry. The theme behind Sippin’ Santa is Christmas in paradise, inspired by the idea that Santa takes a tropical vacation after all the hard work of delivering presents is done. Think ornament-covered palm trees, sand instead of snow, and drinks like the Rum Rum Rudolph, with pineapple juice, overproof rums, and coffee liqueur, or the Parrot In A Pear Tree, made with blanco tequila, pear liquor and lime juice.

Both bars will also have a full kitchen and menu of food to accompany the cocktails. The bars will also be operating with social distancing in mind, including offering contactless menus, requiring masks and daily wellness checks for employees, and regular sanitation of communal spaces. In addition, reservations are recommend. Both Miracle and Sippin’ Santa will be open November 23 through December 31.

Finally, the minds behind Dallas restaurants Paradiso and Tejas and cocktail bar Botanist also have a seasonal pop-up bar in the works. The Tipsy Elf will open November 27 to January 2 at Good Companions, the currently-closed coffee shop at 308 N Bishop Avenue. The kitschy bar will serve holiday-themed drinks like mezcal mulled wine, vegan egg nog and Ramos Gin Fizzes, along with seasonally-inspired bites and holiday cookies. The over-the-top atmosphere will also include visits by a drag queen “Mrs. Clause.”

A spokesperson for Exxir Hospitality, which will operate The Tipsy Elf, said the bar will be using the same protocols put into place at Botanist and Paradiso, which includes no bar seating, requiring guests to wear masks when not seated at their tables, keeping capacity below 75%, and keeping groups to 10 people or less per room of the house in which the bar will be staged. In addition, the bar will have outdoor seating and all tables will be spaced 6 feet apart.

Note: Coronavirus cases are currently on the rise throughout Texas and in Dallas County, and County Judge Clay Jenkins has recently asked residents to stay at home when possible. Studies indicate that there is a lower exposure risk when dining outdoors, and that drinking in bars can lead to the spread of the virus. The level of risk involved with any dining situation is contingent on businesses following strict social distancing and other safety guidelines.

Please visit Dallas County’s website for more details on the novel coronavirus pandemic.

• A Santa-Themed Tiki Cocktail Pop-Up Hits Dallas Later This Month [EDFW]