‘Tis the season, Columbus! That’s right – it’s time to bundle up, spike that hot cocoa and celebrate the annual unveiling of the ghosts of Mariah Carey’s Christmas past. To help you ring in the most wonderful time of the year, Columbus bars and restaurants are transforming into Christmas-themed pop-ups where diners and drinkers can fully immerse themselves in the holiday spirit. Gather your favorite elves and check out the five listed below. They’re sure to have you jingling in no time.
Photo credit, Miracle Pop-Up Facebook.
Miracle at The Citizens Trust
4 - 11 p.m. (Tues.-Thurs.) | 4 - 12 a.m. (Fri.-Sat.)
Santa is making a list and checking it twice at The Citizens Trust, which will once again welcome Miracle – the national Christmas bar popping up in major cities across the U.S. – through December 30th. Don your favorite Christmas sweater while you sip Santa-themed cocktails out of holiday mugs, surrounded by a 14-foot-tall inflatable igloo, Christmas trees and Christmas lights galore. There will be holiday music playing all night long (obviously), giving you more reason to sing when drinks like the “Snowball Old Fashioned” or “Elfing Around” start to kick in. Reservations aren’t accepted, so get there early to avoid being a Grinch.
Visit Miracle at 11 W. Gay St.
Ebenezer’s at The Bottle Shop
3 - 10 p.m. (Mon.-Thurs.) | 3 - 12 a.m. (Fri.) | 1 - 12 a.m. (Sat.)
Don’t be a Scrooge – unless you’re going to The Bottle Shop. From now until New Year’s Day, this sommelier-owned neighborhood cocktail bar is transforming into Ebenezer’s, a Charles Dickens-themed watering hole with gothic decor from the Victorian era, “floating” candles, Krampus pillows, black chandeliers and period-inspired cocktails like hot mulled port wine punch, which Dickens fans might remember from the end of A Christmas Carol. Unlike other holiday-themed bars, this one is for the more “laidback” Christmas fans. You know the ones we’re talking about; Mariah Carey songs make them say “bah humbug.”
Visit Ebenezer’s at 237 King Ave.
Photo credit, BrewDog Facebook.
Christmas Bar at BrewDog Short North
12 - 10 p.m. (Sun.) | 4 - 10 p.m. (Mon.-Wed.) | 12 - 12 a.m. (Thurs.-Sat.)
The complete opposite of Ebenezer’s, Christmas Bar at BrewDog Short North makes you feel like you’ve stepped right into a Hallmark Christmas movie — doe-eyed romantics and all. Look through its frosted windows and you’ll find a fireplace, hanging ornaments and snowflakes, piles of Christmas presents, twinkling lights and inflatable snowmen. Sip on a Christmas cocktail, like the popular Salted Caramel Espresso Martini, and soak in all the yuletide cheer.
Visit BrewDog at 1175 N High St.
Photo credit, Huli Huli Facebook.
Huli Holidays at Huli Huli Powell
4:30 - 10 p.m. (Tues.-Thurs.) | 4:30 - 11 p.m. (Fri.) | 1 - 11 p.m. (Sat.)
Mele Kalikimaka! Once again, Powell’s Huli Huli Tiki Lounge & Bar will trade in its signature tiki mugs for ones with carvings of Santa and snowmen, and fill them to the brim with spiced cocktails – like the “She Wrapped Up Her Damn Cat,” with Evan Williams Huli Spiced Bourbon, ginger shrub, clove orange rosemary syrup, passion fruit, pomegranate and cranberry bitters. Like any good tiki bar, the vibe is fun and kitschy. Expect tropical Santa shirts, colorful Christmas lights, Hawaiian statues wearing Santa hats, Christmas wreaths with hibiscus flowers and maybe even a ukulele version of your favorite holiday tune. You’ll need your winter coat to get to the door, but once you're through, it’s all warm wishes and sunny salutations.
Visit Huli Holidays at 26 W Olentangy St.
Photo credit, Lumin Sky Bar Facebook.
Igloos at Lumin Sky Bar & Kitchen
4:00 - 10:00 p.m. (Sun.-Thurs.) | 2:00 - 11:00 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.)
Perched on the top floor of the AC Hotel Columbus Downtown, Lumin Sky Bar and Kitchen is popular for its handcrafted cocktails, tapas-style bites and trendy clientele. And while it may not host a full-scale pop-up for the holidays, it is bringing back its luxury igloos. Taking over Lumin’s outdoor terrace, these igloos come with space heaters, blankets, comfortable seating, twinkling lights, a tailored food and drink menu, a personal waiter and 360-degree views of the Columbus skyline and beyond. Each igloo holds six to eight people, has a two-hour minimum and is available by reservation only. The igloos will only be up through March – so be a good little Eskimo and make your reservation now.
Visit Lumin at 517 Park St.
Pop into one of these pop-ups and get in the holiday spirit! Bring us along by tagging your photos with #CelebrateCBUS, and check out all the holiday events happening in Columbus here.
