Cup of cheer: Holiday bars are popping up all over Pittsburgh
Holiday pop-up bars are limited-time establishments with creative cocktails and mocktails — some also offer food — with a backdrop of decorations, perfect for posting photos on social media. Western Pennsylvania has plenty to choose from of these bars, which have become popular in recent years.
Tinseltown
Tinseltown, formerly The Tipsy Elf, opened in the Mixtape events space on Penn Avenue in Garfield with a new name, games and décor. Strands of shiny metal foil hang from the ceiling above and behind the bar area that’s decorated with Christmas trees, snowflakes and a comfy couch.
“We got some really great reviews, so we were excited to use this versatile space again for Tinseltown,” said Shelley Allen, via email, who is based in Australia, and handles public relations and communications for host Hidden Media Network, the company that brought similar entertainment experiences to Pittsburgh.
Vintage holiday films are shown on a large screen. The walls are decked in bold reds and greens and a cardboard cutout of Grinch can be spotted next to one of the several Christmas trees. Naughty and Nice signs illuminate behind a cozy chair.
“I feel like I am in wonderland,” said Jackie Mishol, dressed as Santa’s elf, hired by Hidden Media Network. “It’s such a fun job.”
The price of admission includes a welcome drink of Santa’s Butter Beer, a cozy cocktail with vanilla vodka, butterscotch liqueur, ginger ale and whipped cream. Other beverages include the Peppermint Grinch with vodka, crème de menthe, crème de cacao, chocolate bitters and a candy cane, and the Mistletoe Margarita made from tequila, orange juice, orange liqueur, house-made chai syrup and a rosemary sprig. Run Run Rudolph has rye, tart cherry juice, house-made chai syrup, lemon and cinnamon.
“Pop-up holiday bars help get people in the holiday spirit,” Allen said. “They are also great spaces for holiday photo opportunities.”
Good Cheer
Pump an Iron City or IC Light at Ruggers Pub on Pittsburgh’s South Side. Pittsburgh Brewing Co. of East Deer is collaborating for a holiday pop-up experience for the fourth consecutive year.
“The Good Cheer bar is the perfect time to meet some nice strangers,” said Alex Gordon, general manager of Ruggers. “This is a neighborhood bar, and we know most of the customers by name. There is a sense of community here. Everyone is welcome.”
The Jingle Juice cocktail has cranberry vodka, triple sec, cinnamon simple syrup, cranberry juice and IC Light. Ruggers also serves food, including vegan and vegetarian options.
“Patrons have been drinking Iron City and IC Light in here for 23 years,” said Alex Gordon, general manager at Ruggers. “Working with an institution like Pittsburgh Brewing Co. allows us to do more good together than we ever could alone.”
Pittsburgh Brewing Co.’s senior sales manager Neal Early said via email that the holidays are a great time for warm wishes and cold irons.
The initial concept came from Sara Lynn Ruth, owner of Saralynn Creatif, who has managed Ruggers Pub’s marketing since 2018. Ruth said South Side is such a great neighborhood and collaborating with Pittsburgh’s well-known Iron City brand was a way to create not just any holiday bar, but a yinzer holiday bar.
“We were looking for a way initially to strengthen the partnership with Iron City in a way that creatively incorporated both brands,” Ruth said. “With the known success of holiday pop-ups in Pittsburgh, we decided to present Pittsburgh Brewing with the idea of transforming an already existing bar into an over-the-top representation of the Iron City brand as well as the holidays … and they loved it. And four years later, here we are.”
Merry Little Christmas
Guests can go back in time at Merry Little Christmas, a vintage pop-up bar in the Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel, Downtown. It has a décor that gives a nod to the 1940s and 1950s with ornaments, old-fashioned lights, garland, tinsel and a record player playing classic Christmas songs.
One of the signature cocktails on the menu is the Mistletoe Martini. It has Tito’s vodka, cherry brandy, fresh lime juice, and is garnished with a raspberry and rosemary skewer and a sugar rim.
“It made you feel like you are right back at grandma’s house,” Allison Perciavalle, director of catering for the Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel said via email. “These pop-up bars are always so much fun during the holidays, but the vintage theme at this one really sets it apart and brings you back to your childhood.”
Winter Warmer
Square Café in East Liberty is hosting a weekend pop-up called the Winter Warmer. It is a space for diners to have festive coffee and cocktails while they wait for their tables. The menu includes seasonal lattes as well as hot chocolate served with spirits of choice.
“In addition to the coziest waiting area in town, we also want to welcome in people who want a cheerful space to gather with friends for a coffee or cocktail or a warm spot to catch up on work,” Square Cafe owner Sherree Goldstein said in a statement.
Holiday Tavern
The Holiday Tavern at the PA Market in the Strip District is filled with lights, garland and winter branches with cozy pops of plaid set against a backdrop of classic photography. On the menu are drinks such as the Surfers Christmas Swim, which has light rum, wintery passion fruit and fluffy citrus — a thick foam that forms after the drink is shaken. The ‘Tis the Season to Buy Scratcher Tickets cocktail is crafted with vodka, herbal elixir, house-made apple kiwi cordial, and fresh lime, and the Fake Family Joy cocktail features Japanese whiskey, house-made cranberry pear cordial, and burlesque bitters.
An original
The region’s original holiday bar is Bob’s Garage in O’Hara, which dates back to 1968.
Pretty much every inch of space inside and outside is decorated. The spot on Freeport Road — you can’t miss it — is dressed in thousands of bright lights. Hundreds of ornaments hang from above and nicely wrapped packages are secured on the walls. There are bunches of detailed holiday stockings, colorful portraits of Santa Claus, and of course, a holiday train circling above.
Holiday stops
Here are some of the pop-up bars in Western Pennsylvania (check websites for updates)
Après Ski Bar in Butcher & the Rye
212 6th St., Downtown Pittsburgh
6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday
Details: apresskibar.butcherandtherye.com
Bar Noel
409 Beaver St., Sewickley
6 p.m. to midnight Thursday, Friday and Saturday through Dec. 31
Details: barnoelsewickley.com
Barry Little Christmas in Barry’s Pub
9566 Perry Hwy., McCandless
11 a.m. to 2 a.m. through Dec. 31
Details: barryspub.com
Bob’s Garage
1372 Freeport Road, O’Hara
Daily from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Details: 412-963-9552
Christmas Pop-Up Bar at North Star Restaurant
8155 Steubenville Pike, Imperial
4 p.m. to midnight Monday through Friday and 2 p.m. to midnight on Saturdays
Details: northstartikihut.com
Good Cheer at Ruggers Pub
40 S. 22nd St., South Side
3 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday to Friday, noon to 2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday through Jan. 1.
Details: ruggerspub.com
Holiday Tavern at The PA Market
108 19th St., Strip District
Hours vary Wednesdays through Saturdays
Details: thepamarket.com
Home Alone Pop-Up Bar, Barcadia
25 Market Square, Downtown Pittsburgh
Open daily through Jan. 1
Details: barcadiapgh.com
Margs & Mistletoe at LowKey Taco
690 Chauvet Drive, Robinson
11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Details: lowkeytacos.com
Merry Little Christmas, Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel
107 6th St., Downtown Pittsburgh
Daily 5 p.m. to close through Jan. 6.
Details: marriott.com
Miracle on 6th
137 6th St., Downtown Pittsburgh
Daily 5 p.m. to midnight
Details: instagram.com
Rudolph’s Rooftop at Il Tetto at Sienna Mercato
942 Penn Ave., Downtown Pittsburgh
Wednesday through Saturday
Details: siennamercato.com
Sippin Santa
490 Wood St., Downtown Pittsburgh (between McCormick & Schmick’s and The Capital Grill)
Daily 5 p.m. to midnight
Details: sippinsantapopup.com
Tinseltown at Mixtape
4907 Penn Ave., Garfield.
There are sessions at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 30.
Details: viralventuresusa.ticketspice.com
Wigle Wonderland Holiday Pop-Up
2401 Smallman St., Strip District
7 p.m. to midnight Thursdays-Saturdays for a limited time
Details: wiglewhiskey.com
Winter Warmer Pop-Up at Square Café
134 S. Highland Ave., East Liberty
7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays through Sundays through January
Details: square-cafe.com
Winter Wonderland at Cupka’s Cafe 2
2314 E. Carson St., South Side
11 a.m. to close daily through the holiday season
Details: facebook.com
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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