The Best Holiday Pop Ups at Dallas Restaurants and Bars | Dallas Observer
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The Best Holiday Pop-Ups at Dallas Restaurants and Bars

Ready or not, the holidays are happening, and you’ll find seasonal spirits and food to keep things festive at several pop-ups around Dallas.
Get out there and make Santa proud.
Get out there and make Santa proud. Leela's Wine Bar
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Been good this year? Your secret is safe with us. Either way, there are plenty of good times to be had around Dallas this year as bars and restaurants saddle up for a fun Christmas season. Below are some pop-ups with plenty of libations and decorations. You may even get to see Santa. Just make reservations soon.

Winterproof

The Statler, 1914 Commerce St.
Through Feb. 11
Each holiday season, Waterproof, the rooftop bar of The Statler Hotel, gets reinterpreted into a festive layout and theme. This year, Winterproof is taking you to Cloud 19 with their Escape to Winter Wonderland theme. Spiked eggnog and gingerbread espresso martinis are seasonal highlights. Patio globes and cabanas are available for reservations. On weekends through Dec. 31, they’re hosting Sereni-tea in the Clouds, a tea experience from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with light bites and pairings. Otherwise, get access to the festivities with a general entry ticket.

The Cocoa Lounge, Holiday High Tea & Winter Ski Village

The Adolphus, 1321 Commerce St.
Through Jan. 1
Steeped in sweet delights, The Adolphus Hotel is hosting a variety of holiday happenings this season. On the rooftop is their Winter Village Ski Lodge with reservable cozy yurts and cottages complete with tableside s’mores and more. Holiday High Tea is being hosted in the French Room, and the French Room Bar has been transformed into The Cocoa Lounge for the season. See pricing, availability and reservation requirements for each experience on their website.

Tipsy Elf Cocktail Bar Takeover

Bishop Arts District, 200 N. Bishop Ave.
Through Dec. 23
Paradiso and Bar Eden are back again this year transforming their patio with the Tipsy Elf Cocktail Bar Takeover. This year they’re taking things up a notch and expanding a portion of holiday wonderland into Bishop Lane (the walkway between the bars). Themed cocktails and festive decor are taking over Wobbly Woods, Casablanca and Tejas, plus five ‘karoling’ karaoke suites. Keep an eye out for their calendar of events like Naughty Letters to Santa, Cookie Clausetti, Drag Bingo, adults-only photos with Santa and a family-friendly Little’s Night.

Yellow Rosa Cantina

2901 Commerce St.
Through Jan. 14
Yellow Rosa in Deep Ellum is taking reservations for their Christmas pop-up, where the forecast calls for a light snow every half hour. Festive decor from floor to ceiling and actual snow (OK, actually fake, but a real machine that makes it) with plenty of fun adult cocktails are certain to put any Grinch in a good mood. They offer a range of Mexican-inspired dishes. After 10 p.m. on the weekends, a DJ sets up and the space transforms into a dance party. Make reservations through Resy; party tip: if they're all booked, set an alert for cancellations.

Winter Chalet

Kimpton Pittman Hotel, 2551 Elm St.
Dec. 1 – Feb. 29
The Kimpton Pittman Hotel is bringing holiday cheer to Deep Ellum this year with their Winter Chalet. Go crazy with the marshmallows at the hot cocoa bar, or have a housemade Winter Sangria or other winter beverage specials like boozy hot chocolate, hot toddy and Four Corners’ peppermint porter, all crafted to warm your soul. Throughout December, they’re hosting different holiday events to get you into the spirit: A holiday winter market (Saturday, Dec. 9), cookie decorating social (Saturday, Dec. 16) and chef’s winter tasting every Wednesday in December along with regular food and beverage events in their lobby and restaurant.

Hot Chocolate Bar

Dr. Sue’s Chocolate, 417 S. Main St., Grapevine
Through Dec. 23
Head to Grapevine for hand-crafted hot chocolate made with fine European chocolates at Dr. Sue’s Chocolate leading up to Christmas. Cocoa tastings are 4–6 p.m. daily and cost $5 per person. Customize your cup with marshmallows, crushed peppermint, whipped cream and holiday spices.

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Need a drink this holiday season?
Leela's Wine Bar

Leela's Wine Bar

1914 Greenville Ave.; 2355 Olive St.; 2980 State Highway 114 Frontage Road, Trophy Club
Leela's Wine Bar recently got an updo (they remodeled the entire Lower Greenville restaurant) and is now ready for the holidays. All locations will have drinks and decor, but the Greenville location has the largest holiday transformation; everything is absolutely adorable. They have a menu of 12 new holiday cocktails for the season. We've long been fans of their martini espresso, and now they have a Polar Express.

Miracle on Harwood Street

Harwood Arms, 2823 McKinnon St.
Through Dec. 31
Everyone’s favorite British pub, Harwood Arms, just got merrier with festive decor and exciting holiday menus for the season. Get your hands on the mini beef Wellington, Grinch Dip, baked brie, Merry Meatballs or Eggnog Creme Brulee for dessert. Top off your holiday spread with festive shots and cocktails like the Polar Bear Espresso Martini and Santa’s Milk and Cookies, or have a Candy Cane Lane Shot served in Insta-worthy ceramic cups. Get a peek at both menus and more details on their website.

Saint Nick's Suite Escape

The Virgin Hotel, 1445 Turtle Creek Blvd.
Dec. 13–24
The Virgin Hotel is transforming a suite into a Christmas speakeasy with Santa-approved seasonal sips and plenty of photo ops. Make reservations for an hour and a half with a $10 deposit (which will be credited to your tab once there). They'll also have a "rotating selection of seasonal entertainment."

A Very Merry Village

The Village, 5670 Village Glen Drive
Through Jan. 6
One of Dallas’ newest holiday pop-ups is the Very Merry Village at The Village. Family-friendly activities, creative workshops, holiday brunches, themed menus and seasonal cocktails will be on tap all month long. The food and drinks draw themes from all your favorite Christmas movies, like It's A Wonderful Life mulled wine, Ralphy's Red Ryder Takeout egg rolls from A Christmas Story and Bless This Highly Nutritious Microwavable Macaroni & Cheese from Home Alone. Oh, and we can’t forget the spiked hot cocoa bar. Get all the details and calendar of events on their website.

Winter Wonderland

St. Henry’s at The Henry, 2301 N. Akard St., No. 250
Through Jan. 1
The Henry’s rooftop is transformed into a winter wonderland with fire pits, rooftop views, over 16 festive cocktails and chic Christmas decor. Highlights from the cocktail menu are the Fig and Ginger Mule, Junior and Mrs. Mint, spiced horchata and Christmas whiskey shots. There’s also an over-the-top tequila Christmas tree if you’re in for a boozy evening. Entry is $6 and a portion of the proceeds go to Toys for Tots. Reservations aren’t required but are encouraged, especially for parties of 6 or more.
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