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A christmas-y bar.
Miracle on Fifth at the Eleanor.
Robert Lerma

All the Holiday Pop-Up Bars to Know This Year in Austin

Where to find festive cocktails and cheer

by Erin Russell Updated
View as Map
Miracle on Fifth at the Eleanor.
| Robert Lerma
by Erin Russell Updated

Though Austin holidays are typically less snow-topped and muggier than other cities, there are still plenty of places to order spiked eggnog and hot toddies. In recent years, Christmas celebrations around the city have gotten more elaborate with pop-ups and specials galore.

Eater put together this handy map of the best bars and restaurants embracing the holiday spirit in their spaces through pop-ups. This year still includes the kitschy national pop-up bar Miracle at downtown cocktail bar the Eleanor (sibling to the essential the Roosevelt Room) and its tiki offshoot Sippin’ Santa at east side favorite Nickel City. Of course, the season is not complete without a visit to the original Austin Christmas bar, Lala’s, which has had colored lights up since 1972.

Keep an eye out for updated holiday guides — holiday dine-in meals, holiday takeout meals, holiday dessert preorders, and tamales — to be updated later this month.

Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission. The latest CDC guidance is here; find a COVID-19 vaccination site here.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Lala's Little Nugget

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It’s always Christmas at this Crestview dive bar, which has holiday decorations up all year. The holiday season is a perfect time to revisit Lala’s for a Santa’s Irish Coffee.

2207 Justin Ln, Austin, TX 78757
(512) 487-5297
(512) 487-5297

Also featured in:

Mozart's Coffee Roasters

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The Lake Austin coffee shop hosts a light show through Friday, January 6, 2023, with food from the Bavarian Marketplace on site and festive drinks like peppermint hot cocoa. Tickets are available online.

3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 477-2900
(512) 477-2900

Otopia Rooftop Lounge

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The campus-area rooftop has a winter solstice party through Saturday, February 18 with rentable igloos, wintery drinks, and snacks.

1901 San Antonio St Unit 1100, Austin, TX 78705
(737) 243-9040
(737) 243-9040

Also featured in:

Nickel City

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The favorite Central East Austin bar will transform again for the holidays into Sippin’ Santa, a tiki spinoff of Miracle, for the fifth time.

1133 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702

Also featured in:

The Eleanor

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Pop-up bar Miracle on 5th Street is returning to the Eleanor for the fifth year, bringing kitschy decor and festive cocktails next door to sibling spot Roosevelt Room. Look for drinks like the mulled wine drink and the Christmapolitan. It opens on Thursday, November 17, and runs through Tuesday, December 27. Takeout drinks will also be available.

307 W 5th St Unit A, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 494-4094
(512) 494-4094

Also featured in:

Wanderlust Wine Co.

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The downtown wine bar is hosting Christmas-themed pop-up Tinseltown starting Tuesday, November 20 through Friday, December 30. Tickets include entry to the themed bar and a drink for $22.

610 N Interstate Hwy 35, Austin, TX 78701
(956) 212-7848
(956) 212-7848

W Austin

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The W Hotel’s Secret Bar is getting an après ski theme with festive beverages and snacks from Thursday, December 1 through Wednesday, December 28.

200 Lavaca St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 542-3600
(512) 542-3600

Also featured in:

The Cavalier

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The East Austin bar is again hosting a Nostalgic Noel pop-up with drinks like Rocko’s Modern Toddy (with bourbon, fig syrup, lemon, and walnut bitters) and Dexter’s Laboratory (color-changing butterfly pea tea, tequila, lime, pineapple, honey, and fire bitters served in a beaker). The menu — which guests can peruse via Viewfinder toys — is available from Wednesday, December 14 through Wednesday, December 28.

2400 Webberville Rd suite a, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 696-4318
(512) 696-4318
Guests at the Cavalier’s east Austin holiday cocktail popup read the retro cartoon-themed beverage menu inside vintage View Masters.
Guests at the Cavalier’s east Austin holiday cocktail popup read the retro cartoon-themed beverage menu inside vintage View Masters.
Corey Davenport

Also featured in:

Fairmont Austin

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The downtown hotel is giving its seventh floor an après ski makeover with cabanas for rent, a festive light show, and themed food and drink.

101 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 600-2000
(512) 600-2000

Also featured in:

Four Seasons Hotel Austin

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The Four Seasons is launching an Ice Rodeo on November 19. There’s a gingerbread Airstream trailer, an outdoor ice rink surrounded by rentable cabins. The cabins serve a winter menu for skaters including boozy s’mores, poutine, and festive drinks like a mistletoe mule.

98 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-4500
(512) 478-4500
A toasted marshmallow on top of a graham cracker on a blue plate on a white marble counter
S’mores from the Four Seasons
Four Seasons Hotel Austin

Also featured in:

Kitty Cohen's

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The Webberville bar will host its fourth annual Hanukkah pop-up from Thursday, December 1 through Friday, December 30. In addition to drink specials, this year’s celebrations feature baked goods from pastry chef Amanda Rockman, including Hanukkah cookies during the holidays and rugelach, a cocktail served with a star of David chai shortbread with a citrus glaze. Jewboy Burgers will also pop up on Monday, December 19.

2211 Webberville Rd #3548, Austin, TX 78702
three drinks (blue, brown, and teal) behind dreidels
Drinks from Kitty Cohen’s
Kitty Cohen’s/Official

Also featured in:

Geraldine's

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The rooftop bar at the Hotel Van Zandt turns festive during the holidays with igloos containing record players and cozy seating and themed drinks. The igloos are available starting Thursday, December 1.

605 Davis St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 476-4755
(512) 476-4755

Also featured in:

Sunny's Backyard

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The vegan pub in Govalle is hosting a Christmas pop-up through Saturday, December 31 with drinks like boozy hot chocolate and a Secret Santa, which is like a mint chocolate chip martini. The bar is also decorated with tinsel, trees, and lights.

3526 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 520-5760
(512) 520-5760
A bar decorated with holiday lights, tinsel, and a tree
The Christmas pop-up at Sunny’s Backyard
Sunny’s Backyard

Also featured in:

Gibson Street Bar

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Gibson Wonderland will pop up for the month of December, with winter cocktails and festive decorations.

1109 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 386-1345
(512) 386-1345

Also featured in:

Lucky Robot

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South Congress sushi restaurant Lucky Robot is hosting a Christmas-themed pop up starting Thursday, November 17, with twinkle lights, wreaths, trees, and over 1,000 ornaments.

1303 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 444-8081
(512) 444-8081
A ceiling with paper lanterns and many ornaments hanging from it
Decorations at Lucky Robot
Lucky Robot

Also featured in:

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Austin Motel

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The Austin Motel is hosting Winter Wanderland festivities Thursday through Sunday with s’mores and themed cocktails at the decorated pool area like peppermint hot chocolate and a Pina Snow-lada. Each day also has a dedicated activity, like carol sing-a-longs and Drag Mrs. Claus on Saturdays.

1220 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 441-1157
(512) 441-1157
A fence with pink garlands and colorful tinsel hanging from trees
The Austin Motel decorated for Winter Wanderland
Austin Motel

Also featured in:

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Lala's Little Nugget

2207 Justin Ln, Austin, TX 78757

It’s always Christmas at this Crestview dive bar, which has holiday decorations up all year. The holiday season is a perfect time to revisit Lala’s for a Santa’s Irish Coffee.

2207 Justin Ln, Austin, TX 78757
(512) 487-5297
(512) 487-5297

Mozart's Coffee Roasters

3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703

The Lake Austin coffee shop hosts a light show through Friday, January 6, 2023, with food from the Bavarian Marketplace on site and festive drinks like peppermint hot cocoa. Tickets are available online.

3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 477-2900
(512) 477-2900

Otopia Rooftop Lounge

1901 San Antonio St Unit 1100, Austin, TX 78705

The campus-area rooftop has a winter solstice party through Saturday, February 18 with rentable igloos, wintery drinks, and snacks.

1901 San Antonio St Unit 1100, Austin, TX 78705
(737) 243-9040
(737) 243-9040

Nickel City

1133 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702

The favorite Central East Austin bar will transform again for the holidays into Sippin’ Santa, a tiki spinoff of Miracle, for the fifth time.

1133 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702

The Eleanor

307 W 5th St Unit A, Austin, TX 78701

Pop-up bar Miracle on 5th Street is returning to the Eleanor for the fifth year, bringing kitschy decor and festive cocktails next door to sibling spot Roosevelt Room. Look for drinks like the mulled wine drink and the Christmapolitan. It opens on Thursday, November 17, and runs through Tuesday, December 27. Takeout drinks will also be available.

307 W 5th St Unit A, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 494-4094
(512) 494-4094

Wanderlust Wine Co.

610 N Interstate Hwy 35, Austin, TX 78701

The downtown wine bar is hosting Christmas-themed pop-up Tinseltown starting Tuesday, November 20 through Friday, December 30. Tickets include entry to the themed bar and a drink for $22.

610 N Interstate Hwy 35, Austin, TX 78701
(956) 212-7848
(956) 212-7848

W Austin

200 Lavaca St, Austin, TX 78701

The W Hotel’s Secret Bar is getting an après ski theme with festive beverages and snacks from Thursday, December 1 through Wednesday, December 28.

200 Lavaca St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 542-3600
(512) 542-3600

The Cavalier

2400 Webberville Rd suite a, Austin, TX 78702

The East Austin bar is again hosting a Nostalgic Noel pop-up with drinks like Rocko’s Modern Toddy (with bourbon, fig syrup, lemon, and walnut bitters) and Dexter’s Laboratory (color-changing butterfly pea tea, tequila, lime, pineapple, honey, and fire bitters served in a beaker). The menu — which guests can peruse via Viewfinder toys — is available from Wednesday, December 14 through Wednesday, December 28.

2400 Webberville Rd suite a, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 696-4318
(512) 696-4318
Guests at the Cavalier’s east Austin holiday cocktail popup read the retro cartoon-themed beverage menu inside vintage View Masters.
Guests at the Cavalier’s east Austin holiday cocktail popup read the retro cartoon-themed beverage menu inside vintage View Masters.
Corey Davenport

Fairmont Austin

101 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701

The downtown hotel is giving its seventh floor an après ski makeover with cabanas for rent, a festive light show, and themed food and drink.

101 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 600-2000
(512) 600-2000

Four Seasons Hotel Austin

98 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701

The Four Seasons is launching an Ice Rodeo on November 19. There’s a gingerbread Airstream trailer, an outdoor ice rink surrounded by rentable cabins. The cabins serve a winter menu for skaters including boozy s’mores, poutine, and festive drinks like a mistletoe mule.

98 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-4500
(512) 478-4500
A toasted marshmallow on top of a graham cracker on a blue plate on a white marble counter
S’mores from the Four Seasons
Four Seasons Hotel Austin

Kitty Cohen's

2211 Webberville Rd #3548, Austin, TX 78702

The Webberville bar will host its fourth annual Hanukkah pop-up from Thursday, December 1 through Friday, December 30. In addition to drink specials, this year’s celebrations feature baked goods from pastry chef Amanda Rockman, including Hanukkah cookies during the holidays and rugelach, a cocktail served with a star of David chai shortbread with a citrus glaze. Jewboy Burgers will also pop up on Monday, December 19.

2211 Webberville Rd #3548, Austin, TX 78702
three drinks (blue, brown, and teal) behind dreidels
Drinks from Kitty Cohen’s
Kitty Cohen’s/Official

Geraldine's

605 Davis St, Austin, TX 78701

The rooftop bar at the Hotel Van Zandt turns festive during the holidays with igloos containing record players and cozy seating and themed drinks. The igloos are available starting Thursday, December 1.

605 Davis St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 476-4755
(512) 476-4755

Sunny's Backyard

3526 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702

The vegan pub in Govalle is hosting a Christmas pop-up through Saturday, December 31 with drinks like boozy hot chocolate and a Secret Santa, which is like a mint chocolate chip martini. The bar is also decorated with tinsel, trees, and lights.

3526 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 520-5760
(512) 520-5760
A bar decorated with holiday lights, tinsel, and a tree
The Christmas pop-up at Sunny’s Backyard
Sunny’s Backyard

Gibson Street Bar

1109 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

Gibson Wonderland will pop up for the month of December, with winter cocktails and festive decorations.

1109 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 386-1345
(512) 386-1345

Lucky Robot

1303 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704

South Congress sushi restaurant Lucky Robot is hosting a Christmas-themed pop up starting Thursday, November 17, with twinkle lights, wreaths, trees, and over 1,000 ornaments.

1303 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 444-8081
(512) 444-8081
A ceiling with paper lanterns and many ornaments hanging from it
Decorations at Lucky Robot
Lucky Robot

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Austin Motel

1220 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704

The Austin Motel is hosting Winter Wanderland festivities Thursday through Sunday with s’mores and themed cocktails at the decorated pool area like peppermint hot chocolate and a Pina Snow-lada. Each day also has a dedicated activity, like carol sing-a-longs and Drag Mrs. Claus on Saturdays.

1220 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 441-1157
(512) 441-1157
A fence with pink garlands and colorful tinsel hanging from trees
The Austin Motel decorated for Winter Wanderland
Austin Motel

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