The Best Holiday Bars and Christmas Pop-Ups in Dallas

If you're struggling to get into the holiday spirit or perhaps you can't embrace it enough, here are some places around North Texas where you can make the most of the season. A lot of restaurants and bars have their best holiday sweater on. And if you're looking for restaurants open on Christmas Eve and Day, check our full list of best spots.

Miracle on Lowest Greenville at Hide Bar

1928 Greenville Ave.

We love Hide. It's a beautiful space with a great bar and the food is stellar. Throw some twinkle lights at it, slap some big red bows around and we're game. Check out the full display in this quick Instagram clip. If you have family in town and you want to show them a bit of Dallas holiday charm, this is a great start. Then head up to the Sipping Santa pop-up on Hide's rooftop for some tropical vibes and libations. Holiday cheer is best served in a tiki mug.

The French Room's Winter Village at the Adolphus

1321 Commerce St.

You might want to throw some taffeta on before heading over to this upscale winter wonderland at the Adolphus. You don't need reservations to take pictures in front of the soaring tree or get hot chocolate in the lobby (or a cocktail at the bar for mom and dad). After soaking in the holiday spirit at this posh and elegant hotel downtown, go see the Santa display at Neiman's (and hit the perfume counter — try Hermes' Barenia.)

Ski Lodge Pop-Up at Happiest Hour

2616 Olive. St.

Happiest Hour in the Harwood District, which is one of our Top 100 Bars, is fun any time of the year, but from Dec. 16 through Jan. 31, the rooftop will transform into a cozy ski lodge with specialty cocktails like the Campfire Mile, Hard Apple Cider, Frosted Espresso Bliss and a pecan old fashioned.

Snow at Yellow Rosa

2901 Commerce St.

It snows every 30 minutes indoors at Yellow Rosa’s holiday pop-up. They also have a solo mariachi guitarist singing holiday songs on occasion. Get a keepsake cocktail in festive glasses that you can take home at the end of the night. Come hungry for some Mexican fare (which is fantastic here), and wear your holiday best for the snowy photo ops. This pop-up lasts through January 15 and reservations are strongly recommended. They're usually packed.

Winter Village at The Adolphus

1321 Commerce St.

The Adolphus has created a rooftop Winter Village, an apres-ski scene with chalets, cozy blanks and warm boozy cocktails. There's also a full food menu. A cabana (or chalet) for two to four guests is $275 and includes a bottle of Moet and valet parking. You can get a larger cabana for $399 with two bottles of Champagne. This is sold out, but set an alarm for reservations because people cancel more than you might think (in general).

José

4931 Lovers Lane

The lovely José (one of our top 100 restaurants) on Lovers Lane is in the spirit. The already charming space is decked out in holiday decor and has a special cocktail, like the Burrito Sabanero, made with Casa Noble Blanco, rosemary and cranberry cordial, Italicus liquor and a splash of Topo Chico. And the best part is it's only $10 through the holiday season. Jose also has cocktail kits for your holiday party, which you can buy on their website.

Campo Verde

2918 W. Pioneer Parkway (Arlington)

This Sonoran-style Tex-Mex restaurant in Arlington might be the original Christmas pop-up. It's beyond bedazzled. They start hanging lights in early fall and keep the full display up through February to make sure everyone gets a chance to experience this kaleidoscope of crazy. The restaurant got new owners a few years ago (read the full update) and they gave the place a good scrubbing, but the circa 1970 and '80 decor remains. It's odd and wonderful. You can even smoke at the bar. Throughout December, the lines will be long so if you go (and you should), be prepared to wait. And, yes, the train still does laps around the bar.

Eggnog Flights at Irish Bars

The Crafty Irishman, The Playwright, Cannon's Corner and Patrick Kennedy's

In addition to festive holiday decor, this group of Irish pubs, all under the same ownership, will have egg nog flights, each made with Tullamore D.E.W Irish whiskey for $25 each. The eggnog flavors include Gingerbread House, Chocolate Covered Orange, Cookies and Cream and an Irish Heart Warmer. Sounds like a good warm-up for an office party. The Playwright is in the Arts District and perfect for a pre-show dinner and drink.

Christmas at the Anatole

Hilton Anatole, 2201 N. Stemmons Freeway
Through Dec. 24

The landmark luxury hotel is celebrating the holiday season with its tree maze, Ferris wheel and 40-foot Snowy Summit Slide. The Bavarian Village will bring the spirit of European Christmas markets with twinkling lights, artisanal crafts and seasonal treats. Book your experience online, whether you’re an overnight guest or just want a festive afternoon. Tickets start at $20 for general admission and go up to $179 for a full experience and a room.

Holiday House

Leela’s Wine Bar, Uptown, Lower Greenville and Trophy Club locations
Through Jan. 6

Leela's has given milk and cookies a new meaning with its boozy concoction, which comes with a shot-glass-shaped cookie. All three locations are celebrating the holiday season with festive decor, lights and drinks. Bonus: We love the thin-crust pizza here. Enjoy a different experience at each location with pink holiday shimmers in Uptown, a classic red-and-green wonderland on Lower Greenville and dark greens, shimmers and woody details in Trophy Club. Walk-ins are always welcome, but reservations can be made at the Uptown and Trophy Club locations.

Holiday Pub Pop-Up

Harwood Arms, 2823 McKinnon St.
Through Dec. 31

The British pub is decked out in festive decor and has your holiday-themed food and beverages covered. Indulge in a mini curried chicken hand pie, Grinch dip, gingerbread crème brûlée or drinks like a Snowball Old Fashioned or Bad Santa shot — we need the latter in our bones.

Hot Frosty

Crush Bar, 2914 Oak Lawn Ave.

The newest gay bar is hosting Oak Lawn’s only holiday pop-up bar with a homage to Netflix’s Hot Frosty, starring Schitt's Creek alum Dustin Milligan, "Ted Mullens," which we love for him. Boop. The Christmas takeover includes holiday-themed drag shows, cookie-decorating parties, photos with Sexy Santa and a naughty cocktail list with Christmas Punch, The Grinch, Frosty’s Candy Cane and more. Feeling spicy? Don’t miss your chance to ride the “Mechanical Willie.”

Mariah Carey’s Black Irish Holiday Bar

Virgin Hotels, 1445 Turtle Creek Blvd.
Through Dec. 29

As a wise woman once said, “It’s tiiiime!” The bar at the Virgin Hotel is celebrating 30 years of the iconic “All I Want for Christmas” with a monthlong popup with twinkling lights, seasonal decor and a warm atmosphere. Entry is $20 per 90 minutes, but that includes a Black Irish cocktail upon entry. Highlights include festive drinks (such as a “Make My Wish Come True Martini”) and snacks like Frosty’s Flatbread and truffle fries. Embrace the holiday spirit with photo opps and secure your spot on the nice list by writing a letter to Mariah. Save your spot online.

St. Henry’s Winter Wonderland

The Henry, 2301 N. Akard St.
Through Jan. 5

No need for a partridge in a pear tree when you can order a margarita tree on the rooftop of The Henry. The holiday pop-up has a $6 cover, with a portion of proceeds benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters. Enter through the main door and head upstairs to the fairy-light-adorned winter takeover for festive cocktails and elevated comfort food accompanied by fire pits.

Tipsy Elf

Bishop Arts, 250 N. Bishop Ave.

Paradiso and Bar Eden are joining forces yet again for this fan favorite. Guests will enter through Bishop Lane to a winter wonderland with “off-key karaoke,” Santa’s Twerkshop, a Tipsy Family Den and more. Events like Tipsy Bingo, SantaCon Weekend, A Very Whoville Weekend and more will “keep Dallas tipsy.” Bar highlights include a Mistletoe Margarita, North Pole Bunny Ranch Water, Son of a Nutcracker and Snow Job shot.

A Very Merry Village

The Village Country Club, 5606 Village Glen Drive
Through Dec. 30

The 20-something apartment haven is again hosting A Very Merry Village, with floor-to-ceiling decor and festive cocktails like Mrs. Claus’ Cranberry Spritz or a Santarita. Events include an ugly sweater party, a gingerbread house workshop, karaoke night and more.

Walking in a Whipper Wonderland

The Whippersnapper, 1806 McMillan Ave.
Through Dec. 28

The bar known for its pop-ups will be hosting a Barbie-like Christmas takeover with pink-themed drinks, photo-ops and nightly entertainment. Pink holiday attire not required (but encouraged).

The Westin SNOWbriar

The Westin Stonebriar Resort & Spa, 1549 Legacy Drive, Frisco

The resort and spa is curating a winter wonderland in Frisco. For $100, up to five guests can have their own private snowglobe for 90 minutes with a bottle of prosecco and s’mores to roast by the fire. There’s also the Little Glamper’s Holiday Package, which guests can add to elevate their stay with milk and cookies, s’mores, holiday decor and a letter-to-Santa gift.

Winter Wonderland

La Parisienne, 6740 Winning Drive, Frisco
Through Feb. 28

Local artist Mark Majedi curated a winter design inspired by La Parisienne owner Mondi Tag’s winter travels to Paris three years ago. The winter pop-up transports guests to a Parisian experience with snowy pine trees, birch wood, flocked garlands and snow-covered wreaths. Drinks include a Cranberry Moscow Mule, Peppermint Old Fashioned Eggnog, Christmas Cookie Martini and Pumpkin Spiced White Russian. Daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., there’s also a Winter Wonderland Holiday Tea with tea, sandwiches and holiday-themed pasties starting at $55 a person. Tea reservations are required 48 hours in advance.