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For the past few years, more and more bars have been decking their halls with snowflakes, twinkly lights, and tinsel, and it doesn’t look like the trend is going anywhere. Call them kitschy, call them gimmicky, but call them what they are: festive goldmines that cash in on our desire for a holly jolly escape through drinks christened with punny holiday names.
Whether you’re looking for eggnog served out of a Santa head, fake-snow-dusted visuals for your TikTok, or just a really, really spiked hot cocoa, these are the 21 Denver-area Christmas bars you need to know about.
The Miracle Pop-Ups
The OG Christmas bar franchise returns to Denver this year with three locations, plus two tiki takeovers. This is where you’ll drink a cognac- and sherry-boosted Jingle Balls Nog out of a mug of Santa’s pants or a white Russian–esque Rudolph’s Replacement out of a Santa-hatted T-Rex. While the drink menu is standardized across the almost 200 Miracle franchises, it’s up to each spot to go big on the fake snow and inflatable reindeer.
Details: The three Denver-area Miracles are: Miracle at Union Station (Nov. 22–Dec. 29; Monday–Friday, 4 p.m.–12 a.m.; Saturday–Sunday, 2 p.m.–12 a.m.), Miracle at the Eddy (Golden; Nov. 22–Dec. 30; Sunday–Thursday, 4–9 p.m. Friday–Saturday, 4–10 p.m.), and Miracle on Main Street (Louisville; Nov. 22–Dec. 24, 4–10 p.m.). The Sippin’ Santa tiki version of Miracle is once again at the Arvada Tavern (Nov. 24–Dec. 26) and newly at Ay Papi (Nov. 21–Jan. 6, Sunday–Wednesday, 3 p.m.–1 a.m.; Thursday–Saturday, 3 p.m.–2 a.m.).
NOEL at the Bluegrass Lounge
For five years, Olde Town Arvada’s Bluegrass Lounge has been decking its halls with nearly half a million lights and tons of decorations to create NOEL, a family-friendly Christmas bar. (Or at least as family-friendly as a spot featuring a When I Think About You I Touch My Elf cocktail can be.) It will host community events all month long, from holiday karaoke to bingo to visits from Santa himself each Wednesday.
Details: 7415 Grandview Ave., Arvada; Dec. 1–29
Avantiki
Avanti decided to ditch the Miracle label this year and strike out on its own with Avantiki. This means fewer snowflakes and more surfing Santas, plus a menu full of tropical cocktails like boozy punch bowls full of paper umbrellas. Stop into the rooftop Wolf Bar to see it for yourself, and BYOSHS (bring your own Santa Hawaiian shirt).
Details: 3200 Pecos St.; Nov. 24–Dec. 29
The Electric Cure’s Krampus Room
Sometimes you just need to trade jolly old St. Nick for a child-eating, half-demon monster. This satanic tiki bar is not for everyone, but if a Back Door Santa cocktail sounds pretty good and you’re open to using a photo with Krampus for your annual Christmas card, this could be the holiday bar for you.
Details: 5350 W. 25th Ave., Edgewater; Dec. 1–31, Tuesday–Thursday, 5 p.m.–12 a.m.; Friday, 3 p.m.–2 a.m.; Saturday, 2 p.m.–2 a.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m.–12 a.m.
My Neighbor Felix’s Felix Navidad
Christmas dreams do come true, if your Christmas dream is to take a shot of Rumchata, peppermint schnapps, and tequila out of a cookie. My Neighbor Felix is bringing the cookie shots and mistletoe margaritas to its four outrageously overdressed locations. The LoHi restaurant is completely decked out, while the Boulder, Centennial, and Colorado Springs outposts have a section dedicated to Christmas cheer.
Details: Multiple locations; Nov. 25–Jan. 8
Call to Arms Brewing’s Big Holiday Energy
We love that a brewery is entrepreneurial enough to get in on the lucrative Christmas bar market. .
%7D” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>The taproom will be hosting a daily advent calendar, a scavenger duck hunt, and a giant stocking raffle, not to mention a Hanukkah showroom and dangling Christmas trees from the ceiling.
Details: 4526 Tennyson St.; Nov. 22–Dec. 31; Monday, 3–9 p.m.; Tuesday–Thursday, 3–10 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, 2–11 p.m.; Sunday 12–9 p.m.
Pindustry on Ice
Pindustry sets its Christmas pop-up bar apart from the 20-some others with a rooftop ice rink. The Greenwood Village spot’s Pindustry on Ice combines snowy mountain views, open-air rooftop skating, and toasted marshmallow martinis for a hard-to-beat holiday drinking experience. If the weather’s a little rough or you’re not so swift on skates, head next door to the Rouge’s indoor holiday bar.
Details: 7939 E. Arapahoe Road, Greenwood Village; Nov. 24–March 2024; Monday–Friday, 4 p.m.–close; Saturday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–close
Hilton Denver Inverness’ Blazing Bright
Down sleigh shots in the Hilton’s Fireside Bar & Grill, which has been transformed into the winter wonderland that is Blazing Bright. Stop by on the weekend for the boozy hot cocoa bar.
Details: 200 Inverness Drive West, Englewood; Dec. 1–Jan. 1; Tuesday–Saturday, 4–10 p.m.
Sheraton Denver Downtown’s Bezel Lodge
More wintry than Christmassy, Bezel Lodge on the 16th Street Mall is a classier alternative to the Santas and snowmen that populate your typical Christmas bar (that’s assuming you consider a fake ski lift photo-op classy). The ski-lodge-themed decor includes fuzzy blankets, heat lamps, and that chairlift prop, plus hot cocktails to keep you warm.
Details: 1550 Court Place; Dec. 1–March, Tuesday–Thursday 4–11 p.m.; Friday 4 p.m.–12 a.m.; Saturday 5 p.m.–12 a.m.
Honor Farm’s The Ghosts of Christmas Past & Hell or High Water’s How the Grinch Stole Tiki
These two bars housed in the same LoDo building will appeal to those looking for an offbeat take on the holidays. The first floor’s Honor Farm is going spooky with the Ghosts of Christmas Past haunted holiday bar, while the mezzanine-level Hell or High Water Tiki is transforming into How the Grinch Stole Tiki. Soak up all those tasty drinks with the Samosa Shop’s kitchen takeover starting Dec. 10.
Details: 1526 Blake St.; Dec. 1–31; Tuesday–Thursday, 5–11 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, 5 p.m.–1 a.m.; Sunday, 3–11 p.m.
Adrift’s Snowdrift
If Mele Kalikimaka is more your Christmas vibe, there’s no better spot than Snowdrift, where you’ll find fire-torched cocktails, an icicle-bedecked bar, and holiday totems. Because nothing says tropical Christmas more than sipping on a cranberry-spiked Mai Tai while sitting in Adrift’s heated patio.
Details: 218 S. Broadway; Nov. 24–Dec. 30; Tuesday–Thursday, 5–11 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, 4 p.m.–12 a.m.
Tinseltown: The Christmas Speakeasy
Hidden Denver’s Christmas Speakeasy is full of hanging trees, elves, Christmassy cocktails, and, yes, tinsel. Taking over the Venue at Denver Pavilions, this annual pop-up ($15 per ticket, which includes one drink) will have you overflowing with the spirit.
Details: 500 16th St., Suite 320; Nov. 24–Dec. 30
Death & Co.’s Holiday Suite
For those who are a little more discerning with their holiday-themed cocktails, head to Suite 6A inside the Ramble Hotel, where Death & Co.’s annual Holiday Suite takes over once again. Wintry drinks, festive bites, and merriment will ensue.
Details: 1280 25th St.; Dec. 7–Dec. 30; Thursday–Sunday, 5 p.m.–12 a.m.
Mile High Spirits Christmas Pop-up Bar
For a late-night holiday bar whose audience might skew a little younger, hit up Mile High Spirits on Friday and Saturday nights beginning at 10 p.m. Down four holiday-themed shots (not necessarily in one night) and party with Santa the weekend before Christmas.
Details: 2201 Lawrence St.; Nov. 24–Dec. 23; Friday–Saturday, 10 p.m.–1:30 a.m.
Naughty or Nice? A Choose Your Own Immersive Christmas Adventure
Two holiday experiences await you at Zeppelin Station’s pop-up ($20 per ticket, which includes one drink). You could be transported to the idyllic North Pole full of candy canes and cookies, or you could slide on into the naughty world of Krampus. Which will you choose? Either way, there will be themed cocktails and an immersive Christmas mystery to be solved.
Details: 3501 Wazee St.; Nov. 25–Dec. 23; Thursday–Sunday
