Atlanta’s Best Holiday Bars: Part 1

Even the biggest Grinch can find something to love at Atlanta’s best holiday bars. Photo courtesy of Mercantile Social.

‘Tis the season for making spirits bright. As the holiday season kicks into high gear, bars and restaurants all across the Atlanta metro are breaking out the tinsel and their most creative tipples to transform ordinary spaces into festive experiences jolly enough to make even Scrooge crack a smile.

From rooftop sips with a side of skyline views to Christmas movie-themed bars and seasonal speakeasies, these are some of Atlanta’s best holiday bars delivering a hearty dose of festive cheer. 

Jingle Bar at Chattahoochee Food Works (Upper Westside)

Best known for its eclectic collection of street food stalls, Chattahoochee Food Works transforms its enclosed patio bar into a winter wonderland complete with twinkling lights, oversized wreaths, and of course, plenty of festive sips. From Black Friday (November 28) through December 31, Jingle Bar invites you to pull up a seat and enjoy merry spirits like spiked hot chocolate alongside festive treats and a cozy vibe that just might make you feel like you’ve stepped into a Hallmark movie. As one of Atlanta’s best holiday bars, reservations are highly recommended!

Where is Jingle Bar?

Jingle Bar is located inside the Chattahoochee Food Works food hall at 1235 Chattahoochee Avenue NW, Suite 130, Atlanta, Georiga 30318.

When can I visit Jingle Bar?

Jingle Bar at Chattahoochee Food Works runs Thursdays through Sundays from Black Friday (November 29) through December 31. The Atlanta holiday bar opens at 5 pm Thursdays and Fridays, and noon on Saturdays and Sundays. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are highly recommended.

Holiday Bar (West Midtown)

Fire pits and Italian lights make Holiday Bar a year-round destination for cozy coffees and cocktails. This holiday season, the bar reaches festive new heights with a Nightmare Before Christmas-themed takeover. Come for the over-the-top creepy Christmas decor and stay for the live music and inventive sips like the eggnog-inspired Bone Daddy cocktail or the whisky-based Oogie Boogie with peach soda. Get in the spirit of the season now through December 31. 

Photos courtesy of @howtofoodgasm and Holiday Bar

Where is Holiday Bar?

Holiday Bar is located at The Interlock complex in West Midtown. For directions, punch 1115 Howell Mill Road NW P150, Atlanta, Georgia 30318 into your GPS. Paid parking can be found in the deck beneath the complex.

When can I visit Holiday Bar?

Holiday Bar’s Nightmare Before Christmas pop-up runs through December 31. The bar opens at 10 am daily, closing at 11 pm Monday through Thursday, 1 am on Friday and Saturday, and 10 pm on Sundays. Holiday Bar is a first-come, first-served establishment and doesn’t accept reservations.

Chrismukkah Bar at Daily Chew (Brookhaven)

Daily Chew serves up cozy cafe vibes all year long, but this holiday season it’s offering something a little different. Inspired by chef-owner Julia Kesler Imerman’s South African-Jewish roots, the Brookhaven eatery is upping the festive ante with a one-two punch of tradition in its first-ever Chrismukkah Bar. From December 6 through 25, the cafe will deck the halls with holiday decor, serve up seasonal snacks like latkes and caviar, and pour yuletide tipples (yuzu pine margarita, anyone?) to complete the celebratory scene. 

Where is Chrismukkah Bar?

Chrismukkah Bar is an Atlanta holiday bar hosted by the Daily Chew in Brookhaven. The pop-up can be found at 2127 Liddell Drive NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30324.

When can I visit Chrismukkah Bar?

Chrismukkah Bar starts on December 6 and runs 5 to 9 pm every Friday and Saturday through Christmas.

The Blind Elf (Buckhead)

Beloved for its seasonal pop-ups, The Blind Pig Parlour Bar brings the festive season to Buckhead with the return of The Blind Elf speakeasy, officially opening on November 7. Whimsical holiday decor makes spirits bright, as does a menu of seasonal sips like the Silent Night Margarita (tequila, lime, cinnamon-maple syrup, orange liqueur, mole bitters, and orange peel) or the Polar Express Martini (vodka, coffee and peppermint liqueurs, cold brew, cream of coconut, and dark chocolate).

Pair your beverage with cozycore bites like braised short rib sliders or sticky toffee cake with butterscotch caramel. If you can’t decide what to try, opt for The Blind Elf Experience, which includes two specialty cocktails and two appetizers per person for $74, including tax and tip.

Photos courtesy of The Blind Elf

Where is The Blind Elf?

The Blind Elf is located behind Chido & Padre’s in Buckhead at 128 East Andrews Drive NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30305.

When can I visit The Blind Elf?

The Blind Elf The pop-up opens to the public on Friday, Nov. 7, operating Tuesday through Sunday through Nov. 23, before expanding to seven days a week starting Monday, Nov. 24. Weekday reservations are available from 4 to 11 p.m.

Beginning Nov. 29, the bar opens from noon to 11 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, with a special kid-friendly window on Sundays from noon to 3 p.m. 

Reservations for this top Atlanta holiday bar are not required but are highly recommended. The eight bar seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Ski Chalet Pop-Up Bar at HOBNOB Halcyon (Forsyth)

The mountains have come to the Atlanta metro suburbs this holiday season with the return of HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern’s Ski Chalet Pop-Up Bar. Decked out with festive flair, this rooftop retreat serves up apres-ski classics like caramel apple hot toddies and peppermint martinis along with a hearty menu of mountain fare. Festive photo ops and live music on weekends add to the spirited vibe, while a roaring fire keeps things cozy all season long. Pull up a seat from November 5 through December 31 to soak up the Alpine ambiance.

Photos courtesy of HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern

Where is Ski Chalet Pop-Up Bar?

The Ski Chalet Pop-Up Bar is located on the second floor of HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern near Halcyon food hall in Forsyth. The address is 6690 Town Square #420, Alpharetta, Georgia 30005.

When can I visit Ski Chalet Pop-Up Bar?

One of Atlanta’s best holiday bars, the Ski Chalet Pop-Up at HOBNOB Halcyon is open from November 5 through December 31. Reservations are not required and the bar operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

Holidays on the Roof at Ponce City Market (Old Fourth Ward)

Holiday cheer reaches new heights as The Roof at Ponce City Market transforms into an all-ages winter wonderland. The active set can enjoy ice skating (as well as carnival games) at Skyline Park, while those seeking a more leisurely experience can rent a Nine Mile Station Igloo to enjoy Southern fare in the comfort of a heated igloo with a side of skyline views.

Among the festivities is Holiday Social bar, a Christmas-themed pop-up in the Ponce City Market Tower boasting whimsical decor and seasonal sips to suit just about any palate. Looking for something a little more upscale? MixMas on 12 offers a more subdued holiday ambiance as well as cocktail-making classes every Friday starting November 15. 

Photos courtesy of The Roof at Ponce City Market

Where is Holidays on the Roof?

One of Atlanta’s best holiday bars can be found on the roof of Ponce City Market at 675 Ponce De Leon Avenue NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30308.

When can I visit Holidays on the Roof?

The Holidays on the Roof pop-up experiences including Skate the Sky, Holiday Social bar, and Nine Mile Station Igloos can be enjoyed between November 27 and January 5. Reservations are required for Skate the Sky and the igloos.

Miracle Bar (Virginia Highlands)

Miracle Bar Atlanta is the ultimate holiday escape. Decked out from floor to ceiling with over-the-top festive decor, the Virginia Highlands pop-up boasts plenty of twinkling lights, tinsel galore, and a dash of kitschy charm. The ambiance is pure Christmas cheer, with classic holiday tunes setting the mood and a warm buzz of excitement in the air.

The cocktails are as playful as the decor, with creative concoctions like the Snowball Old-Fashioned or Christmapolitan served in whimsical glassware. It’s the perfect spot to gather your crew, snap some festive pics, and dive headfirst into the holiday spirit. Miracle Bar opens for the season on Black Friday (November 29) and doesn’t take reservations.

Photos courtesy of Miracle Bar

Where is Miracle Bar?

Miracle Bar is a holiday pop-up bar located inside Tapa Tapa restaurant at 931 Monroe Drive NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30308.

When can I visit Miracle Bar?

Miracle Bar is open from 5 pm to midnight Wednesday through Sunday starting Black Friday (November 29) through the end of the year. The Atlanta holiday bar doesn’t take reservations, so you’ll want to arrive early to snag a seat.

Merry Grinchmas Pop-Up Bar at Mercantile Social (Alpharetta)

Things are looking green at Mercantile Social. The Alpharetta restaurant puts a nostalgic spin on the season with its annual Merry Grinchmas Pop-Up Bar, complete with Grinchy-decor (don’t miss the neon “Drink Up Grinches” sign), Whoville-inspired bites, and of course, plenty of themed cocktails to match. Feeling something fruit?

Go for the orange and blue curaco Dump it on Crumpet. Want something extra Christmassy? Try the Fa Who Foraze with peppermint moonshine and creme de cacao. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, get the Holiday Cheermeister Fudge Judge: A sweet concoction of caramel vodka, milk chocolate liqueur, and creme de cacao that might even make the Grinch’s heart (or waistline) grow three sizes.

Photos courtesy of Mercantile Social

Where is Merry Grinchmas Pop-Up Bar?

The Merry Grinchmas Pop-Up Bar is located inside Mercantile Social at 20 N Main Street, Alpharetta, Georgia 30004.

When can I visit Merry Grinchmas Pop-Up Bar?

Mercantile Social’s Merry Grinchmas Pop-Up Bar runs from November 6 through January 3. You can visit on a first-come, first-served basis Tuesday through Thursday nights from 5 until 11 pm and Friday and Saturday nights from 5 pm until 2 am.

Don’t forget to check out Atlanta’s best holiday pop-up bars part two for even more festive spirits!