Arizona Christmas bars serving nostalgia, kitsch, and eggnog cocktails

The Christmas season is officially here, and several bars around the Valley are going all out with tinsel, twinkling lights, and festive cocktails made with peppermint and eggnog. Whatever your holiday style, there’s probably a Christmas bar for you, whether you’re looking for kitschy decor, classic movie nostalgia or a more refined, subtle celebration.

Some bars offer walk-in seating, but many require reservations, so be sure to book your boozy holiday experiences in advance.

Here are 13 holiday pop-up bars to check out in metro Phoenix.

Bar Blitzen at Culinary Dropout

Culinary Dropout’s Tempe and Gilbert locations transform into Bar Blitzen from Nov. 19 to Jan. 3. Specialty cocktails include the Espress-Ho-Ho-Ho Tini made with your choice of Gran Centenario Reposado tequila or Three Olives vodka, Italian espresso liqueur, Spanish vanilla and spiced cold foam; and a Homemade Christmas whiskey shot made with Tin cup bourbon, Madagascar vanilla bean, cinnamon and organic cane sugar.

Details: 149 S. Farmer Ave., Suite 103, Tempe. 480-240-1601. Also, 383 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert. 480-418-3980, culinarydropout.com/bar-blitzen.

Blitzen’s at Oasis Bar

The Omni Scottsdale Montelucia is reintroducing Blitzen’s at Oasis Bar from Nov. 14 through Jan. 2. Seasonal cocktail creations include the Naughty or Spice made with bourbon, Lustau Palo cortado sherry, liquid alchemist pumpkin, lemon and angostura bitters; or the Frost Bite with ten to one white and aged rums, liquid alchemist coconut, Llord’s blue curacao, pineapple and lime. Snack options include miso tinsel with popcorn, wasabi peas, candied ginger and sesame sticks or Santa’s Secret cookie stash.

Details: 4949 E. Lincoln Dr., Scottsdale. 480-627-3200, omnihotels.com/hotels/scottsdale-montelucia/dining/blitzens.

Christmas in New York at 36Below

36Below, a secretive garden bar hidden beneath Sip Coffee & Beer, is celebrating Christmas with a New York-inspired cozy lounge decked in deep reds and greens with tasteful ornaments hanging from the ceiling. Christmas in New York runs now through Jan. 4.

Details: 3620 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. 480-336-8812, 36belowaz.com.

Feliz Navidad Cantina at Salt + Lime

Salt + Lime’s Feliz Navidad Cantina is one of the most popular Christmas pop-ups in the Valley. Reservations are required for the 90-minute experience that includes festive shots and spiced margaritas paired with Mexican food drizzled with appropriately colored red and green salsas.

Details: 9397 E. Shea Blvd., Suite 115, Scottsdale. 480-661-5463, saltandlimeaz.com.

Frosty Flamingo at Royale Kitchen & Cocktails

The Royale Kitchen & Cocktails is introducing the Frosty Flamingo Room, a tropical Christmas popup from Nov. 22 to Jan. 15. Everything is decked with pink Santa hats and Christmas lights. Frosty Flamingo specialty cocktails include a Ginger Jingle Mule, Christmas Cosmo and Holiday Spritz.

Details: 635 W. Glenrosa Ave., Suite 101, Phoenix. 602-293-3373, royalekitchenphx.com.

Get Merry Holiday Experience at Little Rituals

Little Rituals’ holiday pop-up bar returns Nov. 18 through Dec. 28. The Get Merry Experience celebrates holiday nostalgia, inspired by classic Christmas movies from the ’80s and ’90s. The limited-time festive menu features 14 craft cocktails inspired by popular holiday desserts such as pecan pie, carrot cake, latkes and apple crumble.

Details: 132 S. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-603-2050, littleritualsbar.com.

Gingerbread Dreams at Trophy Room

From Nov. 4 through Dec. 31, Trophy Room is transforming into a gingerbread-themed holiday experience. The bar is decorated with warm holiday lights and offers a handful of seasonal cocktails garnished with gingerbread cookies and mistletoe.

Details: 2 N. Central Ave., Suite 101, Phoenix. 602-562-3510, bestcocktailbarphoenix.com.

Journey to the North Pole at Carry On

Carry On, one of USA Today’s Bars of the Year for 2025, is getting in on the holiday spirit with a Journey to the North Pole, running from Nov. 7 through Dec. 24. The 90-minute experience includes a welcome cocktail, house-made peanuts, a Christmas tamale and milk and cookies. Carry On’s “flight attendants” are dressed in festive red velvet trimmed with white fur for the season.

Details: 2 N. Central Ave., Suite 101, Phoenix. carryonphx.com.

Miracle at the BLVD

Miracle Bar is back at the BLVD Kitchen + Bar in Scottsdale from Nov. 28 to Dec. 24. Miracle at the BLVD will feature live music every Friday and Saturday, and magic shows every Tuesday. Specialty cocktails include the Chrismapolitan made with vodka, elderflower, dry vermouth, spiced cranberry sauce, lime, rosemary and absinthe mist; and the Candy Cane Lane made with white rum, vanilla liqueur, dark crème de cacao, minty amaro, candy canes and soy milk.

Details: 7324 E. Indian School Road, Scottsdale. 480-481-0400, blvdscottsdale.com/miracle-bar.

Miracle at Floor 13

Miracle Bar is back at Floor 13 Rooftop Bar in Phoenix from Nov. 22 to Dec. 30. Floor 13 offers a 90-minute Christmas experience complete with festive food, drinks and decor. This year’s theme is a ski lodge, with food options such as Après ski sliders and Rudolph’s alpine charcuterie spread. Drinks include a Coconut Hot Chocolate made with aged Jamaican rum, amaretto, chocolate, hazelnut, coconut, coconut whipped cream and cacao dust; and a Jingle Balls Nog made with cognac, cream sherry, almond milk, cream, egg, vanilla and nutmeg.

Details: 15 E. Monroe St., Phoenix. 602-343-0008, floor13rooftopbar.com/miracle-bar.

Santa’s Love Shack at Sunny’s Lounge

Sunny’s Lounge in Phoenix transforms into Santa’s Love Shack for the entire month of December, offering a Christmas experience tailored to those who identify more with the “naughty list.” Decorations include plenty of tinsel, ornaments and elves in compromising positions. The drinks list includes all Sunny’s usual offerings plus some festive specials made with chai spices and Biscoff cookies.

Details: 2701 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. bartershake.com/sunnys-lounge/santas-love-shack.

Sippin’ Santa at Bitter & Twisted

Sippin’ Santa is open at Bitter & Twisted in downtown Phoenix until Dec. 28. Sippin’ Santa offers Christmas tiki drinks such as the Wreck the Halls made with Caribbean overproof rum, lime, tawny port, maple and vanilla syrups and figgy bitters; or if you want something warm, there’s the Hot Buttered Grog made with Jamaican and Puerto Rican rums, honey-butter batter and island spices. Guests who reserve a two-hour slot in advance will also receive a Secret Santa gift upon arrival.

Details: 1 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix. 602-340-1924, bitterandtwistedaz.com/sippin.

50Ville at 50 Shades of Rose

50 Shades of Rose in Old Town Scottsdale is embracing a “Whoville” theme inspired by “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” The entire bar is decked out in Christmas decor, with festive cocktails served in souvenir Grinch glasses. There are holiday events all season long, such as snow globe making parties on Tuesdays and Mistletoe Monday date night packages.

Details: 7419 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale. 480-590-5747, 50shadesofroseaz.com.

Reporting by Endia Fontanez, Arizona Republic

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