9 holiday pop-up bars coming to Charlotte in 2024

Tinseltown at Billy Sunday

The vibe: Billy Sunday is a cocktail bar on the first floor of Optimist Hall. This year, it's transforming the inside of the space into "Tinseltown."

• Expect seasonal and themed cocktails like sugar cookie martini, mulled wine and hot buttered rum, plus hot chocolate and eggnog.

If you go: Tinseltown starts Nov. 29 and runs through Dec. 31 at 1115 N Brevard St.

House of Krampus at Humbug

The vibe: Humbug will once again transform its entire bar into a holiday pop-up based on the folklore of Krampus, the mythical counterpart to St. Nicholas who punishes children.

• Expect a themed drink menu and holiday snacks.

If you go: House of Krampus is a ticketed event for $10 per person. Expect to be there for about two hours.

• It runs Nov. 30 through Dec. 23 at 2501 The Plaza.

Sippin' Santa at The Royal Tot

The vibe: The tropical-themed bar is bringing its Sippin' Santa tiki pop-up for the fourth consecutive year.

• Expect tropical holiday-themed cocktails in festive mugs.

If you go: Festivities at The Royal Tot run Nov. 18 through Dec. 31 at 933 Louise Ave.

Miracle at Backstage Lounge

The vibe: Backstage Lounge is a speakeasy behind SouthBound, and it's switching out its spooky speakeasy decor with tinsel galore.

If you go: Festivities at Backstage Lounge run Nov. 18 through Dec. 29 at 2433 South Blvd.

Santa's Favorite Watering Hole at Vinyl

The vibe: The popular South End hangout spot is turning up its holiday spirit with festive decor, twinkling lights and seasonal cocktails throughout December.

• Expect seasonal cocktails like Festivus Miracle and the Mele Kalikimaka shooter.

If you go: Vinyl's pop-up goes Nov. 20 through Jan. 6 at 1440 S Tryon St.

A Holiday Spirit Experience at Supperland Speakeasy

The vibe: Themed cocktail-dinner pairings are hosted inside the hidden bar beneath Supperland regularly. But tickets sell out quickly.

• This year's "Holiday Spirit Experience" features four cocktails, each paired with a dish created by Supperland's culinary team.

If you go: Tickets are nearly sold out and are $160 per person.

• Seatings are available 6-8:30pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from Nov. 14 through Jan. 11.
• Supperland is at 1212 The Plaza.

Christmas Bar at The Garrison

The vibe: Expect festive decorations and cocktails named after nostalgic 80s Christmas favorites, like "It's Christmas" eggnog, Christmas Vacation" mule and "Baby It's Cold Outside" bourbon drink.

If you go: The Christmas bar will be open from Nov. 18–Jan. 4. at 314 Main St., Pineville.

• Make a reservation and arrive early for a Christmas cocktail at the bar while you wait for your table. Both bars upstairs and down will be walk-in only and fill up quickly, vice president of sales and marketing Sara Douglas tells Axios.

Go deeper: Historic Pineville's first cocktail bar to open this month inside new restaurant The Garrison

Tinsel Town at Papa Doc's

The vibe: Expect over-the-top Christmas decorations at this lakeside bar, plus a special holiday cocktail menu with drinks like A "Naughty Gingerbread Martini", "Sugar & Spice Old Fashioned" and "Frrrrozen Hot Chocolate."

If you go: Tinsel Town will be open Wednesday-Saturday from 6pm-close and Sunday from 12-7pm starting Nov. 21.

• The address is 3990 Charlotte Hwy, Lake Wylie

Bonus: The Lake Wylie Holiday Boat Parade will be Saturday, Dec. 14, and you can watch from the dock.

Nauti North Pole at The Waterman Fish Bar's rooftop

The vibe: Starting Thursday, Dec. 12, The Waterman Fish Bar's rooftop bar will turn into a festive holiday bar with specialty cocktails, holiday music, and views of Charlotte's skyline. There's no cover and it's 21+.

If you go: Dress warmly; blankets are permitted, and heaters and hand warmers are available.

• It's open Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 5pm through Dec. 28, plus New Year's Eve.
• The address is 2729 South Blvd.

Editor's note: This guide was last updated Monday, Dec. 9, 2024.