Richmond's holiday-themed bars for 2024
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Miracle on Cary at The Jasper in Carytown. Image: Courtesy of James Loving
Ready or not, the holiday season seems to be here — as of this, the second week of November.
Why it matters: Some local holiday-themed pop-up bars are starting much earlier this year — one even opens this week — and reservations usually book up fast.
- Yes, but: Walk-ins are welcome at most of the bars if you don't nab a reservation a full two weeks before Thanksgiving.
The big picture: Just a few years ago only one or two Richmond restaurants went all out with Christmas decorations and themed cocktails for the holiday season.
- This year, there are more than a dozen.
Zoom in: Here are a few holiday bars happening in town:
The Evergreen: The holiday bar from Birdie's opens Friday — yes, this week — and runs every Tuesday through Saturday all day and night through Jan. 6.
- For the last two years, Richmonders waited hours for a table at this all-decked Arts District oyster bar from the Common House folks.
- Reservations opened Monday and every evening two-top option is already booked for the next two weeks, but subsequent weeks haven't opened yet.
Miracle on Cary: The Jasper in Carytown's uber-popular Miracle pop-up begins Wednesday, Nov. 20 and will be going strong through New Year's Eve.
- Each year the gang puts together themed cocktail and snacks menus, served up in festive mugs and such, in their merry and bright bar.
- For the second year, The Jasper is offering large party reservations — and FYI, they fully booked in minutes the last two years.
- Reservations open Wednesday at noon and are available for parties of six to 12 people at 5, 7:15 and 9:30pm (and at 11:45pm on Fridays and Saturdays). A $300 deposit, which goes toward your tab, is required, and reservations have a two-hour time limit.
Sippin' Santa: Emerald Lounge, The Jasper's sister tiki bar in Church Hill, is in on the holiday pop-up action, too.
- Its Sippin' Santa pop-up starts Friday, Nov. 22 and also runs through New Year's Eve. Reservations open Thursday (Nov. 14) at noon for small and large parties, but only five tables can be booked, so prepare to act quickly.
- Holiday cocktail lovers can expect tropical flavors and some frozen Christmas concoctions and, new this year, entrees from chef Bobo Catoe.
Noël at Beaucoup: A new-to-the-scene holiday pop-up at Robinson Street's newest oyster bar, Beaucoup, will open Dec. 1 and run through New Year's Day.
- Expect the restaurant to be "transformed into a Parisian winter wonderland with holiday-themed cocktails and specials every night."
- Reservations opened this week and nearly every Friday and Saturday in December is booked.
Rum & Reindeer: The drinks-heavy pop-up with a tropical vibe from (and at) Island Shrimp Company opens Monday, Nov. 25.
- The whole Rocketts Landing restaurant and patio will be all decked out with festival cocktails flowing, plus igloo rentals are back this year for $120 per igloo (they can be booked through OpenTable Experiences).
- Pro tip: It's a great place to view the Parade of Lights, which is Dec. 14 this year.
Tinsel & Tequila: Casa del Barco's version of Rum & Reindeer also starts Nov. 25, but instead of rum-based festival cocktails, the Canal Walk and Short Pump restaurants will have festive decor and lots of tequila-based holiday cocktails.
WinterFreuden Apres Ski Chalet: The lobby at downtown's indoor minigolf bar, Hotel Greene, is shooting to open its ski lodge-themed pop-up beginning Black Friday and running through the end of the year.
- Imbibers can expect classic holiday warm drinks (gluhwein, hot toddy, spiked cider), plus a winter rum punch and house eggnog. Walk-ins only here.
The Winter Wonderland heated tent at Bingo Beer Co. is going up this weekend and will extend inside by the end of the month, owner Jay Bayer tells Axios.
- Don't sleep on their mid-December 90s mall-themed holiday pop-up market either.
Latitude Seafood Co. goes all-out with the decor at all three of its Richmond locations (Stony Point, Midlo and Westchester Commons) right about Black Friday, as they should.
Christmas Movie Marathon at Black Lodge will start Dec. 2. Details weren't available but if last year's Now That's What I Call Christmas is any indication, it'll be awesome.
Santa's Cocktail Shop is back at Cirrus Vodka's Ownby Lane tasting room, featuring more than a dozen Cirrus-made holiday cocktails every Thursday-Sunday.
Yuletide at Session: The cocktail and oyster bar connected to Rappahannock restaurant on East Grace returns Dec. 2 and runs through Jan. 2.
The Jefferson: The downtown hotel will be dripping with holiday splendor beginning Monday, Dec. 2 through Jan. 6 — and this year, there are two cocktail lounge options since TJ's is now open six days a week.
- Lemaire is fully booked for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and day, but brunches and Santa teas were still available at press time. Open daily.
Lewis Ginter: If you're looking for some other holiday-themed food and beverage options, the botanical garden offers a few during GardenFest of Lights, including brunches and dinners with Santa and a pop-up Jingle Bar.
Update:
NKW Winter Wonderland at NAPA Kitchen and Wine in Chesterfield is truly something to behold, and is up and running now.
Krampustown at Révéler Experiences in Carytown is now open nightly for holiday happy hours, plus an occasional, ticketed late-night game show, The Nice + Naughty List.
Sugar Plum Tini's Espresso Martini Pop-Up Bar in Quirk Hotel's first floor The Lobby Bar is now open Thursdays - Saturdays from 5-10pm. They'll have four special espresso martinis, plus hot cider, cocoa, coffee, and sweet treats.
Make Spirits Bright at Lakeside's Revel Market + Bar when it opens Dec. 3 and runs throughout the month.
West Pole at Bar West restaurant on Grove Avenue in the Near West End runs through Jan. 3.
Plus, Dots Back Inn on Northside, New York Deli in Carytown and Helen's in the Fan are now all decked out.
Other festive options: The Tobacco Company, Can Can Brasserie and Bamboo Cafe.