Festive holiday bars and winter lounges around D.C.
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El Chalet at Mercy Me. Photo: courtesy Mercy Me
'Tis the tippling season — holiday bars and winter lounges are popping up all over D.C.
Why it matters: It's more fun to drink festively.
What's new: The Dome! We're elf-level excited about the immersive alpine experience on top of Union Market, which combines wintery scenes with après-ski dining (martinis, fondue, the works). ETA: Dec. 13.
- Downtown is also going jingleballs to the walls this year, transforming into a giant holiday village.
Here's what's glowing on:
Holiday bars
🕎 Chai-vy & Cohen-y
D.C.'s Hanukkah bar pop-up is back at Ivy & Coney in Shaw with fun specials like a "shotski" menorah filled with Manischewitz (or Fireball), crispy latkes and boozy jelly doughnuts. They'll be open on Dec. 25 with Chinese food (aka Jewish Christmas).
- Now through Jan. 1
🎄Colada Shop holiday bar
Colada's 14th Street and Clarendon locations go Havana-style for holidays with tropical-Christmas decor and special drinks like coquito shooters and fiery rum cider.
- Now through Dec. 31.
☃️ Winter Wonderland at Urban Roast
The Penn Quarter cocktail haunt goes all-out for the season with faux snow, a Christmas tree forest, specialty cocoas (boozy and not), and s'mores.
- Happening now. Reservations are available online.
🛥️ The Brighton's Holly Jolly Holiday Bar
The Wharf's two-story pub is feeling festive with decor and specialty cocktails. Tickets ($20 per person) for a 90-minute reservation include a boozy punch in a souvenir cup.
- Opens today, through Dec. 29 — perfect for the Wharf's holiday boat parade (Dec. 7).
🔥 Lulu's Wine(ter)garden
The Southwestern-style wine garden near U Street brings the heat with chimenea fireplaces and heaters outdoors, desert-chic holiday decor, thermos cocktails and warming eats like hatch chile mac.
- Opens today through early January. Accepting large-party reservations.
Miracle, a global holiday pop-up, returns to Death Punch in Adams Morgan with creative cocktails and kitschy glassware. Go for two levels of festive fun — and strong drinks.
- Starting Nov. 27. Reservations are no longer required, so jingle on in.
🌬️ Duke's Dreamland
Duke's Grocery in Navy Yard transforms into a Narnia-themed dreamscape with a lion, witch, and over-the-top wardrobe — plus hot and festive cocktails.
- Starting Dec. 5 through the holidays.
Winter lounges
🌲 Winter chalet at Dirty Habit
The ski chalet-themed courtyard of Penn Quarter's Dirty Habit is all about s'mores parfaits, cheesy bites and boozy sips — plus blankets and fire pits. New: a separate chalet bar in the revamped Downtown DC Holiday Market nearby.
- Open now at 3pm on weekdays, noon Sat-Sun.
🔥 Fire Garden at Blue Duck Tavern
The Park Hyatt in West End unveils a swanky winter patio with firepits and cozy blankets, plus gingerbread martinis, roasted bone marrow, and apple pies for two.
- Opens today, first-come availability starting at 4:30pm daily.
The NoMa beer garden throws an annual weeks-long holiday party, packed with events — an ugly sweater party, "A Very Merry Swiftmas," a holiday market and more, plus their usual fire pits and cozy seating.
- Dec. 1-Dec. 23. Register for some events online.
⛷️ El Chalet at Mercy Me
The South American-inspired spot channels mountains with snow-covered pines, wood textures, and fireplaces. Head to the chalet patio for warm sips like a buttered cognac "Ale Caliente" and hot, cheesy provoleta.
- Opens Dec. 3, reservations suggested.
Editor's note: This list has been updated to add new bar specials.