Here’s where to find holiday bar pop-ups in San Antonio this Christmas season

Holiday pop-ups have slid down the chimney at multiple San Antonio bars, offering revelers a chance to cozy up with themed cocktails, seasonal decor and lots of yuletide cheer.

Let’s run down the options, which range from swanky shindigs at posh hotels to themed fun at neighborhood drinking spots.

Blitzen’s at the Omni La Mansión del Rio

With a specialty cocktail menu crafted by Netflix Drink Masters judge Julie Reiner, Blitzen’s, located at the Omni’s El Colegio Bar, pays homage to the classic holiday movie A Christmas Story with famous prop replicas including a Red Ryder BB gun on display at the bar. Drinks include a rum-based Frost Bite, the tequila-centric Baby It’s Cold Outside, the Naughty or Spice with Old Forester bourbon and more. Themed bar bites and desserts include Santa’s Secret Cookie Stash and Reindeer Nuggets, among other snackable options. Omni La Mansión del Rio, 112 College St., (210) 518-1000, omnihotels.com/hotels/san-antonio-la-mansion-del-rio.

Miracle on Arciniega St. at The Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa

The Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa’s outdoor bar, Anaqua, has transformed into A Miracle on Arciniega St. for the holidays. Guests can partake in crafting their own s’mores alongside craft Christmas cocktails such as the Mistletoe Mule with sugar plum-infused vodka and Rudolph’s Red Nose Martini with Tito’s Vodka. Austin-based Tito’s also will donate $1 from every martini sold to Feeding Texas. Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, 555 S. Alamo St., (210) 229-1000, marriott.com/en-us/hotels/satkd-plaza-san-antonio-hotel-and-spa-autograph-collection.

Sippin’ Santa at Hugman’s Oasis

Even Santa needs a trip to the tropics on occasion. For the second consecutive year, Hugman’s Oasis has transformed into the Sippin’ Santa pop-up, where bartenders shake up Christmas cocktails with a tiki twist. Drinks range from a Sugar Plum Mai Tai, Frosty the Merman served in a cheeky Santa mug and a Jingle Bird with bourbon, pineapple rum and Campari. Hugman’s Oasis, 135 E. Commerce St., (210) 441-7225, hugmansoasissatx.com.

Miracle on Commerce St. at the Esquire Tavern

The Miracle on Commerce St. pop-up has returned once more to the historic River Walk bar. Revelers can toast the holiday season with a Christmopolitan or a Crooked Antler, made with ruby port. For fans of kitschy mugs, try the Christmasasaurus or the Stocking Stuffer. Esquire Tavern at 155 E. Commerce St., (210) 222-2521, esquiretavern-sa.com.

Holiday Hideaway at Chicken N Pickle

Every reservation at the Chicken N Pickle’s Holiday Hideaway pop-up includes a shareable red pepper hummus and charcuterie appetizer. The ski lodge-themed bar setup includes drink selections such as a build-your-own boozy hot chocolate, a $20 martini flight, a Tipsy Elf with Maker’s Mark along with beer and wine selections. Chicken N Pickle, 5215 UTSA Blvd, (210) 874-2120, chickennpickle.com.

Southtown House of Spirits

This recent addition to Southtown’s bar scene has several seasonal cocktails for the holidays. Don’t be a Scrooge when ordering the bar’s boozy homage to the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. It also offers an assortment of flatbreads and other light bites. Southtown House of Spirits, 722 S. Alamo St., (512) 387-0107, instagram.com/southtownspirits.

Die Hard at Bar America

Celebrate the quintessential Christmas action-movie classic with themed cocktails at Bar America. From a Yippie Rye Yay, MF to a Christmas in LA cocktail, the Southtown staple has fun options for locals seeking a different kind of Christmas cocktail. And yes — there’s a Chai Hard drink. It was practically mandatory. Bar America, 723 S. Alamo St., (210) 281-5945, facebook.com/baramericasatx.

La Cantera Resort & Spa

Warm up with a Chai Old Fashioned made with Brugal 1888 rum at the Sire Bar while enjoying the hotel’s monumental Alamo-inspired gingerbread house. Crafted by the entire pastry team at the La Cantera Resort & Spa, the gingerbread house took 100 pounds of flour, 24 pounds of butter, 2 pounds of ginger and other ingredients to produce the ultimate holiday ode to the Alamo City. La Cantera Resort & Spa, 16641 La Cantera Parkway, (210) 558-6500, lacanteraresort.com.

Grinchmas Meets Wonderland at Elsewhere Garden Bar & Kitchen

Expanding on a Who-Ville theme, Elsewhere added a touch of extra holiday joy to its Grinchmas-inspired holiday setup. After taking in the decor at this outdoor drinkery, enjoy a selection of Christmas beverages, from a Mrs. Claws to the green-hued Grinch Potion. For guests whose heart has yet to grow three sizes, Elsewhere has a Grinch Burger and a Cindy Lou sandwich. 103 E. Jones Ave., (210) 201-5595, elsewheretexas.com.

Apres Ski Lodge at the Green Lantern

It’s sweater weather at the Green Lantern. The cocktail spot invites patrons to take a trip to its Apres Ski Lodge pop-up with themed drinks including the Snow Bunny with blueberry and absinthe, Silent Night with Goslings rum and more. 20626 Stone Oak Parkway #101, (210) 497-3722, facebook.com/thegreenlanternsa.

Krampus Cove at Three Star Bar

Organized by the creators of the Black Lagoon, the Halloween pop-up that took over Three Star Bar in October, this celebration of Germany’s Christmas legend will feature a variety of themed drinks. A gin cocktail with cranberry rosemary syrup is dubbed Better Watch Out, while another is called Jingle Hell and a hot rum punch goes by the name Red-Rum-Pum-Pum-Pum. Three Star Bar, 521 E. Grayson St., threestar.bar.

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This article appears in Nov 28-29, 2024.