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The holiday bars and pop-ups are back in full force in Nashville this year. This year’s crop of holiday bars and pop-ups throughout Music City promises plenty of good cheer, themed soul-warming cocktails, plus walls and ceilings brimming with extra festive decor, tinseled-out Christmas trees, and sparkling lights aplenty. Here’s the latest list of bars, restaurants, and menus transforming for the holidays around Nashville.
Check back here for holiday bar additions and regular updates to this map throughout the season.
Don’t see a holiday bar listed? Send Eater Nashville the details via the tipline.
Disclaimer: Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; the latest data about the delta variant indicates that it may pose a low-to-moderate risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial transmission. The latest CDC guidance is here; find a COVID-19 vaccination site here. It is highly advised people wear masks indoors or in crowded situations, regardless of vaccination status, to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Sip holiday cocktails out of take-home t-rex-shaped glassware at this year’s edition of Miracle on Gallatin Avenue (at Pearl Diver)
Miracle debuted in Nashville in 2018, and this year pops up at East Nashville tiki drink destination Pearl Diver. Miracle at Pearl Diver runs from November 22 to December 31, with ample twinkling lights, vintage garlands, ribbons, tchotchkes, and more, paired with a soundtrack of holiday songs and of course, themed cocktails for the ultimate setting of merriment. On the menu this year, find a vodka-based “Christmapolitan” with elderflower, spiced cranberry sauce, and absinthe mist alongside the bourbon-based “jolly koala” with cacao nib aperitif, mulled wine reduction, and mole bitters. Located at 1008 Gallatin Ave, Miracle’s Nashville pop-up is open Tuesday through Thursday 4 p.m. to midnight, and Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. until 1 a.m.
Miracle’s story began in 2014 when Greg Boehm transformed his bar Mace into a winter wonderland during the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Guided by the advice of his mother, Miracle on Ninth Street was born, and its fervent reception soon led industry friends from other cities around the globe reaching out to recreate the Miracle holiday magic in their own bars. Since then, and led by Boehm and General Manager Joann Spiegel, the Miracle concept has spread far and wide and to this day continues to open its doors to new cities around the world. For the 2021 holiday season, Miracle will donate 10% of all proceeds from the sale of Santa Pants, Christmas Carol Barrel, and Santa Heads signature glassware to the James Beard Foundation Open for Good campaign to aid the relief efforts of independent restaurants.
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Reserve igloos and play arcade games and cornhole at Game Terminal’s “Let’s Get Blitzen”
The super arcade’s holiday party runs now through the end of December, featuring thousands of lights, 20+ Christmas trees, heated igloos with cornhole boards dressed up as Christmas gifts, Christmas music, and holiday-themed cocktails. The patio’s heated, covered igloos are available for reservation in 2-hour increments with a $200 food and beverage minimum. A $50 deposit is required for reservations.
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Catch live Christmas music and sip peppermint martinis downtown at Nudie’s Honky Tonk’s “Lit Up on Broadway”
The second floor of Nudie’s Honky Tonk is transformed into “Lit Up on Broadway” — the brand new immersive holiday experience spreading that Christmas spirit to downtown Nashville in the form of live music//DJs, holiday cocktails, and a “sexy Santa” photo op. On Thursdays through Sundays from November 26 until December 26, Icon Entertainment Group’s popular honky-tonk will pour specialty cocktails like the “Miss Claus’ peppermintini”, “sexy Santa’s margarita”, and “Christmas In Naples”. Lit Up on Broadway at Nudie’s is open Thursdays starting at 6 p.m. and at noon Friday through Sunday.
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Enjoy yule logs and frozen espresso martinis in a gift-wrapped rooftop penthouse suite at the Fairlane Hotel’s Misfit Bar
For the second year in a row, the Fairlane is rolling out its toy-inspired holiday pop-up in one of the hotel’s top-floor penthouse suites. Sip on festive cocktails in a stunning setting filled with new neon signs and tinseled-out decorations aplenty with great city views. The pop-up bar’s “Jack Frost:” is a frozen espresso martini gussied up for the holidays with whipped cream and peppermint, while hot drink lovers can choose the “cuffing season” — hot cocoa spiked with house peppermint-infused vodka and topped with whipped cream. Whiskey lovers might try the smoky campfire old fashioned comprised of Castle & Key restoration rye, maple-nut syrup, bitters, and a flamed marshmallow. A small food menu includes a cheese and charcuterie spread, potato and chive latkes, assorted Christmas cookies and a yule log. Open daily thru January 3, with hours from 4 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, and 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.
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Eat s’mores and glimpse a “larger-than-life” Northern Lights display downtown at the Grand Hyatt Nashville’s Winter Solstice
The Grand Hyatt Nashville introduces a new seasonal pop-up dubbed the Winter Solstice, hosted at the hotel’s fifth-floor poolside restaurant and rooftop pool deck, Solstice. Overlooking downtown Nashville, the magical experience will include a cozy indoor ski lodge and an outdoor winter wonderland, including a larger-than-life Northern Lights display. A special menu of savory snacks and sweet treats are on offer— from a smoked Nashville hot beef sausage, fried chicken sliders, and a turkey leg bowl to chocolate peppermint cake pops and Southern s’mores featuring maple molasses marshmallows. Warm beverages on offer include wassail made with George Dickel Bottled in Bond, hot apple cider, and Tennessee honey and spiked hot chocolate. Running from December 2 through February 27 on Thursdays thru Sundays from 2 to 10 p.m., reservations are not required for Winter Solstice. Complimentary two-hour valet parking is available.
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Immerse yourself in a “Nightmare Before Christmas” themed pop-up at Dream Nashville’s Parlour Bar
Dream Nashville is once again turning their ground-floor Parlour Bar into an unrecognizable, holiday-themed adventure. This year it’s taking a soon on the beloved classic film “The Nightmare Before...” starting November 26 featuring plenty of movie-themed beverage options like the “Sandy Claws” with Bombay bramble and pomegranate molasses or the “Monster Under the Bed” made with Patron, cold brew espresso, chai syrup, chocolate cream, and nutmeg. Pop-up hours will be Monday - Wednesday 4 p.m. - 12 a.m., Thursday 4 p.m. - 1 a.m., Friday and Saturday 12 p.m. - 1 a.m., and Sunday 12 p.m - 12 a.m.. No reservations are needed, the pop-up is first come, first served.
Find Nashville’s only rooftop skating rink at the Rooftop Lounge at Bobby Hotel’s “Camp Bobby” 70’s-inspired winter pop-up
Escape the madness of Broadway 10 stories above downtown Nashville with the Rooftop Lounge at Bobby Hotel’s “Camp Bobby”, a 70’s-inspired campsite winter pop-up experience. This year they’ve upped the game beyond the usual igloos and cabins, adding Nashville’s only rooftop skating rink, personal campfires, and a 70’s camper-inspired lounge in Bobby’s retrofitted 1956 Scenicruiser. The 70’s Camper Lounge is walk-in only, while reservations are required ahead of time for campfire igloos. Reserve a time for skating on the synthetic ice rink here. Skate sessions are available every hour from open to close. Admission is $10 and includes skate rental.
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Have meatballs, frozen eggnog, and a one-day photo op with vaccinated Santa at Saint Nicky’s
Tony and Caroline Galzin’s coal-fired pizza and bagel essential Nicky’s Coal Fired in the Nations is launching their first-ever, over-the-top, holiday pop-up: Saint Nicky’s. The winter wonderland is a holiday-themed dining experience with holiday decor aplenty alongside joy-filled events, festive cocktails (like frozen eggnog), and of course, Mama G’s meatballs. On December 12 from 4 to 6 p.m. pop in for an Instagram-worthy photo with (vaccinated) Santa Claus. Saint Nicky’s opens at 4 p.m., and runs through January 1, 2022.
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Enjoy faux snow and ski lodge vibes beside the pool at The Westin Nashville’s L27 Rooftop Lounge
From November 12 until February 28, visit the Westin’s 27th-floor bar for Chalet 27, a winter white Italian and French Alp-inspired après ski pop-up experience. Enjoy live music as you dine on festive bites and cocktails on Nashville’s highest rooftop. Reservations and walk-ins are welcome.
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Plan ahead for a multi-sensory affair featuring holiday sights, smells, and tastes at Snow Globe at JW Marriott Nashville
Beginning December 3, JW Marriott Nashville’s Duke Lounge at Cumberland Bar will be transformed into a fully immersive, multi-sensory ticketed holiday pop-up: Snow Globe, presented by Nightscape. Located in the heart of downtown inside JW Marriott Nashville’s downstairs lounge, a 42’ LED wall takes guests on a visual journey through enchanting holiday worlds enlivened by 360-degree spatial audio that provides the crackle of a fire and nostalgic scents of a fresh pine Christmas tree. Falling snow adds to the musti-sensory environment, as does the specialty menu with boozy holiday cocktails and snacks including cranberry mules, peppermint martinis, polenta croquettes, and truffle fries. The pop-up will run through December 30 and features four ticketed experiences per evening. Showtimes are Friday/Saturday at 4:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m., and 10:30 p.m. and Sunday through Thursday at 5 p.m., 7 p.m., 9 p.m.
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Nashville’s new experiential production company, Nightscape, will transform JW Marriott Nashville’s sophisticated Duke lounge at Cumberland Bar into an encapsulating holiday wonderland in the heart of downtown.
Transporting guests through an intimate and one-of-a-kind experience, Snow Globe will engage all five senses with yuletide cheer. Complemented by a specialty menu curated by JW Marriott, guests will enjoy boozy holiday cocktails and inspired bites while embarking on this one-of-a-kind holiday journey.
Brought to you by Music City’s newest entertainment venue and experiential production company, Nightscape, Snow Globe gives guests a sneak preview of Nightscape’s forthcoming state-of-the-art flagship venue, opening early 2022 in The Gulch.
From the moment you step inside Snow Globe, you will be transported into an intimate, elevated, evolving winter wonderland that is catered to stimulate all five senses. A 42-foot wide LED wall will surround up to 30 guests per 90-minute seating, taking you on a visual journey through an enchanting holiday village with multiple stops along the way. This one-of-a-kind experience also features 360-degree spatial audio, nostalgic scents, falling snow, and a special holiday-inspired menu curated by JW Marriott Nashville.
Decorate gingerbread cookies and drink holiday cocktails at one of 12South’s newest restaurants, the Butter Milk Ranch’s Very Merry Gingerbread Christmas
The Butter Milk Ranch, 12 South’s new daytime dining and small-batch bakery, is debuting a “Very Merry Gingerbread Christmas” every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (6 p.m. to midnight) throughout the month of December. Cocktails from beverage director Wil Schultz pair with savory bites and sweet treats from chef Daniel Gorman and pastry chef Alyssa Gangeri. Menu items include Carolina pork bao, Xmas eve duck confit, bourguignon short rib, a holiday cookie tin, and buche de noel. Gingerbread cookie kits are also available for those looking to show off those piping skills.
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Boozy Hot Chocolate and a Christmas Tree Forest at Candy Cane Jane’s (the rooftop at Jane’s Hideaway)
Perched on the sixth-floor rooftop above Printers Alley’s Jane’s Hideaway with excellent city views, Candy Cane Jane’s is half-indoors and half-outdoors, providing plenty of photo opps around a forest of Christmas trees and holiday-centered drinks like Nelson’s Greenbrier Distillery whiskey-spiked hot cocoa. Food offerings at Candy Cane Janes differ from those downstairs: look for cheese bread meatballs, kettle corn, and pizzas, plus cinnamon bread for dessert. To enter — just head into either entrance of Jane’s Hideaway and grab the elevator to the sixth floor. Candy Cane Jane’s is open Wednesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to midnight. No reservations required at CCJ — the Christmas tree wonderland is first come first served.
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S’mores and Ski Chalet Vibes at The Lodge at The Pool Club | Virgin Hotels Nashville
Virgin Hotels Nashville extends rooftop season into the winter with the return of The Lodge, a ski chalet-inspired indoor-outdoor space in its 14th-floor hotspot The Pool Club. Guests can take in the festive twinkling string lights, frosted pine trees, and faux snow while warming up by fire pits and roasting s’mores, sipping on hot toddies and vodka-spiked peppermint hot chocolate. Savory soul-warming dishes include truffle mac and cheese, grilled cheese with tomato soup for dipping,
The festive experience is rounded out with a variety of weekly programming including “moonlight disco” on Thursdays featuring disco classics from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., “fireside Fridays” with local DJ sets 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.,and “all that brunch”, a 90s holiday-inspired brunch on Saturday and Sunday featuring bottomless mimosas and breakfast favorites from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Lodge is open daily. Walk-ins are welcome for the bar and restaurant. Reservations are required for the heated cabin experience. To reserve, please email ivy.manfredi@virginhotels.com or visit vhpoolclub.com/Nashville. The Lodge will remain open through February 2022.
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Drink tiki drinks from Grinch glasses at Island-Style X-Mas at Chopper
Looking to escape Nashville for the winter season but don’t want to risk traveling? Enter Island X-Mas at Chopper Tiki Lounge, a decked-out holiday experience featuring photo-worthy cocktails served in mugs from popular Christmas movies and a curated playlist of some of the best holiday music. Bring the holiday cheer home by purchasing a bottle of their frothy house-made eggnog.
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Arcade games, a tunnel of Christmas lights, and a flying sleigh at Headquarters Beercade’s Reindeer Games
SoBro’s Headquarters Beercade reactivates its popular Reindeer Games pop-up for its fourth holiday season — open from late November through January 1, 2022. Guests can expect an experiential winter wonderland, including 3D Christmas tree displays, thousands of ornaments, 2,000 feet of twinkling lights, a life-size Santa’s sleigh photo op, and festive food and cocktails. Expect creative riffs on classic Christmas drinks and holiday flavors, too. Reserve tables ahead of time for the December 15 Savage Bingo. Reservations are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. There’s no cover charge, but there is a two-drink minimum.
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Enjoy live music while tucked in a heated igloo at City Tap’s Winter Wonderland
Starting on Friday, December 2, City Tap House’s heated igloo-studded rooftop offers live music, cocktails, and bites every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday starting at 4:00 p.m. Email info.nashville@citytap.com to reserve an igloo.
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Don’t sit at home alone, experience life at the McCallisters’ via “Home Alone” Hidden Bar at Noelle
Step beyond the storage closet doors at Nashville’s historic Noelle hotel and be transformed to the infamous McCallister residence circa 1990. The crowd favorite underground hideaway takes on new life with this Home Alone-inspired holiday bar. Experience recreated moments and scenes from the beloved film, including the iconic family living room and other scenes from the McCallister home. The team has created a movie-inspired cocktail menu featuring the whiskey-based “thirsty for more” with raspberry, amaro, and ginger beer or the caffeinated “one, two...ten” crafted from a house rum blend, cold brew, nocino, allspice, orgeat, and chocolate bitters. Themed “mini-bar snacks” include Little Noelle’s pizza, stuffed shells, and Chicago-style pigs in a blanket. The pop-up is open Wednesday and Thursday 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 4 p.m. to midnight, and Sunday 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
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Don’t fly south, just head to Noelle’s rooftop to warm up fireside with blankets and warm beverages Snow Birds at Rare Bird
Nope, not all birds fly south for the winter. At Rare Bird’s Snow Birds experience, travel up 13 flights to a chic winter wonderland under the sparkling lights of the Nashville skyline. Sip and delight with cozy fires, warm blankets, classic movies, and a fine assortment of sparkling wines. Snow Birds will be open Friday thru Sunday throughout December.
Visit a life-sized gingerbread house filled with giant confections at Bode Nashville’s Sidebar
Follow the sweet smell of cotton candy, giant gumdrops, and cocktails to Tinsel and Gretel’s Christmas Candy Cottage, a limited-time holiday pop-up bar at SoBro’s Bode Nashville Sidebar. The brainchild of Sidebar beverage director Meg Hoberg, the festive pop-up is a picture-perfect life-sized gingerbread house filled with white trees, colorful Christmas lights, and plenty of tinsel. Guests can sip on themed cocktails, beer, and wine, pose with giant confections, and taste curated bites from Stoke Live Fire’s open-fire cooking. The pop-up will take place at Sidebar, Bode Nashville hotel from 5 p.m. to midnight every Thursday through Sunday from December 9 through December 26. Tickets for the event are $12 and can be purchased through Eventbrite.