Denver has so many fun Christmas pop-up bars, and it seems like more are popping up every year. From bars completely covered in Christmas decorations to tropical holiday themes and cozy winter lounges, there’s a really good variety to choose from.

I’ve lived in Denver for over 20 years, and checking out the Christmas bars has become one of my favorite things to do during the holidays. I’ve visited quite a few of the bars on this list over the years, and a few are on my list for this year.

These are my picks for the best Christmas pop-up bars in Denver this year.

Best Denver Christmas Pop-Up Bars

Avantiki at Avanti Food & Beverage 

Location: LoHi / Highlands
Admission: $5 per person
Reservations: Strongly recommended

Avantiki at Avanti Food & Beverage is one of Denver’s more unique Christmas pop-up bars, with a tropical twist on the usual holiday decorations.

Every year, Avanti’s upstairs Wolf Bar is completely redecorated with palm trees, Santas in Hawaiian shirts, tropical flowers, and tons of colorful Christmas lights. The drinks follow the same theme, with holiday-inspired tiki cocktails, boozy punch bowls, and frozen eggnog.

There’s a $5 admission fee that benefits Culinary Hospitality Outreach and Wellness (CHOW), a nonprofit supporting hospitality workers. In previous years, that fee has also included a complimentary shot served in a souvenir glass you get to keep.

Avanti also has several food vendors throughout the market, so it’s a great place to grab dinner while you’re out. Just make sure you eat before or after visiting Avantiki, since food isn’t allowed inside the pop-up bar.

You’ll definitely want to make reservations for this one, especially if you’re planning to visit on a weekend.

Miracle at Union Station 

Location: LoDo / Union Station
Admission: $2 per person reservation deposit
Reservations: Strongly recommended

Miracle at Union Station is another one of Denver’s most popular Christmas pop-up bars, and it’s one of my favorites. I’ve visited several times over the years, and I love that they change the decorations every Christmas, so there’s always something new to see.

Located on the lower level of Union Station, the bar is completely covered in Christmas decorations, with colorful lights, garlands, ornaments, and Christmas trees. They also have a full menu of Christmas-themed cocktails served in really fun mugs and glasses, these also change every year but they always keep favorites like the Christmapolitan and Snowball Old-Fashioned. You can even purchase some of the mugs to take home.

Union Station itself is also beautifully decorated for Christmas, so it’s worth grabbing a drink in the Great Hall while you’re there. And since you’re already downtown, you can easily combine a visit to Miracle with some of Denver’s other Christmas activities, like the Christkindlmarket or checking out the holiday lights around downtown.

You’ll definitely need to make reservations for this one, especially if you’re planning to visit on a weekend. There’s a $2 per person reservation deposit, and the bar is strictly 21+.

Alpine Village At Rare Bird

Location: Cherry Creek North
Reservations: Recommended, required for private cabins

Alpine Village at Rare Bird is a little different from Denver’s other Christmas pop-up bars. Located on the rooftop of the Halcyon Hotel in Cherry Creek, this one has more of a cozy winter lodge theme, with Christmas decorations, warm blankets, and great views of Denver.

The rooftop is decorated with Christmas lights and winter-themed decorations, and they have a menu of seasonal cocktails and food. There are also private alpine cabins you can reserve, complete with fireplaces, cozy seating, and blankets. The cabins cost $200 for a 2.5-hour reservation, so they’re a fun option if you’re visiting with a group of friends.

You don’t need to reserve a private cabin to visit Alpine Village though, they have regular bar seating and standing room, and Rare Bird also offers a daily happy hour until 6 pm.

And unlike most of Denver’s Christmas pop-up bars, Alpine Village stays open well into March, so you can visit throughout the winter.  

Fezziwig’s Christmas Party

Location: Downtown Denver
Admission: Free
Reservations: Recommended

Fezziwig’s Christmas Party is a new Christmas pop-up bar at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco in downtown Denver, inspired by Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

The bar has an old-fashioned Victorian Christmas theme, with cozy holiday decorations and a candlelit atmosphere inspired by 19th-century London. They also have a menu of Christmas-themed cocktails, including the Smoking Bishop, a warm spiced wine punch that’s actually mentioned in A Christmas Carol.

I’m really excited to check this one out! I think it’ll be a great option if you’re looking for something a little more upscale than the usual over-the-top Christmas pop-up bars.

You can also order small bites from Panzano, the Italian restaurant inside the hotel.

Admission is free, and the pop-up is open Tuesday through Saturday evenings.

Polar Bear Express at Señor Bear

Location: LoHi
Admission: Free
Reservations: Recommended

Polar Bear Express takes over Señor Bear in LoHi for the Christmas season again this year, turning the Latin American restaurant into a holiday-themed space inspired by Christmas train travel.

Along with the Christmas decorations, they have a special menu of holiday cocktails and seasonal food, including a Christmas version of their Bear Basket tasting experience.

Señor Bear is a great option if you want to grab dinner while checking out a pop-up bar. They have a full menu of Latin American-inspired dishes, so there’s plenty to choose from beyond the holiday specials.

I recommend making reservations, especially if you’re planning to visit for dinner on a weekend.

Naughty List at Tony Tenderonis

Location: LoDo / Ballpark
Admission: Free
Reservations: Not accepted

Naughty List at Tony Tenderonis is another fun Christmas pop-up bar in downtown Denver, with a slightly more playful take on the holidays.

Tony Tenderonis is normally a sports bar known for its chicken tenders and beer, but during Christmas, the bar is covered in colorful lights, garlands, and tons of holiday decorations. They also have a special menu of Christmas-themed cocktails, along with their regular menu of bar food.

They don’t take reservations, so you can just walk in, although this one will be busy in the evenings, especially over the weekend. This is a good option if you want to grab a few casual drinks and some food without planning too far ahead.

The pop-up is strictly 21+.

Death & Co.’s Holiday Suite

Location: RiNo
Admission: Free
Reservations: Recommended

Death & Co. is a gorgeous cocktail bar inside The Ramble Hotel in RiNo, and every Christmas they transform their upstairs lounge, Suite 6A, into a holiday pop-up bar.

Last year’s pop-up was Season’s Greetings, with a retro Christmas theme inspired by the 1950s and 1960s. The lounge was decorated with vintage Christmas decorations, twinkling lights, and a cozy fireplace. They also had a special cocktail menu with drinks like Gingerbread Toddy and Vintage Eggnog.

The theme changes from year to year, and in the past they’ve also done Christmas movie-inspired themes which were really cute. I love that they switch things up, it makes it fun to visit each year.

The pop up space is really small, with even less seating than most of the other bars on this list. So you’ll definitely need reservations but they do usually leave space for walk-ins too. It is worth the effort though, Death & Co. is a really cute bar with excellent cocktails.

Sippin’ Santa at Arvada Tavern

Location: Olde Town Arvada
Admission: $10 reservation fee
Reservations: Recommended

Sippin’ Santa isn’t technically in Denver, but it’s such a popular Christmas pop-up bar that I definitely think it’s worth mentioning. It’s located at The Arvada Tavern in Olde Town Arvada, just a short drive from downtown.

The pop-up takes place upstairs in Bernard’s Tiki Room, which you enter through a phone booth. Every Christmas, the bar is filled with colorful lights, tropical decorations, and tons of Santas. It’s basically a tropical version of a Christmas bar, complete with holiday-themed tiki cocktails served in really fun mugs.

Sippin’ Santa is actually a sister pop-up to Miracle, so you’ll recognize some of the same fun details, like you can purchase the mugs to take home, but the cocktail menu and decor is completely different.

This is one of the more popular Christmas bars in the Denver area, so again you’ll need reservations, especially if you’re planning to visit on a weekend.

Mistletoe Lounge at Cherry Creek Holiday Market

Location: Cherry Creek North
Reservations: Not required
Admission: Free

Mistletoe Lounge is a Christmas pop-up bar located inside the Cherry Creek Holiday Market, so it’s a great place to grab a drink while you’re doing some Christmas shopping.

This year, the lounge is doing an après-ski theme, complete with gondolas, fire pits, and cozy winter decorations. They have a full bar serving Christmas-themed cocktails, and most nights there’s live music and other entertainment throughout the market.

You don’t need reservations for this one, and since it’s part of the market, you can also grab food from one of the vendors or do some shopping while you’re there. I definitely recommend sticking around to check out the Winter Wanderland Christmas lights throughout Cherry Creek North too.

The Electric Cure’s Christmas Pop-Up

Location: Edgewater
Admission: Free
Reservations: Not accepted

The Electric Cure is technically in Edgewater, just west of Denver near Sloan’s Lake, but it’s close to downtown and one of the more unique Christmas pop-up bars in the area.

The Electric Cure is already a quirky bar with a twisted tiki theme, and they bring that same style to Christmas. In previous years, they’ve transformed the bar into the Krampus Room, with creepy Christmas decorations, colorful lights, and holiday cocktails served in some really fun mugs. Last year, they switched things up with a Home Alone-themed Christmas pop-up instead. I love that they change the theme, so it’s always fun to see what they come up with each year.

The Electric Cure is a small bar and doesn’t take reservations, so plan for a wait on weekend evenings. It’s also strictly 21+.

Felix Navidad at My Neighbor Felix

Location: LoHi
Admission: Free
Reservations: Recommended

Every Christmas, My Neighbor Felix in LoHi transforms into Felix Navidad, with tons of colorful Christmas decorations throughout the restaurant, bar, and patio.

This is one of Denver’s more over-the-top Christmas restaurant takeovers, with Christmas lights, ornaments, and garland everywhere you look. They also have a special menu of holiday cocktails, including their popular Santa’s Cookie N Milk Shot, which comes in an edible cookie shot glass.

My Neighbor Felix is a Mexican restaurant, so you can enjoy a full dinner here too. And since it’s a pretty large restaurant, reservations aren’t quite as difficult to get as some of Denver’s smaller Christmas pop-up bars. You’ll still want to book ahead if you’re visiting on a weekend though.

They also decorate their Centennial location for Felix Navidad, although the LoHi restaurant usually has the more elaborate setup.

Winter Lodge at Peaks Lounge

Location: Downtown Denver
Admission: Free
Reservations: Not accepted

Winter Lodge takes over Peaks Lounge on the 27th floor of the Hyatt Regency Denver, and this one easily has some of the best views of any Christmas pop-up bar in Denver.

The lounge is decorated like a cozy mountain lodge, with Christmas lights, winter decorations, and plenty of places to sit and enjoy the views. They also have a special menu of holiday cocktails, including drinks like the Nutcracker Espresso Martini and Frosted Cranberry Margarita.

One of the best reasons to visit Winter Lodge is that you can watch Denver’s Mile High Drone Show from the lounge. The show takes place over downtown every evening during the holiday season, and the large windows at Peaks Lounge give you a great view without having to stand outside in the cold.

Peaks Lounge doesn’t take reservations, so I recommend arriving early, especially if you want a window seat for the drone show.

Snowdrift at Adrift Tiki Bar

Location: South Broadway
Admission: Free
Reservations: Recommended

Snowdrift at Adrift Tiki Bar is one of Denver’s original Christmas pop-up bars, they’ve been celebrating a tropical Christmas on South Broadway for years.

This is a tiki bar year-round, but every Christmas they give it a snowy holiday makeover, with Christmas lights, Santa hats, fake snow, and tons of fun decorations mixed in with the usual tropical decor. They also have a special menu of holiday tiki cocktails and punch bowls, along with their regular menu of Polynesian-inspired food.

I’ve been to Snowdrift before, and it’s a really fun one! I do recommend reserving an indoor table though. We visited without reservations once and ended up on the enclosed back patio, which didn’t have as many Christmas decorations as the main bar.

Good Tidings at Run for the Roses

Location: LoDo / Dairy Block
Admission: Free
Reservations: Not accepted

Good Tidings is a Christmas pop-up at Run for the Roses, a small underground cocktail bar in Denver’s Dairy Block.

Last year’s pop-up had a winter forest theme, with Christmas decorations throughout the bar and a special menu of holiday drinks, including boozy hot chocolate and aged eggnog. Run for the Roses is already known for its craft cocktails, so this is a fun option if you’re looking for something a little different from the more traditional Christmas bars.

The bar is tucked away below street level, with an entrance off the alley between Blake and Wazee Streets. Look for the red neon Cocktails sign!

Run for the Roses doesn’t take reservations, there’s often a line, and it’s strictly 21+.

North PL at Poka Lola Social Club

Location: LoDo / Dairy Block
Reservations: Not required
Admission: Free

Poka Lola Social Club is a really cute cocktail bar inside The Maven Hotel, which is also located in the Dairy Block, and every Christmas they give the bar a festive makeover.

Their holiday pop-up, North PL, features Christmas decorations, colorful lights, and a special menu of holiday cocktails. In previous years, they’ve also hosted Christmas cocktail classes and even holiday-themed tattoo artists.

This is in a really good location, so it’s an easy place to pop in for a drink while you’re exploring LoDo, especially if you’re already downtown checking out the Christmas lights, markets, or other holiday activities.

White Elephant Christmas Speakeasy

Location: Larimer Square / LoDo
Admission: Free
Reservations: Not accepted

White Elephant is a Christmas-themed speakeasy tucked away underground on Larimer Square, right in the heart of downtown Denver.

The bar is decorated in colorful lights, garlands, ornaments, and Christmas trees for the holidays. They also have a menu of holiday-themed cocktails.

This is a fun spot to pop into for a drink while you’re checking out the Christmas decorations around Larimer Square, which is one of my favorite areas of downtown during the holidays. Just look for the White Elephant signs along Larimer Street and head downstairs to the bar.

White Elephant doesn’t take reservations, so you can just walk in, although there’s usually a wait on weekend evenings.

Cowboy Christmas at American Lore

Location: Berkeley / Tennyson Street
Admission: Free
Reservations: Not required

Cowboy Christmas at American Lore is a new Christmas pop-up bar on Tennyson Street, with a Western twist on the usual holiday celebrations.

This is a whiskey bar and custom cowboy hat shop, so it’s the perfect place for a Cowboy Christmas! The bar is covered in Western-inspired Christmas decorations and serving holiday cocktails like the bourbon Saddle Warmer and the Peppermint Pony, a fun espresso cocktail.

On Friday and Saturday evenings, they’ll also have live music with Western versions of Christmas carols. And since American Lore is also a cowboy hat shop, you can do a little Christmas shopping while you’re here.

I think this is a really fun addition to Denver’s Christmas pop-up bar scene, especially if you love a good Western theme.

Miracle at Keepers

Location: Denver Tech Center / Belleview Station
Admission: Free
Reservations: Recommended

While most of the Christmas pop-up bars on this list are located in or around downtown Denver, Miracle at Keepers is a little farther south in the Denver Tech Center. It’s still technically in Denver, though, and a great option if you’re staying on that side of the city.

Keepers is a cocktail lounge inside the Apiary Hotel, and this year it’s joining the popular Miracle Christmas pop-up series. You’ll find the same festive cocktail menu and fun collectible mugs as the other Miracle locations, along with plenty of Christmas decorations throughout the bar.

I recommend making reservations ahead of time, especially on weekends, since Miracle pop-ups tend to be really popular.

Christmas at McGregor Square

Location: LoDo / Ballpark
Reservations: Not required
Admission: Free (ice skating costs extra)

McGregor Square, located right across from Coors Field, is another fun place to grab a drink and enjoy some Christmas activities.

This year, they’re hosting Merry Market, an outdoor Christmas market with local vendors selling handmade gifts, holiday decorations, and other goodies. There’s also a large Christmas tree, an outdoor ice skating rink, and live music throughout the holiday season.

La Loma, located right on the square, is hosting its Fa La La Loma Christmas pop-up in the downstairs bar, with plenty of holiday decorations and seasonal cocktails. And in previous years, McGregor Square Food + Drink has hosted pop-ups like Sleigh Bar.

This is a fun place to spend an evening during the holidays, you can grab dinner or drinks, check out the market, and do a little ice skating while you’re here.

Just keep in mind that Merry Market is only open on select weekends, although the ice skating rink stays open throughout the winter.

Christmas at Cirrus Social Club

Location: East Colfax / Congress Park
Admission: Free
Reservations: Recommended

Christmas at Cirrus Social Club is a little different from the other Christmas pop-up bars on this list because it’s actually a cannabis lounge rather than a traditional bar.

Cirrus is a really beautiful lounge on East Colfax, with chandeliers, velvet seating, and a more upscale atmosphere. For Christmas, they decorate the space with Christmas trees, twinkling lights, and other holiday decorations. They also have a special seasonal menu with festive drinks like their Cirrus Hot Cocoa, holiday-inspired food, and cannabis offerings.

Instead of alcoholic cocktails, you can enjoy non-alcoholic drinks, some of which can be infused with THC. They also have cannabis available to purchase and consume on-site, so it’s a fun alternative if you’re looking for something different from Denver’s usual Christmas bars.

Cirrus is strictly 21+, and you don’t need a membership to visit. I recommend making reservations, especially on weekends, and keep in mind that you can’t bring your own cannabis.

More Denver Bars & Restaurants with Christmas Decorations

The Christmas pop-up bars aren’t the only places in Denver that go all out for the holidays! Tons of restaurants and bars around the city put up Christmas decorations, and some have become known for their elaborate displays year after year.

These are just a few of the bigger ones worth checking out, but you’ll find plenty more throughout Denver.

• Happy Camper (LoHi): This popular pizza restaurant goes all out for Christmas, with tons of lights, ornaments, and greenery throughout the space.
• Atomic Cowboy (Multiple Locations): Their annual Atomic Christmas takeover includes colorful decorations, holiday cocktails, and Christmas movies.
• Wonderyard (Ballpark): Winter Wonderyard features oversized Christmas decorations, a huge tree, themed cocktails, and a heated courtyard.
• Steuben’s (Uptown): Their Home for the Holidays setup brings nostalgic Christmas decorations and seasonal cocktails to the heated patio.
• Ace Eat Serve (Uptown): Snowed Inn turns the patio into a cozy winter lodge with seasonal drinks and decorations.
• Bao Brewhouse (Larimer Square): Jingle Bao Rock features colorful lights, nostalgic Christmas decorations, holiday music, and cocktails.
• Blanco Cocina + Cantina (9+CO): Blanco Navidad brings colorful Christmas trees, decorations, and seasonal margaritas to the restaurant.
• Salt Water Social (Cherry Creek): Their Après Lodge setup has a winter ski lodge theme with seasonal cocktails and food.
• ViewHouse (Ballpark and DTC): In previous years ViewHouse has hosted Santa Baby, with fun Christmas decorations and holiday cocktails.

More Christmas Pop-Up Bars Near Denver

There are also quite a few Christmas pop-up bars in the suburbs surrounding Denver! These are a few more worth checking out if you’re staying outside the city or don’t mind a short drive.

• Miracle at The Eddy (Golden): Another location of the popular Miracle Christmas pop-up, with festive cocktails, over-the-top decorations, and souvenir mugs.
• Happy Dollydays at Lady Justice Brewing (Englewood): A Dolly Parton-inspired Christmas takeover with a retro ski lodge theme, special beers, and fun holiday events.
• Elfie’s Enchanted Lounge (Greenwood Village): Located at Comedy Works South, with Christmas decorations, seasonal cocktails, and a heated patio. A fun option before or after a comedy show.
• Blazing Bright at Fireside Bar & Grill (Englewood): A more traditional Christmas setup inside The Inverness hotel, with holiday cocktails and a cozy fireplace.
• Blitzen’s at Shep’s (Broomfield): A Christmas-themed hotel bar at the Omni Interlocken, with holiday decorations and seasonal cocktails.
• Prancers Pub at Grande Station (Littleton): A holiday pop-up in downtown Littleton, with Christmas decorations and seasonal drinks.
• Noel at Bluegrass Lounge (Arvada): A Christmas pop-up in Olde Town Arvada, making it an easy addition if you’re already visiting Sippin’ Santa.
• The Chalet at Kimpton Claret (Belleview Station): A winter lodge-inspired setup with fire pits and seasonal drinks, located in southern Denver.

Denver has so many fun Christmas pop-up bars, and I love that there’s always new bars and new themes each year. Whether you’re looking for an over-the-top Christmas bar, something a little more relaxed, or just a festive place to grab a drink, there are plenty of options around the city.

Just remember that most of these are very popular and fill up quickly, especially on weekends, so definitely make a reservation as soon as possible.

I hope you’ve found this list helpful in planning, and have a great holiday season!

Looking for more ideas? Below are additional Denver and Colorado guides or check out the Best Things To Do In Denver During Christmas!

Additional Denver Christmas Guides:

• Christmas In Denver: Top Things To Do
• Denver Christkindlmarket: Tips & Everything To Know
• Best Christmas Lights In Denver
• Top Christmas Train Rides Near Denver
• Ice Skating In Denver: Top Outdoor Rinks
• Winter In Denver: The Best Things To Do
• Winter Weekend In Denver Guide
• All Denver Guides

More Colorado Guides:

• Top Towns For Christmas In Colorado
• Best Winter Destinations In Colorado
• Cities & Regional Hubs In Colorado (for visitors!)
• Colorado Travel Guide (everything to know for visitors!)
• All Colorado Guides