Try Festive Drinks at Holiday Pop-Up Bars in Metro Detroit

The holiday season is one of the best times of the year in metro Detroit. Despite the cold weather, snow and even rain, locations around the area are festive and ready to bring smiles to peoples’ faces.

Over the past few years, there has been a growing trend of bars transforming for the holiday season, going from their normal décor to Christmas lights, paintings, reindeer, holiday-themed drinks and more.

Detroit is not immune to the trend, and this year, more and more bars are transforming into holiday pop-ups. Below you can find the best holiday pop-up bars in metro Detroit.

Blitzen’s on Bagley

A new pop-up bar this year, Blitzen’s on Bagley in Southwest Detroit is from a local hospitality group known for other restaurants like Green Dot Stables, Johnny Noodle King and more.

Described as “A holiday tavern in Detroit,” the spot is located at 2545 Bagley.

You can get festive drinks, and order food from their neighbors, GOBLIN DETROIT where you can get sushi, or Shell Shock’d Tacos.

On top of draft and cans of beer, you can get hot cocoa spiked with a variety of liquors or try their cocktails which include Grinch Punch (vodka, lime simple, pineapple juice and ginger ale), Very Merry Marg (tequila, house sour, strawberry & lime) or Spiked Eggnog (Captain Morgan, eggnog, nutmeg).

Blitzen’s on Bagley is open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday and 5 p.m. to midnight Thursday-Saturday.

@blitzensonbagley

Sippin’ Santa at The Skip

Located in The Belt in the heart of Downtown Detroit, The Skip turns into Sippin’ Santa around the holidays, a national Christmas pop-up.

The tiki bar gets cold and includes holiday décor on the inside with lights, garland and more, and the bar is currently open.

Some of the menu includes the Kris Kringle Colada (dark Jamaican rum, Amaro, Allspice liqueur cream, lime, pineapple, cream of coconut), Holiday on Ice (vodka, dark-roasted cold brew, condensed milk, ancho Chile liqueur, cinnamon syrup) or the Yule Tide (tequila, Applejack, lime, maple cranberry syrup) and more.

On top of the drinks, you can buy the tiki glasses, including a Sippin’ Santa mug, a tiki tub punch bowl, Rudolph shot glass and more.

Sippin’ Santa runs from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday, and 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Jingle at Ale Mary’s

Ale Mary’s in Downtown Royal Oak is once again transforming into Jingle, a Christmas pop-up that runs from Nov. 29 through Jan. 2.

The inside of the bar is filled with Christmas lights and pictures on the walls covered with wrapping paper.

On top of their regular menu, there are Christmas-themed drinks, Christmas-themed mugs and even Christmas cookies!

Miracle at The Oakland

The well-known cocktail bar The Oakland Art Novelty Company becomes Miracle at The Oakland during the holidays, part of the national Miracle pop-up bars.

It’s open in Downtown Ferndale from Nov. 23 through Dec. 30 with several cocktails and shots available.

Try the Snowball Old-Fashioned (rye, gingerbread, aromatic bitters, wormwood bitters, orange essence), the Grandma Got Run Over By A T-Rex (vodka, orange liqueur, gentian aperitif, aloe vera, spiced pomegranate & grapefruit mix, lime, aromatic bitters), the Jingle Balls Nog (cognac, cream sherry, almond milk, cream, egg, vanilla, nutmeg) and more.

You can also buy Christmas-themed glasses to take home.

Reservations are available at their website and they are open Tuesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.

Detroit City Distillery

Detroit’s own Detroit City Distillery has opened up what they’re calling the Whiskey Wonderland for the first-time ever.

Their tasting room in Eastern Market has transformed into a festive room with lights hanging from the ceiling, a giant Christmas tree and more.

On top of that, they have a new holiday menu where you can get festive drinks and try out some Detroit-made spirits.

The tasting room is open Wednesday and Thursday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.