These Milwaukee-area bars are hosting Christmas pop-ups, from Santa Camp to 'Elf'
In Wisconsin, we don't just deck the halls. We deck the bars, too.
These Milwaukee-area bars are hosting holiday-themed pop-ups this year, from Santa Camp at all three Camp Bar locations to an "Elf"-themed experience at Bay View's Lost Whale.
Almost all of 'em have already started. Some run until Christmas, while others go to or into the new year.
Santa Camp - Camp Bar Third Ward, Wauwatosa and Shorewood
Cue the dancing Santas.
While this is Santa Camp's fourth season, this is its first year being held at all three Camp Bar locations: The Third Ward, Wauwatosa and Shorewood.
The "full 360 immersive experience" includes lots of lights, Christmas trees, large illuminated wreaths, Christmas music and more, according to Adriana Ramirez, brand and operations officer, and Grace Masanz, marketing and events coordinator. The establishments' taxidermy animals are even sporting holiday looks.
While all three locations have a "similar style," each has its own unique elements, Masanz said.
The bars are offering a themed drink menu that includes seven cocktails, like the Gin + Tidings: A Hendrick's Orbium Gin shaken martini with cranberry juice, orange liquor, lemon and lime juice that's served with a rosemary sprig.
There are three ice cream drinks, including The Grinch, which is green in color and features Crème de menthe, Creme de Cacao, ice cream and whipped cream.
The bar also serves festive shots; an array of beers, seltzers and ciders; nonalcoholic beverages, like hot chocolate and hot cider; as well as nibbles, including a jumbo pretzel with cheese, Tots on the Street stuffed gourmet tater tots, and pizzas.
There will also be on-theme events. The Shorewood and Wauwatosa locations will be hosting "Quiz-mas" trivia with Quizmaster Trivia at 8 p.m. Dec. 14. All three locations will be hosting "The Ultimate Ugly Sweater Party" at 8 p.m. Dec. 21. People are encouraged to come decked out for the holidays, and there will be prizes and giveaways.
ADDRESSES: Camp Bar Third Ward, 525 E. Menomonee Street; Camp Bar Tosa, 6600 W. North Avenue; Camp Bar Shorewood, 4044 N. Oakland Avenue.
DATES AND HOURS: 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. Fridays, and noon to 2 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Started at the end of November and runs through the new year. Exact end date TBD.
MORE INFO: facebook.com/CampBarThirdWard, facebook.com/campbartosa, facebook.com/CampBarMKE
'Mary Christmas Bar' - At Hunty's Social Club by Hamburger Mary's
A festive and cozy "classy kitsch." That's how owner Brandon Wright described the “Mary Christmas Bar" at Hunty's Social Club, Hamburger Mary's side bar.
"It's like Christmas exploded," Wright said. Expect lots of lights, vintage luxe Christmas trees and more.
Holiday-inspired cocktails include:
Frostini: Features peppermint vodka, clear Creme de Cacao and a splash of cream.
Cranberry Sauce'd: Includes Deep Eddy's Cranberry Vodka, apricot brandy, ginger ale and a splash.
Mele Kalikimaka: Features coconut rum, pineapple juice and Blue Curacao.
Sugar Plumtini: Similar to a Cosmo, but with Pearl Plum Vodka, white cranberry juice and a sugar rim.
Warm beverages include Glühwein, aka mulled spiced wine, and hot chocolate-based options.
If you get hangry at Hunty's, limited food items from the Hamburger Mary's kitchen will be available.
Hunty's hosts Mary-oke on Thursday and Friday nights.
As per usual, Hamburger Mary's, located next door, puts on "Dining with the Divas" at 6:30 and 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and a "Divas Drag Brunch" at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Sometimes the drag queens pop by Hunty's and pretend they're Santa's mistresses, Wright said.
For a full schedule of events, visit hamburgermarys.com/mke/events-2-2.
ADDRESS: 734 S 5th St., Milwaukee
DATES AND HOURS: Opens at 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. The pop-up runs through mid-January. Closed on Christmas Eve and Day.
MORE INFO: facebook.com/marysmke, facebook.com/HuntysMKE
'Elf' - Lost Whale
"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear" — and visiting Lost Whale's "Elf" pop-up.
The bar features décor inspired by scenes from the iconic movie, including hand-cut paper snowflakes, Christmas lights and a model train suspended from the ceiling.
Themed cocktails include:
Son of a Nutcracker: Bacardi rum, lemon, house-made chestnut orgeat, Lustau Deluxe Cream Sherry, Bittercube root beer bitters, served on a snowball and topped with mint and powdered "snow."
I'm a Cotton-headed Ninny Muggins: Ford's gin, lemon, winter-spiced cranberry, Bittercube Jamaican #1 bitters, Campo Viejo Spanish reserve cava and cotton candy pour-over.
ADDRESS: 2151 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Milwaukee
DATES AND HOURS: 5 p.m. to bar close Tuesday through Sunday from Dec. 6 until Dec. 31.
MORE INFO: facebook.com/Lostwhalemke.
'Magical Pop-up' - Moran's Pub
Did you make it to the interactive "Wizard World" pop-up at Moran's Pub in October? It's been reimagined with a Christmas spin by creator, local artist Lauren Marvell.
The main attraction at "Magical Pop-up" is the tree garden at the back of the pub, said James Moran, the pub's owner. Local families designed "Harry Potter"-inspired trees in themes, such as "Spells, Potions, Etc." and "Owls & Things." Patrons can vote for their favorite until 8 p.m. Dec. 23. A "Tree Garden Party" will be held that night with games, raffles and more. Winners will be announced at 9 p.m.
Expect decorations, including gingerbread houses modeled after Diagon Alley, Christmas trees hanging from the ceiling, cookie characters on saucers hung up on the walls, lights, buildings from the films drawn on the large glass windows at the pub's entrance, and more.
Themed cocktails include The Snowy Owl, with Shanky's Whip, vodka and a dash of butterscotch, and topped with heavy whipping cream or eggnog; and an alcoholic Irish Butterbeer that features Guinness Irish whiskey, butterscotch and cream soda. It appears as though the Guinness is floating on top of the rest of the concoction to give it a "magical look," Moran said.
These are some of the elements returning from the previous pop-up:
Patrons can purchase a letter, which will be either an acceptance or rejection to Moran's School of Witchcraft. Whoever receives the one acceptance letter gets a prize. Once a winner comes forward, another acceptance letter is put into the pile.
"Wizard Packs" are also being sold once again. This time, they come in starry stockings and include a handmade traditional British cracker with a prize inside (crackers can also be purchased separately), wizard glasses, a custom wooden ornament, a scavenger hunt game and more.
The pub is also hosting an array of events throughout the month, like a family-friendly ticketed Hot Cocoa Social on Dec. 24. It will feature a hot cocoa bar with treats, toppings (and booze), a make-and-take activity, games and more. Tickets can be purchased online under the "shop" tab on laurenmarvell.com. They cost $30 for adults and $25 for kids, with $5 from every ticket being donated to South Milwaukee Little League. Prices will be higher at the door.
ADDRESS: 912 Milwaukee Ave., South Milwaukee
DATES AND HOURS: Runs through Dec. 31. 4 to 11:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, and 4 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Fridays. Weekend hours are dependent on soccer matches and Packers games; check the pub's Facebook page for updates.
MORE INFO: facebook.com/MoransPubMKE
'SantaFox' - SlyFox
SlyFox is about to look "very Christmas-y," according to managing partner Andrew Logman.
The bar's holiday pop-up, "SantaFox," will feature a whole bunch of decorations, including ornaments hanging "all over the place," lights, a tree and more.
There will be a special drink menu with at least eight holiday-themed cocktails, including Boozy Eggnog; The Jingle Bird, a play on The Jungle Bird which is made with rum; and a Cranpus that will feature cranberry.
Keep an eye on the bar's Facebook and Instagram pages for updates.
ADDRESS: 1692 N. Van Buren St., Milwaukee
DATES AND HOURS: 4 p.m. to midnight or 1 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday Dec. 14-24.
MORE INFO: facebook.com/theslyfoxbar, instagram.com/theslyfoxbar
'Miracle Christmas' - Tin Widow
More than 100 bars across the country participate in the official "Miracle Christmas" pop-up experience, including Milwaukee's very own Tin Widow.
Each bar creates its own unique décor while they all share cocktail menus. This year's drinks include:
"Grandma Got Runover by A T-Rex": Vodka, orange liqueur, gentian aperitif, aloe vera, spiced pomegranate and grapefruit mix, lime, and aromatic bitters.
"Snowball Old-Fashioned": Rye whiskey, gingerbread, aromatic bitters, wormwood bitters and orange essence, and Jingle Balls Nog made with cognac, cream sherry, almond milk, cream, egg, vanilla and nutmeg.
ADDRESS: 703 S. Second St., Milwaukee
DATES AND HOURS: 7 p.m. to bar close daily from Nov. 25 to Christmas Day.
MORE INFO: facebook.com/TinWidow
'Magic Forest' - At Random
At Random's outdoor patio has been transformed into a "Magic Forest" with lights and "oodles of Holiday Cheer," according to a post from its Facebook page.
The Bay View classic cocktail lounge will be serving up festive drinks and hot cocktails out there, a post said.
Patrons can hang out by an outdoor fire pit that's first come, first served. Or, they can reserve heated cocktail huts for a fee. Reservations for those can be made at exploretock.com/atrandom.
Kids are allowed to accompany their parents until 7 p.m., a Facebook post said.
The indoor lounge will remain open, and be first come, first served.
ADDRESS: 2501 S. Delaware Ave., Milwaukee
DATES: Pop-up starts Nov. 27. Open Tuesday through Sunday.
MORE INFO: facebook.com/atrandommke
Jordyn Noennig of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee-area bars hosting Christmas pop-ups: Camp Bar, Lost Whale
