‘Tis the season, Kansas City: Check out these 11 holiday-themed pop-up bars around town
For some, the holiday season doesn’t start for another few weeks.
But that hasn’t stopped Kansas City-area restaurants, breweries and entertainment districts from setting up shop for Santa Claus.
Reservations are open for holiday pop-up bars across town. Favorites are returning to Boulevard Brewing Co. and the Country Club Plaza, a familiar theme has its debut at J. Rieger & Co., and the Kansas City Chiefs are partnering with Apparition Productions’ Vignettes bar to bring red-and-gold cheer to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium until the end of the year.
Take a look at what Kansas City has to offer this holiday season at these 11 pop-up bars.
And if we missed any, let us know at kcq@kcstar.com.
Elf’d Up... Again
Where: Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Road
The Conductor Club at Union Station hosted a Grinch-themed pop-up bar last year, and this year they are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Christmas classic “Elf,” with their theme “Elf’d Up... Again.”
Themed drinks and decorations based around the Will Ferrell-led film fill the Conductor Club while it’s open.
The pop-up bar is open on select dates from Nov. 24 to Dec. 30.
The bar take reservations in two rounds: The first opens on Nov. 17 and the second opens on Dec. 8. Reservations cost $5 per person.
Holiday Hideaway
Where: Chicken N Pickle, multiple locations
The Holiday Hideaway pops up at two Chicken N Pickle locations in the Kansas City area: 5901 W. 135th St. in Overland Park and 1761 Burlington St. in North Kansas City. The pickleball-focused restaurant brings lodge vibes to its venues, with summit views, a cozy atmosphere and outdoor fire pits all season long.
The pop-up is open from 5-9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5-11:45 p.m. on Fridays, 2:45-11:45 p.m. on Saturdays and 2:45-9:30 p.m. on Sundays.
Reservations are open now online for both the North Kansas City and Overland Park locations. Each reservation costs $10 per person.
Kingdom’s Greetings
Where: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, 1 Arrowhead Drive
The Chiefs are working with local pop-up bar Vignettes this holiday season for “Kingdom’s Greetings,” a holiday pop-up bar in the penthouse at Arrowhead Stadium.
The team at Vignettes are turning the penthouse into a snow globe of red and gold, with cocktails and snacks crafted by the team. Vignettes says visitors can take pictures on the Chief’s sleigh, stroll through the red and gold trees or curl up by the fireplace in Arrowhead’s winter wonderland.
Reservations can be booked online for $10 on Thursdays and Sundays and $15 on Fridays and Saturdays. It costs $35 on Dec. 3 for the watch party, where fans can watch the Chiefs play the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football.
The pop-up bar is open from Nov. 24 to Dec. 30, and will not be open when the Chiefs play at home.
Visitors can use any parking gate at the stadium to enter and can park in Lot E.
Parking is free for the pop-up bar, and visitors enter the stadium through the Tower Gate adjacent to Lot E.
Miracle
“Miracle” returns to Kansas City for another year, bringing its holiday pop-up bar to three destinations around town.
The spots at 4807 Jefferson St. at the Country Club Plaza and 1924 Main St. in the Crossroads are for the general public, while the Rockhill Grille location is reserved for private events.
Inside, visitors find festive drinks and decorations. Christmas movies can be seen playing on the television screens and holiday songs are playing through the speakers.
Reservations for the Plaza and Crossroads locations open online Friday, but they also take walk-ins. The Plaza opens on Nov. 23 and the Crossroads opens Nov. 24.
Nine Zero One Igloo Bar and Lounge
Where: The Fontaine, 901 W. 48th Place
The Fontaine’s rooftop bar at the Country Club Plaza turns into an igloo for the holidays once again. The Nine Zero One Igloo Bar and Lounge lets you enjoy festive drinks inside a snow globe. The rooftop experience opens Nov. 20 and runs until Feb. 18
Additional themed set-ups like glamping — glamorous camping — igloos and log cabins are available to be booked for extra fees ranging from $175-350.
The fees can be split between up to eight people in the igloos, and 20 people in the glamping lounge.
Reservations can be booked online.
Rec Deck the Halls
Where: Boulevard Brewing Co., 2501 Southwest Boulevard
For the third year in a row, Boulevard Brewing Co. turns the fourth floor at its brewery into an over-the-top holiday experience featuring festive cocktails, frozen Flings, Quirk cocktails, barrel-aged beers and shuffleboard.
“Rec Deck the Halls” returns to Boulevard Nov. 24 and will be open to the public from 1:30 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 30.
Boulevard says seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for a $5 cover charge, with a portion of proceeds benefiting Kansas City G.I.F.T., a nonprofit providing grants for Black-owned businesses.
“Year three of ‘Rec Deck the Halls’ is going to be better than ever,” Amber Ayres, Boulevard director of consumer experience said in a written statement.
“Our beer elves are hard at work making sure this year is the best year yet and we can’t wait to welcome the KC community back to our own winter wonderland this holiday season.”
Sippin’ Santa
Where: The Hey! Hey! Club, 2700 Guinotte Ave.
With Julep in Westport closing, “Sippin’ Santa” moves to the Hey! Hey! Club at J. Rieger & Co. this holiday season. The Christmas-themed tiki bar runs from Nov. 20 through Dec. 30.
The menu features innovative takes on classic tiki drinks, such as: the Jingle Bird with Rieger’s Straight Bourbon Whiskey Bottled in Bond, the Surf Nut with gold Puerto Rican rum and much more. Visitors can also buy some of the signature tiki mugs
“We are really excited to bring this concept developed by the legendary Beachbum Berry to The Hey! Hey! Club for the holidays,” J. Rieger & Co. co-founder Ryan Maybee said in a written statement.
“Sippin’ Santa is such a cool tradition and we are excited to present this very unique guest experience to Kansas Citians.”
Reservations can be made online for $5 per person.
Society
Where: Society, 2050 Central St.
It’s a Christmas in the Crossroads for Society, as the restaurant turns into a Christmas-themed pop-up bar from Nov. 24 to Jan. 14, 2024.
Visitors will see holiday decorations scattered throughout the venue, a festive cocktail menu and plenty of shareable food options.
It’s open from 4-10 p.m. every Wednesday through Friday and 5-10 p.m. every Saturday.
Tinsel Tavern
Where: Leinie’s Lodge, 1323 Walnut St.
Leinie’s Lodge in the Power & Light District transforms into “Tinsel Tavern,” a festive holiday bar on Nov. 24. The entertainment district said visitors can drink holiday-inspired cocktails, eat festive food and participate in themed events while the pop-up is in town.
Themed events include Christmas karaoke, ugly sweater contests and Christmas DJ nights.
The pop-up is open every day from Nov. 24 through Dec. 30.
The hours are 4 p.m. until close from Sunday through Thursday, 2 p.m. until close on Friday and noon until close on Saturday. Bar seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis, or you can book a reservation online.
Tinsel Tavern replaces Miracle, which was the holiday pop-up bar in Leinie’s Lodge for 2022.
Tinsel Town
Where: Tom’s Town Distilling Co., 1701 Main St.
Tom’s Town converts its distillery into “Tinsel Town,” a holiday-themed lounge for another Christmas season. Guests can enjoy themed drinks such as Gin-gle Bells, Highball Humbug and the Salty Snowman while listening to the most popular Christmas songs.
Every room will be decorated with holiday cheer and tons of tinsel.
The pop-up is open from Nov. 16 to Dec. 24
Reservations can be booked online for $5 per person and it will be added to your party’s bill.
Winter Wonderland
Where: Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway Boulevard
The Founders’ Lounge at the Kauffman Center turns into a relaxing Christmas-themed stop for December.
“Winter Wonderland” is the stop for pre and post-show snacks from Executive Chef Laura Comer. The menu includes parmesan steak frites, cranberry brie panini and a Spanish chocolate torte for food.
Drinks that people can sip on include Chef Laura’s Eggnog, Nightmare Before Christmas or The Polar Express Bar Car: A hot chocolate cart.
It’s open from 5-7:30 p.m. on select dates from Dec. 1-23.
On Dec. 3, 10 and 17 it is open from 3-7:30 p.m.
