Where to Drink
Holiday pop-up bars: Big Bar, Lost Property, and more
Plunge into these holiday-themed pop-up bars and enjoy the festive cocktail menu.
The much-awaited time of the year is here. And with this, a lot of bars have ignited their yearly holiday pop-ups. From holiday-themed cocktails to meeting Santa and his elves and dancing to Christmas tunes, these bars in LA got you covered in all possible ways to keep your festive spirit alive.
Blitzen’s at Here & Now
Christmas decoration for Blitzen’s at Here and Now, source: Facebook
Located in the Arts District, Here and Now is a true hidden gem in Downtown Los Angeles. The gastropub and cocktail bar is back with Blitzen’s holiday popup and will be celebrated throughout December. Blitzen’s will feature carolers, Santa, drag queen bingo, and a holiday puppy pageant. Sunday night will be reserved for a PJ-themed party and will be complete with classic games and holiday movie screenings like Elf, Home Alone, and more.
This year again they have partnered with PATH (People Assisting the Homeless) for their annual donation drive. At this drive, they will be collecting donations in the form of toiletries. They will offer one cup of free punch for every quarter-size Ziploc filled with items for an individual.
For Blitzen’s, Here and Now boasts a completely new menu featuring seasonal cocktails, beers on tap, wines, and food. We recommend trying Merry Christmas Ya Filthy Animal cocktail, made with hot mulled wine, diplomatico rum, orange, and Christmas spices.
Where - 300 S Santa Fe Ave Ste n, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Hours - Tue-Thu (5 pm - 11 pm)
Fri-Sat (5 pm - 1 am)
Sunday (5 pm - 11 pm)
Big Bar
Big Bar, source: Facebook
The sister bar of Alcove cafe and bakery, Big Bar offers hand-crafted cocktails prepared with fine spirits, fresh juices, fresh herbs, house-made syrups, and love. Generally, this watering hole has a laid-back and peaceful vibe but on themed nights there is no sense of personal space or an appropriate level of volume.
Celebrate in their festive decor of fairy light and garlands, while you warm up with hot drinks from their new winter menu. This year, they're offering hot toddies, Irish coffee, tequila-spiked warm apple cider, and much more. Try the No Figgity No Doubt cocktails, a perfect drink to get you toasty. The drink is made from Sipsmith London dry gin, amaro Angeleno lemon, aqua faba, fig, pilsner, and black pepper tincture.
Where - 1929 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Hours - Mon-Thu (9 am - 10 pm)
Fri-Sat (9 am - 11 pm)
Sunday (9 am - 10 pm)
Santa’s Secret Menu at The Mermaid
The decorated patio at The Mermaid, source: Facebook
The Mermaid, tucked away in a Little Tokyo strip mall, is serving up Santa's Secret Menu, which includes High West Distillery, with sales going to the Little Tokyo Community Council. Inside, the bar is filled with cyan lights and festive decor for Christmas. If it is jam-packed inside, don’t worry, you may find ample space in their patio.
The bar features some classic cocktails like Manhattan, old-fashioned, etc, with a dozen of house cocktails, draft beers, a handful of wines, and some bar bites. But your eyes must be on their winter menu featuring Baby It's Cold Outside cocktail, made with hot toddy with a choice of High West Bourbon or Rye, honey, and lemon spice.
Happy hours - Mon-Fri (5 pm - 8 pm)
Sunday (all day)
Where - 428 E 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Hours - Mon-Sun (5 pm - 2 am)
Tinseltown at Lost Property Bar
Lost Property Bar, source: Instagram
Tinseltown partners with Lost Property Bar to drive you into the festive spirit. This Christmas-themed popup held at Lost Property Bar features Christmas tunes, Christmas drinks, Santa with his elves, and lots of tinsel. You can expect a winter menu of food and drinks at the bar. The popup will be running through December.
Try out their Let’s Take And Elfie cocktail, made with rye, pumpkin spice simple, Angostura & chocolate bitters.
Where - 1704 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Hours - Tue-Sun (6 pm - 2 am)
Holiday Spectacular at The NoMad
Coffee Bar at The NoMad, source: Website
The NoMad, located in the center of Downtown LA, is sponsoring the Holiday Spectacular at the lobby level Coffee Bar from 5-11 pm every Saturday and Sunday in December. Sundays will include spirited brand takeovers that will keep industry insiders and their patrons happy all month.
The Coffee Bar, which is inspired by the famous cafés of Venice, offers espresso and pastries to eat in or take away, as well as a cocktail and wine menu. The Coffee Bar's menu changes seasonally to include a Scoop Shop menu of gelato and other frozen delicacies.
Where - 649 S Olive St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
Hours - Mon-Fri (6 am - 6 pm)
Saturday (8 am - 6 pm)
Sunday (9 am - 4:30 pm)
Holiday Party At Runway Playa Vista
At Runway Playa Vista, source: Facebook
The dynamic husband and wife duo, Chef Brooke Williamson and Nick Roberts present a Holiday Party at Runway Playa Vista. This year they have set up a tiki-inspired bar at the Vista and you are invited to experience the festive collection of tiki cocktails from Playa Provisions’ Bar Manager Taylor Hall.
The bar will highlight drinks such as Tiki Nog made with Mt. Gay Black Barrel Rum, milk, Demerara, Angostura Bitters, and nutmeg, Tiki Toddy made with Angel’s Envy Bourbon, Mt. Gay White Rum, Tiki Bitters, lemon, honey, and cinnamon, and many more. Holiday Party will also boast some signature bites from the couple’s fast-casual Hawaiian spot at Runway, Da Kikokiko, including poke bowls and musubi will be available for the hungry party animals.
Where - 12775 W Millennium, Playa Vista, CA 90094
Hours - Tue-Wed (5 pm - 12 am)
Thu-Sat (5 pm - 1 am)
Sunday (12 pm - 11 pm)
Header image, source: Tinseltown Lost Property Bar Instagram
