One of the best December activities in our trending city is visiting the many holiday pop-up bars in Austin! There are few things more festive than donning a sparkly holiday dress (or an ugly Christmas sweater), gathering with a few loved ones, and nestling into a cozy Christmas-themed bar in Austin for a few cocktails. It’s one of my favorite annual holiday traditions in ATX!
This guide will show you a big list of all the best holiday cocktail bars in Austin. There are lots of good ones this year! I feel like last year the bars were all just struggling to get back on their feet with the craziness of the year, and now in 2021 everyone has their act together a bit better. With this guide, you can quickly and easily plan a fun night out this holiday season!
About Austin Holiday Bars
Up until recently (just a few years ago!) we didn’t have that many pop-up bars in Austin during the month of December. But bar-owners must have realized what a hit they are, because now there are a few new ones that show up every year. Lala’s Little Nugget is a classic year-round Christmas bar in Austin that always performs well in December, but now you can find more than a dozen other options, too.
I decided to create this guide so you can have a quick resource to check this year when you’re looking for the best Christmas bars in Austin. Hope it helps!
The 15 Best Holiday Pop-up Bars In Austin
These are all pop-up bars or holiday-themed experiences in Austin where you can settle in, order a few drinks, and enjoy the ambiance. Some have fake snow, some have themed drinks, some last all month, and some are just here for a few days. But they’re all in Austin!
With each location, I’ll share a few helpful tidbits and a photo, along with the address, phone number, and website. Be sure to click around before visiting any of these bars – rules and reservations change SO quickly these days, so the bar’s website or instagram page will be the best place to get the most up-to-date information. Here we go!
1. Miracle On 5th Street
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It’s back! The holiday bar takeover at The Eleanor in downtown Austin was such a hit, they decided to repeat it this year. With wall-to-wall Christmas decor, Santa mugs, and lots of holiday cheer, this pop-up bar is sure to put you in the Christmas spirit. This is certainly one of theee most epic holiday bars in downtown Austin.
Miracle on 5th St
307 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 494-4094
2. Edge Rooftop at JW Marriott
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Who says you can’t have a white Christmas in Austin, Texas? Make reservations at this bar for hourly snowfall, live music, and holiday-themed cocktails. You’ll definitely want to take lots of photos!
Edge Rooftop Bar At JW Marriott
110 E 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-4777
3. Nickel City
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Nickle City is not only one of the best holiday pop-up bars in Austin…it’s one of the best cocktail bars, period! They have amazing drinks and a fun vibe, and it’s extra celebratory when their bar is all decked out for the holidays. Their Sippin’ Santa event means that you can make a reservation for a big ol’ group to enjoy their holiday-themed cocktails with your group of 6-12 guests! (Walk-ins are ok, too.)
Nickel City
1133 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702
4. Gibson Street Bar
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While this bar on South Lamar is mostly known for their epic Halloween pop-up, they also decorate for the month of December with lights and Christmas trees. Stop by for a holiday-themed cocktail!
Gibson Bar
1109 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 386-1345
5. Kitty Cohen’s
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This popular east Austin bar with a wading pool on the back patio is doing a Hannakuh pop-up from Nov 28th-Dec 30th. They have lots of blue and lots of great drinks.
Kitty Cohen’s
2211 Webberville Rd #3548, Austin, TX 78702
6. Lucille Patio Lounge
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If you’re looking for a holiday pop-up bar on Rainey Street, go to Lucille for their holiday-themed bar. There’s a ceiling of twinkly lights, festive drinks like hot chocolate spiked with marshmallow vodka, or classic mulled wine. This is a great place to take some cute Christmas pics on Rainey!
Lucille
77 Rainey St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 322-9270
7. South Pole at Geraldine’s
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Make reservations for this one! Rent your own personal snow globe on the rooftop at the Hotel Van Zandt on Rainey Street. It’s only there for a few days, but The South Pole at Geraldine’s is one of the most epic pop-up Christmas bars in Austin with amazing drinks and views of downtown!
Geraldine’s
605 Davis St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 476-4755
8. Lala’s Little Nugget
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This wouldn’t be a round up of the best holiday pop-up bars in Austin without including the classic: Lala’s Little Nugget in north Austin. It’s actually a year-round Christmas-themed bar in Austin (not a pop-up), but it’s certainly on brand during the month of December.
Lala’s Little Nugget
2207 Justin Ln, Austin, TX 78757
(512) 487-5297
9. The Driskill
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This is one of the oldest and iconic hotels in Austin, and during the month of December they set up their 16-foot Christmas tree in the lobby. Stop by the hotel bar for a winter cocktail and enjoy the gorgeous decor.
The Driskill
604 Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 391-7107
10. Wonder Bar
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Wonder Bar, a destination bar at Domain NORTHSIDE, turns their space into a winter wonderland for the month of December! There are tons of holiday-themed photo ops, cozy cocktails, and a secret room: “Mint To Be.”
Wonder Bar
11500 Rock Rose Ave suite d, Austin, TX 78758
(512) 659-5537
11. Dumont’s Down Low
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A downtown basement bar with a speakeasy vibe, DuMont’s Down Low is a fun holiday bar in Austin.. With white twinkly lights hanging from the ceiling, exposed brick walls, and dark leather sofas, this is the perfect place to sip a cozy bourbon-based cocktail with your date.
Dumont’s Down Low
214 W 4th St Suite B, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 291-3231
12. The Lucky Robot
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This popular sushi bar on South Congress is the perfect backdrop for a festive happy hour or dinner out. The roof, dining room, and patio are covered in giant gift boxes, Christmas trees, beautiful garlands, and tons of twinkly lights.
The Lucky Robot
1303 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 444-8081
13. The Fairmont Austin
If you really want to go all out, don you now your gay apparel and head to The Fairmont. They’re offering a “champagne and caviar” menu in their lounge with festive decor and special drink options.
The Fairmont
101 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 600-2000
14. Donn’s Depot
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This piano bar in Austin has two dance floors and a really eclectic feel. It’s a good time, I promise. It’s been around since 1978, so even if you can’t make it during the holidays, this is an old-school Austin must.
Donn’s Depot
1600 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 478-0336
15. Mozart’s Lights
Mozart’s light show is one of the most iconic holiday events in Austin. Make reservations and show up for an evening of Christmas music, warm treats, and fun memories.
Mozart’s Coffee Roasters
3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 477-2900
PS: here are a bunch of family-friendly activities in Austin for the holiday season, and a bunch of local Austin gift ideas.
