The Ultimate Twin Cities Holiday Pop-Up Bar Guide (2025)

I’m mortified to admit this… but I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT A HOLIDAY POP-UP BAR WAS.
Not until I started digging for ideas of what to share with you.

Juuuust in case we’re in the same deer-drawn sleigh, lemme break it down.

These festive bars must’ve been visited by Rudolph himself — because I swear he caught a cold and sneezed tinsel everywhere. Over-the-top, twinkly, borderline unhinged décor… and honestly? It’s the most beautiful sickly sight I’ve ever seen.

From downtown hotel lounges and tiki Santas to Gremlins at Surly and lakeside chalets in Waconia, these spots are serving maximum festive energy from late November through early January.

So get your jingle bells on, print this list, check it twice, and have yourself a jolly good time. 🎄✨

I pulled together 20+ of the buzziest holiday pop-up bars across Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the suburbs and grouped them by area so you can plan a crawl (or three).

You’ll see these sprinkled throughout:

Where: Hotel Emery, Vault Level, downtown Minneapolis
When (2025): November 26 – December 27
Vibe: Santa’s workshop meets whimsical fantasy. You literally walk down through a life-size chimney into a North Pole concourse, gingerbread toy factory, and rooms packed with lights, ornaments, and charm. 🎄📸🍸
Perfect for: Girls’ night, date night, festive out-of-towners, and anyone who wants “wow” photos.
Need to know: Reservations are recommended, especially weekends. Expect holiday cocktails with flavors like gingerbread, pomegranate, and fig, plus small bites. 21+ most evenings.

Where: Hell’s Kitchen, basement level, downtown Minneapolis
When (2025): November 28 – early January 2026
Vibe: The already-iconic underground dining room goes full maximalist: tinsel, lights, ornaments, and all the holiday chaos. 🎄🍸🍽️🎶
Perfect for: Brunch crew who wants to roll right into festive drinks, or anyone who secretly loves tacky décor and strong cocktails.
Need to know: You can pair it with their famous brunch (hi, lemon ricotta hotcakes) or come strictly for the holiday drinks and seasonal menu.

Where: AC Lounge at AC Hotel, downtown Minneapolis
When (2025): November 20 – December 30 (closed Thanksgiving & Christmas Day)
Vibe: Tiki Christmas. Think Santa in a Hawaiian shirt, tropical glassware, and island-inspired holiday cocktails. 🎄🍸📸
Perfect for: Friends who complain about winter, people who like their Christmas with a side of pineapple, and anyone who loves a themed glass.
Need to know: Reservations are available and recommended during peak nights. Expect limited hours on some weekdays.

Where: Brit’s Pub, Nicollet Mall, downtown Minneapolis
When (2025): November 28 – January 4, 2026
Vibe: A nationally-touring Jingle Bar/Frosty’s pop-up lands at Brit’s with wall-to-wall twinkle lights, games, and festive cocktails. 🎄🍸🎶📸
Perfect for: Groups who want a destination that feels like a pop-up “experience,” not just a decked-out bar.
Need to know: Some sessions are ticketed time slots; check the Jingle Bar/Frosty’s event page for details.

Where: Umbra restaurant & bar, Canopy by Hilton, Downtown East
When (2025): December 1 – December 30
Vibe: Sleek hotel lounge with a cheeky twist. Holiday cocktails, twinkle lights, and a menu that takes itself just seriously enough. 🎄🍸🍽️
Perfect for: Date night, pre-event drinks near U.S. Bank Stadium, mixed groups where some people want cocktails and others want a real dinner.
Need to know: No reservations required for the bar; there are N/A options for sober and sober-curious friends.

Where: Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot
When (2025): November 17 – December 31
Vibe: A train-themed holiday experience inside a reimagined historic depot. You board the “Northern Starlight” for a 60-minute cocktail + bites journey that feels like a grown-up Polar Express. 🎄🍸🍽️📸💸
Perfect for: Special date nights, small groups, or visitors staying downtown who want something more experiential.
Need to know: Reservation-only with timed sessions. Book early.

Where: Travail Kitchen & Amusements, Basement Bar, Robbinsdale
When (2025): November 21 – January 3, 2026
Vibe: A ticketed tasting-menu experience in a fully transformed basement bar. Each year they pick a handful of countries and build a full food + cocktail journey around global holiday traditions. 🎄🍸🍽️💸
Perfect for: Foodies, date night, company outings, and people who want a full night out, not just a quick drink.
Need to know: Tickets are required and sell out. Expect a multi-course menu with drink pairings (spirit-free available).

Where: Nico’s Taco Bar – Uptown, South Minneapolis, and St. Paul
When (2025): Early November – January 4, 2026
Vibe: Christmas Casa meets taco night. Multiple themed rooms, inflatables, an outdoor bar with firepits, mulled wine in reindeer mugs, and a bobcat sleigh photo op. 🎄🔥🍸🍽️📸👨‍👩‍👧
Perfect for: Groups, casual date nights, or anyone who loves tacos and chaos with their Christmas lights.
Need to know: Walk-ins are welcome at all locations; limited reservations depending on the spot. Each location has its own layout and festive personality.

Where: Earl Giles, Quincy St. NE, Minneapolis
When (2025): November 17 – January 4, 2026
Vibe: A distillery-turned-winter wonderland: thousands of lights, a towering tree, themed cocktails, mocktails, markets, and weekly programming like trivia and ugly sweater contests. 🎄🍸🔥🍽️📸👨‍👩‍👧
Perfect for: A full evening out – you can eat, drink, browse holiday markets, and linger.
Need to know: Reservations are strongly encouraged on weekends. Great option for families earlier in the evening.

Where: Bina’s Bar, Northeast Minneapolis
When (2025): Starting November 14 (running through the holiday season)
Vibe: Tiny tiki-Christmas mashup: kitschy, beachy cocktails, plastic Santas, and dive-bar charm. 🎄🍸📸
Perfect for: People who love a little grit with their Christmas cheer, and anyone crawling between Earl Giles and other NE spots.
Need to know: It’s small and walk-in only. Great first or last stop on a Northeast holiday crawl.

Where: Creekside Supper Club & Lounge, South Minneapolis
When (2025): Now – early January 2026
Vibe: Classic Midwest supper club that went all-in on Christmas: Santas, baubles, Old Fashioneds, and cozy booths. 🎄🍸🍽️
Perfect for: A “grown-up but fun” holiday dinner, trivia nights, or low-key hangs with friends.
Need to know: Dinner reservations recommended; the bar is first-come and a little easier to snag.

Where: Black Sheep Coal Fired Pizza, North Loop
When (2025): Early December – early January 2026
Vibe: Pizza place turned wink-wink holiday bar with bags of “coal,” black sheep décor, and strong seasonal cocktails. 🎄🍽️🍸
Perfect for: Casual nights when you want legit pizza + festive drinks without planning a whole “experience.”
Need to know: Reservations not usually required, but peak weekend nights can get busy.

Where: Hola Arepa, Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis
When (2025): Starting November 19 through December
Vibe: A tropical holiday jungle: twinkly dining room, themed cocktails, and a heated chalet/bar area out back. 🎄🍸🍽️📸
Perfect for: Friends who want something festive but not traditional, and anyone who loves Hola’s food.
Need to know: Walk-ins accepted, but reservations are smart for prime nights.

Where: Tavola Italian Kitchen & Bar, Elliott Park Hotel, Minneapolis
When (2025): December 5 – January 10, 2026
Vibe: Elevated winter pop-up focused on foraged, seasonal, and local ingredients. Think smoked cocktails, pine-infused syrups, truffle accents, and wild-forward dishes. 🎄🍸🍽️
Perfect for: People whose aesthetic is more “Nordic minimalism” than “tinsel explosion.”
Need to know: Reservations recommended; this leans more special-occasion dinner than chaotic bar crawl.

Where: Red Cow, Uptown Minneapolis
When (2025): November 21 – December 31
Vibe: Two moods in one:

Where: PINZ, Oakdale
When (2025): Holiday season, typically mid-November – New Year
Vibe: The famous Miracle pop-up cocktail bar overlays a bowling alley and arcade. Festive glassware, nostalgia-heavy décor, and a built-in activity list: bowling, arcade games, and cocktails. 🎄🍸🎶📸👨‍👩‍👧
Perfect for: Mixed-age groups, office outings, and families with teens.
Need to know: Check PINZ/Miracle for exact 2025 dates and lane availability.

Where: River City Extreme, Monticello
When (2025): Holiday season, typically mid-November – early January
Vibe: Another Miracle outpost: same signature glassware + cocktail menu, new crowd. 🎄🍸📸
Perfect for: North-of-the-cities crews or people visiting family nearby who still want a holiday night out.
Need to know: Dates and hours can vary year to year; check ahead.

Where: Omni Viking Lakes Hotel, Eagan
When (2025): Late November – December 30
Vibe: Over-the-top Christmas bar in a sleek hotel lobby: thousands of twinkle lights, tinsel everywhere, and a cocktail menu from a celebrity mixologist. 🎄🍸📸
Perfect for: South-of-the-river date night, Vikings-adjacent outings, or a full staycation.
Need to know: All ages welcome; check the hotel site for hours.

Where: Lola’s Lakehouse, Waconia
When (2025): Holiday season, typically through December 31
Vibe: Lakeside restaurant turned Hallmark-adjacent chalet: decorated bar, lake views, and cozy cocktails. 🎄🍸🍽️📸
Perfect for: Couples or small groups who want a “worth the drive” outing.
Need to know: Reservations recommended for dinner. Factor in drive time.

Where: Back Channel Brewing, Spring Park / Lake Minnetonka
When (2025): Holiday season
Vibe: Brewery taps meet pop-up décor: twinkle lights, themed beers, and lakefront vibes even in the cold. 🎄🍺📸
Perfect for: Beer people, low-key hangs, and groups who want something festive but casual.
Need to know: Seating is mostly communal; food often via food trucks or local partnerships.

Where: Brass Hat Dive Shop, speakeasy under Bode Gray’s, Waconia
When (2025): Early December – New Year
Vibe: Hidden Christmas movie-themed speakeasy: think references to Elf, A Christmas Story, Christmas Vacation, and more, all in a dark, cozy bar. 🎄🍸📸
Perfect for: Movie lovers, date night, or a Waconia holiday field trip.
Need to know: Look for the red light outside the door. Closed Sundays and Mondays; no reservations required.

Where: Mana Brewing, Shakopee
When (2025): November 18 – December 31
Vibe: Taproom flooded with 12,000+ lights and holiday décor, plus seasonal beers and often a few festive events. 🎄🍺📸
Perfect for: South metro locals who want to stay closer to home, and beer-forward crowds.
Need to know: Check their calendar for special events and live music nights.

Where: Fair on 4, Mall of America
When (2025): Holiday season
Vibe: MOA arcade-meets-ax-throwing spot that goes full winter carnival: themed drinks, lights, and plenty of built-in activities. 🎄🍸🎶📸👨‍👩‍👧
Perfect for: Families with older kids, big friend groups, or anyone already at MOA who wants a festive nightcap.
Need to know: Combine it with shopping, rides, or just people-watching.

Wherever you end up, tag me if you go – I’m collecting everyone’s favorites for a follow-up round-up. ✨/