‘Tis the season for overeating, glitzy lights and the excuse to go for ‘just one drink’ after work in the evenings. So, where to celebrate the holidays in NYC? At one of the famous Christmas bars in New York, duh.
Nowhere does festive spirit quite like New York, with ice skating rinks, the Rockefeller tree and holiday markets, as well as some OTT bars that look just like Santa’s Grotto… From longstanding legends to new pop-ups, these are the places to be merry.
Famous for its German grub, Christmastime is when this legendary bar really comes into its own. Rolf’s is home to some of the most elaborate and beautiful holiday decorations in the City, with lights and colourful balls and garland hanging from every inch of the ceiling.
This sister pop up of Miracle (see below) swaps Santa suits for swimsuits at a tropical Hawaiian Chistmas-themed experience. Sip on tiki-cocktail creations by Jeff “Beachbum” Berry, such as the Kris Kringle Colada with rum, cynar, pineapple juice and cream of coconut.
Think: Santa on a surfboard instead of a sleigh and palm trees instead of pine.
Who says Christmas decorations have to be red and green? Not the Moxy. Its buzzy rooftop bar Magic Hour is decked out in all-pink everything: twinkle lights, ornaments and drinks that play up the theme.
The all-season rooftop will be transformed into a magical pink playground with the rotating carousel and retractable rooftop covered in 12,000 twinkling and hanging lights.
Mace, in the East Village, is an OG of NYC’s holiday pop-up bar game. Owner Greg Boehm is the creator of the Miracle Christmas pop-up concept, which has now branched out to bars around the world. So you can expect lots of lights, decorations that hang from the ceiling and a hefty dose of Santa.
Want something a little different? If you’re sick of Santa, make your way to this beautiful bar at Dream Downtown. The Lobby bar has been transformed with 15,000 roses into an Insta-haven. Food & drink offerings at The Winter Rose Garden include the Crispy Truffle Mac & Cheese Balls and the Primrose Cider cocktail with a side of rose-infused ice cubes.
The Alpine Yurts in the Winter Garden of the restaurant Narcissa provides an elaborate festive feast. Indulge in fondue and spiced drinks that will keep you cosy. There’s spiked hot chocolate too for the ultimate treat.
The private yurts are richly decorated with furs and warm rustic furnishings. What better way to spend a chilly winter’s evening in NYC?
This Lower East side spot embraces the delightfully tacky element of Christmas with funky drinks and decorations. Stop by here to see their unapologetically gaudy decor and sip on tasty Christmas cocktails like the Pinch of Grinch.
Co-founder of Big 7 Travel, Sarah created the company through her passion for championing the world's best food and travel experiences. Before her career in digital media, where she previously held roles such as Editor of Food&Wine Ireland, Sarah worked in the hospitality industry in Dublin and New York. Contact [email protected]
