The Ultimate Guide to D.C.'s 4 Best Christmas Pop-Up Bars
With holiday bars becoming increasingly popular in Washington, D.C., I wanted to provide you with the ultimate guide for your visit—or even if you live here. This year, there are over 10 pop-up bars in D.C.
If you're visiting, you'll probably only be able to check out a few of them. But if you do, please reach out to me at Wanderingbel; I would love to grab a drink! But for now, I will share some tips and tricks, as well as explain why you must visit my four favorite pop-up bars.
Urban Roast DC
This bar in the Penn Quarter area was the first to put up its decorations—before Thanksgiving. That's my kind of place since I have all my decorations up by Thanksgiving!
When you arrive, a host greets you outside. Once they are ready to take you to your table, they bring you inside, where you feel like you have entered a dark, moody—but bright neon—Christmasland with a green wall. And its neon lighting changes each year!
Presents hang from the ceiling, Christmas trees are everywhere, and even Santa gets into the action next to some neon lighting that says "Kiss me under the Mistletoe." All the top influencers take pictures with it in the background, and girlfriends make their boyfriends do that, too.
This is the perfect spot to get your Christmas card photo! Like, for reals!
As you pass the sign, you walk past a bar decked out in Christmas cheer, its lights looking like goblets hanging upside down. Past that area is the main dining area, darker than the bright lights from the front.
There is also a second, more intimate dining room, which makes you feel like you're walking through a tunnel of white flowers highlighted by pinkish/purplish light. On one of its walls, another neon sign says," Last night, we let the liquor talk." This is on point since their drinks absolutely did a lot of talking!
I chose to sit here because it was quieter than the main dining area, and the chairs were so comfortable, adding to the relaxed and cozy atmosphere! And if you love the flower theme, then you will enjoy the bathroom.
Now, hear me out.
As you walk into the red glow coming from the bathroom lights, you are transported into a land of flowers hanging down the ceiling, and there are even vines on the wall. The decorations were detailed, and the Christmas and non-Christmas decor intertwined perfectly.
Another thing I love about this restaurant is that they change their decorations for every holiday and season, so there's always something new and exciting to see!
Tips for Getting the Most out of Urban Roast DC
Book your reservation ahead of time; this place gets super busy.
They have two full-course meal sizes (appetizer and entrée). I recommend getting a one-course meal and ordering the entrée of the second course. That way, you can try both entrées, and it's cheaper!
You must get the Toasted Almond Espresso Martini! I am very picky about my espresso martini. The only one I love is the flatliner in Telluride, Colorado. But this one was good!
Sit inside to experience the décor, but if that's not your jam, they have outdoor seating with fire pits and heaters. I would totally come back here to enjoy that! Also, DC doesn't get as cold in December as other places, so you can enjoy sitting outside without dying from the cold!
Take your time to enjoy the place. Yes, I took many photos, but it's nice to put the phone away and fully immerse yourself in the experience and the people around you, creating a relaxed and unhurried atmosphere! The server we had was terrific, and it is the holiday season. Tip more than 20 percent; the people here work hard to provide you with a unique experience and good service.
You are about a 15-minute walk from the White House Christmas Tree and a 10-minute walk from City Center, where you can see more Christmas Decorations.
Miracle at Death Punch Bar
If you want a more relaxed vibe, I recommend coming here. Located in Adams Morgan, you walk up the steps to Death Punch Bar and open the door to a warm, enchanted space. Some tables produce more of a restaurant feel downstairs, with Santa watching to see if you are naughty or nice. Or you can go upstairs and enjoy one of the tables by the bar.
Just like most holiday pop-ups, they change their decorations each year! But this year it has silver tinsel hanging down from the ceiling and they had an inflatable Santa cheering his reindeer! They also had another Santa by another reindeer where you can take your iconic holiday photo! They showcase the glassware where they put the drinks, and you can buy them. So, if you want to buy a memory of your trip here, you can buy the Santa T-Rex Mug!
There is also a third level where you can hang out on the couches and play pool.
Tips to Enjoy Yourself to the Fullest at Miracle at Death Punch Bar
They accept walk-ins, but last year, they highly recommended a reservation. To get the best table, I recommend arriving when they open!
You must get the Christmapolitan! I was nervous about getting it because I'm not a Cosmo girl, but their spin on this drink was to die for. So, so good! I also had Rudolph's Replacement. It wasn't my favorite. Again, I am picky with my espresso martinis, but the mug it came in was priceless!
So, if you want to buy the mugs from Miracle, do it at the bar instead of looking online. I googled to see how many people were selling the mugs, and the average price was around $40–50 vs. the $20–$24 at the bar. And the highest I saw was $80!
3. Holly Jolly Bar at the Brighton DC
This is a new pop-up in D.C.! My friend and I visited the day after Thanksgiving and had a great time sipping on custom cocktails, trying out the food, and enjoying the festive Christmas décor.
Located on the Wharf, you can take an Uber or the metro to L'Enfant Plaza and then walk for about 15 minutes. The place is filled with floor-to-ceiling tinsel, ornaments, trees, and more. It will truly make you feel jolly—not just because of the drinks! We had a blast taking pictures with the decorations!
Tips for Enjoying The Brighton DC to the Fullest
1. Book Your Tickets in Advance: I bought our tickets for $20 each, which included a free drink, the "Jingle All the Way," served in a holiday glass that you can keep! Prices vary by day and time, and you can often find $10 tickets for late-night visits.
2. Reservation Details: Your reservation includes one free drink and 90 minutes to enjoy the venue. We stayed longer than 90 minutes because it was the day after Thanksgiving, and I don’t think they were enforcing the time strictly. However, I have a feeling they won't kick you out.
3. Brunch Tickets: You can also purchase a brunch ticket! The same rules apply, but the price includes a brunch entrée.
4. Must-Try Drinks: I highly recommend the "In a Pear Tree" drink—it was hands down my favorite! And if you want another holiday glass, definitely try the "Reindeer Games Hot Cider."
5. Food Recommendations: The fried pickles and pretzel bites were delicious!
6. Explore the Wharf: Since you're at the Wharf, be sure to check out the Christmas tree and the Jack Daniel's whiskey barrel tree!
4. Sense of Thai St
While this place isn't technically in D.C.—it's located in Ashburn, Virginia, about 45 minutes away—I had to include it. The décor is minimal when compared to Death Punch, but the food is outstanding. It's another Miracle pop-up bar and has the same drinks, but it offers the best Thai food I've had in Virginia!
1. I recommend making a reservation or arriving early. We were informed there would be a 1.5-hour wait for a table, so we grabbed seats at the bar and only waited about 15 minutes.
2. Make sure to try the Yellow Curry Chicken. It's the best I've had since visiting Telluride!
3. Don't miss the Secret Santa drink. The bartender will ask what you like to drink and create a special concoction for you, which may include flavors like gingerbread or something festive!
4. You have to get the egg nog! I typically dislike egg nog, but this is the best I've ever tried!
5. They offer Happy Hour every day from 3 PM to 6 PM.
6. If you're in need of a last-minute gift, there are plenty of shops nearby to find something after enjoying your food and drinks!
Friends, which dish or drink piques your interest? I would love to hear about your favorites and why! Also, send me your holiday pictures!