19 holiday bars to check out in Richmond 🎄🍹 🧉 🍾

This year, there are more holiday pop-up bars in the Richmond area than ever before.

Here’s a rundown of where to take yourself for a beverage or three.

Making Spirits Bright Pop-Up at Revel Market and Bar

Revel Market and Bar is hosting its first ever Making Spirits Bright holiday pop-up. The bar is decorated to the nines with garlands, glass balls, strands of multi-colored lights, tinsel and tiny Christmas trees strewn about. The pop-up kicks off on Tuesday, Dec. 3 from 6 to 9 p.m. with musical guest, Janet Martin, who will play her original acoustic songs and classic rock covers. The holiday cocktails include traditional hot mulled wine ($10), the Pink Grinch Martini ($14), and the Sugar Cookie Eggnog Smash ($14), that comes garnished with a house made sugar cookie. All drinks come in vintage glassware hand-selected to match the theme. The pop-up will run through closing time on New Year's Eve. Hours are Tuesday to Thursday: 3 to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday: 3 to 10 p.m. The day of your visit, call Revel Market and Bar (804-280-9280) to see if there’s a waitlist to which you should add your party—the restaurant does not take reservations. 6223 Lakeside Ave.

Winter Wonderland at Napa Kitchen & Wine

Napa Kitchen & Wine in Midlothian has strung 10,000 lights throughout the entire restaurant, adding sparkling Christmas trees, large suspended ornaments, giant wrapped presents and has Christmas music pumping through the sound system. Out of all the holiday decorated bars this reporter has been covering, Napa Kitchen and Wine was totally over the top — in a good way. The restaurant also has food and drink specials such as the Pomegranate Gimlet ($12) and hot apple cider ($6 to $30), which arrives in a mug, with a stocking-shaped shot glass full of Kraken Black Spiced Rum. “The buzz is out there and people are coming in in droves. It’s been really fun to see families with kids — they come in and they’re walking around with children, and the children are very excited. Honestly, I don’t care if people come in and don’t buy anything. Bring your kids in here and let them walk around and look at everything — that’s the spirit of Christmas,” owner Dennis Barbaro said. Read the story.

The Evergreen at Birdie’s 

Birdie’s goes to the festive extreme with a cannot-miss event called The Evergreen. The inside of the bar is decked out a whole lot merrier and brighter this year, with special cocktails and raw bar items to nibble and sip. Reservations will open each Monday at 11 a.m. for the following week. Birdie’s is keeping Mondays 100% available for walk-ins, and there will be a new option for larger parties — its Wine Cellar will be fully decorated, and will be reservable on Fridays and Saturdays for parties of five to eight. 305 W. Broad St.

Dot’s Back Inn 

Need a break from the bar? Richmond’s destination diner is defrosting their holiday decorations right now and promises to bring you classic dishes in a retro environment that’s been serving hot plates since 1990. Located in Bellevue on the North Side, you can find classic diner dishes to help you start or finish your night out. Stay tuned for more details on the festivities. 4030 MacArthur Ave.

Miracle on Cary at The Jasper

The Jasper is the bar that started the holiday decorating trend in Richmond. Miracle on Cary will be returning on Wednesday Nov. 20. The intimate cocktail bar will serve holiday-centered drinks that match the decor. The Jasper’s bar is first-come first-seated, but offers reservations for a two hour time limit for one large party at a table that seats up to 12 guests. Reservations require a $300 deposit. Reservations are available at 5 p.m., 7:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. daily and 11:45 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. 3113 W. Cary St.

Sippin’ Santa at The Emerald Lounge

Get your drink on with the big guy this year — but grab your reservation early for Chef Bobo Catoe’s new entree-sized dishes for the holiday season. Sippin’ Santa will open its doors on Friday, Nov. 22 at 5 p.m. They will be open from 5 p.m. until midnight Sunday through Thursday and 5 p.m. until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The last day of the event is New Year’s Eve and Emerald Lounge will be closing at 10 p.m. to allow patrons and employees time to get to their desired locations for the ball drop. They’re offering a limited number of reservations this year for parties of two to eight people. Only five tables will be available in the dark and vibe-y lounge, so they may fill up quickly. The rest of their tables will be held for walk-ups. 2416 Jefferson Ave., #C1

Santa’s Cocktail Shop at Cirrus

Have you been naughty or nice? Perhaps you’ve been both and would like to wash down the ambivalence with a drink. The pop-up has created a special holiday menu that includes Merry Martinis ($12), Caroling Cocktails ($12) and Deck the Highballs ($9). They are also selling make-at-home kits ($37.99 to $47.99) so that you can recreate their signature drinks in the comfort of your own home. The pop-up runs from Nov. 21 to Dec. 29, operating hours are as follows: Thursday and Friday 5-9 p.m.; Saturday 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. 1603 Ownby Lane

Winterfreuden at Hotel Greene

Winterfreuden translates as “winter joys” and it’ll be joyful to join in the party at a ski chalet-themed event with drink specials and art installations. Decorations will be up through the first week of January. They are coordinating the installation but it will be up by either Black Friday (Nov. 29) or the following Wednesday (Dec. 4). Brunch hours are by reservation only, made one month in advance. Brunch hours are Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. No reservations are required for non-brunch hours—evenings and weekends after 2 p.m. are walk-in only. 508 E. Franklin St.

Christmas Bar Explosion at Black Lodge

Starting Dec. 2, you can get your fill of twinkling lights and holiday décor that will last through the Christmas holiday into the New Year. You can also watch a classic Christmas movie during their movie marathon on the bar’s televisions. Reservations are not required. Tuesday to Thursday 5 p.m. to midnight; Friday to Saturday 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. 3200 Rockbridge St., #101.

Holidays at Helen’s

Holidays at Helen’s are iconic. The Richmond staple has some of the best vintage decorations in town. They have a cocktail hour that’s first come first serve Tuesday to Saturday, 4 to 5:30 p.m. and 5:30 to 9 p.m. for dinner. Make reservations as soon as possible as they are already filling up — especially New Year’s Eve. There is one pop-up planned for Dec. 8 with Royal Pig featuring Helen’s cocktails. Decorations begin Thanksgiving week and are completed by the end of first week of December. They run until the middle of January. 2527 W. Main St.

Noël at Beaucoup

Beaucoup will be transformed into a Parisian winter wonderland with holiday-themed cocktails and specials every night. The bar will be decked out in fresh (and live) holiday decor so you can see, smell (and even taste if you want to). Their regular cocktail menu will be turned into a holiday classics list of what to drink for the season. The menu changes frequently, but you can bet on oysters and their regular dinner menu if you need a bite. Beginning Dec. 1 and running through New Year’s Day. 111 N. Robinson St.

Tinsel & Tequila at Casa Del Barco

Tinsel & Tequila is your place for high octane drinking. The pop up is coming to all Casa locations, where you'll find curated cocktails and holiday decorations to get you in the spirit. The pop up starts Monday, Nov. 25. Reservations required.

Rum & Reindeer at Island Shrimp Co.

Rum & Reindeer is going all out with the decorations this year. They will be serving food and drink specials from Monday, Nov. 25, through the first week of January. Reservations required.

Yuletide at Session

Session, the cocktail bar next to Rappahannock, turns into Yuletide at the holidays with holiday decorations brightening the space, Santa hats on the bar stools, “The Christmas Story” leg lamp, holiday music, special cocktails and a Christmas tree. The Yuletide holiday pop-up bar will run through New Year’s Eve. 318 E. Grace St.

Krampustown at Reveler

Reveler Experiences is indulging in the dark side of festive folklore with Krampustown at Reveler, with seasonally-themed cocktails, specials, and a touch of Krampus mythology. Weekdays 5 p.m.-7 p.m. 3108 W. Cary St.

West Pole at Bar West

Bar West has turned into the West Pole for the holidays with decorations galore, holiday themed cocktails, festivities like a visit from Santa and more. 5811 Grove Ave.

New York Deli

New York Deli  has decorations aplenty, plus a special cocktail menu and events like a holiday drag show this Saturday. 2920 W. Cary St.

The Jefferson Hotel

The Jefferson has a 30-foot tree, 20 smaller trees, hundreds of poinsettias and a gingerbread display to see this year. Plus TJ’s Bar and Lounge is open and the perfect spot to grab a drink around the tree.101 W. Franklin St.

Sugar Plum Tini's Espresso Martini Pop-up Bar at Quirk Hotel

Quirk Hotel is adding four special espresso martinis at its holiday pop-up Thursdays - Saturdays from 5-10 p.m. It's a great spot to grab a 'tini and take a selfie by the white-and-pink tree. 201 W. Broad St.