We all know that Cleveland has incredible Christmas Ales and holiday beers. Beginning from late October through Christmas, you can expect every drink menu at pretty much every restaurant or brewery in the area to sport a holiday beer of some kind.
Aside from killer Christmas Ales, though, Cleveland goes pretty big when it comes to Christmas pop up bars and bar crawls during the most wonderful time of the year, too.
If you want to go all-in on the holiday cheer, here are all the Christmas bars and bar crawls to check out this year in and around Cleveland.
Best Christmas Pop Up Bars and Bar Crawls in Cleveland
Let’s talk about the best Christmas pop up bars and bar crawls happening this year around Cleveland!
Cleveland Christmas bar quick guide
We have more than 10 themed holiday bars in Cleveland this year, which is crazy! If you want to narrow down which one to visit, here are some of my personal thoughts:
- The best bar for decor: Christmas Corner Bar (Lakewood), Brew Garden in Strongsville
- The best themed drinks: Miracle at Society Lounge (downtown)
- The best bar for families: Christmas Island at Margaritaville, Blitzen’s in Hudson, and Let It Snow at Brew Garden in Strongsville are all kid-friendly
- The best bar for a party atmosphere: Xmas Bar (The Flats), Winter Wonderland at Velvet Dog
- The best low-key bar: Secret Cellar at GLBC, Chill at Etta (at Poppy)
Best Christmas Pop Up Bars In Cleveland
Sip holiday themed cocktails or enjoy a Christmas Ale at one of these Christmas-themed pop up bars in and around Cleveland.
Note: Some of these bars are rent-able for private holiday parties. So if you’re going to be making a long drive to visit one, you might want to call ahead just to double-check that the bar you want to visit is open!
1. The Christmas Corner Bar
18616 Detroit Ave, Lakewood (at Around the Corner)
When Does It Open? November 16, 2023. Check their Facebook page for opening hours and upcoming events.
The beloved Christmas Corner Bar is coming back to Around the Corner in Lakewood! This place explodes with holiday cheer this time of year with a ceiling dripping in holiday decor, famous Christmas movies playing on the TVs, Christmas music on blast, and all the Christmas beers and cocktails.
They always have festive holiday drinks, some of the best decorations, and even Christmas karaoke nights. (The bar announces all special events on its Facebook page.)
Just know that this is also one of the more popular pop-up Christmas bars in the Cleveland area, and they do not take reservations. If you want to be able to get a table, I recommend going early on a weeknight if you can!
2. Miracle On 4th Street
2063 E 4th St, Cleveland (at Society Lounge)
When Does It Open? Miracle opens November 17, 2023. Hours are the regular Society Lounge hours, which are 5 p.m.-midnight or 1 a.m. They’re closed Sunday and Monday.
The Miracle Pop Up Bar has locations all over the US, and it’s coming back to Society Lounge on E 4th Street again this year.
This popular Cleveland cocktail bar gets all decked out for the holidays, and each year serves up a special menu filled with fun Christmas-inspired drinks – all of which come in fun themed glasses (that you can also purchase)!
Their Christmas decorations are always on-point, too.
Pro tip: Make a reservation if you can, or plan to get there right when they open at 5 p.m. so you (hopefully) don’t have to wait long for a table.
3. Xmas Bar
1052 Old River Road, Cleveland (East Bank Flats)
When Does It Open? November 9, 2023
Brand new to Cleveland in 2022, Xmas Bar is back this holiday season in The Flats! Like last year, Xmas Bar will pop up inside a huge (6000 square foot) space in the Flats East Bank for over a month this holiday season.
They’ll be serving up holiday cocktails and beer, along with a limited food menu. There will also be music and a club-like atmosphere, alongside lots and lots of decorations.
This spot does feel a bit like a club on weekend nights especially, but if you go on a weeknight or early on a weekend, it’s actually pretty chill! (My photos are from around 7:30 p.m. on a Friday.)
Their drink menu is extensive, but also quite expensive. (The s’mores boozy hot cocoa does come with a full-sized s’more on top, though, to account for the $20 price tag.)
4. Christmas Island
1150 Front Ave, Cleveland (at Margaritaville)
When Does it Open: November 16, 2023
New in 2023, “Christmas Island, a Jimmy Buffett themed Christmas Bar” will be popping up at Margaritaville in the Flats. The restaurant has transformed their large bar area into a holiday wonderland, with festive cocktails, 10 TVs playing Christmas movies, and lots of decorations – including palm trees with lights, of course.
Christmas Island will be open daily, and is slated to run through mid-January. This pop-up is kid-friendly, too, and will even have kids crafts during the day.
We tried all 3 of the holiday drinks here, and the Sleigh Ride was my favorite!
5. Sleigh
100 Public Square, Cleveland (3rd floor of JACK Casino)
When Does It Open? November 24, 2023; it will be open Friday and Saturday nights through December 23
JACK Casino in downtown Cleveland is once again hosting a pop up bar through December 23 called Sleigh. It’s located on the 3rd floor of the casino (follow signs for Sleigh) and will be serving festive drinks and have cozy holiday decor.Â
The holiday drinks list here is extensive, with both cold and hot drinks to choose from, plus shots in cute cookie shot glasses.
They seem to add more decorations each year, and this year it’s extra festive! It does get crowded here, but is usually not quite as crazy as some of the other local pop-up bars.
6. Secret Cellar Christmas Bar
2516 Market Ave. Cleveland (at Great Lakes Brewing)
When Does it Open? The bar opens on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, and then will be open Friday-Sunday through December 10, and then every day of the week (except Christmas) through December 31. You can find opening hours here.
Great Lakes Brewing Co. has will once again transform its cellar bar into a cozy Christmas wonderland this year. Enjoy festive decorations as you sip a pint of Christmas Ale, or order off an exclusive holiday cocktail menu.
Seating is first-come, first-served, but the bar is open roughly the same hours that the GLBC brewpub is, so you have lots of chances to check it out!
7. Winter Wonderland at Velvet Dog
1280 W 6th St, Cleveland
When Does it Open: November 10, 2023
Teaming up with Cleveland Vibes, The Velvet Dog will be hosting a Christmas pop-up bar this year. It will be up on the second floor of Velvet Dog, and feature frosty decorations alongside themed drinks and entertainment.
Winter Wonderland will be open on weekends (9 p.m.- 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sundays).
8. Chill at Etta
12502 Larchmere Blvd, Cleveland (at Poppy)
When does it open: November 22, 2023. It will be open Thursday through Saturday from 5-10 p.m. this winter season.
The new Poppy restaurant on Larchmere has transformed its outdoor (heated) bar area into a cozy vintage pop-up bar. They’ll be serving up tasty and beautiful holiday-inspired cocktails, alongside their full food menu.
The pop-up bar is small and walk-in only, but looks like it’s worth waiting for!
Holiday pop-up bars a little further away
And the list doesn’t end there! Here are some more holiday pop-up bars to check out if you’re willing to drive a little further:
9. Let It Snow
16555 Southpark Center, Strongsville (at Brew Garden)
When Does It Open? December 1, 2023, and it’s open every day that the restaurant-bar is open.
Brew Garden in Strongsville is once again transforming into a Christmas pop-up bar this year called Let It Snow, with restaurant-wide decorations and fun drink specials.
The whole restaurant and bar area is decked out in festive decor, and this is one of just a couple spots on this list that would be appropriate for the whole family since it’s a restaurant and not just a bar!
There’s a whole list of holiday drink specials alongside the full regular menu (I personally liked the Jack Frost cocktail).
Just note that this spot is very popular and in-demand, and even though it’s a large restaurant, you can expect long wait times on weekends especially. Go early on a weeknight if you don’t want to wait a long time for a table.,
10. Christmas Explosion
7300 Palisades Pkwy, Mentor (inside RollHouse Mentor)
When Does It Open: November 11, 2023; opening hours will vary weekly
RollHouse is a chain of indoor entertainment facilities throughout northeast Ohio that offer bowling, escape rooms, and more. And the Mentor location is once again opening a pop-up Christmas bar this year!
“Christmas Explosion” will be located inside the Bomb Bar, and feature 4000+ ornaments, trees, a 9-foot-tall Nutcracker, and more. They will have a special food and drink menu, with 8 different Christmas ales on draft.
The bar will available for private rentals, and will be open for walk-ins when it’s not being rented out for holiday parties. Contact [email protected] for rental info, and check their Facebook page for more info.
11. Tinsel Tavern
33185 Bainbridge Rd, Solon (inside RollHouse Solon)
When Does it Open: November 16, 2023
Similar to RollHouse in Mentor, the Solon location will also be opening a Christmas bar this season, featuring over 2000 ornaments, trees, and other decorations alongside a special food and drink menu, with themed cocktails and 5 Christmas ales on draft.
Along with the very big decorated bar, the Solon RollHouse also has a new karaoke room (maybe request some Christmas tunes??), and next door Escapology has a new Christmas-themed escape room called “Saving Santa” that would make for a fun night out with friends or the family.
12. Blitzen’s
80 N Main St., Hudson, OH (inside Hudson’s Restaurant)
When Does It Open? Usually around Thanksgiving, and then it’s open in the evenings starting at 4 p.m.
Blitzen’s isn’t in Cleveland, but Hudson is a cute town with a Hallmark-esque town square that’s worth the short drive. Plus, they’ve got a pop-up Christmas bar again this year!
Blitzen’s will take over all of Hudson’s Restaurant again this year, serving up fun holiday-themed drinks in a cozy, decorated space. Hudson has a DORA, too, meaning you can grab a drink to-go and check out the town’s Christmas decorations.
You can even get any of their themed cocktails served in a leg lamp cup!
(If you’re looking for a Christmas bar that’s kid-friendly, this one would be my pick! It’s a restaurant first with a family-friendly menu and plenty of seating – though it does get VERY busy this time of year.)
13. Westel’s Wonderland
4084 Erie St, Willoughby (at Westel’s Speakeasy)
When Does it Open: November 24, 2023
This year, Westel’s will be turning their bar into a Winter Wonderland, with floor-to-ceiling Christmas decor and an exclusive Christmas cocktail menu.
Local bars with special holiday menus
These spots may not be going full-on Christmas pop up bar, but they’re still offering special holiday drink menus and specials, and some decorations, too. Some you won’t want to miss include:
- Merwin’s Wharf – Along with offering igloo dining again this winter, Merwin’s Wharf has a special holiday cocktail menu.
- Seeing Double – The bar in North Olmstead has already released its festive cocktail menu, and put up Christmas decorations!
Check out our complete guide to the Holidays in Cleveland, too!
Best Christmas Bar Crawls In Cleveland
If you want to take the holiday revelry to another level, you can also sign up for one of these awesome Cleveland Christmas bar crawls!
1. 12 Bars Of Christmas
Dive Bar, 1214 West 6th Street, Cleveland
When: December 2, 2023
The annual 12 Bars of Christmas Bar Crawl is taking place on Saturday, December 2, 2023 from 12-8 p.m. Tickets start at $12 and include a Santa stadium cup for your drinks, commemorative Santa hat, light up necklace, bar covers, and food/drink specials at participating bars.
You just need to bring your game face and best costume to partake in the fun! Pop on that ugly Christmas sweater, A Christmas Story bunny costume, or perhaps a Santa suit and join in the festivities.
You can purchase tickets in advance here.
2. Santas In Tremont
The South Side, 2207 W 11th St., Cleveland
When: December 9, 2023
As fun as bar crawls are, what about a fun run that ends in a party? That is what Santas in Tremont is all about. This 1-mile run/walk/jog/crawl starts and ends at The South Side on December 9, 2023.
The race starts at 4 p.m. and then there is an after party from 4-8 p.m. at The South Side. Registration/tickets are $25-$30 and include a Santa hat, an event t-shirt, and a free adult beverage at the post-race party.
Get those endorphins going before enjoying a boozy celebration afterward!
Register for Santas in Tremont here.
3. Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl
Downtown Warehouse District West 6th Street Bars
When: December 16, 2023
The 7th annual Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl is taking place on December 16, 2023. From 3-10 p.m., you can crawl around the best nightclubs and bars in Cleveland’s Warehouse District.
Tickets start at $15 and include a welcome party, color-changing cup, drink discounts at participating bars, and more. Come in your best ugly sweater or Christmas costume, and get ready to party!
Snag your ticket here!
4. Christmas Ale Bar Crawl
Pub Frato, 25 Pleasant Dr, Chagrin Falls
When: December 2, 2023
Over on the east side in Chagrin Falls, there is a unique bar crawl happening on December 2, 2022 from 1-5 p.m. Sport your favorite ugly sweater for the event as you pop around to 8 different locations to enjoy some of the best Christmas Ales the area has to offer.
Prices start at $30 and include Christmas Ales, food specials, and a souvenir to keep.
There’s also an ugly sweater contest planned, with a prize of $250!
Register for this bar crawl here!
The holiday season is a fun time to visit Cleveland. As the temperatures drop, you’ll find many great things to do in Cleveland during Christmastime. Bar crawls and Christmas pop up bars will definitely add a bit more holiday spirit to the occasion!
Which bar crawl or pop up bar would you most like to enjoy?
Amanda was born and raised in northeast Ohio, and has always been a fangirl of her home state. Now, she’ sharing her love of the Cleveland area with the world, highlighting all the best things to do, see, and eat in the CLE. She’s been running Cleveland Traveler since January 2019.