Festive fun is popping up all over Pittsburgh, and while family-friendly outings are headliners on some wish lists, this one’s for the grown-ups only.Here are a few of our favorite holiday pop-up bars where you can celebrate with friends, family or co-workers.A Very Merry Mixtape at Mixtape 4907 Penn Ave., GarfieldMixtape is mixing it up for the third year in a row — last year it was “Tinseltown” and the year before that “The Tipsy Elf.” Grab a drink under thousands of twinkling lights, and spot Christmas media references amid all its tinsel ornaments.A Very Merry Mixtape opened on Nov. 23, and runs through the end of this year. The pop-up’s hours vary by date. Order timed-entry tickets on Mixtape’s website. Sessions before 7 p.m. are family-friendly so long as underage patrons are accompanied by someone over 21.We Believe 2 at 202 Hometown Tacos 407 Lincoln Ave., BellevueTrying to decide between holiday cheer or tacos and margs? Por qué no los dos?Not only have the bar and restaurant’s halls been decked, its back patio is full of winter inflatables. It may not be a white Christmas, but we can at least have holiday cocktails and quesadillas under the stars.We Believe 2 runs through Dec. 31, and is open Mondays through Saturdays from noon to 11 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.A Noel Nightmare on Butler Street. Photo courtesy of Remedy Bar.A Noel Nightmare on Butler Street at Remedy 5121 Butler St., LawrencevilleTired of hearing about the winter holidays? Take a step back in time … to October.The upper floor of Lawrenceville’s Remedy is taking a nose dive back toward Halloween with A Noel Nightmare, featuring brews like Zombie Dust and Turbo Reaper from the pop-up’s sponsor, Three Floyd’s Brewing. There will be spooky cocktails and live music and events in the space nearly every night until it closes on New Year’s Day.A Noel Nightmare on Butler Street is open daily from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Stop in early for a drink at Remedy’s bar, open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Sundays and Mondays from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.Mele Kalikimaka Holiday Pop-Up at ShuBrew 210 S. Main St., ZelienopleButler County is far from the land where palm trees sway, but ShuBrew is sure to make Christmas green and bright this year. The Zelienople-based brewery is opening up its original location — directly across the street from its current space at 205 S. Main St. — for its Hawaiian-inspired pop-up. Holiday cocktails, mocktails, tiki drinks, mulled wine and ShuBrew beer are all on the menu, alongside a limited selection of snacks.The pop-up is open every Friday and Saturday until Dec. 28. Hours are 5 to 11 p.m. Last call is at 10 p.m.A collection of Miracle’s 2024 cocktail offerings. Photo courtesy of Miracle on 7th.Miracle on 7th at the Century Building 130 Seventh St., DowntownMiracle is moving up in the world — a whole street up from its 2023 Sixth Street location, that is. Mixologist Spencer Warren is the creative force behind one of Pittsburgh’s staple holiday pop-up bars. It’s the only place you can surround yourself with ugly sweaters and sip out of a unicorn cup. The menu’s seen a few new additions, like the Run Run Reindeer — mulled wine reduction, prosecco, lemon and aromatic bitters. Warren started pouring holiday drinks on Nov. 22 this year, and will keep it up until New Year’s Eve.Miracle on 7th is open daily from 4 p.m. to midnight.Holiday- and tiki-themed cocktails. Photo courtesy of Sippin’ Santa.Sippin’ Santa at the Century Building 130 Seventh St., DowntownIf you’ve given up on miracles, try the next best thing: a tiki bar. Next door to Miracle on 7th is another Warren project, though this one forgos the snow.In its second year, Sippin’ Santa is adding a few new drinks like Holiday on Ice — vodka, dark-roast cold brew, condensed milk, ancho chile liqueur and cinnamon syrup.Sippin’ Santa is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 4 p.m. to midnight until Dec. 31.Photo courtesy of Wigle Whiskey.Wigle Wonderland Holiday Bar at Wigle Whiskey 2401 Smallman St., Strip DistrictWigle’s winter wonderland returns to raise spirits once more. Check out new drinks, including the Ho! Ho! Cocoa! Old Fashioned, the Polar Expresso Martini and Paloma for the Holidays. Stop in on a Saturday night for tubes by Fireside Events DJs.Wigle Wonderland is open Thursdays from 5 to 10 p.m., Fridays from 5 to 11 p.m. and Saturdays from 4 to 11 p.m.Bob’s Garage. Photo courtesy of Adam Wainwright.Bob’s Garage 1372 Freeport Road, BlawnoxWhat’s a holiday bar without the craft cocktail fuss? Bob’s is a garage bar filled with illuminated lights and holiday displays. Since 1968, the bar’s more than 10,000 lights raise a glass to the holiday season year-round.Bob’s is open Mondays through Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 2 a.m.Retro Holiday Cocktail Lounge at The Industrialist Hotel 405 Wood St., DowntownThe Industrialist is taking us back to Christmas 1950, when aluminum trees ruled. While you’re there, check out retro beverages and bites, like a Gimlet cocktail or Jell-O salad. Just remember that whenever the old cookbooks get cracked open, you’re bound to ask yourself one of two questions: “Why did this go away?” or “Why did we bring this back?”The retro cocktail lounge opened on Nov. 23, and will run through Dec. 31. It opens daily at 5 p.m.Photo courtesy of Ruggers Pub.Good Cheer at Ruggers Pub 40 S. 22nd St., South SideRuggers Pub brings cheer to your wallet with this holiday takeover — no item on the drink menu is above $6. As the official Iron City and IC Light Holiday Takeover Bar in conjunction with Pittsburgh Brewing Co., there are iconic Iron City products, holiday cocktails and karaoke.Ruggers is open Mondays through Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Fridays through Sundays from noon to 2 a.m.The Grinch Who Stole Pittsburgh at Barcadia 25 Market Square, DowntownMarket Square’s bar and arcade, the aptly named Barcadia, is transforming its upper floor into the hideout of a green recluse — and I’m not talking about Shrek’s swamp.The Grinch is here to steal Pittsburgh, and you might as well go along with it. After all, he’s bringing arcade games and cocktails with him. I see no issue here.The Grinch Who Stole Pittsburgh is open daily. Hours are Sundays from noon to 8 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays from 4 to 11 p.m., Fridays from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. and Saturdays from noon to 1 a.m.Aprés-Ski’s shimmering prosecco. Photo courtesy of Ritual House.Aprés-Ski at Ritual House 524 William Penn Place, DowntownCatch a lift to Ritual House for a ski-themed pop-up across from Mellon Square Park’s new Aurora installation. Executive Chef Edwin Smith’s ski lodge-inspired menu includes caviar on waffle bites, tea sandwiches, vegetarian quiches and grilled cheese with tomato bisque.Additionally, lead bartender Cam Dickson is serving a slew of craft cocktails: Shimmering Prosecco, Sleigh Bell White Sangria and spiked dark chocolate hot cocoa.Aprés-Ski is a ticketed event. To view available dates and hours and to purchase tickets, visit its Eventbrite page.Blitzen’s at the Omni William Penn Hotel 530 William Penn Place, DowntownOne of Pittsburgh’s oldest hotels is now home to the city’s newest holiday pop-up. Blitzen’s gives Mellon Square Coffee the “elf” treatment — decorated trees and paper snowflakes hang from the ceiling while nutcrackers and string lights flank the walls. Blitzen’s serves the usual punny drinks like Wake Me Up Before You Ho Ho, a minty take on an Irish coffee, and Naughty & Spice, more or less a pumpkin spice bourbon smash. Order drinks individually, or get a supersized serving in a literal cookie jar for your party of four.The menu also boasts small plates of Prantl’s confections or a giant bucket of popcorn.The pop-up Blitzen’s is open Thursdays through Saturdays from 5 p.m. Its last day of operation will be Jan. 11, when Blitzen flies back to the North Pole to recuperate for next year.Check the NEXTpittsburgh Things to Do listings for more holiday activities. 12 quintessential December events, plus a few surprises, from the Cookie Tour to First Night November 25, 2024November 25, 2024 Pittsburgh area holiday fun beyond the city limits November 21, 2024November 20, 2024 2024 NEXT Holiday Gift Guide: Find something creative for everyone on your list November 27, 2024November 27, 2024 The post 13 Pittsburgh-area holiday pop-up bars for toasting the season appeared first on NEXTpittsburgh.