It’s officially that time of year! It’s finally past Thanksgiving and it’s now socially acceptable to play Christmas music. Regardless of when you started getting into the holiday spirit or if you still haven’t yet, here are 6 incredible Christmas themed pop-up bars in Charleston right now that are here to help. This list isn’t ranked like many of our others because you’ve got to try all 6 if you can. Let’s dive in!
Handcraft Kitchen & Cocktails
This Mount Pleasant favorite Handcraft on Coleman Boulevard has turned into the Miracle Holiday Pop-up, which returns for the fifth straight year.
Like many of these bars, the decorations take a minute or two to take in. It’s very fun and cozy inside (aside from the giant Grinch near the front door) and is guaranteed to get you in the Christmas spirit. They have a great lineup of festive cocktails like the Snowball Old Fashioned, Holiday Spiked Chai, and Jingle Balls Nog. Plus you can buy the Miracle glassware before you leave to support the cause.
Handcraft also has a stacked slate of specials since those holiday drinks are on the expensive side. Happy hour is daily from 3 – 6 pm with $5 house wine, $5 well liquor, $7 Cocktail-of-the-day, $4 Shot-of-the-day, and bar snacks. Tuesdays are Tequila Tuesday featuring $6 fresh-squeezed margaritas and $5 Lunazul. Wednesdays are Wine Wednesday, with ½ off bottles and $6 glasses. And to top it all off there’s live music 6 – 9 pm on Thursdays with $5 Tito’s all night!
Little Pine
Little Palm, the normally tropical pool bar, has been transformed into Little Pine, a cozy winter wonderland. Located on the second floor of the Ryder Hotel on Meeting Street, a few blocks below Calhoun, they went all out for their debut Christmas pop-up. Drop by for seasonal drinks, fondue, and heated Cozy Cabins around the pool that seat up to 6 people (reservations are required).
If that’s not your thing, their regular happy hour is Monday – Thursday from 4 – 6 pm featuring select beer, wine and cocktails.
Sippin’ Santa at Prohibition
If you’ve heard about one of these Christmas bars before reading this, it’s probably this one. Located in the heart of upper-King at Prohibition, Sippin’ Santa returns for its 3rd year in Charleston from 11/24/23 – 1/1/24.
It’s hard to not get into the Christmas spirit with the beautiful display of lights and cool glassware for their cocktails. My personal favorite is the Undertow Toddy cocktail and the Top Shelf Elf shot. They also have festive dinner plates and a tasty looking brunch.
Harold’s Cabin
This is hands down the coziest Christmas bar on this list, and it’s all on the second floor. Located on the corner of President and Congress near Hampton Park, Harold’s is a 2 story gem on the west side of the peninsula.
The Pop-up goes from November 14th – January
Harold’s decks out the whole building for the holidays, but the second floor lounge The Pickled Beat is where most of the fun is. Grab a seat at the small bar or one of the tables behind it and enjoy one of their festive cocktails. The Spiked Eggnog topped with whip cream was incredible.
They also have happy hour from 4- 7 pm offering $6 Salty Raccoon (cocktail), $2 Miller High Life, $1 off house draft beer, a $10 cheese board and ½ off house wine by the glass and bottle.
Bar Mashmus
Another bar that went all out for Christmas is Bar Mash. Located in the old Cigar Factory on East Bay, the Whiskey and Cocktail Bar not only went all out with decorations, but they have a whole themed menu to match! Some highlights are the Roast Beast Sandwich, Mele Kaliki Makaroni & Cheese, Sloppy Hohos, and Drop It Like It’s Hot..Cocoa.
They also have arguably the most impressive happy hour of the bars on this list. Offered Monday – Saturday from 4 – 6 there’s loads of food and drink deals. For drinks there’s $2.50 High Life drafts, $3 daily Whiskey, $4 Yazoo bottles/cans, $5 Amaro shots, $6 daily red/white wine, and $7 house daiquiris. And for food there’s $4 soft pretzels, $5 chips & house-made Queso, $5 single fish taco, $7 Falafel fritters and a $7 burger.
Ritual
A new addition to this list from last year is the rooftop bar and nightclub Ritual, on the corner of King and Calhoun. They’ve decked out the whole rooftop in Holiday cheer and have some winter treats on deck.
Sundays and Mondays Charleston industry employees get 1/2 off food and drinks.
Martini Mondays offer 1/2 off on Espresso Martinis, Cafe Expres, Dirty Martinis, and the Mayan Sour Martini.
To cap off an already stacked Monday line-up, you also have Movie Monday’s: Screen on the Green with holiday movies, hot cocoa, coffee, cider, popcorn and more starting at 7 pm.
Lastly, bottles of wine are 1/2 off on Thursdays!
Plus a lineup of Christmas Cocktails launches on Monday November 27th!
You can browse these on Bartopia by searching Holiday Bar, Christmas Pop up, Xmas Pop up, Christmas Bar, Xmas Bar, or by clicking our logo below.
Let us know what you think and tag us on social media when you get to check these out! Happy holidays, Merry Christmas and happy drinking!
