Ho-ho-holiday bars: These Christmas-themed pop-ups will be your next seasonal spot for selfies, spirits

It’s Christmas in Kansas City — almost, teased the restaurant group behind the metro’s popular Miracle holiday pop-up bars, announcing their return and two brand new locations. 

“It’s official, we’re back,” Rockhill Restaurant Group, which operates the bars as Miracle Kansas City in partnership with Cocktail Kingdom, said Friday on its social media accounts. 

Returning bars include Miracle on the Plaza, opening Nov. 25 at 4807 Jefferson St., and Miracle at Town Center, opening Nov. 26 at 4311 West 119th St. 

Miracle at Power and Light inside Leinenkugel’s Leinie Lodge and Beer Garden

New in 2021: Miracle at Power and Light — the entertainment district’s first holiday pop-up — is expected to unwrap Nov. 26 inside Leinenkugel’s Leinie Lodge and Beer Garden at 1323 Walnut St.

Miracle on Main will serve as a private event venue at 1617 Main Street in the Crossroads Arts Districts, the former home of Nara. 

Rockhill Grill, which served as the home of the original Miracle Kansas City pop-up (launched in 2019), will not return as a host in 2021. 

“[The Miracle holiday bars] will be open to walk-in guests and guests with paid reservations this year,” the restaurant group noted, referencing its 2020 COVID contingencies which made bookings for the often-jam packed bars a requirement. 

The festive sites are now taking reservations. Click here for more information. 

Additional announcements and holiday giveaways are expected to follow Friday’s announcement, the restaurant group said.

Another Cocktail Kingdom-curated pop-up, the ​​Mele Kalikimaka-inspired Sippin’ Santa will return in partnership with Westport-bottled Julep Dec. 1 through 31, the cocktail lounge told Startland News, teasing a “major investment in holiday cheer” that’s expected to make the experience “bigger and better than ever.”

Joining in the mission to spread holiday cheers across the metro, Boulevard Brewing Company announced its inaugural holiday pop-up, Rec the Halls — a one-of-a-kind craft beer and cocktail experience with a portion of its proceeds benefiting Generating Income for Tomorrow (Kansas City G.I.F.T). 

“Join us for a magical experience featuring a copious cocktail menu of holiday-inspired bevvies concocted with Quirk Hard Seltzers, Fling Craft Cocktails, and of course boozy barrel-aged beers,” read an official description on the Boulevard website which also teased keepsake glassware, holiday-inspired snacks, games and special events. 

The experience is expected to be open Friday through Sunday in December. Guests should expect a $5 cover charge. A reservation is required for groups larger than 10 people. 

Click here to learn more about Rec the Halls or its private event options. 

Festive fun will continue in the Crossroads, when Tom’s Town becomes Tinsel Town later this month, the bar and lounge told Startland News. 

The holiday pop-up is returning for its second showing Thanksgiving weekend, pouring its  seasonal libations and serving up small plates through the New Year. 

Click here to learn more about Tinsel Town or to make a reservation.

Silver Bell Supper Club holiday pop-up bar at Canary; photo by Ashley Elwell

Sophistication is on the menu as Canary Bar and Bistro unveils its first holiday pop-up, Silver Bell Supper Club, a nostalgic cocktail and culinary experience set to pour hope for a pandemic-fatigued Kansas City and inspired by a classic Christmas film.

“We’re going for a chic Christmas vibe. White warm lights, hanging 3D snowflakes, Christmas trees everywhere,” described Keely Edgington, owner and founder, previewing to Startland News ahead of a planned Dec. 1 launch for the pop-up.

A menu of comfort-food classics — ranging from hearty short ribs, zesty scallops with black lime and garlic to such vegetarian dishes as roasted romesco with curry and ginger, curated and prepared by Chef Mark Dandurand, culinary director at Canary — will nourish guests of Silver Bell while holiday spices and seasonal fruit serve as inspiration for the pop-up’s eight cocktails.

Click here to read the full Startland News story on the opening of Silver Bell Supper Club. 

In Leawood, newly-opened Bamboo Penny’s is set to pour a lineup of holiday cocktails curated as part of its investment in a robust bar and lounge, The Bamboo Room, within the city’s Park Place district. 

“Many of the cocktails feature festive flavors like pumpkin, cranberry, and apple cider,” the restaurant said.

The holiday lineup includes cocktails such as the pumpkin pie-tini, chocolate raspberry martini and the Sugar Rush — a mix of peanut butter whiskey, Godiva chocolate liqueur, vanilla vodka, and cream.

Click here for updates on the release of Bamboo Penny’s full holiday drink menu. 

Monogram Mulled Wine

J. Rieger & Co. is expected to offer guests a trio of holiday-inspired drinks: Rieger’s Whiskey Cider uses Rieger’s whiskey, lemon, honey, black tea, and apple cider; Distiller’s Nog blends Rieger’s brown butter vodka, caffè amaro, vanilla, eggs, and cream; and Monogram Mulled Wine features Rieger’s gin, red wine, port, orange, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Drinks include a specialty souvenir mug.

The distillery is also set to host Santa 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 8.

Click here to purchase J. Rieger & Co’s 2021 holiday gift set, which includes exclusive holiday items from Charlie Hustle. 

Conductor Club

A Home Alone-inspired pop-up at Pierpont’s at Union Station’s Conductor Club promises holiday hijinx.

Merry Christmas, Ya Filthy Animal — named after a line in the classic 1990 holiday film —  will serve guests 11 drinks inspired by the movie, including the likes of “Look What Ya Did, Ya Little Jerk,” made with a winter-spiced run, China-China liqueur, cherry molasses syrup, and Jamaican jerk bitters.

Holiday decor and small plates round out the cinematic experience.

A $2 reservation fee supports the Union Station Preservation Fund.

Click here to view the full menu or here to make a reservation.