You bet your sweet Rudolph we wrote another poem this year.

Reservation reminders dings…are you listening?

In RVA, we are sipping 

A themed cocktail flight

Then bar hopping all night

The city is a pop-up wonderland

Eggnog flows … it’s so thrilling

A cookie shot? Yes, we’re willing!

From rooftops to dives

We’re living our best lives

Toasting in a pop-up wonderland

We thought the pop-ups were crazy last year — this year it’s a sugar plum explosion. We’ve tried to round them all up in a nice list. Santa better bring us some good drinks (or shots?) this year.

New this year (you’d think there would be just a few fresh-baked holiday treats—and you’d be wrong)

All aboard The Fall Line express

In past years, Fall Line offered popular snow globes for seasonal dining, but this year they’ve transformed the entire restaurant into a holiday escape inspired by elegant train travel and enchanted wintry wonder — just make sure you book a spot online before you go ($20 deposit). There are themed cocktails and food specials, and even a themed photo area. You can still snag a snow globe, too.

Gingerbread Saloon at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

A wild west take on the holiday pop up, Gingerbread Saloon is just asking for you to pop on your cowboy hat and boots, saddle up to the bar and order a Fa La La Latte, Hardywood’s riff on an espresso martini, “so strong it will make Santa two-step.” The whole drink menu is a wild bull ride of a time as are the fixins’ for snacking like gingerbread stout bread and gingerbread tres leches cake.

Holiday pop-up at Scotty’s Taphouse

Seasonal cocktails combined with duckpin bowling should make your holiday bright.  This pop-up is fun for the whole family with casual vibes and fun eatertainment.

Jingle up at Solaire Rooftop

The roof has been decked out and there is a full menu of festive drinks like Andes Secret made with vodka, creme de menthe, Bailey’s, creme de cacao and milk, or Banana Claus with Captain Morgan, Malibu, banana liqueur, cocoa and an espresso shot. Hungry? The menu also features “Santa’s Favorite Dish,” a chicken pot pie. (A word of warning to turn down your volume if at work for this FB link).

Make spirits bright at Julep’s

Yep, even fine-dining spot Julep’s is getting in on the pop-up game. Festive drinks, fun decor and musical events … plus shrimp and grits are always festive!

Tacky Christmas bars at Midlothian Chef’s Kitchen and 1870

Both bars have been dipped in holiday cheer with flashy lights and eggnog flowing. If your tacky Christmas sweater could be a holiday bar wouldn’t that be nice? And also, cozy — this would be it.

The Frosted Lodge at Game Plan Bar

Lights drip from the ceiling and tinsel and stockings cover anything that stands still — Game Plan has transformed into a full-blown, holiday pop-up now through mid-January. The menu leans all-in on the theme, with festive drinks like the super-minty Peppermint Peak and the boozy Lodge Lantern, paired with seasonal bites such as the bright green Grinch’s Deviled Eggs and Christmas dinner-inspired cranberry chicken wings. Santa even makes special appearances on Dec. 8, 15 and 22.

The Great Holiday Takeover at Mosaic

Stop in for boozy hot chocolates, a special cocktail menu and loads of decorations. And on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, Mosaic is transforming into a holiday speakeasy with Mosaic After Hours. Or you can go on the weekend for brunch with Santa every Saturday and Sunday in December (make a reservation now). Pick your party!

The Grinch at Fanboy

Fanboy went all in on their Christmas pop-up with a big, bad mural from Brad Bacon Art right on the front. Holiday drinks include 3x the Size with mezcal, montenegro, hazelnut orgeat, pineapple and lime, and Under the Mistletoe with gin, chartreuse and house-made rosemary syrup. Don’t skip the Night Before Christmas, a blend of coconut rum, fall spices, coffee liqueur and cold brew that tastes like chocolate coconut cake, but with booze.

The Juan who Stole Christmas at Juan’s Rooftop

Celebrate the season with The Juan Who Stole Christmas at Juan’s Rooftop. There are Grinch-themed igloos, on-theme cocktails and of course, a rooftop view. Is this the best place to watch Richmond’s Grand Illumination? Maybe. Just you and your who. Igloos can be rented for 90-minute experiences and come with a minimum spend of $150.

‘Tis the season: A Christmas pop-up at Tarrant’s Downtown

Eighty feet of tinsel, 400 feet of garland, 1,200 feet of ribbon and more than 700 feet of lights, plus ornaments and festive glassware make up Tarrant’s holiday experience. The menu features cocoa flights, milk and fresh-baked cookies, plus festive food and cocktails. Reservations are available.

Twelve Days of Christmas at Slack Tide Fish Co.

Opening Thursday, Dec. 10, Slack Tide Fish Co. is unveiling its holiday-themed speakeasy. Look for a completely transformed bar created just for the holiday season. The menu features a lineup of cocktails inspired by the iconic “Twelve Days of Christmas.” Expect hidden-bar vibes, so many fun and festive drinks (12, in fact) that bring each verse to life.

Winter Wonderland at Conex RVA

Richmond’s newest beer garden launches with a full-on holiday extravaganza: ice skating, dazzling light displays made for the ’gram, live music across multiple stages and a gift market packed with locally made Richmond treasures. It’s the perfect spot to satisfy that European Christmas market craving — just don’t forget a warm, comfortable jacket.

Tinsel at TBT El Gallo

According to a recent Instagram story, TBT will be sharing their take on a holiday pop-up bar Dec. 4-21. We can only imagine it will be as playful and irreverent as the restaurant—and here’s hoping there are some Xmas tamales in the mix.

Returning holiday treats

Gingerbread Cove at Little Nickel

Add Christmas to Little Nickel’s already over-the-top decor, plus seven seasonal sips. There’s frozen Mexican hot chocolate with an optional Thai chili liqueur floater, a gingerbread take on eggnog and even a Twiggy shooter featuring Fernet Branca, cacao and coconut rum. Tiki Christmas here we come.

Grinch-themed yurts at Brambly Park

Brambly’s yurts got a visit from The Grinch this year with festive decor and a themed menu. Try the Beezlenut Nug made with dark rum, cognac, hazelnut custard, cinnamon and nutmeg. Yurts seat up to eight for two-and-a-half hours and a $100 rental fee.

Make spirits bright at Revel Market and Bar

Festive decorations and holiday cocktails at Revel make for an ideal stop before or after Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights at Lewis Ginter Try the Pink Grinch martini. The name says it all. As does the live music every Monday starting at 6 p.m..

Miracle on Cary at The Jasper

Richmond’s OG holiday pop-up bar is known for pounds of décor, creative drinks and lines that wind down Cary Street. Wash your O Christmas Brie down with a Christmapolitan and a Snowball Old-Fashioned … and a Blitzen Barrel, because if you made it in, you darn well better enjoy it.

Noel at Beaucoup

An Alsatian spin on Christmas with classy decor is the theme this year. Noel at Beaucoup is promising less “cheesy souvenir glassware,” and more “the atmosphere of Christmastime in Vosges Mountains. If it’s available, you’ll want to order the French onion soup and the boeuf bourguignon. And the min croquembouche. And a cookie shot. OK, get one of everything! Plus, the train is back.

Now that’s what I call Christmas at Black Lodge

A themed cocktail menu with frozen eggnog, gingerbread espresso martinis and even more decor have taken over Black Lodge. Don’t skip the Reindeer on Parade frozen eggnog with cereal milk or The Red Nose, a fun, refreshing shot made with Rumple Minze and Underberg. This place gets busy late-night, so go early if you want to sip and chill.

Rum and Reindeer at Island Shrimp Company

Santa hits the tropics with tiki vibes and lots of cocktails. We want to try the clarified painkiller with holiday vibes.

Santa’s Cocktail Shop at Cirrus Vodka

The pop-up is back, but upscaled in the new, swanky Ballast digs. Traditional, cozy decor gives way to themed cocktails and mocktails. Don’t skip the Silent Nightcap, made with Cirrus that’s been aged in Reservoir bourbon barrels for two years to impart a much richer, complex flavor. In the cocktail, it’s mixed with gingerbread simple syrup, orange bitters, a filthy cherry and orange oil for a drink that will please old fashioned or bourbon-and-ginger fans.

Season’s Greetings at Seasons

Stop in for handcrafted cocktails, cozy vibes and seasonal bites all in a Winter Wonderland theme. Cafe Con Ron, featuring dark rum, espresso, Licor 43 and aztec chocolate bitters sounds like a lovely winter warmer.

Sippin’ Santa at Emerald Lounge

This tropical take on Christmas features fun decorations and lots of themed drinks in Insta-worthy glassware. We’re in it for the Pineapple Upside-Down Cask featuring a blend of rums, lemon, pineapple upside-down mix and cherry liqueur. And when your family starts driving you nuts, try a Wreck the Halls, featuring Caribbean overproof rum, lime, tawny port, maple and vanilla syrups and figgy bitters.

Tinsel and Tequila at Casa Del Barco

It’s a Mexican take on Christmas with themed decorations and drinks. Do the Oaxacan Snowglobe, a riff on an old fashioned with tequila and mezcal complete with your own personal smoke bubble.

The Evergreen at Birdie’s

The cute, open-to-the-public cafe in front of Common House social club has tinsel and glitter from top to bottom. This is one of the most popular pop-ups with lines that flow down the street. Reservations are long gone, but the bar is first-come, first-served and Mondays are no reservation days.

Wabi Sabi’s Christmas Pop-Up Bar

Venture to Petersburg for two floors of holiday vibes. Upstairs is a walk-in friendly holiday lounge with cocktails, sushi, dinner and cozy vibes. Downstairs is the full-on, pop-up bar with over-the-top decor, photo ops, holiday cocktails, music and “seasonal surprises.” Sounds like the perfect opp for a holiday staycation with a night at the new Hotel Petersburg.

West Pole at Bar West

Holiday cheer is officially underway at Bar West. The near West End watering hole got a jumpstart on their yearly holiday pop up starting in mid-November. Think Santa, a little after-hour tuneage (did we hear there will be DJs?) and festive drinks.

WinterFreuden Apres Ski Chalet at Hotel Greene

Richmond apres ski cocktailing meets a different kind of pole (a golf pole, get it? Sports! Santa!) Try eggnog spiked with apple brandy and Jamaican rum, plus several hot tipples like Glüwein, a boozy combo of red wine mulled with winter spices.

Winter Wonderland at Napa Kitchen and Wine

Over-the-top trimmings, music, themed glassware — the restaurant is dripping with decorations. It’s calling itself “the largest winter wonderland in Chesterfield County.” There’s a special prohibition cocktail menu complete with themed glassware. Try mulled wine, a spiced old fashioned, or a pomegranate gimlet.

Yaya’s Holiday Pop Up

In Short Pump, Yaya’s is offering a full selection of festive cocktails, shooters and mocktails. The Maple Fizz features Cirrus vodka, maple syrup, egg white and fresh-squeezed lemon juice, shaken into a wintery fizz. The Candy Cane Shooter features candy cane-infused rum, white creme de cacao and RumChata with a candy cane rim. Bottoms up.

Under the Christmas Tree at Reservoir Distillery

Under the Christmas Tree at Reservoir returns for its second year, glowing with nostalgic lights and holiday magic, plus the grown-up, glow-up treat of award-winning local bourbon, not a scrap of wrapping paper in sight.

Festive and Fun Standbys

Bingo Beer Co.

The team has launched eight themed cocktails including the Polar Espresso, an espresso martini made with Rostov’s Coffee and finished with eggnog foam and nutmeg, as well as a Christmas Cookie Old Fashioned featuring brown butter-washed rye and rum, spiced demerara syrup and cocoa bitters, finished with a cinnamon stick and an orange peel. There are lots of decorations inside and out, but instead of the limited pop-up vibe, Bingo reminds us that they can accommodate large groups and walk-ins all season long.

Beauvine

The slew of holiday cocktails and adult shakes are back! We are in it for the Espresso-Ho-Ho, a frozen concoction of Tito’s, Tia Maria Cold Brew Liqueur, espresso, cinnamon cream and vanilla, or the Nogged shake spiked with Jack Daniels whiskey.

Cameo Cakery & Cafe

During December, Cameo Cakery & Café transforms into a life-size gingerbread house with loads of pink, sparkly décor all over the patio and interior. There’s also a special menu of Christmas spirits, with or without booze. Check their Instagram page for special events like brunch with Santa, too.

Can Can

A Carytown standby for lights, fun decor and that cozy holiday glow, Can Can’s coffee house has also reopened if you’re looking for a festive morning spot. If you want a reservation, book it soon. Can Can fills up fast for holiday meals.

Helen’s

Another Fan classic and quite possibly the oldest holiday bar in Richmond, Helen’s is a seasonal must-stop for festive fun and cocktails. Dinner reservations are tight for the rest of the year, but you can walk in for brunch or late night for a bevvy.

The Jefferson

Richmond’s standby for the big, classic tree, the big, classic gingerbread house and big and classy decorations. Grab a themed cocktail at Lemaire’s side bar for decor wandering. As it gets closer to Christmas, this place gets packed. We like going late night and watching post-holiday party patrons mingle with the masses.

Lolita’s

This year, the Carytown spot is decked out in pink-and-white holiday trimmings complete with a big, Instagrammable bow in front. Inside look for seasonal drinks and food specials like warm, fruity Mexican ponche and comforting posole soup.

Riverside Tavern

This off-the-radar spot is covered in holiday decorations — every bit of the tiny spot. And they are serving festive drinks.

One other holiday thing that shouldn’t be missed

A Megan and Robey holiday favorite: Barrel Thief’s Champagne tasting on Thursday, Dec. 11

Hit one of the coziest wine shops in the near West End for one of the best wine events of the year. BT’s Champagne tasting always is full of actual Champagne (no prosecco or cava, here). This event sells out fast because it’s that good. So good, BT should really do it twice.