The 17 Best Christmas Bars In New York City
We found the most festive spots in every corner of the Big Apple.
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Traveling to New York City is fun any time of year, but it's especially magical around the holidays. The iconic Rockefeller Center tree, the elaborate displays in Dyker Heights, and the department store window displays are festive fixtures that you can experience every December. There's a lot to love about Christmas time in New York City—especially the holiday bars.
Between massive crowds of tourists and biting cold temperatures, sometimes you just need a festive respite to recharge your holiday cheer. And thankfully, bars and restaurants in every corner of the city take Christmas very seriously. Everywhere you look you can find festive holiday lights and seasonal cocktails. And, if you're lucky, you may have a chance to meet Santa himself.
Whether you're staying smack-dab in the middle of Times Square or planning a more low-key trip to Brooklyn, we've rounded up some of our favorite Christmas bars and pop-ups in New York City. This list features exciting new experiences along with time-honored holiday haunts that even a Scrooge will love. So if you're planning on visiting the city this holiday season, grab your friends (and your Santa hat) and check out these Christmas destinations.
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Oscar Wilde NYC (Flatiron)
Oscar Wilde has some of the best Christmas decorations in the city. The Victorian-style spot gets extra festive with lights, ornaments, garlands, and life-sized stuffed polar bears. If you want to get cozy by a fire, some of their cocktails are set aflame.
PLAN A TRIP 45 W 27th St, New York, NY 10001
Snow Globe in the Sky at Ophelia (Midtown)
Located on the 26th floor of the historic Beekman Tower is Ophelia, an Art Deco-inspired cocktail lounge. For the holiday season, they're going all out with the festive decor. If you want a glamorous place to go for a Christmas cocktail, this is the place.
PLAN A TRIP 3 Mitchell Pl 26th floor, New York, NY 10017
Winter Bar at the Palace (Midtown)
Lotte New York Palace hotel is located in one of the city's most historic landmarked buildings, and you can take it all in from a seat in their festive Winter Bar. This seasonal outdoor bar features a 30-foot Christmas tree and plenty of holiday cocktails and treats.
PLAN A TRIP 455 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10022
Loreley Beer Garden (Lower East Side)
One of the most popular spots to grab a drink in downtown Manhattan is getting a festive facelift this holiday season. Loreley Beer Garden is offering a lineup of holiday cocktails like bourbon hot chocolate and mulled wine, alongside plenty of seasonal craft beers. And if you still want the beer garden experience, their outdoor patio is heated.
PLAN A TRIP 7 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002
Santa’s Winter Wonderland at Watermark
Located right on Pier 15 at the bottom of Manhattan is Watermark, an outdoor bar and restaurant that spans a whopping 10,000 feet. Don't worry about sitting out in the cold: Watermark is transforming the space into Santa's Winter Wonderland. This pop-up features heated glass houses right on the East River, plenty of festive snacks and drinks, and the chance to snap a photo with Santa himself.
PLAN A TRIP 78 South St Pier 15, New York, NY 10038
Pete's Tavern (Union Square)
Pete's Tavern has been around since 1864, so it's the place to be if you want some time-honored holiday cheer. The bar is known for surviving Prohibition by disguising itself as a flower shop and for its stunning Christmas decorations.
PLAN A TRIP 129 E 18th St, New York, NY 10003
Miracle on 9th Street at The Cabinet (East Village)
Beginning November 18, sleek cocktail bar The Cabinet transforms into a festively decorated spot sure to put any Grinch into the holiday spirit. The vintage Santa mugs and decorations make us think Clark Griswold had a hand in decorating this famous New York pop-up, and we are totally here for it. Although cousin Eddie and the fam aren’t expected, you can expect inventive craft cocktails with a seasonal twist and a jolly good time.
PLAN A TRIP 649 E 9th St, New York, NY 10009
Sleyenda at Leyenda (Cobble Hill, Brooklyn)
One of the best holiday-themed bars in Brooklyn is Leyenda's annual celebration, Sleyenda. Head over to indulge in their festive Christmas cocktails like Coquito Ho Ho Ho, the Nutcracker Old Fashioned, and the frozen Candy Striper.
PLAN A TRIP 221 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Foxtail’s Holiday Hideaway (SoHo)
If your idea of a happy holiday is on the swankier side, then you need to visit Foxtail's holiday pop-up, located on the ground floor of Arlo SoHo. This speakeasy-style cocktail bar is offering plenty of Christmas-themed cocktails like the Yuletide Toddy, Spiked Mexican Hot Cocoa, and Tree Topper.
PLAN A TRIP 231 Hudson St Lobby Level, 231 Hudson St, New York, NY 10013
Haven Ski Chalet (Midtown)
The Haven Rooftop above The Sanctuary Hotel is transforming into a holiday hotspot this December. This bar not only offers sweeping views of Times Square, but is decorated to look like a cozy ski resort. Expect lights, garlands, and lots and lots of flannel—perfect for some Christmas canoodling.
PLAN A TRIP 132 W. 47th Street, New York, NY 10036
The Lodge at Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park (Midtown)
Just off the park’s rink, The Lodge at Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park is filled with eating and drinking options to satisfy your appetite and quench the thirst you worked up from the triple axels you were throwing on the ice.
The enclosed space is filled with a variety of eateries that flank a fully stocked cocktail bar ready to pour you something strong enough to help you forget you didn’t actually stick all those landings. When you’re finally full, and maybe a little tipsy, take a stroll through the holiday market and tackle all of your Christmas shopping.
PLAN A TRIP Bryant Park
Jingle Bell Book & Candle (West Village)
From now through the end of the year, head over to Bell Book and Candle for their festive offerings. Seasonal cocktails include the Canela Navidad, the Coal for Christmas, and the cozy Candy Cane shot.
PLAN A TRIP 141 W 10th St, New York, NY 10014
King Cole Bar at The St. Regis (Midtown)
For a true “treat yourself” experience this holiday season, pay a visit to King Cole Bar at the St. Regis, where you can sample high-end bubbles in an iconic New York destination. They offer an extensive hot chocolate menu: choose from five different kinds of chocolate and spike it with your choice of alcohol. Plus, they come with over-the-top garnishes like peppermint bark, churros, and biscotti.
PLAN A TRIP 2 East 55th Street At, 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022
La Grande Boucherie (Midtown)
This Midtown French brasserie is "grande" in every sense of the word. La Grande Boucherie is designed in the extravagant style of Art Nouveau all year long. But during the holidays, they deck out the space with plenty of garlands, lights, and one of the biggest Christmas trees in all of New York City. If your idea of celebrating the holidays includes a glass of Champagne, this is the place to be.
PLAN A TRIP 145 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019
The Après Skate Chalets presented by Balsam Hill (Midtown)
Few New York City Christmas experiences are as iconic as visiting Rockefeller Center. As much as we love looking at the giant tree or ice skating at the rink, our favorite way to celebrate is with a cocktail. These Après Skate Chalets are located right on the rink and offer fun beverages (including a seasonal beer lineup from Other Half Brewery).
Reservations for a private chalet are currently booked for the season, but keep an eye out for potential new time slots. You can also enjoy the same snack and treats to-go for walk-in guests.
PLAN A TRIP 45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111
Grinchy's At Roberta's (Bushwick, Brooklyn)
Roberta's may be known for slinging some of the best pizzas in New York, but they also transform their Tiki Bar into a Grinch-themed holiday pop up. Beyond a lineup of festive cocktails, you can also indulge in a feast-worthy menu of suckling pig, prime rib, and dry-aged duck. It'll make your heart (and your stomach) grow three sizes.
PLAN A TRIP 261 Moore St, Brooklyn, NY 11206
Frosty's Christmas Bar (Midtown)
Located near the heart of Times Square, the bar Bacall's & Blue transforms into Frosty's—the ultimate holiday oasis. Whether you want to get the perfect Christmas photo-op, try a specialty cocktail, or share a shotski with your friends, Frosty's guarantees a jolly happy soul.
PLAN A TRIP 220 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036
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