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Philly’s stellar food and drink scene shines even brighter during the holidays.
Each holiday season, local restaurants, beer gardens and more don twinkly lights and Santa hats to dish out Rudolph-approved menus of spirited sips and snacks.
Seasoned holiday pop-up vets like Uptown Express at Center City’s Uptown Beer Garden and Señor Grinch Pop-Up at Manayunk’s Taqueria Amor only up the cheer-factor each year with more over-the-top decor and holiday-themed menus.
Not to be outdone, top wintertime attractions like Longwood Gardens and Christmas Village in Philadelphia complement their seasonal celebrations with some seriously delicious dining experiences.
So, eat, drink and be merry, friends — there’s certainly no shortage of spots to grab a cup (or two) of holiday cheer.
Read on for our roundup of pop-up holiday bars and festively decorated restaurants in Greater Philadelphia for 2024.
Through Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Tucked away among the retailers of one of Philadelphia’s top shopping destinations, Rittenhouse Square cocktail garden Walnut Garden goes all-in on holiday spirit with themed cocktails like the Munchkin Land and Cocoa Warm Up, adorable inflatables, decorated trees, and more. Even better yet, an enormous heated tent offers a respite from the winter cold.
Nearby:
Where: Walnut Garden, 1708 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
Through Thursday, January 11, 2025
It’s all fun and games at Live! Casino & Hotel with this new vintage toy-store-themed pop-up bar. Sip on festively fun drink options like the Toy Shop Sangria, the Chocolate Peppermint Martini and the Gin & Jolly while scenes from classic holiday films, like Miracle on 34th Street, play in the background. And ’tis the season for giving: Pop-up guests are invited to bring a new, unwrapped toy with them to donate to Toys for Tots.
Where: Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia, 900 Packer Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Through Friday, January 17, 2025
New American hotspot Butcher Bar decks the halls with plenty of festive vibes during its annual Yule Lodge pop up. The meat-lover’s haven features holiday cocktails (including its iconic “Shotski”), along with seasonal treats and plenty of festive comfort.
Where: Butcher Bar, 2034 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
Through Friday, January 31, 2025
This not-at-all-subtle saloon goes big for the holiday season: big decorations, big burgers, and big (and boozy) milkshakes. Nearly every inch of the place is draped in holiday cheer, and special food and drink menus feature items like the Gingerbread Margarita, the All I Want for Christmas eggnog milkshake, and the Christmas Dinner Burger (topped with stuffing, cranberry sauce and sweet potato fries).
Where: Craftsman Row Saloon, 112 S. 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Through January 2025
¡Eres malo, Sr. Grinch! Adorned in colors and lights, inside and out, Taqueria Amor in Manayunk decks the halls for its latest pop-up, Señor Grinch. After exploring Main Street’s shops and holiday decor (the pop-up coincides with the Holidays in Manayunk festivities), top off on Grinch-A-Ritas and birria tacos while enjoying projector shows, twinkling lights and super nostalgic holiday movie decor.
Where: Taqueria Amor, 4410 Main Street, Philadelphia, PA
One of the oldest taverns in the country continues its Christmas tradition with over-the-top decorations, a warming fire, and a Christmas cocktail menu featuring adult beverages like Eggnog Martinis, Mistletoe Margaritas and Ho-Ho-Hot Chocolates.
Where: McGillin's Olde Ale House, 1310 Drury Street, Philadelphia, PA
Through Friday, February 28, 2024
The swanky rooftop lounge atop The Logan Hotel heads north for this ski lodge-inspired seasonal pop up. Cozy up around a fire pit with a boozy hot chocolate in hand and enjoy a warming food menu featuring items like four cheese fondue, carbonade valdostana and flatbread pizzas made in an outdoor oven. For dessert? A dark chocolate fondue served with homemade marshmallows. Reservations are encouraged, and indoor and outdoor seating is available.
Where: Assembly Rooftop Lounge, 1840 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA
Take a stroll down Candy Cane Lane when Uptown Beer Garden goes all out for the holiday season. Sip on hot cocoa and seasonal cocktails — complete with holiday-themed cups — as you walk through the colorful outdoor beer garden’s nostalgic decor and twinkling light displays. This year, Uptown Express honors classic holiday films and shows like National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, The Year Without A Santa Claus and Elf throughout the Center City beer garden.
Where: Uptown Beer Garden, 1500 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
November 29 – December 31, 2024
Tinsel’s holiday pop up returns for another season of holiday magic — and is bigger than ever! There’s still plenty of shine in this former jewelry store, thanks to the glistening string lights and over-the-top holiday decor. This year, the Midtown Village hotspot debuts a brand-new second floor, doubling the festive cheer. Expect creative cocktails and plenty of seasonal spirit.
Where: Tinsel, 116 S. 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Philly’s specialty espresso martini bar embraces the holiday season with elegant decor and creative cocktails. Named after the beloved gift-exchange game, White Elephant: The Christmas Pop-Up dazzles with floor-to-ceiling pink tinsel, sparkling disco ball ornaments, pink Christmas trees and plenty of garland. Sip on festive holiday cocktails and enjoy slices of tomato pie from Carlino’s Market.
Where: White Elephant, 1500 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA
Six wineries throughout Bucks County — including Sand Castle Winery, Bishop Estate Vineyard & Winery, and Manoff Market Cidery — drape string lights over their vines during this annual holiday celebration. Hours and special happenings vary by vineyard, but highlights include spiced wine tastings, Christmas cookie sampling, live music, and special discounts on goods and gifts.
Where: Various locations including Bishop Estate Vineyard & Winery, 2730 Hilltown Pike, Perkasie, PA
Through Monday, December 23
Local food trucks line up right by the Visitor & Event Center from Fridays through Sundays during the holidays at Peddler’s Village, dishing out a rotating menu of tasty grub each day. Look forward to trucks by Dos Hermanos Tacos, Why Not Burgerz, Chank’s Pizza Cones, Meat Wagon BBQ and more. Admission to Peddler’s Village is free year-round.
Where: Peddler's Village, 2400 Street Road, New Hope, PA
Through Sunday, January 12, 2024 (dates vary by eatery)
Longwood Gardens’ holiday display is a huge draw every year, but if you want to take a load off after sightseeing dozens of decorated trees and the illuminated grounds, the gardens offer a variety of dining options:
Where: Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA
Through Sunday, February 23, 2025
Located right next to the Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink, the Rothman Orthopaedics Cabin offers a cozy après-skate spot for pay-as-you-go seasonal dishes, cocktails, beer and hot drinks. The rustic ski chalet, adorned with winter foliage and glowing lights, is free to enter and also offers a front-row view of the skaters and fire pits on the TD Bank Terrace at no charge.
Where: Dilworth Park, 1 S. 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA
In between bouts of Street Curling at Winter in Franklin Square, take a break and unwind at Ben On the Rocks, the square’s seasonal pop up serving handcrafted cocktails, toasty beverages (including spiked hot chocolate!), seasonal beer and wine in a heated tent. Or hop over to SquareBurger to chow down on classic comfort foods. Also on offer: cozy outdoor fire pits, wintery mini-golf and the Electrical Spectacle Light Show, which runs every 30 minutes during the evening hours. Admission to Ben On the Rocks — and Winter in Franklin Square — is free.
Where: Franklin Square, 200 N. 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA
November 28 – December 24, 2024
After securing that perfect gift from the more than 100 vendors dotting Christmas Village in Philadelphia, treat yourself to gooey raclette and Belgian fries while warding off the winter chill with spiced mulled wine and other beverages in the beer garden. New for 2024: exclusive Christmas Village purple boot mugs; The Bloom and the Brat, the attraction’s first-ever fully vegan booth; and a Glühwein Flight experience (December 4 to 202, 4, Wednesdays through Fridays). Entry to the food court and beer garden at Christmas Village is free.
Where: LOVE Park, 1500 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
The Lodge at Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest is the ideal combination of cozy, twinkly and rustic. String lights hang overhead, decorated trees accentuate the space, and scenic-meets-comfy seating options abound. As for the menu, look forward to Mexican street food from Cantina la Martina, hot funnel cake, cocktails and mocktails, and (of course) Chickie’s & Pete’s legendary Crabfries. Entry to Winterfest and the Lodge are free.
Where: Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest, 101 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
December 2-23, 2024 (select dates)
With dozens of booths offering European delights, local Philly delicacies plus a variety of handcrafted goods, how do you know where to start exploring Christmas Village in Philadelphia’s culinary offerings? Spoiler alert: There’s no wrong place to dig in, but City Food Tours’ brand-new Tastes and Toasts of Christmas Village Food Tour takes the guesswork out. Let the experts in Philly food whisk you from booth to booth, sampling the treats and learning about the European holiday traditions that inspire the authentic German-style holiday market.
Where: LOVE Park, 15th and Arch streets, Philadelphia, PA
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