‘Tis the season for twinkle lights, festive food, and magical date nights! Over the past 2 years, my husband and I have checked out some of the best Holiday Pop-Up Bars in St. Louis. Here’s your cheat sheet on what to know before you go to help you plan out an epic date night this season:
General Tips:
Plan WAY in advance!
- These events are so much fun when shared with friends. Map out a date ASAP since the Holidays are so busy!
- NOW is the time to look up if the venue accepts reservations. Hint: several of them are already LIVE!
- Follow each location’s social media page for fun details on what’s new this year.
- If possible, try to go on a weekday vs the weekend to avoid wait times and traffic!
- Many places will give you a time block for your reservation- in other words, you won’t have unlimited time to spend at your table so establish a game plan for dinner before, during, or after!
Up on the Rooftop, Three Sixty, Downtown St. Louis
November 10 – December 26, 2024
Award: Best decorations with a panoramic view!
Try to time your visit right before sunset. The orange glow against the skyline with the decorations is just mesmerizing! Be sure to walk outside to their rooftop patio to take in the view. Reservations were not accepted last year and some sections were unavailable due to private parties. You might need to continually scout for a seat! This venue also has excellent food options- we loved the white album pizza and Brussels sprouts. Check HERE for the latest!
Sippin’ Santa at Planter’s House, St. Louis
November 19 – December 29
Award: Cutest tropical-themed decorations, glassware, and food!
You don’t have to travel to Hawaii to escape the winter chill in St. Louis! At Planter’s House, you’ll find umbrellas with string lights, palm trees, and the most festive, themed mugs. I loved that their drink menu also includes a pic of what glass it’s served in. Don’t miss their Maui onion fries … yum!
I would strongly suggest making a reservation to secure a table! Check HERE on Sunday, November 24th at 12pm when all reservations will be released.
Sleigh Shed at Train Shed, Union Station
November 8 – December 31, 2024
Award: Best family date and best ceiling!
This *very* popular venue does not accept reservations! Our first attempt to visit was a huge failure. We tried to go in the middle of the week and arrived about 7:30pm. We were promptly told that they had a 2+ hour wait and weren’t accepting any additional names for the night. We were so bummed! We tried a few weeks later with our kiddos on a Saturday.
Here’s my biggest tip: go to the aquarium while you wait! We put our names in and then enjoyed strolling through all the interactive exhibits. Our kids didn’t even realize we were “waiting” and the time passed really quickly! Bonus- it wasn’t an additional expense since we had the aquarium annual membership.
The ceiling inside is truly incredible with hundreds of ornaments cascading across the room. I definitely recommend Santa’s Red Eye Fix- a coffee-flavored drink with cookies sprinkled on top! Yum! ( … and strong!). More info HERE.
Union Station has so many fun options to explore. If you are there between 5pm-10pm, be sure to check out the FREE 3D light show in The Grand Hall. It runs daily except when there’s a private event (be sure to check the schedule HERE ahead of time).
Toasted Chestnut at Public School House, Cottleville
December 1 – 31, 2024
Award: Best bartenders and light experience!
This venue just might be my all-time favorite for any season. They do such an incredible job ALL year hosting different themed experiences. We’ve been to their Harry Potter, Halloween, and Holiday pop-up bars so far. You will need to secure tickets *far* in advance to reserve a time block and seats. Tables of 2 are seated at the bar. Food is available- we usually order light bites with our drinks and plan to get dessert at another venue on the way home. The bartenders have always been really helpful in giving recommendations since there are so many amazing drink options. Ours even added a vanishing bubble to the top of my drink.
After your time inside the bar, you’ll be able to stroll through their Winter Light Walk featuring a pergola decked out with a canopy of beautiful lights. They do offer a family day of festivities complete with a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus on December 1st. Ticket reservations are available NOW!
Bling at The Wolf Café, West County
December 5 – 28, 2024
Award: Best for live music and pretty drink garnishes!
Bling’s debut year last year was a smash hit and reservations were sold out by December 3rd! This fun pop-up is located in the lower level of The Wolf Cafe. Last year, we enjoyed the live music (unique to any of the venues we’ve visited), delicious food, and fun décor details like walls that were transformed into presents with wrapping paper, Santa hat chair toppers, and a whimsical peppermint wall. Check this page for updates as their reservations go LIVE on November 1st. This year, they have 2 options:
- Taproom: open Wednesdays- Saturdays, starting December 4th. Pizza menu is available via QR code at the table. All ages are welcome until 8pm (later is 21+). Seating is first come, first serve.
- Cocktail Lounge: open Thursdays- Saturdays, starting December 5th. Must be 21+years and reservations are required (look for them to open November 1st.)
Miracle at Small Change
November 19 – December 29, 2024
Award: Best walk-in option and dose of Holiday nostalgia!
Miracle is the city’s original pop-up! After our failure at Union Station, we headed here to see if we could get a table. After a 25-minute wait, we got in! The ambiance inside is a delightful blend of kitschy decorations, nostalgic energy, and lighted garlands. Be sure to plan dinner either before or after since food options are *very* limited. Our server joked that there was a vending machine in the corner for additional options!
If you want a guaranteed seat, sign up for a reservation (released in two stages):
November 1st at 12pm: release of reservations for Nov. 19 – Dec. 7
December 1st at 12pm: release of reservations for Dec. 8 – Dec. 29
The above spots are not an exhaustive list by any means! A few others that we would love to attend in the future:
- The Chalet at Le Meridien, Clayton
- Frosted, A Holiday Cocktail Experience at Tower Grove Park
- Cocktails & Candy Canes at Presto Wine Bar, Main Street St. Charles
- Lit at Molly’s in Soulard, St. Louis
- Tinsel Tavern at Ballpark Village, St. Louis
For a detailed list of options in each area of the city, be sure to check out this GUIDE that will continue to be updated as more information becomes available! Have you been to a Holiday pop-up bar? Let us know your favorite and any tips/reviews that you might have!
