Celebrate the season with Cleveland’s festive holiday pop

Around the Corner Bar in Lakewood once again transforms into the Christmas Corner Bar for the holiday season. (Photo: Allison Jack)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Toast the holiday season at one of Cleveland's best pop-up bars. The city known for its Christmas Ale is no stranger to eating, drinking and being merry. Patrons can cuddle up to a cozy fire or mingle with the joyous sounds of Christmas music with a holiday martini in hand. If ornaments, glitz, and holiday merriment are your thing, be sure to stop by one of these hot spots.

These pop-ups are only around for a limited time, so checkout these transformations before the end of the year. Many spots are also available for private parties and event rentals.

Slap on that festive Christmas sweater and stop by the quintessential party-lovers Christmas bar in the heart of Lakewood at Around the Corner's Christmas Corner Bar (returning for its sixth season through early January on most nights). The transformed room of the popular watering hole is decked out with glitz, lights, tinsel, garland and décor filling every nook and even hanging from the ceiling. Try one of the specialty cocktails like the Dirty Grinch or a Raspberry Rudolph. Or go for your favorite Christmas ale. There's even a special brunch and karaoke at select times.

"I got the idea from my wife and mother-in-law," said general manager Ryan Krivosh. "The holidays are always a special time of year for their family, so when they mentioned a way to share the love and joy of the Christmas spirit with others, we went to work. It's become a magical place to make new friends, connect with old ones and bring people together."

18616 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood

atccafe.com/

The Society Lounge on East Fourth Street again transforms into the Miracle pop-up bar featuring festive cocktails and Christmas décor in Cleveland.

Classy Society Lounge transforms into an old-fashioned Christmas Miracle pop-up cocktail bar (celebrating its 9th season with 200 Miracle and Sippin’ Santa pop-ups in bars worldwide) featuring holiday décor and nostalgia. It's open through Dec. 31 during Society's normal hours Tuesday through Sunday. This East Fourth Street staple is sure to impress with its hand-crafted cocktails and festive atmosphere. Where else can you drink a "Grandma Got Run-Over By a T-Rex" cocktail from a dinosaur mug?! (Miracle offers hot buttered rum and Christmas-politans, too.) Guests can purchase the bespoke mugs and glassware, like the winking Santa mug, to take home.

2063 E. Fourth St., Cleveland

societycleveland.com/

Great Lakes Brewing Company hosts a Secret Cellar Christmas Bar seasonal pop-up featuring festive cocktails, the brewpub's famous Christmas Ale and tasty snacks in a decked out atmosphere. (Photo courtesy of Great Lakes Brewing Company.)

Great Lakes Brewing Company brings back its Secret Cellar Christmas Bar to the brewpub through Dec. 31 weekends and select dates. If imbibing in the brewpub's iconic Christmas ale garnished with a cinnamon sugar rim doesn't make everything better, I don't know what will. "Our holiday bar is special because we transform our cozy fan-favorite cellar bar into a winter wonderland," said Adam Ritterspach, multimedia coordinator for Great Lakes Brewing Company. Channel "A Christmas Story" with Ralphie's Revenge (a pint of Christmas Ale paired with a shot of Fireball. Or try another drink from the brewpub's yuletide cocktail menu, like the Apple Pie Old fashioned or the Snowglobe (featuring edible glitter infused vodka). There's even a new holiday snack menu offering favorites like the cinnamon sugar pretzel bites.

2516 Market Ave., Cleveland

greatlakesbrewing.com/events/secret-cellar-christmas-bar

Sleigh pop-up bar in The Jack Casino in downtown Cleveland once again returns to the third floor this holiday season with cute cocktails like The Grinch. (Photo courtesy of the Jack Casino by Alyssa Brosious)

Cleveland is winning big! Located on the third floor of the Jack Casino, Sleigh invites guests to enjoy themed cocktails Friday and Saturdays through Dec. 17, including the Naughty Elf, Candy Cand Swirl, Gettin’ Blitzen and the Warm & Fuzzy. The hot Peanut Butter Cup showcases Screwball peanut butter whiskey with hot chocolate, and the peppermint martini with a candy cane rim is a true classic. Returning with a whole new look, the room transforms from floor to ceiling to a whimsical holiday land featuring elves preparing hundreds of wrapped presents, a giant sleigh for the perfect photo op and a 5-foot gingerbread house.

100 Public Square, Cleveland

jackentertainment.com/cleveland/restaurants/

New for 2022, this new posh X-mas Bar hotspot gives off club vibes with fun red-and-green décor, complete with a Grinch-topped Christmas tree at this new spot on the East Bank of the Flats in Cleveland. Cocktails cover the Holiday Alexander, Spiced Apple Mule, Ruchata Rooteer and more libations. Pizza and burger selections round out the menu. Owned by Forward Hospitality, the same team that runs several Flats East Bank businesses, the spot will transform into Hi-5 sports bar after the season.

1052 Old River Road, Cleveland

instagram.com/xmasbarcle

There's nothing more magical at Christmas in Cleveland than Tower City. Join in the holiday spirit at this new pop-up bar (Poured by Nuevo) featuring cheerful beverages and holiday décor Through Dec. 31 at the Eatery at Tower City. It's open Thursdays through Sundays, and other select dates and times. The pop-up bar promises to become a must-visit festive stop at the end of a day of shopping at Tower City. Try a signature "Wrap It Up" Moscow mule or "Feliz Navidad" winter sangria.

230 W. Huron Road, Cleveland

towercitycenter.com/event/Holiday-Spirits-Poured-by-Nuevo-Grand-Opening/2145565655/

Check with individual bars for hours. Some are only open on weekends or select nights.

Author bio: Allison Jack is a Cleveland writer with a background in marketing communications and a master's in magazine writing and editing from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. Previously an adjunct journalism and mass communications professor, her work has been featured in other national outlets. Follow her passion for the Cleveland restaurant scene at Cleveland.Westside.Eats on Instagram.

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