Calgary 
All is merry, all is bright, and all is tipsy this Christmas in Calgary! You and your friends or family can add a festive twist to your cocktails this month with the help of these holiday pop-up bars.
Credit: Brooke Lark/ Unsplash
Join in the festive celebrations at each local spot with their menus of Christmas cocktails. No matter the reason for the celebration, these drinks are all perfect for a cold winter day, with many festive cocktails also served warm.
The festive cocktails around Calgary this year will cover anyone’s tastes and preferences for spirits, too! Choose between the sweeter side of the menus, the bitter, the savoury and the smoky, or the bright and colourful. In addition to these holiday cocktails, there are also some local brews and ciders.
These are limited-time-only cocktails and drinks, and many of them are available through limited pop-up bars. The pop-up bars transform different places in Calgary into Tinseltowns, Wonderlands, and more, and usually offer other holiday activities throughout the month.
1. Ricardo’s Hideaway – Sippin’ Santa
The Sippin’ Santa holiday pop-up bars are now popping up across north America. Fortunately for Calgarians, Ricardo’s Hideaway will host yet another Sippin’ Santa bar in 2023! This year’s Sippin’ Santa menu features alcoholic and non-alcoholic themed drinks, wintery beers, and warming ciders. Some of those cocktails include a Spiced Pear Old Fashioned, or a Peppermint Daquiri, for example. Details
When: now until December 31, 2023
Where: Ricardo’s Hideaway, 1530 5 St. SW, Calgary
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cz_wscVMIAr/
2. Proof Cocktail Bar – Miracle on First Street
Well, if you need proof that miracles exist, look no further than Proof’s Miracle Holiday Pop-up bar! Their annual holiday tradition is in full swing with a full menu of fun and Christmas-y cocktails. These include some soothing drinks served hot, like a Jingle Balls Nogg, or Hot Buttered Rum. For the chilled drinks, try a Christmas Cricket, or a Christmapolitan. There are many more drinks from which to choose! Details
When: now until December 24, 2023
Where: Proof Cocktail Bar, 1302 1 St. SW, Calgary
https://www.instagram.com/p/C0ABes8vesb/
3. Glow Christmas
The indoor light display Glow is back at the Nutrien Events Centre for 2023! The festival features fun for all ages, and several opportunities for family Christmas photos. And those visitors over 18 can purchase a souvenir Glow cup for light up holiday cocktails. The bars will serve drinks for the adults, while many of the local food vendors have Christmas-themed snacks at the ready. Details
When: December 7-31, 2023
Where: Nutrien Events Centre 1800 Stampede Trail SE
4. Eighty-Eight Brewing – Home Alone
There are many delicious holiday cocktails around Calgary for 2023. But if beer is more your style, stop by Calgary’s beer-based holiday pop-up now at Eighty-Eight Brewing! The Home Alone pop-up is the perfect way to try their seasonal brews like Wet Bandits, or a special Terry’s Chocolate Orange Beer. The brewery will host other fun events like cookie decorating on December 9th, and a Toy Drive on until December 15. Details
When: Until December 31, 2023
Where: Eighty-Eight Brewing, #1070 – 2600 Portland St SE
5. Shelter Cocktail Bar – Nightmare on First Street
Shelter went all out to transform their moody décor into a dark winter wonderland. Their December holiday pop-up is a mysterious collection of drinks and shareables that are sure to warm you in one of Calgary’s coldest months. Be sure to come ready for photographs among the cool and unique holiday setting. Details
When: until December 23, 2023
Where: Shelter Cocktail Bar, 1210 1 St SW, Calgary
6. SunnyCider Bar & Kitchen – Tinseltown
Any day in December is considered Christmas when you’re enjoying cozy cider inside an actual Tinseltown. Calgary’s SunnyCider Company are celebrating the season with a month-long Christmas pop-up bar. The seating is ticketed and will include other holiday fun and events like gift exchanging, festive music, elves running around, and a menu of warm fuzzy drinks. The Cider Company will have their cozy ciders, plus a selection of holiday cocktails. Details
When: until December 30, 2023
Where: SunnyCider Bar & Kitchen, 3300 14 Ave NE Unit 1, Calgary
7. LOCAL Public Eatery
Celebrate the season with LOCAL’s holiday food, or their holiday drinks. Both of the Calgary LOACAL Public Eateries feature a fun selection of both. For food, take on the Christmas Burger, complete with crispy chicken breast, a sausage patty, melted smoked cheddar, bacon, cranberry sauce, caramelized onions, and cabbage. If out for holiday drinks, LOCAL offers something sweet with The Grinch, something spicey with Naughty & Spiced, and something caffeinated with the Jameson Cold Brew.
Where: 310 8 Ave SW
201 Barclay Parade SW
8. Boston Pizza
BP’s official Holiday menu is here, and available at all Calgary locations. The holiday food features are available for take-out and dine-in, while their feature drinks are for dine-in only. The Boston Pizza 2023 Holiday Menu features familiar favourite cocktails, each with a unique twist like the Winterberry Sangria, or a Cranberry Cringle. Their Christmas themed foods include an Italian Trio Pizza, garnished with red, white, and green, or a Truffled Mushroom Pizza.
When: until December 31, 2023
Where: all Calgary Boston Pizza locations
Details
