Deck yourself before you wreck yourself at P.C.H's Miracle. (Courtesy of @pch580)
5 Bay Area Bars Slinging Festive, Christmas-Themed Drinks
10 December 2018
You've gone Christmas tree shopping, you've Instagrammed the craziest holiday lights, and maybe you've even gone so far as to tour the city's most Pinterest-worthy gingerbread houses.
But to really get into the, er, spirit of the holidays, you're going to need booze—plenty of in-law-erasing, shopping-pain-medicating booze. Hit up these Bay Area bars for delicious holiday-themed drinks.
Deck the Halls
The extensive cocktail menu at this Christmas-themed pop-up will surely have Santa trading his ol' cuppa milk. Go for spiked classics such as egg nog shots and a cranberry martini bitter served in Christmas ornaments, as well as more complex pours like the Pumpkin Flip (Makers Mark Bourbon, ginger spice molasses, pumpkin puree, stout beer, whole egg). Arrive early for a chance at scoring the limited Gingerbread House, one of the bar's most popular cocktails that is served in, yes, an actual gingerbread house. Christmas ain't your holiday? Order up a Treif-ashioned rye, bacon, touch of house ginger molasses, orange bitters, guilt) from Dreidel Bar. It doesn't get any merrier than this, kids. // Deck the Halls pop-up will be open through Christmas Day; 1217 Sutter St. (TenderNob), deckthehallsbar.com.
Miracle at Pacific Cocktail Haven
This global holiday pop-up is making merry at the bar at Pacific Cocktail Haven (P.C.H.). Eggnog fans can order the Jingle Ball Nog (Cognac, PX sherry, brown butter, cinnamon, cherry, vanilla, almond egg nutmeg); classicists may prefer the Snowball Old Fashioned, made with gingerbread bourbon, wormwood bitters, and lemon zest. Don't forget to take a Nice (rum, peppermint, chocolate) or a Naughty (bourbon and cinnamon) shot on your way out. // PCH, 580 Sutter St (Union Square), facebook.com/MiraclePCH
Bar Agricole
This Christmas season, stop by this contemporary eatery's farm bar for a Brandy Milk Punch (Jamaican rum, egg, and nutmeg), tailor-made for die-hard egg nog fans, or a glass of Glüwein, a nod to the warm mulled wine that is a requisite while visiting any German Christmas market in sub-zero temps. Enjoy it here in the perfectly chilly NorCal weather, with brandy and Maraska (a cherry liqueur). // Bar Agricole, 355 11th St (SoMa), baragricole.co
Charmaine's
(Noah Webb Photography)
Sure, there are people who enjoy a hot cup of cocoa topped with marshmallows while bundled up by the fire. But if guzzling a properly made cocktail by a cozy fire pit with romantic rooftop views is more your speed, Charmaine's, in the Proper Hotel, is apropos for a holiday date. Order up the Mr. Jinks (Mezcal Union, Lillet Rose, Clement Creole Shrub, guava, lime, Scrappy's Hellfire bitters) or the Unsinkable Sam (Jack Daniel's rye, Campari, grapefruit, lemon, ginger beer, House lager). // Charmaine's at Proper Hotel, 1100 Market St. (SoMa), properhotel.com/charmaines
The Naughty and Nice Lounge at Hello Stranger
Whether you behaved this year or not, Oakland's Hello Stranger will welcome you to its Naughty and Nice Lounge. Swing by after 8pm in December and treat yourself to a "cocktail menu that would make Santa blush." Try their whiskey-spiked Ho Ho Cocoa—it'll be way better than your homemade hot chocolate, trust us. // Hello Stranger, 1724 Broadway (Oakland),facebook.com/hellostrangerbar/
Related Articles