‘Tis the season for twinkly lights, boozy eggnog and all things ho, ho, ho. A number of area bars and restaurants have morphed into winter wonderlands — either by fully transforming into their holiday alter-ego’s, or by incorporating festive events, from roasting s’mores to serving up fresh holiday cocktails. Here’s where to celebrate the spirit of the season.
Sippin’ Santa at Prohibition
Open daily from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., Nov. 29 through Jan 1.
Prohibition reopens for the holiday season with the Sippin’ Santa Holiday Pop-up Bar. The sister pop-up bar to internationally acclaimed holiday pop-up Miracle Bar, Sippin’ Santa is a “tropical companion” to its more traditional sibling. Guests can look forward to floor-to-ceiling decorations and festive cocktails, along with seasonal brunch, lunch and dinner menus. And, as always, this pop-up leans into tiki classics on the cocktail front — think rum, rum and more rum. Check out the full cocktail list online. Follow @sippinsantacharleston to learn more.
Little Pine at Little Palm
Open daily through Jan. 5
Head to The Ryder’s Little Palm bar and restaurant for a taste of the hotel’s annual holiday iteration, Little Pine, which has upped the holiday ante this year with the addition of a synthetic ice rink ($15/per person). If you’re not into skating, check out the gondolas (book one for a group of pals online), hang by the pool or just belly up the bar for seasonal sips. Creative concoctions include the Orchard Toddy, made with Grey Goose, pear, apple, brown butter, benedictine, cinnamon and lemon, and the Mezcal Milk Punch, made with Illegal Joven Mezcal, creme de cacao, mango, grapefruit, lime and fig leaf. Learn more at littlepalmbar.com.
Polar Perch at Get Carried Away Southern Market
Open for lunch, dinner Tuesday through Saturday through Dec.
Head to Get Carried Away Southern Market’s, The Perch, to shop its holiday alter-ego, The Polar Perch. The decked out bar features plenty of decorations and festive cocktails, plus seasonal events: Every Friday, from now through December, guests can look forward to $10 Lowcountry boils and $16 buckets of beer; every Saturday the festivities continue with De Mare Raw Bar pop-ups, featuring fresh-shucked oysters $2/each.
Frannie’s winter courtyard and Holidays at The Den at Hotel Emeline
Courtyard open daily The Den open Monday through Saturday, at 5 p.m. now through Dec.
Hotel Emeline is celebrating this holiday season with two Christmas pop-ups: a tree-lined winter courtyard and a bedazzled bar. Grab some pals and make a reservation at one of the courtyard’s yurts, where you can order from a fondue menu or Frannie & The Fox’s regular menu. At The Den, the hotel’s martini bar, enjoy holiday decorations and cocktails. Sip on drinks like the Bad Mom Christmas, made with rosemary-infused Absolut, orange liqueur, lime and cranberry, or the Meet Me At The Chalet, made with red wine, Martell brandy, amaretto and winter spices. Learn more at hotelemeline.com.
Holidays on Hutson
Open daily at 5 p.m., Dec. 5 through Dec. 31.
Head to Hutson Alley this holiday season for a family-friendly celebration. The cobblestone alley is located adjacent to Holy City Hospitality’s restaurants, 39 Rue de Jean, Coast Bar & Grill, Charleston’s Smallest Bar, Victor’s Seafood & Steak and Vincent Chicco’s. The alley will be decorated with lights, ornaments and trees and attendees can look forward to a twice nightly snowfall at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Additionally, local vendors will be popping up Thursday through Saturday nights through Dec. 21 and Santa makes an appearance on Dec. 13, 16 and 19. Purchase s’more’s kits and festive cocktails to round out your evening. Follow @hutsonalleycharleston to learn more.
S’mores in the Courtyard at the Mills House
Fridays and Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., Dec. 2 through 30.
The Mills House hosts complimentary s’mores every weekend this December. Make your way to the Meeting Street hotel’s courtyard for fireside fun. Pair your sweet treats with one of Iron Rose’s (the Mills House’s restaurant) 12 cocktails of Christmas. Order from $12 concoctions like Silver Bells, made with tequila, mint, lime, cranberry, simple syrup and prosecco and Naughty List, made with Ford’s Gin, mezcal, Italicus, lemon juice and raspberry puree.
The gingerbread house at Hotel Bennett
Open daily through December.
Nothing screams Christmas quite like a massive gingerbread house — and you can find just that at Hotel Bennett this holiday season. Created by pasty chef Rémy Fünfrock and chef Renee Fonseca, the gingerbread house is a delight for kids of all ages. Double down on the holiday fun and book a seat at Camellia’s signature Tea with Santa, which kicks off on Nov. 29. Learn more at hotelbennett.com.
Nutcracker Tea at Thoroughbred Club
Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22 at 11 a.m.
The Thoroughbred Club hosts a Nutcracker-themed afternoon tea this holiday season, appropriate for kids and adults. Guests can enjoy a selection of both sweet and savory treats, as well as a mini-performance of the famed ballet from the Dance Conservatory of Charleston. Bonus: Adults can add Champagne service to their reservation. Book via resy.com.
The Sleigh Room
Open from 5 p.m. to midnight Wednesday and Thursday, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29 through New Year’s Eve.
New to town this year is The Sleigh Room, a holiday pop-up bar located at 34 Woolfe St. (former location of Woolfe Street Playhouse). The 15,000-square-foot pop-up will feature themed cocktails, snowball fights, nightly snowfalls and appearances from Santa himself. The Sleigh Room’s back room is described as a “playful retreat” that includes arcade games and an adjacent space will serve as the spot for snowball fights and putt-putt golf. In addition to the festivities, the venue will be collecting gifts for Toys for Tots and non-perishable food items for the Lowcountry Food Bank. Guests looking for additional fun can check out one of the space’s signature events, including a Christmas Concert from The Midnight City Band on Dec. 13, a Taylor Swiftmas Brunch on Dec. 15 and The Glitter Gala New Year’s Eve party on Dec. 31. Learn more at thesleighroom.com.
The Veranda Lodge at The Loutrel
Open daily at noon this December.
State Street hotel’s restaurant The Loutrel transforms its lobby into The Veranda Lodge this season with the addition of cozy, holiday decor and a seasonal cocktail menu. Drinks include the Snowday Sour, made with Lalo Tequila, lemon, lime and egg white, and the Yuletide Flip, made with Beyond Bourbon, Jumping Goat Black Cold Brew Liqueur, St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram, demerara, lemon and egg white. A portion of proceeds from cocktail sales will be donated to the Southern Smoke Foundation. The Loutrel will also offer a holiday version of its afternoon tea, Lady Loutrel’s Holiday Tea Experience, which features a selection of local wassails and spiced ciders. Learn more online at theloutrel.com.
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