SEAGuide
9 Seattle Bars Where You Can Get Into The Holiday Spirit
photo credit: Rob Roy
In December, there are times for staying in to watch Christmas movies about the big-city main character falling in love with a farmer from their hometown during some kind of candy cane festival. And then there are times for hanging out at a heavily-decorated bar instead. Here are some options when you’re looking for the latter.
THE SPOTS
photo credit: Nate Watters
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This Fremont restaurant and bar is our go-to for pretty much any kind of wacky celebration, and Christmas time is no exception. This year, they'll be putting on a "Winter Wonderland" that includes festive cocktails, wall-to-wall decorations, and holiday-themed drag brunches.
photo credit: Nate Watters
This Jamaican and Caribbean-inspired spot we love for appetizers (that also happens to be one of The Best New Restaurants Of 2022) has transformed their space into a Christmas-themed party, complete with festive wrapping paper everywhere, a glowing tree, fake snow falling from the ceiling, and enough string lights to illuminate Whoville. To match the setting, they'll serve a full menu of holiday cocktails to be released on December 1st. We'll keep you updated on the possibility of hot buttered rum and zero-proof apple cider margaritas.
photo credit: Christmas Dive Bar
Christmas Dive Bar is a seasonal pop-up located inside The Woods, and you can expect vintage Christmas lights, quirky ornaments, and a wall completely covered in gift bows that's perfect for a holiday card photo op. You can sip on an eggnog espresso martini while sharing nostalgic holiday snacks like crockpot little smokies, a tin of holiday popcorn, and for some reason, a Hungry-Man TV dinner that costs $30. (That one we're still scratching our Santa hats over.) But aside from the overpriced frozen food, this place is a great time. Keep an eye on their Instagram to find out more about the events they'll be doing all month long—think ugly sweater night and an Après-ski party.
photo credit: Nate Watters
There’s nothing quite like slurping a nutmeg-kicked frozen painkiller beneath hundreds of twinkly lights that are programmed to blink in synchronous motion to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s rendition of “Carol of the Bells.” Experience that at Bait Shop alongside their usual menu of tasty fried fish, fried potatoes, and fried chicken.
photo credit: Rob Roy
Rob Roy was doing festive December cocktails before everyone else in town, and their “Miracle On 2nd” pop-up is still a classic. Expect a surplus of decorations, a daily holiday drink special (like a gingerbread Old Fashioned or hot toddy), and a long wait to get in at peak times.
For a Christmas-in-July moment that isn’t in July at all, you could check out Navy Strength’s “Sippin’ Santa’s Surf Shack” pop-up. There, you’ll find tropical-themed drinks like a rum hot toddy with spiced honey butter and passionfruit, a bourbon-spiked riff on a jungle bird, and a “Secret Santa”—otherwise known as a mystery drink to ask the bartender about.
If nothing revs you up for the holiday season like thick, boozy liquified eggs, Sol Liquor Lounge is where you need to be. They make aged eggnog every year, and you can sip it by the glass or pick up bottles at their Capitol Hill bar.
photo credit: Chona Kasinger
This fantastic Filipino bakery in the ID is selling spiked purple ube eggnog. Each bottle contains four servings and pairs perfectly with a pint of their ube cookie dough for an afternoon of holiday baking.
photo credit: Nate Watters
Maybe you just want a little bit of holiday cheer. Maybe you're all holly-jollied out from the excessive amount of tinsel that's entered your life ever since the clock struck midnight on Thanksgiving. At Vindicktive Wings, you can experience small doses of yuletide stuff exclusively on your bathroom breaks, as this Belltown sports bar (and stellar place to eat wings) has restrooms decked out in Christmas decorations all year round. So really, it's just up to you—and your bladder—when you want to hear "White Christmas."