Check out Toronto’s Christmas-themed pop-up bars

The bars in town are starting to look a lot like Christmas.

Renowned Dundas West Cocktail Bar Gigglewater Project It’s been transformed into Christmas at Gigglewater, with a menu divided into more mischievous and enjoyable libations, says owner Alfred Siu. Seasonal highlights include the Bomba dinner croquettes (“basically a complete turkey dinner in the form of a croquette”) and the gingerbread negroni. “We also have this cocktail called North Pole Spritz, which comes with an LED ice bucket,” says Siu.

There are even more incentives to drink, as Gigglewater is donating $ 1 from each holiday cocktail to Pathways to Education, which supports underprivileged youth.

“We love the holidays as it is a time to meet up with people we haven’t seen all year,” Siu says. “It has been a dark year for many and Christmas is always a joyous time to brighten everyone’s spirits.”

Rus Yessenov, director of beverage at the Fairmont Royal York, agrees. “Pop-up bars allow our inner child to immerse himself in an environment that celebrates holiday cheer,” says Yessenov, who has presided over the Thirsty Elf hotel’s Christmas pop-up for the past three seasons. This year’s theme is Candy Cane Wonderland. Guests can enjoy the Milk & Cookies cocktail made with horchata and taste the Charlie Brown Christmas Pretzels. “After a year of hard work, people want to escape and find joy in some of that nostalgia,” says Yessenov.

Bar waitress Isabel Lauren McKenna and Civil Liberties owner Nick Kennedy are harnessing those Christmas vibes with Miracle on Bloor St. at 875 Bloor St. W., # 416 on the global Miracle pop-up network. “It’s a kitschy, nostalgic Christmas blast from a cocktail bar,” says McKenna. They are serving cocktails like Christmapolitan and Bad Santa, with hot rum, in a winking Mr. Claus mug, in a space decorated to the maximum with hundreds of lights and a hugging giant bear. “It’s like the magical, carefree Christmas that many of us envision as children.” McKenna says. Up to this point, Miracle on Bloor St. The practice of donating $ 1 from every cocktail sold has resulted in $ 80,000 going to Nellie’s Shelter.

For a different Christmas atmosphere, McKenna and Kennedy teamed up with Shameful Tiki Room Dean Alana Nogueda to direct Sippin ‘Santa, Miracle’s tropical cousin at 866 Bloor. “Think of Santa on vacation,” says McKenna. “The cocktails are more rum-based and made with festive ingredients. In true tiki form, they are also served in kitschy festive cups. The room is dimly lit with Christmas lights and lanterns and features a mix of Christmas and tropical décor. “

You can enjoy more tropical drinks at the Portland Street stall at Little Sister, the Dutch-Indo food bar where the top-floor Bali Bar has been converted into a Java Jingle Holiday Hangout. “We have hot and cold Christmas drinks and our food menu to keep people happy while enjoying some Christmas kitsch,” says general manager Robin Wynne. There are 15 different cocktails to choose from, including the matcha-based Grinch Please! Served in a huge Grinch mug, and the tequila-laden Feliz Navi Zaddy with fresh blood orange, lime, and cinnamon agave.

Those craving more tequila can stop by Mistletoes & Margaritas at Papi Chulo’s on Ossington Ave., where the theme is Mexico and Christmas in Toronto. “We may not believe in Santa anymore,” says owner Nathan Godin, “but surrounding yourself with family and friends in the presence of lots of lights, bright decorations, Christmas sweaters and music brings a new level of joy.”