Christmas weekend is upon us and December is almost over, which means you only have a few days left to embrace the holiday spirit. There are several holiday pop-up bars in Seattle that have returned this year for over-the-top Christmas spirit, and many other Seattle bars are adding festive cheer to their menus and decor. Whether you want to be surrounded by in-your-face holiday cheer or just want to find a cozy Seattle bar with mulled wine, we have an option on this list for you. Be sure to check them out soon and double-check to see if they are open on Christmas weekend.
Here are the top holiday-themed bars in Seattle to get you into a festive spirit while you sip on festive spirits!
1. Bait Shop, Capitol Hill
Bait Shop in Capitol Hill usually has a casual nautical vibe but is currently all decked out for the holiday season. Best of all, they have a light show with music every hour. And if you visit on Saturday, December 16 they’ll be hosting a holiday market from noon to 4:00 p.m.
2. Wooden City Tavern, Green Lake
Wooden City Tavern in Green Lake has transformed into Tinsel Town for the season. All ages are welcome to visit the restaurant which is fully decked out with festive decor, and the bar is open until midnight so you can try their special holiday drinks.
3. Reindeer Room at the Edgewater, Downtown
The Edgewater Hotel—located downtown right on the Seattle waterfront—currently has a pop-up bar called the Merry Little Christmas Bar in the Reindeer Room. You can experience dazzling holiday decor and themed drinks such as Barrel Aged Eggnog and Boozy Hot Chocolate. It’s open Thursday through Sunday from 5:00 to 11:00 p.m. through December 31.
4. Otter on the Rocks, West Seattle
Otter on the Rocks describes itself as a “modest” cocktail bar in West Seattle but we think they should be anything but modest when it comes to their holiday cheer. They currently have Christmas decorations up plus a holiday menu with festive cocktails for the whole month of December.
5. Home Alone at The Sitting Room, Queen Anne
The Sitting Room in Queen Anne is known for its annual Home Alone theme! Stop by this December for over-the-top Christmas decorations, an ongoing movie screening, and a very creative cocktail menu theme based on Home Alone with options such as I Made My Family Disappear and The Shovel Slayer (pictured above).
6. Christmas Dive Bar, Capitol Hill
Located at The Woods in Capitol Hill, Christmas Dive Bar is opening for the 2023 holiday season on November 16. In addition to an explosion of colorful and kitschy decorations, you’ll be able to enjoy themed snacks and cocktails like Eggnog Espresso Martinis, plus you have the option to book a private party rental. It opens at 5:00 p.m. through the new year.
7. Miracle on 2nd at Rob Roy, Belltown
Miracle on 2nd is a beloved Seattle holiday pop-up bar at Rob Roy in Belltown. You can visit from November 10 through December 25 to experience the bright lights, themed cocktails, and overall festive vibe. Reservations may be made for large groups.
8. Sippin’ Santa at Navy Strength, Belltown
Sippin’ Santa’s Surf Shack is another holiday pop-up bar in Seattle that is located at the tropical Belltown bar Navy Strength. It is only a block away from Rob Roy’s Miracle On 2nd pop-up so you might as well try them both! They’re open from November 10 through December 30 and accept reservations for large groups. They’ll have holiday-themed tiki cocktails and their outdoor patio is dog-friendly in case Fido wants to join in the festive fun.
9. Kamp Social House, Madison Valley
Kamp already started to make their restaurant holiday-ready in November with over-the-top decor that will only increase as the weeks go by. You can also enjoy festive cocktails and even themed soft serve flavors such as eggnog and gingerbread.
10. Olympic Bar at Fairmont Olympic, Downtown
If you just want to sit and enjoy a quiet drink or two while gazing at one of Seattle’s most stunning Christmas trees, you should head to Olympic Bar inside the historic Fairmont Olympic Hotel. Their Christmas tree usually goes up shortly after Thanksgiving. You can also opt for a classy afternoon tea at The George or slip into Founders Club, a speakeasy hidden behind a bookcase in the hotel’s lobby.
11. Dreamland, Fremont
Dreamland is a diner in Fremont that has a great drag brunch on weekends and a disco ball hallway. They tend to go all out for holidays such as Halloween, and Christmas is no exception. Be sure to stop by in December for festive decor and themed holiday drinks!
12. Life On Mars, Capitol Hill
Life On Mars is a bar in Capitol Hill that is well-stocked with vinyl records, plant-based food, and craft cocktails (non-alcoholic options included). They always decorate for the holiday season. Last year they encouraged patrons to come by with an ornament for their Christmas tree in exchange for a drink discount; we’ll update this post if we see they’re planning the same for 2023!
13. Skål Beer Hall, Ballard
Skål Beer Hallin Ballard always has a cozy, festive vibe this time of year. You can go there all throughout December to enjoy their Jul (aka Christmas) decorations and drink a mug of gløgg by the fire.
14. Pike Place Bar & Grill, Pike Place Market
Pike Place Bar & Grill is a cozy diner in Pike Place Market that always lights up for the holiday season! You can swing by for lunch, happy hour, or dinner to enjoy their festive decor after Thanksgiving. Afterwards you can get some holiday shopping done at the market.
15. Bottlehouse, Madrona
Bottlehouse is a wine bar in Madrona with a lovely outdoor patio that everyone in Seattle frequents during the summer. It’s also worth visiting in December, however, if only for their incredible mulled wine that will warm you up in no time. Their cranberry-cardamom spritzer is another delightfully festive cocktail to try while you’re there.