Gin Rummy (Venice)
If your Christmas fantasy involves being stranded on a desert island with a mai tai and a string of lights, then Gin Rummy is your holiday paradise. The soundtrack is holiday-themed, and Thursday to Sunday offers a live DJ spinning the kind of classics you can dance to. Keep an eye out for surfing Santa while you’re sipping on a Christmas colada, made with dark rum, coconut, clove, cinnamon and lime (this is also available sans the spirits). Other must-haves include the frozen marshmallow daiquiri and the gingerbread mojito.
When and how: Christmas at Gin Rummy runs every day except Dec. 25. Happy hour is from 4 to 6 p.m. daily.
Krampus’ Cove (Night on Earth, Hollywood Hills)
A naughty list Negroni.
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Explore the dark side of Christmas at Krampus’ Cove. This pop-up is making its fourth visit to Los Angeles with a macabre takeover of Night on Earth in the Hollywood Hills during select hours. Libations include a naughty list negroni, grinches need love too, made with vodka, pandan, and peppermint and a bourbon-based merry axe mas, with spiced cider and miso butterscotch.
When and how: Now through Dec. 28, at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. nightly. The $25 ticket includes a welcome cocktail and a creepy Christmas guided tour. The bar is also open for walk-in service during regular hours. Reserve here.
A.O.C. (West Hollywood)
The changing seasons bring a changing cocktail menu at Chef Suzanne Goin’s A.O.C., with seasonal sips curated by head barman Ignacio Murillo. A Kentucky holiday is sure to keep you warm and cozy with flavors of bourbon, persimmon, lemon, and sherry. If you’re keeping things alcohol-free this holiday, try the pentire ruby with Seaward free spirit, lemon, cranberry syrup, grapefruit and mint.
When and how: The restaurant is open Monday to Friday from 5:30 p.m., earlier on weekends. Happy Hour is from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Patrick Molloys (Hermosa Beach)
The Christmapolitan
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Courtesy Miracle at Molloy’s
)
Irish restaurant Patrick Molloys is holding a special Miracle at Molloys in collaboration with Miracle Pop-Up Bars daily from noon to 10 p.m. through Dec. 31. Kitchy-Christmas items include Griswold-style decorations and craft cocktails like the christmapolitan, made with vodka, spiced cranberry sauce, and absinthe mist, as well as the snowball old fashioned with rye whiskey, gingerbread, and wormwood bitters. There are three different non-alcoholic beverages on the menu, including the Silent Night, made with tart cherry, orange acid, and soda.
When and how: Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs 11:30 a.m. to midnight, Friday 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 a.m and Sunday 9 a.m. to midnight. Make your reservations on Resy.
Firstborn (Chinatown)
Bar Director Kenzo Han of Firstborn has crafted a fresh hot toddy that pairs perfectly with fermented tofu and reflects the restaurant’s Chinese-American sensibilities. Flavors include black oolong tea, Imo Shochu, Michter’s Rye, lemon juice and zest, spruce tips and Angostura bitters.
When and how: Open Wednesday, 5 to 9 p.m., Thursday 5 to 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5 to 10 p.m., and Sunday 5 to 9 p.m. Reserve on OpenTable or grab a seat at the bar.
The Roger Room (West Hollywood)
The Sugarplum fairy at The Roger Room
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Philip Guerette
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Courtesy The Roger Room
)
The Roger Room is camp meets craft cocktails, with garlands, vintage decorations, and way too much mistletoe to miss your magical moment. Signature sips include Santa’s apple cider with Jack Daniels and Hennessy, along with a zero-proof apple cider with cinnamon and clove. The sugar plum fairy with Zacapa rum and a lemon-sugar rim is just as beautiful as it sounds.
When and how: The Roger Room is open weekdays 6 p.m to 2 a.m.., Saturday 7 p.m. to 2 a.m., and Sunday 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. They’re even open Christmas Day with regular hours. Reserve your seat on Resy.
Big Bar (Los Feliz)
The Oh Snap! at Big Bar
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Eugene Lee
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Courtesy Big Bar
)
It’s Elf on the Top Shelf with specialty cocktails from this beloved neighborhood watering hole. For the month of December, Big Bar in Los Feliz will be serving six seasonal cocktails, including the Oh snap!, which melds the flavors of an old fashioned and gingersnap rum into something truly special. It comes with a gingerbread man on the side, so you’re never drinking alone. The recipe was created by Marina Spidla of MarinaMixes, whose Big Bar debut as guest bartender was delayed following the L.A. wildfires earlier this year. She’ll be pouring all month.
When and how: Big Bar is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays; Saturday 9 a.m. to midnight, Sunday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Frosty’s Christmas Bar (Hollywood)
If you’re searching for your yuletide cheer at the bottom of a glass, consider Frosty’s Christmas Bar. This immersive pop-up bar features photo ops, tons of Christmas decorations, and, of course, festive beverages. Timed tickets start at $24, but that price does not include the spirits needed to have you singing karaoke atop a jumbo Christmas ornament.
When and how: Reserve your tickets here for dates through Dec. 30. Frosty’s is closed Dec. 24 and 25. Doors open at 6 p.m.
The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills (West Hollywood)
Nutcracker afternoon tea
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Courtesy The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills
)
Weekends in December, guests can enter the land of sweets and sips with a Nutcracker afternoon tea at The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills. The experience begins with tea from Rare Tea Company, including the special Nutcracker holiday blend with toasted hazelnuts and Madagascar vanilla. You can also add champagne by the glass. Themed tea sandwiches, scones, and sweets will also be served, like peppermint meringue tarts and freshly baked gingerbread cookies.
When and how: The Nutcracker afternoon tea is available Saturdays and Sundays through December from noon to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $84 per person and $42 for children 12 and under. Reserve on OpenTable.
Casa Vega (Sherman Oaks)
The halls are decked at Casa Vega, with golden tinsel shimmering over every spot. This restaurant is like Las Vegas, where you’re not sure if it’s daylight yet — but that just means more snowball margaritas. They’ll also be serving a Mexican coffee in an adorable Santa mug.
When and how: Casa Vega is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to midnight. Happy hour is from 2:30 to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Bar Next Door (West Hollywood)
Bar Next Door on the Sunset Strip, from bar director and mixologist Brynn Smith, is your home away from home this festive season. The space has been glammed up in holiday fashion to match the cozy cocktails in your hand. Menu highlights include a BND mulled wine with ginger, whole spices, and Italian red wine, and a butterbeer, which is an adult take on the Harry Potter original, with butter, brown sugar and vodka.
The star of the lineup, though, might be the clarified coquito. This is a Puerto Rican classic made with Santa Teresa 1796 and Bacardà Carta Blanca rum, along with cinnamon, sweetened condensed milk, nutmeg, cardamom, and espresso beans.
When and how: The Bar Next Door is open Mon, Tues, Wed, 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. and Friday and Saturday 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Closed on Sunday.
Dahlia, Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel (Downtown Los Angeles)
Nothing is merrier than mezcal, and the In Good Spirits Holiday Pop-Up at the Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel has got bites and beats to boost your evening. Think nightly DJs, tarot readings, chain-stitch artists, and small plates from Cabrillo restaurant. Drinks include a sugar plum old fashioned with Illegal Mezcal and a cranberry no-groni.
When and how: This holiday pop-up takes place in the Dahlia lounge Thursday through Saturday, from Dec. 5 through 20. Reserve on OpenTable beginning at 7 p.m.