These Christmas pop-up bars are getting San Antonio into the holiday spirit(s)

Howdy Sore Loser's holiday-themed pop-up is dedicated to the movie Home Alone. Howdy Sore Loser’s holiday-themed pop-up is dedicated to the movie Home Alone. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Howdy Sore Loser

Tis the season for pop-ups.

Pop-up bars dedicated to yuletide drinks and themed fun have proliferated across San Antonio in recent years. Indeed, so many have already made an appearance this season, that it’s worth throwing together a roundup of the highlights.

Let’s go-ho-ho!

Hugman’s Oasis

Sippin Santa is back at Hugman’s Oasis, an event that ponders what if Kris Kringle decided to go on vacation in the tropics. The themed drinks range from the Frost Bite with tequila to Coco Ho Ho with Jamaican rum to Holiday on Ice with vodka and cold brew, and there are plenty more. The reservation-required event runs Nov. 29 through Dec. 31. 135 E. Commerce St., (210) 441-7225, sippinsantasanantonio.com.

Esquire Tavern

Miracle on Commerce Street is back downstairs at the Esquire Tavern. The speakeasy-esque downstairs lounge transforms via twinkling Christmas lights and decor while staff serve up comforting holiday beverages such as the Christmapolitan, Dancing Sugarplums, the Snowball Old Fashioned and the Rudolph’s Replacement, among others. Reservations are required. 155 E. Commerce St., (210) 222-2521, miracleoncommercestreet.com.

InterContinental San Antonio Riverwalk

Peppermint Peak, a pink-tinged getaway at High Praise at the InterContinental San Antonio Riverwalk, is back for its second year. Expect cheery cocktails ranging from a holiday spritz, the Warm Intentions with bourbon, the Figgy Smalls with vodka and the cheeky Chata Me Up with RumChata. The pop-up runs every Thursday through Sunday from Nov. 27 until Dec. 26. The hotel also has a 12 Cocktails of Christmas passport: earn a stamp after sampling the drinks on the menu the first three weekends of December for a chance to win a free appetizer in January. 111 E. Pecan St., (726) 238-4660, highpraiserooftop.com.

Expect festive cocktails, over-the-top photo ops and plenty of pink-tinted holiday cheer at Pink Shark’s seasonal takeover. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Pink Shark

Anaqua Garden Bar

Miracle on Arciniega Street is back at the Anaqua Garden Bar this holiday season. The outdoor tropical-inspired lounge at the Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa has interactive Christmas cocktails and assorted bites, like a Mistletoe Martini served in an ornament. And yes, they’ve brought back s’mores you can roast at your table. 555 S. Alamo St., (210)-353-8019, anaquagardenbarsatx.com

Pink Shark

Already masterful at blending whimsy with irreverent fun, Pink Shark is dialing things up with a winter-wonderland theme — complete with a bit of bite. (Was that disco-ball shark secretly Santa all along? TBD.) Expect festive cocktails, over-the-top photo ops and plenty of pink-tinted holiday cheer at Pink Shark’s seasonal takeover. 203 N. Presa St., (210) 834-3372, pinksharkbar.com.

Tenfold Rooftop at the Kimpton Santo Hotel

Perched high above the city, The Tenth Noel at Tenfold Rooftop is serving up sky-high holiday cheer Dec. 19–25. The rooftop pop-up leans into winter indulgence with cozy, coconut-kissed toddies such as the Coco Noel and the hibiscus-bright Blooming Yule plus a Jingle Juice Margarita that takes classic Christmas spice for a spin. Pair your sips with decadent bites. Think pork belly tartines layered with stracciatella and strawberry jam, or flame-kissed oysters draped in yuzu hollandaise. 431 S. Alamo St., (210) 759-7446, tenfoldrooftop.com.

Signia by Hilton La Cantera Resort & Spa

Who says you can’t go ice skating in San Antonio? The Topaz pool at Signia by Hilton La Cantera Resort & Spa has transformed into the Jingle Bell Roll skating rink for the holiday season. Lace up your skates, imbibe in Christmas cocktails and enjoy its themed nights. The Jingle Bell Roll is open until Saturday, Dec. 27. 16641 La Cantera Parkway, (210) 558-6500, hilton.com.

An array of holiday drinks is also part of the Howdy Sore Loser pop-up. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Howdy Sore Loser

Southtown House of Spirits

Staying perfectly on brand with its A Christmas Carol theme, Southtown House of Spirits’ black Christmas holiday pop-up will serve up festive décor and limited-time handcrafted cocktails inspired by the spirits of the season. Sip on the Christmas Past — a bright blend of apple brandy, lime and cranberry simple syrup — or the Christmas Present, which features vodka, lime and cranberry juice. For something deeper and moodier, the Ghost of Christmas Future mixes dark rum, lemon, Demerara syrup, tea and cinnamon. 727 S. Alamo St., Ste. 200, (512) 387-0107.

Howdy Sore Loser

Home Alone fans, this one’s for you. Howdy Sore Loser has transformed into Kevin McCallister’s home for the holidays, and its festooned with decor paying homage to the classic Christmas movie. A whole slew of drinks cleverly pay tribute to iconic moments in the family flick, such as a Lost in New York, a Wet Bandit Mule, a Booby Trap Blizzard and many more. 302 E. Commerce St., (210) 823-7748, howdysoreloser.com.

Chicken N’ Pickle

Chicken N’ Pickle is once again going full après-ski with its The Holiday Hideaway, a 21-and-over pop-up bar that trades Texas sunshine for lodge vibes and summit views. Cozy up and sip your way through 12 festive cocktails, including themed creations such as Code of the Elves, Angels With Filthy Souls and Hans Gruber’s Last Call, the latter being a cheeky tribute to Die Hard, which is (of course) a Christmas movie. With plenty of beer, wine and spirits rounding out the menu, it’s the perfect spot to gather, toast and make new winter memories all season long. Reservations are required. 5215 UTSA Blvd., (210) 874-2120, chickennpickle.com.

Pink Shark and other holiday pop-ups are serving their yuletide cocktails in special mugs and glassware. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Pink Shark