The return of Pittsbugh's holiday pop-up bars
Celebrate the season at Downtown Pittsburgh’s newest pop-up holiday bars.
The Industrialist Hotel debuted a 1950s retro-themed pop-up holiday cocktail lounge Friday.
Visitors mingled and sipped cocktails on its opening night among tons of tinsel, silver, red and pink Christmas trees and holiday light displays — all blended among cozy lounge seating areas — to create retro-holiday magic.
“It’s awesome. All of the colors and tinsel with retro bulbs,” said guest Halie Girgash of South Park. “It’s giving off the perfect Christmas party vibes.”
The lounge, open to the public, is on the second floor.
Choose from a festive menu of eight cocktails ($15), all with tongue-in-cheek names based on classic holiday films (try the Rum Rum Rudolph and You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out).
Mocktails and nonalcoholic drinks are also available.
Industrialist Hotel food and beverage director Mark Miller is the man behind the retro theme.
“When you think about Christmas in Pittsburgh, you think about the throwback Gimbels and Kaufmann’s (department stores) and the post-war Christmas time. It’s nostalgic Pittsburgh history,” Miller said.
Laura and Kuchanda Dy of Brighton Heights arrived decked out in holiday-themed garb.
“I love the vibes. This feels very retro and reminds me of Christmas at my grandmother’s,” Kuchanda Dy said.
Normally a space for hotel guests called Maker’s Lounge, it was transformed for the holiday season and welcomes patrons 21 and older.
The Industrialist occupies a 1902 building originally constructed as headquarters for American Standard Plumbing Co.
“It’s become a tradition here. Our location next to PPG and Market Square makes it popular with everyone,” general manager Kelly Giger said.
The lounge is open daily from 5 p.m. through Dec. 31.
‘Bridgertahn’ toasts British society in Market Square
You don’t have to cross the pond to pretend you’re on holiday in England experiencing a “Ton”-inspired cocktail experience.
Just look for “Bridgertahn” in Market Square and sip drinks enjoyed by the upper crust of British society, featured in the wildly popular “Bridgerton” Netflix series.
Lady Whistledown drinks ($12) include decadent hot chocolate (considered a luxury drink enjoyed by the aristocracy, as cocoa was then an expensive, imported commodity) and the Regency Sparkle, a sparkling wine concoction.
Holiday pop-up bars
Here are some of the area’s holiday-themed bar experiences. It’s by no means a complete list.
Barry’s Pub, 9566 Perry Highway, McCandless.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, have a Barry Christmas in the North Hills. The Christmas drink menu starts on Thanksgiving Eve.
Eliza Hotel Indigo, 331 Technology Drive, Oakland.
Snowflakes & Spirits runs Nov. 29 all the way through February. Seasonal cocktails and mocktails are served in the space with a super festive vibe. Special events such as Christmas trivia and Holiday Jazz with the Tubby Daniels Duo are on the calendar, too.
Invisible Man Brewing, 112 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Greensburg.
Fans of “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” will want to put Cousin Eddie’s Christmas Pop-Up Bar on their list. It’s open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays until the new year (closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but open Thanksgiving Eve). Themed cocktails — Jelly of the Month Club, anyone? — and select Invisible Man beers are available.
Miracle on 7th, 130 Seventh Street, Downtown.
Open daily from 4 p.m. to midnight Nov. 27 through Dec. 31, no reservations are required. But eat before you go as there isn’t a food menu (except for catering for parties booked in advance).
Remedy, 5121 Butler St., Lawrenceville.
Celebrate the darker side of the holidays with A Noel Nightmare on Butler Street from Black Friday through New Year’s Day. The Halloween haunt is decorated for Christmas and features “a twisted mix of Christmas cheer and terrifying tidings.”
Ruggers Pub, 40 S. 22nd St., South Side.
The Annual Holiday Bar Takeover starts Black Friday and goes through New Year’s Day. The fifth annual pop-up features festive drinks like spiked cider, The Swiss Mistress and holiday pudding shots.
Sippin’ Santa, 130 Seventh St., Downtown.
A project of Semper Gratus Pittsburgh, celebrate the season with a tropical vibe from Wednesday through Dec. 31.
Square Cafe, 134 S. Highland Ave., East Liberty.
Square Cafe’s Winter Warmer Pop-Up features spiked hot chocolates and a variety of seasonal lattes.
Wigle Wonderland Holiday Pop-Up, 2401 Smallman St., Strip District.
From Thanksgiving Eve through Jan. 4, get cozy at Wigle’s cabin retreat and sip on drinks like the Red Ryder, Mistletoe Mule and The Polar Espresso Martini.
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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