Christmas-themed pop-up bar opens this weekend in downtown St. Pete
Xmas Bar is popping up for the next month at 260 1st Avenue North in downtown St. Pete | St Pete Rising
’Tis the season! Not only are Christmas decorations beginning to appear in stores, but a new Christmas-themed pop-up bar, Xmas Bar, is opening this weekend at 260 1st Avenue North. The new holiday-themed bar is another concept from Forward Hospitality Group, which also created Goodnight John Boy, the 1970s-themed nightclub at 16 2nd Street North.
“We wanted to bring in another place where people can unite, that crosses all age boundaries and provides a great guest experience,” Michael Schwartz, CEO of Forward Hospitality Group, told St. Pete Rising. “And who doesn’t love Christmas?”
Mistletoe’s Kiss contains Crown Royal Apple, black cherry and lime, garnished with rosemary snowy surprise | Xmas Bar
Xmas bar, Schwartz added, will feature “danceable Christmas songs and regular Christmas songs, and we’ll mix in other odds and ends.” But unlike Goodnight John Boy, it won’t have a “clubby” atmosphere.
“I just want it to feel comfortable, like you're in your house and you're drinking some eggnog, sitting by the Christmas tree and talking with friends,” Schwartz said. “I’m not trying to ‘sexify’ it — it won’t be ‘Naughty Christmas’ or anything like that. It’s just Christmas.”
Xmas Bar patrons can expect to find more than just spiked eggnog on the menu — a lot more. The selection of cozy cocktails includes Naughty or Nice Bubbly, Mistletoe’s Kiss, The Snowbird, Santa’s Lil Nightcap, Here To Sleigh, Jingle Juice, Drunken Gingerbread, and the non-alcoholic Winter Wings. Cocktail prices range from $8 to $18.
The highest-priced cocktail, Jingle Juice, will come in a specialty glass that includes a keepsake Christmas tree ornament. Also, some of the cocktails can be served hot or cold.
Santa’s Lil Nightcap is made with Decadent and creamy coquito and served with a Christmas cookie | Xmas Bar
Christmas or not, though, it wouldn’t be a night out on the town without a shot or two to set the mood, and Xmas Bar has that covered as well, with seven specialty shots. The Peppermint Crush shot consists of peppermint vodka, creme de cacao and Rumchata and the Fireside Fuel shot contains Chocolate SelvaRey Rum, Bailey’s, a splash of Owne's Espresso Mix, and whipped cream.
A selection of canned beers and four varieties of Red Bull will also be available.
Xmas Bar will be open until early January. Opening weekend hours are 4 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Friday, and 1 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
For more information and updates, follow Xmas Bar on Instagram.