Where to find holiday pop-up bars around the Capital Region

What’s a better way to get into the holiday spirit than by tasting holiday spirits at holiday pop-ups?

A few of the Capital Region’s favorite spots have transformed for Christmas, with decked halls and unique drinks, some coming in collectible cups.

Whether you need a place to take out-of-town friends and family or want to festively sip around town, the pop-ups invite everyone for eggnog and peppermint drinks and everything in between.

The Loft at 1717 Kitchen + Cocktails 

Spend a night out at The Queen in The Loft cocktail lounge for its first-ever holiday pop-up.

The lounge has been transformed into a winter wonderland where you can get a taste of the holidays and even get a glimpse of Santa Claus. The drink menu features bourbon milk punch, egg-free eggnog and an espresso martini flight featuring the flavors of Christmas: cinnamon, candy cane and gingerbread. Sugar cookies will also be served at last call.

The pop-up is open until Christmas on Thursdays from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 4 to 11 p.m. Santa is available for an appearance upon request. The Loft is inside The Queen’s 1717 Kitchen + Cocktails at 1717 River Park Blvd.

The Station Sports Bar and Grill

Celebrate the Miracle on Bennington at The Station Sports Bar and Grill.

This bar has once again collabed with national holiday pop-up Miracle to bring an extensive lineup of holiday drinks coming in collectible cups like a festive mouse, Christmas dinosaur and a unicorn. The menu features drinks like the Miracle Mouse, with bourbon, French sweet vermouth, pamplemousse liqueur, vanilla liqueur, strawberry, grapefruit and orange acid; Rudolph’s Replacement, with vodka, coffee liqueur, white creme de cacao, orange curacao, chai, almond milk and aromatic bitters; a Christmapolitan, with vodka, elderflower, dry vermouth, spiced cranberry sauce, lime, rosemary, absinthe mist; and several others. The bar is also decked out with all the stockings, tinsel and twinkling lights for a kitchy Christmas makeover.

Miracle on Bennington is open through Dec. 31. The Station is open Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Sundays from 5 p.m. to midnight on Sundays. The Station is at 4608 Bennington Ave. Find more information on the menu here.

Pelican to Mars

Forget your tacky sweaters. This holiday pop-up at Pelican to Mars calls for Hawaiian shirts.

Partnering with Beachbum Berry’s Sippin’ Santa, Pelican to Mars is bringing back its tiki-themed Christmas pop-up with a flurry of festive decor and a lineup of exclusive drinks. Browse the menu to find drinks like the Designated Sledder, with lime, coconut, pineapple, pandan syrup and tonic water; Frost Bite, with Haitian and Nicaraguan rums, lime, orgeat and cinnamon syrups and plum mix in a collectable shark mug; Holiday on Ice, with vodka, dark-roast cold brew, condensed milk, ancho chile liqueur and cinnamon syrup; and more.

Sippin’ Santa is open until Dec. 31. Pelican to Mars is open Monday through Friday 3 p.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday from 11 to 2 a.m. and Sunday from 9 to 2 a.m. Pelican to Mars is at 2678 Government St. Find more information here.