Every year, I tell myself I’m going to be chill about the holidays. Then Columbus rolls out a fresh batch of over-the-top holiday bars dressed like Santa raided a Hobby Lobby at 3 a.m., and suddenly I’m wearing a sweater with a battery pack and ordering drinks that come in ceramic boots.

If you’re trying to find the best holiday themed bars in Columbus and Central Ohio… buckle up. From gothic Victorian chaos to tropical Christmas vibes, here are eight pop-ups that turn the season into a full-blown fever dream in the most festive way possible.

XMAS Bar at Good Night John Boy

📍 906 N High St, Columbus, OH 43201

Good Night John Boy already looks like a disco ball exploded… now imagine it swallowed an entire Christmas aisle too. XMAS Bar turns this 70s-inspired nightlife spot into a retro winter wonderland filled with lights, tinsel, themed cocktails, and a level of holiday chaos that feels oddly right.

Expect wall-to-wall decorations, a dance floor that refuses to quit, and the kind of energy that says “I definitely didn’t plan on staying out this late, but here we are.”

Ebenezer’s at The Bottle Shop

📍 237 King Ave, Columbus, OH 43201

If you’ve ever thought “maybe Scrooge wasn’t ALL that bad,” The Bottle Shop has you covered. Ebenezer’s is their once-a-year Gothic/Victorian pop-up, and like everything The Bottle Shop does, it’s extra in the best way.

It’s moody. It’s dramatic. It’s like the ghost of Christmas past brought you to a bar with kickass cocktails.

Santa Baby Holiday Bar at The Junto

📍 77 Belle St, Columbus, OH 43215

Santa Baby is not your grandma’s Christmas bar. This one is rich red décor, soft lighting, and a little bit of flirty holiday mischief. Think upscale seasonal cocktails, luxurious vibes, and a lounge that feels like Santa’s private VIP room.

Open through January 3. Perfect for a date night or a “I just need to feel fancy for a second” moment.

The Wintergarden at Land-Grant Brewing

📍 424 W Town St, Columbus, OH 43215

Land-Grant once asked, “What if a holiday bar and amusement park had a baby… on ice?” 9 months later, The Wintergarden at Land-Grant was born. Highlights include:

• Heated igloos with plush seating
• QR-code drink ordering (dangerous, but fun)
• Ice bumper cars at Gravity Park
• Boozy hot chocolate
• Winter specials
• Brewery curling with mini kegs as stones

It’s the perfect mix of cozy and chaotic. In other words… the holidays.

Tracksuit Taproom at Columbus Brewing Company

📍 2555 Harrison Rd, Columbus, OH 43204

Tracksuit Taproom feels like a warm hug from someone who actually knows how to decorate. CBC decks the halls for this one, and it becomes a go-to spot for office parties, family gatherings, or that annual friend hangout where you pretend you’re only having one drink.

Expect seasonal charm, craft drinks, and hospitality that makes you want to stay way longer than planned.

A Rockwell Christmas at The Marmont Speakeasy

📍 721 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215

Hidden under Forno, The Marmont Speakeasy transforms into A Rockwell Christmas. Cozy, classic, and loaded with festive cocktails, it’s the kind of place you show up to “just for a drink,” then suddenly you’re ordering round three and asking your friends if you could hop in their Uber home.

Reservations run until 9pm, then it switches to first-come, first-served seating. It’s intimate, warm, and looks like the inside of a holiday card.

Miracle at The Citizen’s Trust

📍 11 W Gay St, Columbus, OH 43215

Miracle is one of the original Columbus holiday pop-ups, and this year they are NOT playing around. You’ll find:

• Mug nights
• Drag King Santa photo ops
• Island of Misfit Joys quick-order station
• A rentable igloo for big groups
• A cocktail menu that goes full Christmas mode

If you want the classic over-the-top holiday bar experience, Miracle is still the blueprint.

Huli Holiday at Huli Huli Tiki Lounge (Powell)

📍 26 W Olentangy St, Powell, OH 43065

Want to celebrate the holidays but also pretend you’re in Hawaii? Huli Holiday is your spot. Think Christmas décor meets tropical tiki energy. And the drinks? Wild in all the right ways.

Try something like Bethany’s Sugar Plum Surprise or the Foggy Christmas Eve. Both feel like they were created by someone who loves Christmas but also really wishes they were sitting on a beach right now.

Final Word

These pop ups take holiday festivities way too seriously… which is exactly why they’re perfect. Whether you’re looking for cozy, chaotic, tropical, goth, or disco Christmas energy, there’s a pop-up calling your name.

Just don’t blame me when you start collecting holiday cocktail mugs like they’re Pokémon.

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