The holiday season is just around the corner, and San Diego's bar scene is transforming into a festive wonderland with pop-up spots that are guaranteed to sleigh your holiday plans. Whether you're looking to cozy up by a faux fire with spiked cocoa or toast with friends under twinkling lights, San Diego’s holiday pop-ups bring the magic to life. Here's your guide to the most jolly and Instagram-worthy spots this season.

Holiday Pop-Ups

Miracle (Multiple Locations)

Raise a glass and feel jolly this season as the famed Christmas-themed pop-up cocktail experience, Miracle, returns to Draft at Belmont Park Friday, November 22 through Sunday, January 5 and debuts at Brickmans, Lakehouse Resort’s main dining outpost Friday, November 29 through Tuesday, December 31. Decked out with over-the-top holiday decor and collectible mugs, this whimsical wonderland is the perfect spot to sip on exclusive, handcrafted, Christmas-themed cocktails that celebrate the flavors of the season. This year’s mug collection includes beloved classics like Santa’s Head and SanTaRex, alongside new limited-edition designs available exclusively at Draft and Brickmans. Miracle will donate 10% of all proceeds from the retail sales of Santa’s Head and Santa’s Pants to its charity partner, Seva Foundation, spreading goodwill throughout the season.

*Photo Credit: Courtesy of Trust Restaurant Group*

Fort Oak “Snowed In”

Jingle all the way to Fort Oak this holiday season for “Snowed In,” a Christmastime cocktail pop up with serious winter wonderland vibes. Get transported into the magical world of all things holiday cheer Monday, November 25 through Tuesday, December 31, as the bar at Fort Oak will be transformed into a life-sized slow globe featuring 12 unique seasonal cocktails. Behind the bar, Beverage Director Jess Stewart has crafted a menu of not-so-classic sippers, like the Santa Slaps, a riff on the ever-popular espresso martini that combines vodka, cold brew, chai, vanilla, cream, and amaretto. For those craving a tiki-inspired Christmas, the Vacay Holiday offers holiday spiced rum, pineapple, orange, passion fruit, and orgeat. If the temperature dips below 65 degrees, cuddle up with a mug of Big Nic Energy, made with Maker’s Mark Christmas Spirit, apple cider, and warming spices. In this little serene world, Fort Oak hopes to evoke a sense of wonder and nostalgia, offering a brief moment of winter magic, along with a great cocktail.

Lightscape at San Diego Botanic Garden

The internationally acclaimed light experience Lightscape returns to the San Diego Botanic Garden for its third year. On select nights from Friday, November 15 through Sunday, January 5. This immersive experience at the garden will guide visitors through a festive world of wonder with over one million twinkling lights featuring brand-new installations including a Flame Skimmer Dragonfly, along with some returning favorites including the Winter Cathedral and California Poppies, featuring over 300 illuminated golden poppies. Enjoy seasonal treats along the trail including Chicken Pot Pie Handpies, Smokey BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches, and a Giant Bavarian Pretzel with cheese sauce, along with some festive cocktails such as the Holiday Sparkler made with vodka, cranberry, and prosecco; the Whiskey Winter Warmer made with apple cider, bourbon and cinnamon; or give your hot chocolate and hot mulled cider a boozy twist to keep you nice and warm.

The Lafayette Hotel Holidays

For an over the top California Christmas, check into the historic Lafayette Hotel. With a lobby doused floor to ceiling in holiday decorations and unique offerings through the new year, The Lafayette Hotel is a maximalist winter wonderland deserving of its guests’ full attention. A special Holiday Tea Service will be available in the hotel’s lobby Monday-Friday from noon to 4 pm. For $65 per guest, a festive spread of tea and small bites will be provided - pinkies up! Evenings at The Lafayette will see hosts of Christmas carolers singing on the steps of the iconic colonial-style property to welcome guests. And Friday and Saturday evenings, 8pm-10 pm Night Moves Santa will be holding court in the lobby, granting holiday wishes and taking requests. All season long, festive cocktails such as a warming Hot Toddy with whiskey, chai, yerba santa, allspice, apple, ginger and cardamom, the jolly and juicy Tiki with aged rum, coconut, banana, orange, lime and Chinese Five Spice, and a lightly fruited Old Fashioned with bourbon, cognac, fig, creme de cacao and dry vermouth will be available at The Lobby Bar. The signature Lafayette Eggnog will be also available for room service as a non alcoholic beverage that guests can spike with their favorite spiced rum from the rooms’ not-so-mini minibar. Silky and rich with notes of vanilla, caramel, baking spice, almond and served in a signature Santa mug, the Lafayette Eggnog will make you feel right at home.

Holiday Cocktails

Puesto

Puesto, the first-generation Mexican-American family-owned restaurant group, has dropped its holiday cocktail menu that perfectly compliments its luxury tacos and artisanal Mexican food. Guests can enjoy a Holiday Shopper Margarita made with El Tequileño reposado tequila, Grand Marnier, hibiscus, ginger, cinnamon, fresh lime; Champagne Ponche made with Nicolas Feuillatte champagne, tejocote, guava, hibiscus, piloncillo, canela; and two shots, if you’re feeling naughty or nice, the Naughty Shooter, made with Pueblo Viejo reposado tequila, hazelnut, Fireball; and Nice Shooter made with Pueblo Viejo Blanco tequila, crème de menthe, crème de cacao, topped with whipped cream.

Roma Norte

The new craft cocktail bar in Seaport Village, Roma Norte from the acclaimed team behind Puesto and Marisi, is decking its halls for the holiday season and rolling out 10 new holiday cocktails. Starting on Tuesday, November 19th, guests can enjoy a selection of festive cocktails including the Champurrado Old-Fashioned, made with Cascahuín reposado tequila, chocolate milk-washed Puntiagudo Espadín mezcal, cacao, canela, corn silk, featuring of the flavors of Mexican hot chocolate in an Oaxaca Old-Fashioned variation; Cold Buttered Rum, made with El Dorado 12yr rum, Smith & Cross rum, walnut, Licor 43, mulled cider, lemon, a Hot buttered rum given the milk punch treatment and clarified with milk and browned butter; Mazapán Flip, made with Whistlepig 6yr Piggyback bourbon, Maison Rouge VSOP cognac, Lustau Almacenista oloroso sherry, salted peanut orgeat, espresso, cream, egg yolk for a rich and decadent, yet not too sweet, flip inspired by the classic Mexican confection; and the Douglas Fir Cider $20, made with Wheatley vodka, La Quintinye blanc vermouth, Eric Bordelet Poire L’Authentique pear cider, lemon, Douglas Fir tea for a piney, refreshing Collins topped with a world-class pear cider from Normandie.

Garibaldi

Embrace the winter season at Garibaldi with cozy bites, beverages and bay views during the restaurant’s seasonal Sunset Happy Hour. From sunset until 8pm, guests can enjoy exclusive happy hour specials on the bayfront al fresco terrace, decked out with festive decor and lights for the season, as well as cozy couches, complimentary blankets and luxe winter parkas. Sunset Happy Hour specials include Braulio Hot Chocolate ($6) made with Barulio Amaro, decadent ghirardelli chocolate, topped with whipped cream; Oysters Al Forno ($1.50) made with fresh shucked oysters, caciocavallo cheese, vermouth spinach, lemon breadcrumbs, Sardinian bottarga, and bagnetto verde; Tatare di Tonno ($7) made with yellowfin tuna tartare, calabrian chile, pickled celery, capers, pignolias, and pane carasau; and Calamari Fritto Misto ($7) made with green beans, marinated olives, grilled lemon, and pepperoncini aioli. Then, enjoy a special Winter Solstice Celebration on Saturday, December 21 as the patio is transformed into a “coastal chill” celebration featuring DJ Ayla SImone, snow machine, intention setting, a robust buffet spread, and more. The event is priced at $85 per person, which includes bottomless amaro hot chocolate, dessert wine pairing and food from the buffet, and tickets are available for purchase online via Resy.

Vistal

For the second year in a row, InterContinental San Diego is channeling chic, iconic, mountain getaways at their signature bar and restaurant, Vistal with their ‘Winter Chalet’ offerings. Enjoy waterfront views while sipping on sophisticated festive cocktails like the Freezer Martini, with Tanqueray Gin, Carpano Dry Vermouth, Orange Bitters and Natural Spring Water; the warming Navidad Toddy, with Tanteo Navidad Tequila, Spiced Apple and lemon; the clarified Holiday Milk Punch with Ron Zacapa 23 year ‘Old Solera’ Blood Orange and Pomegranate Green Tea and more!

Best Holiday Pop-Up Bars & Cocktails in San Diego