Wrigleyville transforms into a winter wonderland with holiday-themed pop-up bars

ByRachel Davis WLS logo
Sunday, December 22, 2019
Wrigleyville transforms into a winter wonderland for the holiday season
Here is a full list of pop-up bars and experiences in the Lakeview East neighborhood for the 2019 holiday season.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the full list of pop up bars and experiences to be hosted in the Lakeview East neighborhood for the 2019 holiday season.

Participating bars and restaurants throughout the Lakeview East Neighborhood will be transforming their venues into seasonal escapes for Chicago to celebrate with festive decor, food and drinks, and activities.

These pop up experiences vary across denominations and themes. Participating bars have also partnered with the organization Toys for Tots, and will include bins for donation at the venue, with daily collection. Several will accept a toy donation in lieu of the cover fee for entrance.

8 Crazy Nights

The Graystone Tavern

3441 N. Sheffield

Dec. 1 - 31

Mondays - Fridays: 4 p.m. - 2 a.m.

Saturdays - 11 a.m. - 3 a.m.

Sundays 11a.m.- 2 a.m.

This no-cover Hanukkah pop-up includes fun decor, food, drinks, and Schmaltz beers on tap! Classic Eastern European Jewish dishes will be served, such as matzo ball soup, latkes, and brisket.

Christmas Club

Country Club

3462 N. Clark

Nov. 20 - Jan. 1

Mondays - Thursdays: 4 p.m. - 2 a.m.

Fridays - Sundays: 11 a.m. - 2 a.m.

This no-cover pop up includes two floors and appearances by Santa, as well as other various Christmas characters. Three different rooms in three different bars, and guest DJs every week.

Elf'd Up

Stretch

3485 N. Clark

Nov. 20 - Jan. 21

Tuesdays - Fridays: 5 p.m. - 2 a.m.

Saturdays: 12 p.m. - 3 a.m.

Sundays: 12 p.m. - 2 a.m.

This Elf movie-themed pop up will offer specialty cocktails, rotating season drafts, a themed food menu, including Buddy's Breakfast Pasta! There will even be weekly appearances of Buddy the Elf Thursday through Saturday (anytime between 9 p.m. and 12 a.m.). Elf trivia will be on Dec. 4, 11, and 18 at 7 p.m. Buddy's Brunch will happen every Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (The pop up will be closed Dec. 2)

Griswold's Christmas Vacation Pop-up Bar

"National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" comes to life in a Chicago holiday pop-up bar!

Houndstooth Saloon

3369 N. Clark

Nov. 17 - Feb. 9

11 a.m. - 2 a.m.

There will be Griswold and 80's themed food, drinks, and specials, and the bar will feature Uncle Eddy's decked out 1977 RV, and three themed rooms, The Griswold living room, the tiki Bar, and Clark's attic. Cousin Eddie will stop by in the RV to hand out hot chocolate and cocktails on opening day, and there will be a champagne toast at midnight each night! The $5 cover goes into effect after 5pm, or you may donate a toy to Toys for Tots in lieu of the cover fee.

Jingle Junkie

Roadhouse 66

3478 N. Clark

Nov. 27 - Jan. 6

Mondays - Fridays: 10 a.m. - 2 a.m.

Saturdays: 10 a.m. - 3 a.m.

Sundays: 10 a.m. - 2 a.m.

This pop up will consist of a heated ski lodge-inspired patio with seasonal beers and cocktails, and festive food.

John Vincent Holiday Pop-up Shows

Rizzo's Bar & Inn/365-viii

3658 N. Clark

Thursday, Dec. 5th 7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 6th: 8 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 12th: 7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 15th: 4 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 19th: 7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 20th: 8 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 21st: 8 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 22nd: 4 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

John Vincent is a local legendary performer, entertaining crowds of all types and varieties with his covers of Frank Sinatra, Louis B. Armstrong, Johnny Cash and more. He is also the current resident National Anthem singer for the Chicago Cubs. The December 12 pop up show will be a special Sinatra birthday performance! For guests aged 21 and older, ticket costs vary from $10 - $160. $10 offers standing room admission, or you may get a table for two for $40, a table for four for $80, or a cabana for eight for $160.

Mistletoe

Hush Money/Mordecai

3632 N. Clark

Nov. 22 - Jan. 1

Tuesdays - Wednesdays: 5 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Thursdays - Fridays: 5 p.m. - 12 a.m.

Saturdays: 11 a.m. - 12 a.m.

Sundays: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The second floor of Mordecai (Hush Money) will be decked out in holiday decor, and there will be a special holiday cocktail menu!

Rock N Roll Christmas

HVAC Pub

3530 N. Clark

Dec. 21 - Jan. 31, 2020

Thursdays - Saturdays: 5 p.m. - 2 a.m.

Rotating holiday themed specials will be offered, and admission fees are dependent on planned shows/events/concerts. You may substitute the cover fee with a toy donation. There will be an ugly Christmas sweater contest with a $100 prize.

Rudolph's Christmas Bar

Casey Moran's

3660 N. Clark

Nov. 22 - Jan. 6

Mondays - Thursdays: 4 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Fridays: 4 p.m. - 2 a.m.

Saturdays: 11 a.m. - 3 a.m.

Sundays: 9 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Multiple bars within Rudolph's Christmas Bar will include: Grinch's Piano Bar, Frosty's Rooftop, Rudolph's Lounge, and more. They will be partnering with Toys for Tots and will have on-site bins for donations with daily collection. Purchase tickets in advance; door ticket price subject to change.

Santa Baby Christmas Bar

Deuce's Major League Bar

3505 N. Clark

Nov. 20 - Jan. 6

Mondays - Thursdays: 1 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Fridays: 1 p.m. - 2 a.m.

Saturdays: 11 a.m. - 3 a.m.

Sundays: 9 a.m. - 11 p.m.

21+ after 8 p.m.

This pop up includes multiple bars, a Gingerbread Village, Alpine Ski Lounge, Santa's Workshop, Winter Wonderland, and more. They will be partnering with Toys for Tots and will have on-site bins for donations with daily collection. Purchase tickets in advance; door ticket price subject to change.

Santa's Workshop

Old Crow Smokehouse

3506 N. Clark

Mondays - Fridays: 4 p.m. - 2 a.m.

Saturdays - Sunday: 10 a.m. - 2 a.m.

A country-style Christmas, the all-ages, no-cover pop up will feature special menus, massive holiday décor, and three floors of festivities for a season-long celebration. There will be several giant Christmas trees and Santas, as well as two enormous rocking chairs, perfect for a photo op. See Santa take off in his reindeer run sleigh and roast marshmallows while Christmas movies play on the screens.

Winterland

Gallagher Way

3635 N. Clark

Nov. 22 - Feb. 16

Winterland includes the return of the famous Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville, ice skating on an 8,000-square-foot ice rink, curling and skating lessons, Santa's Workshop, wreath making classes, oversized decorative winter characters, holiday movies and much more. This year's transformation will include a 30-foot holiday tree underneath the Wrigley Field Marquee, a tree lot at Big Star Wrigleyville, holiday programming at Hotel Zachary, Hush Money, Lucky Dorr, Smoke Daddy Wrigleyville and other restaurants around Gallagher Way, plus even more decorative lights around Gallagher Way.

To learn more about the Winter Wonderland, visit https://lakevieweast.com/wrigleyville-wonderland/.