Looking for some Toronto Christmas bars to enjoy a festive drink in this holiday season? This is for you!
One of my favourite things to do at Christmas in Toronto over the last few years has been visiting one of the fun & extremely festive Christmas themed pop up bars that are open during the holiday season.
There’s nothing quite like sitting back with a holiday themed beverage while listening to all your favourite holiday tunes, and being completely surrounded by insane and over the top Christmas decorations.
I remember a few years ago when Christmas pop up bars were first springing up in major US cities, and when the trend finally reached Toronto I was over the moon.
In order to help spread the Christmas cheer, I wanted to put together this guide to Toronto’s Christmas bars.
I hope this helps you plan some fun & festive outings this holiday season!
By the way, before we get started you might also want to check out these Toronto Christmas guides:
- 24 Fun Things to do at Christmas in Toronto
- 13 Cheap & FREE Things to do in Toronto at Christmas time
- 8 Magical Christmas Towns in Ontario
And be sure to follow me on Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest. I share a lot of travel content on those that never make it to the blog!
Tips for Visiting Toronto’s Christmas Bars
I wanted to start this guide to Toronto’s Christmas bars off with some tips to help make your experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible!
Try to visit during non-peak hours
There is no surprise that the holiday pop up bars in Toronto are high in demand and very busy.
If you have a flexible schedule, I definitely recommend visiting Toronto’s Christmas bars during non peak hours.
Since these pop up bars are only open select nights, and only for a limited time, they are very busy.
Arrive early if you can, and be prepared to wait in line.
Expect to wait in line
The easiest way to ensure you’re going to have a great night when visiting one of Toronto’s Christmas bars is going in with realistic expectations.
This means, expect to wait in line!
Toronto’s holiday pop up bars don’t take reservations and are on a first come first serve basis.
Expect that when you arrive you will have to wait in line, but that it will be totally worth it.
Bars like The Thirsty Elf have limits on how long you can stay which helps to give as many guests as possible a chance to enjoy the experience and keep wait times down to a minimum.
But, it’s still best to go in with the expectation that you will have to wait
Keep in mind these are adults only venues
This point may seem like it’s completely obvious, however you would be surprised how many questions I got asked about whether kids are welcome or not when I shared my visit to The Thirsty Elf last year on TikTok.
Although these Toronto Christmas bars are kitschy, fun, and look family friendly, they are in fact still bars and adults only venues.
So be sure to leave your little ones at home and prepare for some adult time!
Be mindful when tipping
Toronto’s Christmas pop up bars are very busy places and its important to have realistic expectations on how that can affect service.
You’ll likely see bar and wait staff running around like chickens with their heads cut off, while they try to attend to every customer and ensure everyone is having a great time.
The holidays are an extremely busy time of year for the restaurant and bar industry, and Christmas themed bars can be chaotic to say the least.
Expect wait times may be longer than your average restaurant or bar, and be mindful of this when tipping.
The staff is doing the best they can and are likely under a lot of stress.
It’s the holiday season so be friendly, courteous and patient, and be mindful when tipping.
Toronto Christmas Pop Up Bars
Here’s a list of holiday pop up bars that will be in Toronto this Christmas!
The Thirsty Elf
Where: 100 Front St W
When: Nov 16th – Dec 17th, Thursday through Saturday
Hours: 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Back again for its third year in a row is The Thirsty Elf at the Fairmont Royal York!
I visited The Thirsty Elf last year and had an absolute blast sipping festive drinks in an incredibly kitschy holiday themed bar that could only be described as a peppermint wonderland.
The theme changes every year, and this year The Thirsty Elf looks like something straight out of a Christmas movie.
Just imagine cozying up here in a Christmas sweater, sipping festive cocktails, and being surrounded by the spirit of Christmas.
It looks so cozy!
You’ll feel like you stepped right into your very own Christmas movie in this pop-up bar that’s full of holiday cheer.
The cocktails at The Thirsty Elf are beyond festive and feature fun holiday twists and unique flavours.
They also have a menu of both salty & sweet snacks to enjoy, with everything from Christmas cookies and fun appetizers.
This is definitely a Christmas activity to enjoy with friends or with your spouse!
And be sure to try the Milk & Cookies cocktail, it’s delicious!
Please note – Seating times here are limited to 1 hour to ensure as many customers get the chance to experience the festive fun that is The Thirsty Elf.
Miracle on Bloor
Where: 875 Bloor Street W
When: Nov 18th – Dec 31st (Mon-Fri 6pm-2am, Sat-Sun 2pm-2am)
The next great Christmas themed pop up bar you have to check out this Christmas in Toronto is Miracle on Bloor!
With a menu full of incredibly festive cocktails ranging from $14-$17, and Christmas themed snacks as well, a visit to Miracle on Bloor makes for a great evening out during the holiday season.
Here you can expect to find fun holiday decor and unique cocktails that will surely get you into the festive spirit!
Miracle on Bloor also offers large party reservations and you can book those on their website.
Papi Chulo’s Mistletoes & Margaritas
Where: 121 Ossington Ave
When: Nov 18th – Dec 31st (Mon-Thurs 5pm-12am, Fri-Sun 12pm-2am)
Papi Chulo’s Mistletoes & Margaritas is back again for the 2nd year in a row and it’s one Toronto Christmas activity you won’t want to miss!
During the festive season Papi Chulo’s transforms into a Christmas wonderland that will leave you speechless.
Put on your favourite ugly Christmas sweater or Santa hat and get ready for an evening of festive fun.
During Mistletoes & Margaritas, Papi Chulo’s does not take reservations, so guests are welcome on a walk in and first come first serve basis.
Project Gigglewater Holiday Bar
Where: 1369 Dundas Street W
When: Nov 22nd – Dec 31st
Once again this year Project Gigglewater will be transforming their cocktail bar into a holiday bar straight out of your Christmas dreams.
Beyond being incredibly decorated (Project Gigglewater closes down for two days in order to decorate!) they also have a feature menu of festive themed cocktails and food.
Here you can expect to find things like a Gingerbread Negroni and North Pole spritz, and even some fun festive shots.
Project Gigglewater’s Holiday Bar makes for the perfect place for a fun evening out with friends from now till the end of December.
Grab your Christmas sweater and get ready for a night of Christmas fun!
Java Jingle Holiday Bar
Where: 102 Portland Street & 2031 Yonge Street
When: Nov 22nd – Dec 31st
Back again for its second year in a row is Little Sister‘s Java Jingle Holiday bar!
This year for the first time both Little Sister locations in Toronto will be decked out for the holidays and serving up all sorts of holiday cheer.
Tables can be reserved starting on November 22nd from 5pm onwards.
Both bars will be serving up a menu featuring 17 holiday themed cocktails and 2 holiday festive shooters.
Along with their festive cocktail menus they will also have their full dinner menu available.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never been to one of Toronto’s Christmas bars, this is your sign to do it this year!
As I’m sure you can tell from this guide, Toronto Christmas pop up bars are over the top and full of festive fun that make for a unique evening out during the holiday season.
The only question is, which Toronto Christmas bar are you going to hit up first?
By the way – for more Toronto Christmas guides be sure to check out these posts:
- 24 Fun Things to do at Christmas in Toronto
- 13 Cheap & FREE Things to do in Toronto at Christmas time
- 8 Magical Christmas Towns in Ontario
Be sure to keep up with me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok and Facebook if you aren’t already!
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