Date Night: Pop-Up Christmas Bar in Des Moines, Iowa

by Erin Huiatt

Date Night: Pop-Up Christmas Bar in Des Moines, Iowa

Grab your partner, a group of friends, and your ugly sweaters! The holiday season is always magical, but why not leave the kids at home and enjoy the festive season with friends? Over the past few years, Des Moines has become home to several pop-up Christmas bars. What is a pop-up Christmas bar you may ask? It is when local restaurants and bars get in the Christmas spirit and decorate their businesses with a bunch of holiday decor. A lot of these places are great options for a date night, a holiday party, corporate events, holiday events, a birthday party, and more. We have gathered a list of pop-up Christmas bars in greater Des Moines. Are we missing your favorite? Let us know!

Bookmark these other guides for the perfect holiday adventure in Des Moines, Iowa this season:

Fellow Santa Guide in Des Moines
Holiday Shows in Des Moines
Des Moines Holiday Markets 2025
Holiday Hullabaloo
Bass Pro Shop Santa Wonderland – All the Details!
Des Moines Parent Event Calendar – The best way to stay up to date with events and activities.

Bartender’s Handshake

Address: 3615 Ingersoll Avenure in Des Moines

Website: https://www.thebartendershandshake.com/

Bartender’s Handshake is one of my favorite cocktail bars in Des Moines. It is not an official holiday pop-up bar, but each holiday season it offers a creative menu with some seasonal favorites. This bar is located across the street from Miracle on Ingersoll, so make sure you add it to your list if you make a stop there!

Destination Grille – Elfed Up

Address: 2491 E 1st Street in Grimes

Website: https://destinationgrille.com/

Get ready to celebrate the holidays at Elfed Up, the ultimate holiday pop-up bar at Destination Grille in Grimes, IA! Experience an unforgettable evening of festive cocktails, delicious (gluten-free) food, and endless holiday cheer. Whether you’re sipping on holiday-themed drinks or enjoying our full menu, it’s the perfect place to immerse yourself in the spirit of the season.

Dates: November 29th – December 30th. Fridays & Saturdays only (Before visiting, make sure to check out the Events Calendar to see when Elfed Up is booked for private events).
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Hours: Fridays & Saturdays 3PM to close (kitchen closes at 9PM, bar closes at 10PM)

Reservations are highly recommended!

Either/Or

Address: 6222 Grand Avenue in Des Moines

Website: https://eitherordsm.com/private-events/

Join Either/Or this holiday season for ‘Tinsel at Either/Or’. Enjoy a curated holiday cocktail and food menu, vintage holiday decor, and fun events throughout the season such as a Hot Cocoa Bar every Monday evening, Holiday Movies Nights Tuesdays and Thursdays, Kids Crafts every Wednesday, and so much more. Take a look at the full line-up here.

Jingle Bell Hop

Address: Bell Hop Tiki; 440 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309

Details for 2025 have not been released yet!

The Jolly Elf Pop-Up

Address: Main Street Cafe & Bakery; 2510 SW White Birch Dr #1,2, Ankeny

Website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568133967738

Get ready to step into a magical Christmas wonderland with dazzling, over-the-top decorations that will take your holiday spirit to new heights. Create a new tradition with family and friends this season by experiencing JOY at Main Street Cafe & Bakery. This pop-up opens on November 13.

El Grinch

Address: Located at El Presidente at The District in Ankeny

Check out this beautiful Christmas pop-up bar nestled within The District in Ankeny, Iowa. You knew it as El Presidenté, now let them grow your heart with their craft tequila cocktails & NA mocktails.

Open Sunday-Thursday at 3 pm and Friday-Saturday at 12 pm, make sure to stop by this holiday season

Magnolias & Mistletoe

Address: Bubba Des Moines; 200 10th St, Des Moines, IA 50309

Details for 2025 have not been released yet!

Merrl’s Pub & Patio

Address: 788 W Hickman Rd, Waukee, IA 50263

Website: https://www.merlls.com/

Merll’s Pub & Patio is the perfect place for the whole family to grab lunch or dinner after holiday shopping in Waukee. Their festive decor, upside-down Christmas tree, and holiday cocktails will get everyone in the holiday spirit. They also have tons of large TV so you do not miss the big game while you eat and drink.

Miracle on Ingersoll

Address: 3124 Ingersoll Avenue in Des Moines

Website: https://www.facebook.com/miracleoningersoll/

This is definitely everyone’s favorite holiday pop-up bar in Des Moines! Dugan’s Hideaway (located on the back half of its sister bar The Station on Ingersoll) is transformed into a magical, Christmas bar. We hope you have been good this year because Santa Claus makes his arrival on Thursday, November 20. Miracle on Ingersoll gets busy fast and there is typically a wait. It is recommended to get there early. Maybe a great spot for happy hour? Cocktails are served in festive glassware and if you get there early enough, you may be able to snag one of their collectible mugs! Some popular drinks include The Bad Santa and a Snowball Old Fashioned. Keep your eyes open on their Facebook page for special announcements.

Make a reservation here.

Miracle at Jordan Creek

Address: Jordan Creek Towncenter, near the food court by Century Theaters

Website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565940055979

All the fun and excitement of Miracle on Ingersoll is coming to Jordan Creek Towncenter! You will not want to miss this Christmas-themed pop-up cocktail bar for the whole family. After a day of holiday shopping stop by this fun for some Christmas fun. Opening November 20 through December 31.

Naughty List

Address: Good News Darling (located in the back of Hello, Marjorie); 717 Locust St., Des Moines

This holiday pop-up bar opens on November 12! There are no reservations available. This is a smaller bar, so coming early is highly recommended to get a spot. Enjoy fun, holiday-inspired cocktails.

Nice List

Address: 110 SW 5th Street in Des Moines

Website: https://www.facebook.com/p/Secret-Admirer-100065417955925/

The Nice List is a holiday cocktail bar that pops up in Secret Admirer just outside of downtown Des Moines. This pop-up bar will open from November 12 through December 30. I personally love this cozy bar. Small, intimate, fun decor and cocktails, and beautiful views of Des Moines. They offer both alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages. Tons of good times are to be had at this pop-up bar!

Rudolph’s Rooftop

Address: 401 E. Grand Avenue in Des Moines

Website: https://www.facebook.com/TheRepublicOnGrand

Who doesn’t love to party with Santa’s reindeer?! Head to Rudolph’s Rooftop at the Republic on Grand in the East Village. This is the East Village’s first and only holiday pop-up bar and will run from November 14 through December 31. No reservations are needed. Guests will be able to sip on fun, holiday cocktails, enjoy holiday decor, and more. This would be a perfect stop on a Holiday Promenade evening!

Santa’s Cellar

Address: Urban Cellar Wine Bar, Grille at 640 S 50th St. Suite 2110 in West Des Moines

Website: Learn more here.

From November 17th through January 4th, discover a winter wonderland filled with twinkling lights, festive drinks, and cozy vibes perfect for making seasonal memories. Sip on specialty cocktails, enjoy exclusive holiday tastings, and soak up the cheerful atmosphere that makes every visit special.

Santa Paws Pop-Up Bar

Address: Paws & Pints; 6218 Willowmere Drive in Des Moines

Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/1109530194689784

Join Paws & Pints for the Santa Paws Pop-Up Bar from November 14th to December 31st! Gather your friends and family and head to Paws & Pints for a festive experience like no other. They are transforming their facility into a holiday wonderland with cheerful decor, a special holiday food and drink menu, photos with Santa, a holiday movie night, a Paw-liday Market, and so much more. Don’t miss out on the festive fun!

Snowglobe Des Moines {SnowGlobe DSM}

Address: 1514 Walnut Street in Des Moines

Website: https://www.exploretock.com/exile-brewing-company/detail/496393/snowglobe

SnowGlobe DSM is a pop-up Christmas extravaganza {kid-friendly} that pops up in Exile Brewing Company. This year the event will run November 11 through January 11. Reservations are highly recommended, but if you walk in for lunch or dinner and space is available you will be seated. We did not have reservations last year and sat in the bar area which was also decorated and had a wonderful experience. They serve up fun, holiday cocktails, their popular craft beer, festive food, and over-the-top hot chocolate for the kids. To add to the holiday cheer, they offer special events for kids and families during the season including Princess Brunches and Santa Brunch. I highly recommend reservations for these experiences. You can take a look at official dates and make reservations here.