Christmas Pop-Up Bars to Get You in the Holiday Spirit
More choices than ever for holiday cocktails, festive photo ops and over-the-top decorations around Honolulu.
Yule’s Truly. Photo: Courtesy of Highgate Hotels
The holiday season is officially here, and so is the city’s growing list of Christmas pop-up bars and holiday-themed spots to check out. From a naughty Krampus Lair to amazing photo op spots with floor-to-ceiling tinsel and oh-so-sugary holiday cocktails, these seasonal spots have you covered. We’ve even included a bar-hopping adventure for those who want to jingle their way through Waikīkī, Ala Moana and Chinatown.
SEE ALSO: The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Happenings on O‘ahu
The Christmas Bar at Tiki’s Grill & Bar
It’s the first on our list for a reason: The Christmas Bar inside Tiki’s excels at festive floor-to-ceiling photo ops and holiday cocktails that are guaranteed to give you the warm-and-fuzzies. Every year, the Tiki’s team creates an over-the-top winter wonderland packed with wild holiday decorations and seasonal drinks like the sweet Butter Beer or the Hot Snowflake Mint Mocha, paired with charcuterie plates and desserts. There’s free valet parking, and zoo parking is close by. This is one of the city’s busiest pop-ups, so be prepared to wait in line, especially on weekends.
No reservations; keiki welcome during earlier hours. Open through Dec. 30 from 2 to 11:30 p.m. weekdays, noon to 11:30 p.m. weekends; 2570 Kalākaua Ave., Waikīkī, christmasbarhawaii.com, @thechristmasbarhawaii
Grinchmas Bar at Aloha Mamacita
This transformation might even make the Grinch crack a smile. Every corner of Aloha Mamacita is bedecked in festive décor, setting the tone for cheerful, creative holiday cocktails like the S’mores Martini, the whiskey-warmed Spiked Hot Cocoa, the tropical Jack Frost, the bright green Grinch with tequila and sour apple Schnapps, the Elf Mojito, or the Christmas Punch to share. With its on-season décor and plenty of charm despite its namesake, the Grinchmas Bar is a new hot spot for toasting the season.
Open through Dec. 31, Monday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 12 a.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1; Dec. 31, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 4A, Kaka‘ako, @aloha.mamacita
Photo: Tracy Chan
Yule’s Truly at AC Hotel
The cozy Downtown tiki speakeasy inside Yours Truly, AC Hotel’s posh retro cocktail lounge, transforms into a secret holiday getaway this month. Five specialty cocktails are priced at $18: the rum-and-spiced-pear Oh Pear Tree; the coconut-and-cacao North Pole Potion; the smoky, fruity and tart Island Wonderland; the whiskey-forward Ginger Gentleman; and the adorable Jingle Java shot, served in a tiny reindeer cup. A menu of bites from the restaurant upstairs, The Dotted Line, pairs delightfully with the libations.
Open through Dec. 30, Wednesday and Thursday 5 to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5 p.m. to midnight; 1111 Bishop St., Downtown, yourstrulyhawaii.com, @yourstrulyhnl
Photo: Courtesy Noa Laporga
Christmas Lodge at Pearlridge Center
For the second year in a row, this seasonal pop-up by 17A Productions transforms the former Chili’s restaurant with magical holiday lights and frost-rimmed Christmas trees. (And yes, the moose is back!) Sip on festive cocktails like Butter Beer and the intriguing Popcorn Banana Old Fashioned, and if you dare, venture into the Krampus Lair (open Fridays and Saturdays only), a nod to the production company’s horror specialty.
21+, Dec. 12 to 25, 5 p.m. to midnight daily; 98-130 Pali Momi St., ‘Aiea, @christmaslodgehawaii
Photo: Tracy Chan
Winter Wonderland Bar at Ala Moana Center
One of the season’s most popular and dazzling, holiday escapes, this Christmas-themed pop-up is filled with dreamy décor and festive photo ops, along with a menu of custom cocktails. Whether you’re after the perfect picture or a celebratory holiday drink with friends, this spot delivers the full seasonal experience.
21+; Dec. 12 to 25, 5 p.m. to midnight daily; 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., Space 1310, Ala Moana, @winterwonderlandhonolulu
Obake’s Christmas Tree Lot
Inspired by the idea of a cozy, hidden beer garden, the courtyard outside Obake transforms into a Christmas pop-up on Friday and Saturday nights. Expect holiday cocktails, DJ sets, festive décor and a moody, vintage holiday vibe. With the closure of the Secret Santa Speakeasy at Underground Lounge, this may be the only Christmas pop-up bar in Chinatown.
They’re also hosting a Wish Tree Gift Drive benefiting Hawai‘i Meals on Wheels: Simply pick a tag from the tree, purchase the gift and drop it off on Dec. 22 between noon and 7 p.m. at Proof Social Club or The Reef Waikīkī.
Through Dec. 25, Friday and Saturday 7 p.m. til close; 1112 Smith St., Chinatown, obakehonolulu.com, @obakehonolulu
Photo: Andrea Lee
Makana at the ‘Alohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach
A brand-new holiday pop-up by Eleven17 Creative, Makana (meaning “gift” in Hawaiian) transforms the ‘Alohilani Resort’s Oceanarium Lounge into an island-style celebration of the season. Instead of snowy winter themes, this bar and its holiday-themed cocktails are what the holidays really feel like in Hawai‘i, with glowing lights, tropical greenery, lauhala and other island-inspired textures and decor by local vendors. A portion of proceeds goes to Sustainable Coastlines Hawai‘i.
21+; through Jan. 5; Sunday to Thursday 4 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 4 p.m. to midnight; valet and self-parking available; 2490 Kalākaua Ave., Waikīkī, alohilaniresort.com, @makanawaikiki
Sleigh My Name Holiday Pop-Up Lounge at Sky Waikīkī
High above Waikīkī, a winter wonderland awaits, with this fun, wintry-themed pop-up inside rooftop bar Sky Waikīkī. Sip on festive cocktails with Grey Goose, Patrón, and special holiday offerings, and take some pics with their photo ops.
Through Dec. 25, 5 to 10 p.m. daily; Paid parking available in Waikīkī Business Plaza; 2270 Kalākaua Ave., Waikīkī, skywaikiki.com, @skywaikiki
Vintage Books Kaimukī
Vintage Books goes all out with yards of sparkling lights and enchanting decor throughout the venue. Enjoy entrées and sides with a special holiday cocktail like the Notorious N.O.G. (creamy and perfectly spiked), the Three Wise Liquors (pear-spiced wintry warmth) or Santa’s Little Sangria (crisp, merry, cranberry).
Monday to Thursday 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday 4 p.m. to midnight, Saturday 10 a.m. to midnight, Sunday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; 3660 Wai‘alae Ave., Suite 101, Kaimukī, vintagebookshawaii.com, @vintagebookshawaii
The Naughty List Lounge at The Boardroom Kailua
The Boardroom’s holiday pop-up bar is a great place for festive drinks, tasty in-season food specials and fun with friends.
Wednesday to Thursday 5 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5 to 11 p.m., Sunday 5 to 10 p.m.; 44 Kainehe St., Kailua; theboardroomkailua.com, @theboardroomkailua
Honolulu Holiday Bar Hop 2025
This multi-weekend celebration connects Waikīkī, Ala Moana and Chinatown with unlimited hop-on, hop-off transportation, holiday cocktails, themed bars, live entertainment, photo ops, scavenger hunts and community giving. Explore decorated venues, enjoy specialty drinks, enter contests and giveaways, and catch surprise entertainment. Dec. 12–13 is Ugly Sweater Weekend, and Dec. 19–20 is the Holiday Pajama Party.
General admission includes unlimited rides on holiday-themed buses and trolleys, access to 10+ participating bars, photo ops and themed stops, the Merry Quest Scavenger Hunt, and restaurant discounts at partner venues.
Tickets start at $50; 21+; Dec. 12–13 and Dec. 19–20, check-in 6:30 p.m. at Hilton Hawaiian Village, Honolulu Zoo, The Reef Waikīkī, Ala Moana Center, Honolulu City Lights, or Hawai‘i Theatre Center; sickening.events, @honolulubarhop
Tracy Chan is a contributor to Frolic Hawai‘i.
