5 NJ Bars Are Transforming Into ‘Christmas Pop-Ups’ For 2019

NUTLEY, NJ — Christmas-themed pop-up bars will be spreading holiday cheer at five locations in New Jersey for 2019.

Now in their sixth year, the Miracle pop-up bars have become known for serving drinks with classic holiday puns amid a backdrop of unapologetically festive Christmas decorations and music.

Those seeking some grinch-busting inspiration may find them in drinks such as the “Run Run Rudolph” or the “Christmapolitan.” Other libations on the menu include:

• The “Snowball Old Fashioned” (Caramelized Pecan Bourbon, Spiced Molasses Syrup, Wormwood Bitters)
• The “Ginger Bread Flip” (Rye Whiskey, Gingerbread Syrup, Tiki Bitters, Whole Egg, Ginger snap cookie crumbs)
• The “Jingle Bowl” (a rum punch served in a bowl resembling a hot tub, complete with Santa and his reindeer taking a boozy soak)
• The “Kris Kringle Colada” (Dark Jamaican Rum, Amaro, Allspice, Lime & Pineapple Juice and Cream of Coconut)

For 2019, Miracle pop-up bars will be setting up at the following New Jersey locations from Nov. 25 to Christmas Eve:

• Harrison – The Vanguard, 705 Frank E. Rodgers Boulevard South
• Jersey City – Franklin Social, 292 Barrow Street
• Morristown – Iron Bar, 5 South Street (opens Tuesday, Dec. 3)
• New Brunswick – Catherine Lombardi, 3 Livingston Avenue
• Nutley – Cowan’s Public, 229 Centre Street

Each pop-up is expected to have its own particular twist, including an “Ugly Sweater” party on Monday, Dec. 2.

At The Vanguard in Harrison, the scenery will take on a "tiki-style" vibe with the Sippin’ Santa promotion, a companion pop-up featuring cocktails such as the “Kris Kringle Colada” and the “Christmas Eve Destruction.”

Meanwhile, “sleigh ride” events are slated to take place at Cowan’s Public in Nutley and Franklin Social in Jersey City on Dec. 7, and a New Year’s Eve fireworks show is slated for Dec. 31 at Catherine Lombardi in New Brunswick.

This year, Miracle pop-ups around the country will also be selling holiday mugs featured on the signature cocktail menu, with 10 percent of all sales donated to Action Against Hunger.

The Miracle pop-up bars – which have expanded to more than 100 locations across the U.S. this year – began as a suggestion from owner Greg Boehm’s mother in 2014.

According to Boehm, it was his mother’s idea to temporarily halt construction at his then-in-development bar, Mace, and transform the unfinished space into a winter wonderland for the few weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Dubbed “Miracle on Ninth Street,” it was one of many holiday celebrations to come.

“We’re excited to keep making Miracle better year after year while keeping our true love for the holiday season alive,” Boehm said.

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