Don all ye Santa hats and Rudolph noses, because it’s time to visit some local Christmas pop-up bars! There’s nothing better than a room full of festivity; the twinkling lights, warm mugs of spiked cocoa, the smell of peppermint so thick it’s like it’s been aerosolized, it’s enough to make any Scrooge smile. However, the trek to get to one of these notorious pop-ups can be long and nerve-racking, especially if you are a Georgia native like me and have been hitting the mulled wine a bit too hard to deal with the horrors of Atlanta traffic. Fret not! I’m here to let you know that there are Christmas pop-up bars so close to home, they’re a mere sleigh ride away.
Since Lawrenceville was on the nice list this year, we were gifted the new and sparkling Rreal Tacos, an authentic Mexican kitchen equipped with good eats and enough festive spirit to impress Santa Claus himself. Each year, this taqueria chain decks its halls with perfect baubles and shimmering lights while offering classic Christmas favorites with a Latin twist. Open throughout the entirety of December, Rreal Tacos invites you to sip on specialty cocktails like El Grinch, a delicious apple pucker and cinnamon-spiced margarita, or El Rudolph, a creamy coconut rum drink that will have you picturing chestnuts roasting over an open fire.
Each year, Local Republic, one of Lawrenceville’s longest-standing, locally-owned restaurants, hosts Sleigh on Perry. Now located at the upstairs bar of this beloved gastropub and craft cocktail hub, Sleigh on Perry introduces patrons to a whimsical winter wonderland where glimmering lights adorn the ceilings, the smell of fresh popcorn spreads through the air and there’s a little mistletoe in every doorway (Oh-la-la). Local Republic does not play around when it comes to decking the halls! Everywhere you look lies some form of Kris Kringle memorabilia; it’s like a five-course meal for the eyes and for the Instagram story!
Opening at the beginning of December and running until the 23rd, Sleigh on Perry aims to transport its guests into a truly magical dimension where one can cozy up with a cocktail like Hans Gruber’s World Famous homemade boozy eggnog. Keep it fresh and order the Peppermint Gin & Tonikkah or dive into the creamy dessert realm with my personal favorite, the Jiminy Christmas, a drink that tastes like a thin mint in a glass! Sleigh on Perry also offers specialty snacks and plays Christmas classics like Home Alone, Elf, Rudolph and more, all projected on the big screen (we love a family-friendly pop-up!).
This holiday season, save yourself the time and gas money. Come visit Downtown Lawrenceville for a taste of our festive homespun fun!
