A Platinum Party Bus Insider Look
Cleveland goes all in on holiday pop-up bars, and each year the list gets longer.
Blitzen’s Pop-Up Bar: Hudson
Through Dec. 30
80 N. Main St., Hudson | hudsonspopupbar.com
Why it stands out:
- Started small and now goes all-out each winter
- Seasonal drinks and a holiday-themed menu
Drink to try: The Melted Snowman; vodka, cinnamon whiskey, RumChata, vanilla cream, toasted marshmallow.
The Christmas Corner Bar: Lakewood
Starting Nov. 14
18616 Detroit Ave., Lakewood | facebook.com/thechristmascornerbar
Why it stands out:
- Around the Corner converts all four bars into separate holiday rooms
- Christmas karaoke and igloo rentals add extra options
Drink to try: The Dirty Grinch; vanilla vodka, crème de menthe, crème de cacao, chocolate drizzle.
Christmas at the RollHouse — Mentor, Solon, Parma, North Olmsted
Mentor opens Nov. 7 | Solon Nov. 14 | North Olmsted Nov. 21 | Parma debuts this year
Various locations | therollhouse.com
Why it stands out:
- Four different concepts at four RollHouse locations
- Mentor goes heavy on decor with thousands of ornaments and oversized displays
- Solon features the Grinch tree
- North Olmsted leans into silver and snow themes
- Parma introduces a classic red-and-green setup
Experience to try: Mentor and Solon host an escape room style game where you solve clues to free Santa.
Deck the Vault: Downtown Cleveland
Nov. 11–Dec. 23
2017 E. 9th St., Level B1 | metropolitancleveland.com
Why it stands out:
- A historic 1906 bank vault turned into a gold-lit holiday bar
- Strong atmosphere for groups who like a unique setting
Drink to try: The Snickerdoodle Martini; Grey Goose, Disaronno, cream, vanilla bean paste, cinnamon syrup.
Elf’d Up: Medina
Wednesday–Saturday through year-end
2743 Medina Road | facebook.com/medinapopupbar
Why it stands out:
- Thirsty Cowboys turns its large space into a country-style holiday setup
- Known for weekend line dancing
Drink to try: A holiday cocktail paired with the dance crowd.
Erie & Vine’s Spiked Nostalgia Christmas Bar: Willoughby
Starting Nov. 26
4027 Erie St. | erieandvine.com
Why it stands out:
- ’90s and early-2000s theme
- Eight seasonal cocktails and throwback holiday décor
Drink to try: The Ho Ho Ho Holy Sh*t That’s Strong; a jumbo Sugar Cookie Martini with vanilla vodka, amaretto, and RumChata.
House of Blues Holiday Bar: Downtown Cleveland
Thursday–Saturday
308 Euclid Ave. | houseofblues.com
Why it stands out:
- Foundation Room becomes a holiday lounge with local live music
Drink to try: The Christmaspolitan; hibiscus vodka, cranberry, lemon, Grand Marnier.
Jolene’s Honky Tonk Holiday Bar: Downtown Cleveland
Nov. 20–Jan. 4
2038 E. Fourth St. | instagram.com/jolenescle
Why it stands out:
- Rooftop bar with Dolly-inspired holiday décor
- Country flair with plenty of pink lighting
Drink to try: The Frosty Jolene; vanilla vodka, ginger ale, cranberry.
Mele Kalikimaka Holiday Pop-Up: Cuyahoga Falls
Nov. 24–Jan. 3
1832 Front St. | tikiunderground.com
Why it stands out:
- Tiki Underground flips to a Hawaiian Christmas theme
- Santa tiki heads and tropical drinks all season
Drink to try: The Reinkiller; Pusser’s Rum, orange and pineapple juice, eggnog, cinnamon.
Nano Brew’s HolidayLAND: Ohio City
Seasonal
1859 West 25th St. | nanobrewcleveland.com
Why it stands out:
- Programming-heavy: trivia, DJs, holiday beers
- Market Garden keeps the taps interesting
Drink to try: Festivus Holiday Spiced Ale; brown sugar, nutmeg, ginger.
The Misfit Bar at The Yard on 3rd: Willoughby
Nov. 26–Jan. 4
38040 Third St. | theyardon3rd.com
Why it stands out:
- Apres-ski meets trailer-park theme
- Igloo rentals available
Drink to try: The Blitzened Berry.
Saint Nick’s Social Club: Downtown Cleveland
Nov. 21–Dec. 31
2063 E. Fourth St. | societycleveland.com
Why it stands out:
- Society Lounge turns into a 1920s-style holiday speakeasy
- Jazz and crafted cocktails
Drink to try: Smolder and Spice.
Seeing Double’s Christmas Bar: North Olmsted
Nov. 4–Jan. 4
26880 Brookpark Ext. | seeingdoublecle.com
Why it stands out:
- Seasonal cocktails, live music, rotating food options
Drink to try: Cookie Dough Old Fashioned.
Sleigh: Downtown Cleveland (JACK Casino)
Nov. 26–Dec. 27
100 Public Square | jackentertainment.com/cleveland
Why it stands out:
- Book-themed décor inside the Library bar
- Cocktail menu built around literary-style names
Drink to try: The Candy Cane Chronicles.
Secret Cellar Christmas Bar: Ohio City
Nov. 26–Dec. 31
2516 Market Ave. | greatlakesbrewing.com
Why it stands out:
- Great Lakes Brewing Co.’s basement switches to a Christmas speakeasy
- Creative cocktails plus Christmas Ale
Drink to try: The Red Ryder boilermaker.
Southern Cheer Christmas Pop-Up Bar: Downtown Cleveland
Through Dec. 23
811 Prospect Ave. | facebook.com/stbcbeercle
Why it stands out:
- Southern Tier’s basement taproom becomes a holiday hangout
- Good craft beer lineup
Drink to try: Old Man Winter Ale.
Winter Wonderland at My Corner Bar: Parma Heights
Weekends through February
6211 W. 130th St. | facebook.com/MyCornerBarParmaHts
Why it stands out:
- Runs later in the season than most
- Karaoke, live music, and a December Krampus night
Drink to try: The Grinch.
XMAS Bar: Flats East Bank
Early November through the season
1052 Old River Road | xmasbar.com/cleveland
Why it stands out:
- Full ceiling-to-floor seasonal transformation
- Ornament ceilings and Santa hat chairs
Drink to try: Jingle Juice.
How to Plan a Christmas Pop-Up Bar Crawl
These spots stretch from Hudson to Willoughby to Cuyahoga Falls, so build your night around clusters:
Downtown Cleveland
- Deck the Vault
- HOB Holiday Bar
- Jolene’s
- Saint Nick’s
- Sleigh
- XMAS Bar
Ohio City / Near West Side
- Nano Brew
- Secret Cellar
- Seeing Double (a short hop to North Olmsted)
East Side
- Erie & Vine
- The Yard on 3rd
South / Akron area
- Mele Kalikimaka
- Elf’d Up (Medina)
Hudson
- Blitzen’s
Plan for reservations where needed, check weekend hours, and expect lines during peak weeks.
Group Transportation with Platinum Party Bus
If you’re hitting more than two of these bars, driving becomes a hassle. Parking, traffic, winter roads, none of it makes the night better. With a party bus or limo:
- Your group stays together
- No one is stuck as the designated driver
- You get dropped off at the door, which matters in December
- You can build your own route across multiple neighborhoods
- You control the schedule, not rideshare surge pricing
We handle groups of all sizes anywhere in Northeast Ohio. Tell us the stops, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Final Thoughts
Cleveland and Northeast Ohio turn out a strong lineup of Christmas pop-up bars each year, each with its own personality and drink menu.
Use this guide to map out your plans, gather your group, and make the most of the season. If you want a smooth night without the winter driving headache, Platinum Party Bus can get you there.
