Guide to every holiday pop-up bar in Las Vegas

“When I go to a good Christmas bar, it feels like Christmas threw up in there,” Derek Berry says. “I don’t think there’s a bad decoration.”

Berry is the president of experiences at Bucket Listers, the company behind Mariah Carey’s Holiday Bar at Park MGM and the Holly Jolly Christmas Bar at The Mint Tavern.

His other main requirement for a good holiday bar? Creative cocktails.

“You wanna drink out of Santa’s boot,” Berry says. “You wanna drink out of an ornament.”

With more than a dozen Christmas pop-up bars around the valley — including those with cowboy, hip-hop and heavy metal themes — there’s something for every taste this year.

Here’s a look:

off-Strip

Miracle on Spring Mountain

Now in its sixth season, the Chinatown institution promises “kitschy, over-the-top décor that would put the Griswolds to shame.” There’s also a new lineup of seasonal cocktails and mocktails, served in holiday glassware, available for purchase. It’s open at 3 p.m. daily through Dec. 31 inside the Sand Dollar Lounge, 3355 Spring Mountain Road.

Santa’s Saloon

This new attraction promises two themed environments — a cowboy dive bar and a snowbound lodge in the Rockies — along with burlesque numbers and tap-dancing elves. Guests can interact with characters, including “Drunk Santa” and a “sultry Mrs. Claus.” Specialty cocktails include the “Ain’t That a Kick in the Nutcracker.” It’s open at 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, through Dec. 28, near Scotch 80 Prime at the Palms.

Aspen Ski Lodge/Winter Wonderland

Rouge Room at Red Rock Resort is offering two holiday experiences this year. The poolside patio has added furs and fire pits for an après-ski-themed affair. Inside, the lounge has become a Christmas-themed retreat featuring weekly holiday parties with live DJs. They open at 6 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 5 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 28.

Bad Elf

Grab a cocktail — a Rum Rum Rudolph, perhaps, or maybe a Santa’s Cookie Butter Martini — and hang out near the fireplace as the Shady Grove Lounge has been decked out to resemble the North Pole. It’s open at 5 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays, through Dec. 28, at the Silverton.

Holly Jolly Christmas Bar

The Mint Tavern, 332 W. Sahara Ave., has been decked out with floor-to-ceiling tinsel, trimmings and ornaments for an over-the-top holiday experience. It’s open Wednesdays through Sundays, through Dec. 28. Admission starts at $20 and includes 90 minutes of open seating and a welcome drink.

Nightmare Before XMÁS

A life-size Oogie Boogie and “The Nightmare Before Christmas”-themed ornaments will help welcome guests to Las Vegas’ version of Christmas Town. Themed cocktails include Sandy Claws’ Tiki-Tai and the Pumpkin King Cheesecake Nog. It’s open at 3 p.m. daily through Jan. 1 at Más Por Favor Taqueria y Tequila, 3879 Spring Mountain Road.

Winter at the Terrace

The Backyard at Green Valley Ranch has been transformed for winter with seasonal cocktails, small plates, fire pits and seven private igloos available to rent. It’s open at 4 p.m. daily through Dec. 28.

Christmas Remix

This holiday pop-up, inspired by EDM and hip-hop culture, features plenty of photo ops, seasonal cocktails, Snoop Dogg Elf (on the shelf) and live DJs. It’s open daily through Dec. 30 inside Audio Bar at 1020 S. First Street.

Christmas at Juliette

La Casa de Juliette’s inaugural holiday pop-up centers on a menu of themed drinks, including the Orange Peppermint Flan Cocktail and the Caramel Apple Old Fashioned. The experience, featuring wall-to-wall decorations, is open daily through Dec. 31 at 7585 Norman Rockwell Lane.

on the Strip

Heavy Metal Holidays

Given its chalet aesthetic, Ski Lodge feels rather Christmas-y any day of the year. The unmarked spot next to Superfrico inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is shaking things up this year with red-and-black décor and skull ornaments hanging from upside-down trees. Described as “a twisted, alpine fever dream,” the experience offers an assortment of stiff new cocktails, including Thrash the Halls and the Hot Buttered Ghost of Christmas Ass. It’s open at 2 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and at noon Fridays through Sundays through the new year.

Mariah Carey’s Holiday Bar

All she wants for Christmas is for you to indulge in wall-to-wall Mariah this holiday season. Interactive photo ops and a menu of seasonal food and drinks, the latter made with her Black Irish, await fans in this tribute to the Queen of Christmas. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” will be played every 30 minutes — which, honestly, feels like less frequently than other venues crank it. It’s open daily through Dec. 23 at On the Record at Park MGM. Admission starts at $19.90 for 90 minutes and includes a welcome cocktail.

A Christmas Parlor

For its second year, the pop-up will offer tableside s’mores and other holiday-themed small plates. Mixologist Francesco Lafranconi will create cocktails inspired by Christmas movies such as “Home Alone,” “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” and “Die Hard” — seemingly settling the debate over whether the latter is, in fact, a Christmas movie. A Christmas Parlor will accept donations of new, unwrapped toys or gift cards to benefit the Clark County Fire Department and Southern Nevada Burn Foundation’s annual Fill the Fire Truck Toy Drive. It’s open at 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 5 p.m. Sundays, through early January, inside Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar at Mandalay Bay.

’Tis the Season

In addition to festive lights, trees, garland and fluffy chair pelts, guests will be welcomed by an immersive photo area. A hot cocoa cart will complement the bespoke drinks served nightly, as well as the Monday night collaborations with mixologists representing the Arts District. It’s open at 5 p.m. daily through Dec. 31 on Level 1.5 of The Chandelier inside The Cosmopolitan.

Miracle on Easy St.

Easy’s Cocktail Lounge once again has a holiday makeover with limited-time cocktails and festive shows, including Santa Baby Diva’s Night on Dec. 23. It’s open at 6 p.m.Dec. 15 through Dec. 31 inside Proper Eats Food Hall at Aria.

Jingle Bell Lounge

The Birdie Bar at Topgolf Las Vegas has been transformed into its annual holiday experience, complete with a Winter Flavorland menu. Access is free, even without a golf reservation, through Jan. 1. Santa will be available for free photos from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 6, 7, 14, 20 and 21.

Holiday Hideaway

Described as “a snow-kissed lodge filled with holiday cheer,” this spot promises twinkle lights, alpine holiday decor and plenty of seasonal libations. It’s open at 4 p.m. daily in B Side at the House of Blues inside Mandalay Bay.

A Close Company Christmas

Wear your most festive attire to this pop-up for a chance to win tickets to Leona Lewis’ Christmas show at Voltaire. It’s open at 4 p.m. daily through Jan. 4 at Close Company, the speakeasy inside Via Via Food Hall at The Venetian.

Cowboy Christmas

Not to be confused with the annual NFR-related shopping extravaganza, the Western-inspired bar, in partnership with Código 1530 tequila, offers seasonal cocktails with a country twist. It’s open at 5 p.m. daily through Jan. 4 at Here Kitty Kitty Vice Den at Resorts World Las Vegas.

Contact Christopher Lawrence at clawrence@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4567.