9 Best Christmas Bars in Louisville, Kentucky
There are so many ways to celebrate the holiday season in Kentucky, but checking out all the best Louisville Christmas bars is a time-honored tradition you won’t want to miss! After all, aren’t holiday shotskis the best way to bond with your in-laws or reconnect with your out-of-town college besties? (Wondering what shotskis are? Don’t worry. We’ll get to that and we promise you won’t be disappointed.)
Whether or not your holidays look like a good old-fashioned Griswold family Christmas, these Louisville Christmas bars are full of cheer, yummy drinks, and just a touch of mayhem.
All aboard Santa’s sleigh! We’re about to discover the best holiday bars in Louisville, Kentucky.
Check out a few of these other Christmas posts:
- 16 Magical Christmas Events in Louisville
- Where to Find the Best Christmas Lights in Louisville (with a map!)
- The Ultimate Kentucky Gift Guide with 42 Kentucky Themed Gifts
WHEN TO VISIT CHRISTMAS BARS IN LOUISVILLE
You’ll have the entire month of December to hit up the most festive spots in town! Louisville’s Christmas bars tend to open around the week of Thanksgiving and all run until December 31st.
Make sure to check hours and availability since some pop-ups run Thursday-Saturday, and a few require reservations.
THE 9 BEST LOUISVILLE CHRISTMAS BARS
When it comes to festive local bars, it seems like there are more and more popping up every year. We’ve gathered the most up-to-date list so you can do all the Christmasing your heart desires. Make sure to check it twice before making weekend plans in December!
Miracle on Market (Galaxie)
Miracle on Market runs all December long when the space behind Nulu’s Galaxie gets decked out for the holidays. Tuck into the cozy couches and sip on handcrafted cocktails served in iconic mugs shaped like a T-Rex or Santa Claus. 2023 brought a brand new unicorn mug with its own marshmallow-themed cocktail. We can’t wait to see what we’ll find in 2024!
Look out for the usual weekend dance parties and silent discos that take over Outerspace, the club-like space at the very back of the venue.
Miracle on Market opens November 19, 2024. Hours TBD.
- Address: 732 E Market St, Louisville, KY
Christmas on Story Ave. (Whirling Tiger)
Whirling Tiger reopened in late 2022 and they’ve been going big for Christmas ever since! Their decor has a vintage house party vibe with small, retro TVs playing Christmas classics, decorative lights strewn everywhere and a holiday cocktail menu filled with your next favorites. The Frozen Gingerbread Espresso Martini is not to be missed!
For a special surprise, head upstairs to find the hidden speakeasy and stop by on the weekends for live music and the occasional movie night or holiday jazz.
A Christmas on Story Avenue opens every day at 6pm, thru 12/31.
- Address: 1335 Story Ave, Louisville, KY
Secret Santa Speakeasy (Whirling Tiger)
You may be wondering: How does Whirling Tiger have two pop-up bars? Great question. Secret Santa is actually a speakeasy located on the second floor!
Two of the bar employees filled the building’s empty apartment with their own extensive collection of Christmas decorations. You’ll find glowing Santas hanging from the ceiling, along with tons of props and photo opps in every room- including the bathroom!
Secret Santa has its very own drink menu with holiday shotskis (a ski lined with shot glasses, designed for 4-5 to shoot all at once!) and naughty or nice roulette jello shots.
Secret Santa 2024 hours TBD.
- Address: 1335 Story Ave, Louisville, KY
8Up Rooftop Igloos
8Up’s heated rooftop igloos are as cozy as ever! You and five of your friends and family members can reserve your own igloo where you can take in epic views of the city while enjoying specialty cocktails and family-style bites.
The best part? These igloos come decked out for the holidays, strewn in twinkling lights, festive decor and warm blankets. Plus, you’ll get your very own heater. Reservations are available every night of the week. While it’s free to reserve the igloos, there’s a food and drink minimum that varies by day and time.
8Up igloo 2024 hours TBD.
- Address: 350 West Chestnut Street, Rooftop, Louisville, Kentucky
Angel’s Envy Enchanted Wonderland (Number 15)
Number 15 is a new bar that opened in 2023 on Louisville’s Whiskey Row. This 5-story venue equips you with a wristband upon entrance so you can scan when ordering drinks and pay at the end.
Known for nightly live music, this spot also pulls out all the stops for the holidays with a massive light display out front. Indoors, things were just as festive! Number 15 partnered with Angel’s Envy to turn their Balcony Bar into the Enchanted Wonderland holiday pop-up complete with warm fireplaces. I highly recommend trying the Angel’s Kiss, a bourbon cocktail made with a real Hershey’s kiss!
Angel’s Envy Enchanted Wonderland 2024 hours TBD.
- Address: 121 W Main St, Louisville, KY
Whiskey Wonderland (Down One Bourbon Bar)
Main Street’s Down One Bourbon Bar is a great spot to hit before or after events at the Yum Center. In December, things get even better with their festive Whiskey Wonderland bar takeover!
If you’re looking for a family-friendly spot, this is it! In addition to delicious cocktails, you’ll find mocktails perfect for young kiddos. You can expect to find a lifesize Santa along with twinkling holiday lights and festive bourbon cocktails like the Pine Old Fashioned.
Had enough bourbon? No problem. They’ve also got an impressive selection of tequila and a holiday White Christmas margarita made with white cranberry juice, ginger and coconut.
Whiskey Wonderland 2024 hours TBD.
- Address: 321 W Main St, Louisville, KY
Tinsel Tavern (4th Street Live)
New to 4th Street Live, Tinsel Tavern took over Pizza Bar to bring a menu of toasty holiday cocktails to Louisville! This Christmas bar charges a $10 cover per person and features both bar seating, booths, and tables for large groups.
I highly recommend trying their warm hot chocolate made with peanut butter whiskey or the Christmas Graham complete with toasted marshmallow!
Tinsel Tavern 2024 hours TBD.
- Address: 445 S 4th St, Louisville, KY
Disco Blizzard (Lucky Penny, Hotel Genevieve)
Nulu’s newest boutique hotel, Hotel Genevieve, decided to get in on the Christmas bar scene by transforming the hotel speakeasy, Lucky Penny, into a disco wonderland. The reservation-only experience is filled with glitzy, glam, and great holiday drinks! It’s a cozy, intimate spot perfect for your next holiday date night. Don’t miss the S’mores S’mores S’mores cocktail!
Disco Blizzard opens at 5 Thursday-Saturday.
- Address: 730 E Market St, Louisville, KY
Frost (Frankfort Avenue Liquors & Wine)
Located on charming Frankfort Avenue, Frankfort Avenue Liquors & Wine is transformed into a cozy little Christmas den with lights and ornaments hanging from the ceiling.
Get into the Christmas spirit (get it?!) by trying one of their dessert-inpirired cocktails, like a Banana Bread Old Fashioned or their Gingerbreak Flip. It doesn’t get much sweeter than this!
Frost 2024 hours TBD.
- Address: 2115 Frankfort Ave. Louisville, KY
What did you think of this post? What questions can we answer? Drop us a comment below!
Before you go, check out a few of these other Christmas posts:
- 16 Magical Christmas Events in Louisville
- Where to Find the Best Christmas Lights in Louisville (with a map!)
- The Ultimate Kentucky Gift Guide with 42 Kentucky Themed Gifts
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