Wichita will have more wild holiday pop-up bars, igloo rentals in 2023 than ever before
Over the past several holiday seasons, a bunch of Wichita bars and restaurants have made Christmas explode all over their buildings.
Then, they invite patrons in for holiday “pop-up” experiences that run for just a short time. People often make an event of it: They dress up in their best holiday outfits (or worst ugly Christmas sweaters) and meet up with friends for a night of sipping holiday-themed cocktails surrounded by lights and decorations.
This year, the pop-ups are back, and a couple of venues — River City Brewing Co. and Public at the Brickyard — are joining in the fun for the first time.
Also back this year: the enclosed outdoor “igloos” that first became a thing during COVID-19, when it was safer to hang out with close friends in plastic domes set up outside. Nortons Brewing Company started the trend in Wichita in 2020, and several other businesses have since joined in and set up the igloos for the holidays.
Here’s a 2023 guide to pop-up bars and outdoor igloos available for holiday outings in Wichita:
SnowGlobe at River City Brewing Company
150 N. Mosley, daily through Dec. 31
River City Brewing Company owner Chris Arnold said he noticed how popular holiday pop-up bars were becoming in Wichita, so when he was approached by a company out of Lawrence that puts such attractions together for businesses, he decided to partner with them.
The result, he said, makes it look like “a Christmas bomb exploded” inside the Old Town business, Arnold said. He closed the restaurant on Nov. 19, and 20 of his employees helped 10 of the installation company’s employees cover nearly every inch of the two-story building — both inside and out — with holiday lights and decorations.
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“We’ve got everything from 15-foot nutcrackers to ornaments and stuffed animals covering the ceilings and also animatronic reindeer,” he said. “You just almost don’t recognize it when you walk in the door. It’s pretty amazing.”
Unlike some of the other pop-up bars in Wichita, River City’s isn’t relegated to a specific part of the building or specific hours. Anyone who visits the restaurant at any time will get the experience. But because SnowGlobe — which opened on Tuesday — is in such high demand, Arnold is asking people to make reservations before coming at rivercitybrewingco.com/snowglobeict/
While at the bar, visitors can enjoy cocktails from a special craft cocktail menu as well as seasonal beers. On Dec. 3, Santa will visit during the restaurant’s brunch service, which runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Jingle at Public at the Brickyard
129 N. Rock Island, select dates through Dec. 31
Public’s owners also decided for the first time to pop-up their own holiday pop-up bar and it opens on Wednesday, Nov. 22. Co-owner Brooke Russell said that the popular Old Town bar and restaurant is enclosing the patio at the back of its dining room, adding some heaters and turning the area into a “holiday extravaganza” complete with lights, kitschy nostalgic holiday decorations and “lots of garland.”
They’ve named the experience “Jingle,” and people who visit will be able to listen to live bands, DJs and piano players while enjoying drinks from a special holiday cocktail menu. The space reserved for Jingle can seat about 50 people, she said.
Jingle will be open from 9 p.m. to midnight on Wednesday, when Pretend Friend Duo will play. It’ll then be open during evening hours most Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 31 and will also have Sunday afternoon hours. A complete schedule is available at publicbrickyard.com, and Russell recommends that people also make reservations if they plan to visit.
Russell said that pop-up bars have been gaining popularity in Wichita, and Public’s owners wanted to try it, especially when they learned about the pop-up plans at River City, its Old Town neighbor. Russell said she envisions a time when lots of Old Town businesses start putting on Christmastime pop-up bars and the area becomes a destination for people looking for holiday experiences.
“When I was growing up, I remember going to Old Town and seeing the lights and red bows on the buildings,” she said. “We’d like to bring that flavor back to Old Town.”
Sparky’s at The Belmont
3555 E. Douglas, Dec. 1 through Dec. 31
The Belmont also will revive its popular pop-up bar, created by its resident cocktail expert Becky Reynolds in 2021 and dubbed “Sparky’s.” The owners hope to have the attraction, which will be set up in the Flower Shop space just to the east of The Belmont in Happiness Plaza, open no later than Dec. 1. The pop-up bar, which is for ages 21 and over, will be filled with lights, Christmas trees, and fun decorations like its “fra-gi-le” “Christmas Story” leg lamp. Best of all, ole Sparky himself (that was the nickname Chevy Chase’s character in “Christmas Vacation” was given by his wife) will be there in the form of a life-size cutout. The overall look of the pop-up, said co-owner Tory DeMarce, will be upgraded from previous years.
Reynolds and her team have also created a menu of five holiday-themed cocktails visitors can enjoy only at Sparky’s, and select wine and beer also will be available. The pop-up bar will be open from 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays and Sundays and from 5 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. There’s no cover charge, and food won’t be served. Sparky’s accepts walk-ins. On Mondays, the bar is available for private rental. Those interested should call The Belmont at 316-477-3555.
The Holiday Hideaway at Chicken N Pickle
1240 N. Greenwich, daily through Dec. 31
Chicken N Pickle has been running holiday pop-up bars for the past two years and returns this year with one called “The Holiday Hideaway.” It’s been open since Nov. 17 and is set up in the restaurant’s enclosed rooftop space.
Visitors age 21 and over will get a mountain lodge experience, complete with twinkling holiday lights, a gondola photo booth and comfortable seating. It costs $5-$10 a person to make a reservation, and that price includes a shareable appetizer. As part of the experience, the bar will be serving nine different holiday cocktails or a holiday martini flight.
It’s open daily through Dec. 31 except for Thanksgiving and Christmas days. Reservations are required, and visitors get two-hour time slots. Hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 5 to 11:45 p.m. Fridays, 2:45 to 11:45 p.m. Saturdays and 2:45 to 9:30 p.m. Sundays. Make reservations at chickennpickle.com/holiday-hideaway/#book
Ziggy’s Christmas Pop Up Bar
3700 E. Douglas, Mondays through Saturdays through Christmas
Ziggy’s Clifton Square location also will revive the holiday pop-up bar experience it has set up since 2021 in The Hideout, the little building just to the south of Ziggy’s main entrance. The bar, which opens on Wednesday, Nov. 22, will remain until Christmas and features Christmas decor, festive lights, themed cocktails and the full food menu. The bar does not take reservations. It’s open from 5 p.m. to midnight Mondays through Thursdays, from 3 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Fridays, and from 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Saturdays.
Apparition: Yule Ball at Headshots
2120 N. Woodlawn, Fridays and Saturdays in December
This business in Brittany Center has been putting on a series of seasonal pop-up bars since Halloween 2020 and will open its “Yule Ball” pop-up bar Fridays and Saturdays through December, starting on Dec. 1. It’ll also be open on New Year’s Eve. The owners say they’ll post more details after Thanksgiving.
Igloo reservations
Nortons Brewing Company, 125 St. Francis: Nortons originated the igloo trend in Wichita during the pandemic, and this year, it’s taking igloo-ing to the next level. In addition to the eight-person garden igloos set up in its beer garden, the restaurant this year is also offering a “Bigloo,” which is an “igloo cabin” that is large enough to house a 10-person dining table. All of Nortons igloos are available for 1.5-hour blocks (two-hours for the Bigloo) for people ages 21 and over. Each includes an electric fireplace heater and dedicated bluetooth speaker. Food and drink will be served to those renting the domes. Igloos require a $50 reservation fee, and the Bigloo requires a $100 reservation fee. They’re available to rent Friday, Nov. 24, through Dec. 31 (closed Mondays and Christmas Eve) at nortonsbrewing.com/garden-igloos/
Chicken N Pickle, 1240 N. Greenwich: In addition to its pop-up bar, Chicken N Pickle also has temperature-controlled private igloos for rent this year. They seat between 8 and 16 people and are available daily through Jan. 1. Those interested can make reservations and get more information on pricing by emailing SashaB@ChickenNPickle.com
Ziggy’s, four Wichita locations: For the second year in a row, Ziggy’s restaurants are offering outdoor igloos — which they call “Zigloos” — by reservation. The restaurant has igloos at all four restaurants, and they’re available for rent Mondays through Saturdays starting Friday, Nov. 24, and running through Dec. 30 (except on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.) Each one has comfortable seating for six to 10 people, a bluetooth speaker and a heater. Zigloos are available in two-hour increments and require a non-refundable rental fee of $20-$30 depending on time of day. People must be 21 or older to visit a Zigloo, and they can order food and drink while using them. Reservations are available at www.ziggyswichita.com
This story was originally published November 22, 2023 at 10:25 AM.
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