Chicken N Pickle is one of several businesses in Wichita offering outdoor igloo rentals through Valentine’s Day weekend.
Courtesy photo
Holiday pop-up bars have been “popping up” all over Wichita during the past few holiday seasons, and this year, yet another bar is joining in the fun.
Dockum, the speakeasy in the basement of The Ambassador Hotel downtown, is putting on a tiki-themed pop-up that will include holiday cocktails and lots of Christmas decor. The bar joins longtime pop-uppers River City Brewing Company, Public at The Brickyard, Larcher’s Market, The Hideout at Ziggy’s and Chicken N Pickle.
Igloos — which allow people to dine outdoors in relative warmth through the cold-weather months, are also back at three businesses this year: Nortons Brewing Company, Chicken N Pickle and Ziggy’s. New this year: All three businesses are keeping their igloos operational through Valentine’s Day weekend rather than taking them down at the end of the holiday season.
Here’s a guide:
Dockum, the speakeasy in the basement of the Ambassador Hotel, is joining the holiday pop-up bar fray this year. Courtesy
5 p.m. to midnight Sundays through Thursdays, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 31, ages 21+
The newest pop-up experience in Wichita this year is Sippin’ Santa at Dockum, the speakeasy bar in the basement of the Ambassador Hotel, 104 S. Broadway. The experience is being put on by a company that does pop up bars across the globe and will fill the bar with over-the-top decorations and the menu with tiki-themed holiday cocktails in festive glasses, which customers can purchase. Among the drinks on the list: Frosty the Merman, Sugar Plum Mai Tai and Holiday on Ice. Book reservations at www.dockum.com/
River City Brewing is dedicating its entire restaurant it its pop-up bar this holiday season. Denise Neil The Wichita Eagle
Last year was the first year that Old Town’s River City Brewing Company, 150 N. Mosley, tried out a holiday pop-up bar, and they allowed a company out of Lawrence to put together an experience called Snowglobe, which was wildly popular.
The staff learned many lessons, said owner Chris Arnold, and this time, they’re doing things a bit differently. The pop-up experience this year is called Miracle on Mosley Street, and River City staff members put it together themselves. The event, which opened on Nov. 18, takes over the entire two-story building, and different areas are decorated with different themes. There’s a Whoville section, for example, and a Santa’s workshop. Those who reserve spots will be able to enjoy the decor, order food from a special holiday themed menu, and enjoy holiday-themed cocktails.
One big change: Because reservations were so hard to come by last year, River City has created an area downstairs called The Tipsy Penguin. It will operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and no reservations are required to sit in the area, which will serve beer and cocktails only.
“It’s just a place where people come out to have drinks and enjoy the atmosphere,” Arnold said.
It’s free to make reservations, which are available in 90-minute increments for groups up to 20 from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays, 9:45 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Kids are welcome. For reservations, visit https://rivercitybrewingco.com/miracle-on-mosely-street/
129 N. Rock Island, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Jan. 5, all ages
Public’s first time putting up a pop-up bar was last year: The owners loaded the back dining room and part of the patio with Christmas decor. But the pop-up, titled “The Jingle,” was such a hit that this year, the entire restaurant has been transformed into the pop-up bar and is filled with lights, tinsel and decor.
The Jingle opened on Wednesday. It’s open to both adults and kids and offers 90-minute slots.
Santa will visit Jingle from noon to 2 p.m. on Nov. 29, and Kacey Meineke will be doing free portraits with Santa. The pop-up also will feature live music and drinks from a special holiday cocktail menu. Make reservations at publicbrickyard.com/the-jingle/
Since The Belmont last put on its popular holiday pop-up, called “Sparky’s” in honor of Chevy Chase’s character in “Christmas Vacation,” its sister business, Larcher’s Market, has taken over the space where the pop-up has traditionally been set up.
Sparky’s will still happen, though this time, it’s in the hands of the Larcher’s Market staff. It will open on Friday, Nov. 29, and will run from 5 to 10 p.m. daily. Reservations will be open soon on the Larcher’s Market social media pages.
Chicken N Pickle’s holiday pop-up bar is titled “Holiday Hideaway.” Courtesy
1240 N. Greenwich, daily Nov. 22 through Dec. 31, 21 and over
Chicken N Pickle has been running holiday pop-up bars for the past three years and has brought back the same experience it offered in 2023. It’s titled “Holiday Hideaway,” and its first day is today, Nov. 22.
Visitors ages 21 and over will get a mountain lodge experience, complete with twinkling holiday lights, comfortable seating and 11 festive cocktails and martini flights. All reservations include a charcuterie board and red pepper hummus dip with chips.
Reservations are $10 for tables of two, $20 for tables of four, and $30 for tables of six
The pop-up is open daily through Dec. 31 except for Thanksgiving and Christmas days. Reservations are recommended, and visitors get two-hour time slots. Make reservations a www.reservecnp.com/holiday-hideaway/wichita/?pickle=ball
3700 E. Douglas, Mondays through Saturdays Nov. 27-Dec. 31
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. But this year, it’s adding a Grinch theme.
The bar will feature Christmas decor, festive lights, Grinch-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 and from 5 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
320 S. Market, open for special events through December
This plant shop/bar/coffee shop is known for putting on lots of fun events. This year, it’s added a holiday popup bar, set up in the shop’s back lounge. The decorated space operates a little differently from the others. It will be home to several already-scheduled events, including a plant-and-sip event on Dec. 1; “Under the Mistletoe” date-night experiences on Dec. 19-20, a drag performer on Dec. 14, a game night on Dec. 21; and Christmas Murder Mystery events on Dec. 7 and Dec. 29. Tickets for these events are available at growplantbar.com. A menu full of holiday cocktails and mocktails is available. People also can rent the space for their holiday parties, but dates are filling up.
Igloo reservations
Nortons Brewing Company, 125 St. Francis: Nortons originated the igloo trend in Wichita during the pandemic, and its opening them up in their beer garden again this year. The bar has four garden igloos that seat eight people plus a cabin-sized “Bigloo” that seats up to 10. The igloos all feature electric fireplace heaters and dedicated bluetooth speakers. Reservations are available in 90-minute blocks for the igloos and in two-hour blocks for the Bigloo. They’re for people ages 21 and over. Food and drink will be served to those renting the domes. Igloos require a $25 reservation fee, and the Bigloo requires a $50 reservation fee. No pets and no smoking are allowed. Slots are available Tuesdays through Sundays from Dec. 3 through Valentine’s Day weekend. (closed Mondays and Dec. 23-25) 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 again this year They seat between 8 and 16 people and have different themes. Some are open to children, some are for ages 21 and over. They cost $40 to rent and are available in two-hour blocks daily through Feb. 15. Make reservations at www.reservecnp.com/igloos/wichita/?pickle=ball
Ziggy’s,four Wichita locations: For the third 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 through Feb. 15 (except on holidays.) 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
Flight 1868 igloos, 3700 E. Douglas: The latest business to get in on the rentable igloo game is this aviation-themed bar in Clifton Square. Owner Derek Sorrells, who also has Papa’s Ice Cream & Treats next door, has erected what he’s calling “Sky Lounges” on the bar’s spacious front patio. His four 7-foot-tall lounges can seat six people each, and he also has a larger one that seats 10. They’re fitted with electric fireplace heaters and bluetooth speakers and can be rented in 90-minute blocks. A $25 reservation fee is required. Reservations are available Tuesdays through Saturdays through Valentines Day weekend at flight1868.com
This story was originally published November 22, 2024 at 12:49 PM.
Denise Neil has covered restaurants and entertainment since 1997. Her Dining with Denise Facebook page is the go-to place for diners to get information about local restaurants. She’s a regular judge at local food competitions and speaks to groups all over Wichita about dining.
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