Drink and Be Merry: Inside L.A.'s Wildest Christmas Bars
Lina Lecaro
After the shopping scramble and work shindigs, it can be hard to keep the Christmas spirit going. The stress of it all can make the best of us feel Scrooge-ish, especially if there's travel ahead. The best way to fight it and feel festive? Dive into the decadence of December's kitschy holiday pop-ups filled with over the top atmosphere and intoxicating libations. In L.A. there are plenty of places offering both, and most run through the end of the month. Read on for a report from the hottest hooch-filled holiday hijinks and click the hyperlinks for more info.
Krampus Cove
Lina Lecaro
Krampus Cove
The tale of Krampus concerns naughty children getting caged and taken to hell by a horned holiday monster. But for adults, especially in recent years, celebrating the mythical mayhem of Santa’s European nemesis is more about fun than fear. Krampus is the anti-Christmas hero of choice for those who fancy fiendish aesthetics, even or especially during the over-commercialized hoopla of the holidays. And his popularity goes beyond goths and horror movie nerds. Krampus lovers tend to be into a darker, sexier yuletide vibe and Krampus Cove (which takes over The Varnish behind Cole’s French Dip in Downtown) captures this spirit.
Krampus Cove
Lina Lecaro
The bar is decked out with devilish decor like skeletons and plastic baby heads roasting over an open fire, but you get more than an evil atmosphere. There’s a little show featuring the man himself and a haughty host, who interact with guests via a Krampus Bingo game and a risque sharing session in which guests write down their naughtiest antics (anonymously) and have them read out loud for all to hoot and holler over.
Not surprisingly, the hour and half experience gets more fun as the cocktails kick in, and they will kick (your arse) so be careful. We recommended the Ginger Dread (tequila, spiced apple, chai, lime and caribbean spice) and Red Snow (vodka, coconut, peppermint, lemon, bitters served with a big ball of ice) for a festive buzz, and the best part is you can soak 'em up afterward out front with one of the restaurant's famous sandwiches. Open through Dec. 23.
Frosty's Christmas Bar
Lina Lecaro
Frosty's Christmas Bar
Calling this immersive wonderland a "bar" is an understatement. Frosty's is more like a ball or a club, with dancing and DJ music as the centerpiece amusement. And that's saying something because this spectacular multi-roomed walk-through is dripping with tinsel, lights, and ornamental audaciousness. If you're looking for the biggest holiday blitz for your buck, Frosty's in Hollywood is it.
The space is brimming with shimmering, glittering decorations, gaudy props and trees everywhere you look. There's also backdrops and photo ops with sleds, thrones and suggestive slogans. The excess of the holiday atmosphere and the festive booze means that the crowd rages on the dance floor. This past Wednesday night it was packed with revelers dancing to a mix of Christmas classics and club bangers at 9 p.m. The DJ even had a hell-raising hype man on stage with him: a twerking Grinch!
Lina Lecaro
Despite the name, the place gets hot in more ways than one, so if you happen to dress for the occasion in a Santa hat, furry frock or cheap acrylic Christmas sweater (as they tend to be), be prepared to melt your snowballs off! Cool down with a yummy Santa's Mocha Martini (made with peppermint vodka and Kalua), an Egg my Noggins (made with Eggnog, Bourbon and creme brulee liquer) or a Jingle Ball or Naughty Frosty shot served by sexy and energetic elf-tenders. Open thought Dec. 30 with just added dates on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, too.
Looking for more Christmas cocktailing? Check out more thematic spaces:
Elf Bar
Blitzen’s Bar
Miracle Bar
Holly Jolly Bar
Emo Christmas Bar
