Looking for a cool Downtown spot for sharing — and sipping — some holiday cheer?
Many Downtown bars have outdone themselves to light up your December with beautiful decor and inventive holiday cocktail menus. Here are our suggestions for some warm and welcoming establishments where you and your people can properly savor the spirit of the season.
MIRACLE AT THE ORDINARIE / 210 THE PROMENADE N
For the fifth year, Owner Christy Caldwell and staff have put forth a spectacular effort to transform The Ordinarie into one of the most dazzling winter wonderlands you could imagine; It’s hard to believe it’s the same place! People love it, and it’s becoming a neighborhood tradition.
Bring your friends, wear your best ugly sweater, and order from the special menu of 13 holiday cocktails. Have yourself a Christmapolitan, a Snowball Old Fashioned, or The Krampus — Reposado Tequila, Oloroso Sherry, Allspice, Ginger, Hibiscus, Lime, and Hellfire Bitters.
Miracle at the Ordinarie is open Monday from 6 PM to midnight and Tuesday through Sunday from noon until 1 am. Click here to see the Christmas-inspired cocktail and food menus and to make your reservation. Walk-in tables are available — make sure to show up early!
WATERCRAFT MARKET + LOUNGE AT HYATT CENTRIC / 285 BAY ST
The nectar directors in this streamlined and very comfortable bar have been busy creating a Winter Cocktail list you’ll never forget.
Warm yourself up with one of the Lounge’s four Winter Cocktails, such as the S’mores Fashioned – Angel’s Envy Bourbon and Vanilla Syrup with Chocolate and Aromatic Bitters. Definitely try the Mistletoe Martini, created by bartender Mike Reyes, who will top it off with a hypnotic edible smoke bubble!
Enjoy the Lounge from 4 to 11 PM Monday – Saturday and from 2 to 9 PM on Sunday. FYI, the Market is a great place for breakfast and lunch. Check out their food menus and restaurant hours here.
FICKLEWOOD CIDERWORKS / 720 E BROADWAY
-Courtesy of Yelp
Ficklewood prides itself in its outstanding variety of on-site brewed Ciders. Any of these on-tap Cider selections, created with Apple, Cranberry, Apricot, Beets, and other intriguing ingredients, are sure to warm you up on a crisp December evening!
Bartender Eric mentioned that Hot Cider will be served throughout December, along with special holiday cocktails The Figgy Manhattan and the Chilly Toddy, which is spiced up with Cinnamon, Clove, and Nutmeg.
Ficklewood is open Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 5 to 9 PM; Friday 5 to 10 PM; Saturday, noon to 10 PM, and Sunday noon to 8 PM. Closed Tuesdays. Click here to learn all about Ficklewood and to join The Cider Club, the bar’s VIP hook-up!
SECRET ISLAND / 209 PINE AVE (under SHANNON’S)
Be on the lookout for tikis wearing Santa hats! Secret Island, Downtown’s state-of-the-art tiki bar, is sticking with its list of classic tropical cocktails and island-inspired edibles, which taste especially great when you’re seated by the Christmas tree grooving to some musical exotica.
Order a Puka Punch (Passionfruit, Pineapple, and Spiced Island Rums) and some Kalua BBQ Pork Sliders while you rock out with bands like Igor and the Red Elvises, who recently packed the bar with fans of their Soviet-flavored ska and surf music.
Secret Island, which is open Wednesday through Sunday evening, has SO much to offer! For menus, entertainment schedules, business hours, and to make reservations, click here.
BO-BEAU KITCHEN + ROOF TAP / 144 PINE AVE
BO-beau’s stately wood interior — reminiscent of a certain nearby ocean liner — has been accented perfectly with Christmas decor, which makes it that much more inviting for a holiday get-together.
Try a beverage from the Holiday Cheers menu; a Mocha Peppermintini, a Cider by the Fire, or a Ginger, Spice, and Everything Nice, which features Amador Bourbon and Gingerbread Syrup. There are also three holiday wines available in the bottle or by the glass.
Please call (562) 983.0056 for holiday hours! Visit BO-beau’s website and check out its wonderful, internationally-inspired food menu.
THE STAVE BAR / 170 THE PROMENADE N
A stave is a narrow length of wood used to make the sides of barrels. Countless staves were utilized to contain The Stave’s enormous selection of great booze. Add the Stave’s humorously funky Christmas decor (check out the stuffed wildcat in the elf hat!) and you have a perfect place to toast the holiday season.
At the Stave Bar, you can pair your beverage with something simple from the Snack menu, or you can order food from Promenade neighbors Poke Pub and Michael’s Downtown. SPECIAL INVITATION: Celebrate The Stave’s 11th Anniversary on Friday, December 8! Cocktails blended with Jameson Irish Whiskey will be featured.
The Stave is open Monday through Thursday from 2 PM to 2 AM, and Friday through Sunday from noon to 2 AM. To delve into the drink menus and to book an event, click here.
THE AULD DUBLINER / 71 S PINE AVE
The Auld Dubliner’s interior was built in Ireland and shipped to Long Beach in 2004. It really feels like the spirit of Dublin arrived along with it — especially when the folks at the next table are cosplaying with that spirit in mind!
It’s a warm, cozy, and classic atmosphere in which to enjoy a Merry Mistletoe Martini, a North Pole Nog, or The Auld Christmas Tree — Gunpowder Irish Gin, Rosemary Simple Syrup, Lime juice, and Cranberry juice.
The Auld Dubliner is open every day from noon until 2 AM. To check out the food menu, daily special activities and the excellent live music offerings, click here.
SHANNON’S ON PINE / 201 PINE AVE
A true neighborhood bar in the heart of Downtown, Shannon’s has been open every single day of the year since 2007 (with the exception of some Covid time, of course).
Shannon’s is where you can feast, indoors or outdoors, from the extensive and very delicious food menu, sip a pint of Irish beer, watch the passersby, and conjure up images of Downtown holiday seasons long ago!
It’s a perfect holiday stop and a convenient hub from which you can plan your Downtown holiday bar crawl. For entertainment details, hours, and upcoming events, click here.