‘Tis the season for holiday-themed bars in St. Louis, and another was just added to the list. Holiday Spirits will open inside the former Oaked this Friday, November 29. The pop-up holiday will serve up seasonal cheer and merriment through January 10.
The space at 1031 Lynch—just across the street from Anheuser-Busch—will be lit up like, well, a Christmas tree. Santa will be on hand, too, enticing passersby to check out the tinsel and trimmings, a look that organizer Michelle Ksir describes as “festive and fun."
Ksir, who tended bar at Oaked predecessor Lynch Street Tavern, reasoned that a pop-up bar made sense in that section of Soulard during the holidays. “Lynch Street is a bit off the beaten path, except when Anheuser-Busch does its holiday lights,” she says. “Then it’s crazy busy.”
A few weeks ago, she approached the owners of Oaked (who closed the business in October but still own the building) about the idea. A decorating team has since been busy transforming the space into different themed areas: a traditional Christmas setting; a Candyland bar at the top of the stairs; a Nightmare Before Christmas tree; and white lights, heaters, and fire pits on the outside patio. All throughout the two-story space, expect “a holiday feel wherever you go,” says Ksir, and plenty of photo-ops.
A 10-item themed cocktail menu will include peppermint hot chocolate, spiked egg nog, spiced cider, and the like, and there will be a full rail of standard liquors and several premiums. (Alcohol can be omitted from any concoction, Ksir adds.)
At press time, the food menu of mostly small plates, sandwiches, and desserts was still in the formative stages. Menus will be posted on Eventbrite once they're finalized.
Ksir has enlisted former colleagues and friends to staff the six-week extravaganza, which will stay open until midnight during the week and until 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights.
Guests can place orders at any of the three bars (downstairs, upstairs, or outside) or grab a table for a full-service experience. Reservations aren't required but can be made by calling 314-665-9562.
Holiday Spirits runs from November 29 through January 10. Hours are Sunday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. and Friday and Saturday from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m.
