Marlow’s Tavern worked with a professional designer to transform its East Cobb and Woodstock locations into Santa’s Speakeasy.Numerous Atlanta restaurants are preparing to convert their operations into full holiday-themed attractions this month, leaning into recent trends surrounding immersive themed experiences.
For the first time this year, Marlow’s Tavern will become Santa’s Speakeasy, a limited-time holiday pop-up at its East Cobb and Woodstock locations. The event will see the locations transform with festive lights, nostalgic bites and handcrafted cocktails. Executive chef, CEO, and co-founder John C. Metz, Jr., and his team have created a whimsical menu that includes such items as Festive Fondue and Poinsettia Pizzetta, as well as sweet finishes like sticky toffee cake and molten holiday chocolate cake. Signature sips will include the Polar Bare Necessities! (a twist on eggnog with Old Forester bourbon), and spiked hot chocolate.
Marlow’s Tavern hired Lauren Reeves, professional decorator at The Spirit Exchange in Marietta, to help them transform the two taverns. Reeves said restaurants considering a similar project should first meet with a designer to collaborate on design and budget. Once this happens, the designer creates a design board, usually with multiple directions the client can choose from. “This is the most fun part of the project!” she says.
The first year doing a holiday pop up or take over is always an investment, says Reeves, as decorations are sourced from wholesalers and large-scale commercial vendors. Future years are then mostly a spend on the labor to decorate, as décor and designs can last year over year with simple refreshes and additions.
The installations themselves are usually done outside of business hours, and Reeves says, “It appears as though a team of elves came in overnight! The installs take anywhere from 5-10 hours to 1-10 days, depending on the volume/size of the project.”
Once the festivities are over, if a restaurant or venue doesn’t have a great deal of storage space for the decorations, the designer can often negotiate off-site storage until the next holiday as part of their fee, according to Reeves.
The big question remains: Do these holiday pop-ups create more revenue than at a typical bar? Are these start-up costs for decorations worth it for the business?
“Absolutely!” says Reeves. “Christmas pop-ups tend to bring in way more cheer — and sales — than a typical bar or restaurant. The magic of the décor, themed cocktails and cozy holiday vibe draws big crowds and keeps the register jingling. The upfront décor costs? Totally worth it when the season’s spirit turns into both memories and measurable returns!”
Reeves recommends starting your holiday pop up planning about 6 months out, typically during the summertime. While it’s too late to join these Atlanta restaurants in their holiday takeovers for this season, it’s never too soon to start planning for next year!
Other Atlanta business getting into the holiday spirit include The Blind Pig Parlour Bar, located behind Chido & Padre’s on East Andrews Drive in Buckhead. The 1920s-style speakeasy bar, accessible through a door near the back entrance of Chido & Padre’s, plans to transform again this year into The Blind Elf, a “dazzling winter wonderland,” according to the owners. Opening night was Friday, Nov. 7, and the transformation involved twinkling lights and whimsical décor.
Inside, guests will find a menu of festive small plates, decadent desserts and holiday-themed winter cocktails, such as the Polar Express Martini and the Silent Night Margarita. The kitchen is featuring themed small plates and desserts like Santa’s milk and cookies—a plate of sea salt chocolate chip cookies with a maple and toasted oat milkshake.
The restaurant will require pre-payment for The Blind Elf Experience from Friday, Nov. 28, through Thursday, Dec. 25. Tickets include two specialty cocktails and two appetizers per person for $54 plus tax and gratuity. After Christmas, guests can make reservations for The Blind Elf without prepaying.
Tableside s’mores are on the menu as part of HOBNOB Halcyon’s Ski Chalet pop up.In Alpharetta’s Halcyon development, HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern is bringing ski chalet vibes to life with its Ski Chalet Pop-Up Bar. Beginning Wednesday, Nov. 5, the tavern has been inviting guests upstairs to the tavern’s rooftop for a winter escape, featuring seasonal cocktails and cozy mountain fare.
The pop-up invites visitors to unwind with festive drinks by a roaring fire. While guests may not have tackled any black diamonds, HOBNOB’s Ski Chalet offers an apres-ski style retreat with the addition of live entertainment every Friday and Saturday night. The Ski Chalet Pop-Up Bar, located at HOBNOB Halcyon’s High-Up Bar on the second floor, opens at 4 p.m. every day and runs through Dec. 31.
Also in Alpharetta, Delbar, the MICHELIN-recommended Middle Eastern restaurant and bar, is hosting a holiday pop-up at their Old Milton Parkway location.
The Winter Wonderland holiday pop-up has transformed the restaurant into a festive escape featuring Christmas trees, garland and holiday lights. The patio has a snow machine and eight private igloos available for reservations for groups of up to five people, beginning on Nov. 14.
Guests can enjoy mulled wine and hot cocoa and capture holiday memories at themed photo areas throughout the restaurant, including a decorative sleigh and a large igloo on the west patio. Every corner will be decked out to create a warm, immersive holiday atmosphere.
Atrium – the American bistro and martini bar at Ponce City Market by Tal Baum’s Oliva Restaurant Group – is hosting a retro holiday pop-up bar this season, offering a limited-time experience filled with seasonal cocktails, cozy décor, festive treats and celebratory vibes.
Starting on Friday, Nov. 21, The Betty will host a festive Whiskey Wonderland escape in the Willow Garden adjacent to the restaurant. Guests can step into a holiday haven filled with immersive décor and the spirit of the season, complete with $20 curated whiskey flights, a special seasonal menu featuring handcrafted cocktails and shareable bites, and live music. Tickets to the experience include one whiskey flight and discounted parking.
