Omaha, NEHoliday Bars

Social West, a west Omaha bar, uses a snow machine to blanket its own patio and interior in fake snow each winter as part of a full holiday transformation. The regular bar keeps pouring its usual drinks, but a dedicated slate of hand-crafted seasonal cocktails takes over the specials board for the run. It reverts to its non-holiday look and regular drink list once the new year begins.

Blackstone Social keeps a hidden speakeasy space tucked inside the bar, and each winter that room gets a full holiday makeover with dense strings of lights and festive decor. The regular bar keeps running, but the hidden room's drink list shifts to a dedicated set of seasonal cocktails and shots for the run. It draws a lively crowd looking for over-the-top Christmas cheer in the Blackstone District. The space reverts to its everyday hidden-bar identity once the pop-up wraps for the season.

Mercury, a downtown Omaha bar known for its frosted drinks, leans into a different holiday theme each winter, filling the room with decorations to match. The regular drink program gives way to a dedicated set of special holiday cocktails served in themed glassware for the season. It keeps its usual daily hours through the run rather than operating on a separate pop-up schedule. The space reverts to its non-holiday look and drink list once the season passes.

The Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel turns its pool patio into a fully decorated winter wonderland bar each season, with lights strung across the ceiling, oversized bows and a heavy dose of glitter. Hand-crafted seasonal cocktails replace the regular poolside drink list for the run, and the theme follows Kimpton's company-wide holiday direction for the year. The patio keeps its usual open hours through the season rather than a separate pop-up schedule. It reverts to its regular poolside bar once the new year begins.