Nothing says Christmas like wood paneling, fake fireplaces and yards of tinsel strewn about. Chicago Athletic Association teamed with Land and Sea Department to create the ultimate holiday pop-up bar on the hotel's ground floor. The over-the-top space—dubbed Happy's—opens tonight at 5pm with oodles of seasonal spirit. Johalla Projects, a West Town gallery for mid-career artists, decked out the space in colorful trees, festive tchotchkes, mistletoe, a full-size santa and dozens of wreaths. If you haven't been feeling the holiday spirit this year, that's about to change.
Of course, it wouldn't be Christmas without plenty of liquid cheer. The bar offers a slew of wintery cocktails including classics like A Good "Old Fashioned" Holiday and Jolly Old St. Negroni ($10 each) and more festive sips like the Egg Nog Shot with rum, sherry, spiced demerara and a whole egg ($6). The Grinch in your group will appreciate Dasher's Deal: a Schlitz tallboy and a shot of Maker's Mark for $7. Guests can munch on cookies ($3, six for $15) or head upstairs for heartier bites at the Game Room or Cherry Circle Room.
Throughout its monthlong run, Happy's will host a variety of activities including a live performance of A Charlie Brown Christmas (December 9 at 7pm), Seinfeld trivia (December 15 at 5:30pm), a meet-and-greet with Santa (December 17 at 1pm) and a gingerbread house competition (December 22 at 7pm). On Sundays, the space will feature family-friendly programming for the little ones. Peep the entire schedule here.
The bar debuts tonight and will be open from 5pm to midnight on Friday and Saturday and noon to 5pm Sunday through Saturday, December 30. Your first look inside of Happy's is below.
Photograph: Jaclyn Rivas
Photograph: Jaclyn Rivas
Photograph: Jaclyn Rivas
Photograph: Jaclyn Rivas
Photograph: Jaclyn Rivas
Photograph: Jaclyn Rivas
Photograph: Jaclyn Rivas
Photograph: Jaclyn Rivas
Photograph: Jaclyn Rivas
Photograph: Jaclyn Rivas
Photograph: Jaclyn Rivas
Photograph: Jaclyn Rivas
Photograph: Jaclyn Rivas
Photograph: Jaclyn Rivas