It’s the most wonderful time of the year, indeed, and not just because of the snuggly clothes, the gift giving—and who are we kidding, the gift receiving—and the mountains of gluttonous feasts we’ve all got ahead of us. No, no, it’s time for eggnog, mulled wine and other boozy concoctions, ideally to be sipped in ugly sweaters and out of Santa mugs near a fire pit. Sure, it’s been decades since L.A.’s last full-on flurry and the closest we get to ski jackets and snow shoes are hoodies and ankle boots, but it’s hard to fathom the holiday season without festive cocktails, gathering with friends and a glass of mulled wine, and maybe playing a round or two of Manischewitz-punch pong. (Just us on that last one?)
Just in time for our cold-weather cravings, Arts District watering hole Westbound is bringing back its completely insane holiday pop-up bar, Miracle on Santa Fe. One of 50 national offshoots of NYC’s original, kitsch-tacular pop-up—Miracle on Ninth Street—L.A.’s Miracle on Santa Fe goes above and beyond: most of the “Miracle” pop-ups only offer the standard 10-cocktail menu. Here in L.A., we’ll have all 10 of those, plus five of Westbound’s very own holiday-inspired concoctions.
Photograph: Courtesy Westbound/Sarah Meade
From Wednesday, November 29 to Sunday, December 31, you can nestle into a seat surrounded by tinsel, nutcrackers, garlands, holiday lights, stockings, faux snow and fake trees, and order any of the 10 official “Miracle” cocktails—designed by Mace’s Nico de Soto—including the Christmopolitan, made with vodka, elderflower, dry vermouth, spiced cranberry sauce, rosemary, lime and absinthe mist; the You’ll Shoot Your Rye Out, with pumpkin-spice rye, a Budweiser-marshmallow syrup and egg; the Jingle Ball Nog, with cognac, amontillado sherry, peanut butter, almond milk, pandan, cream, nougat syrup, egg and nutmeg; and the Run Run Rudolph, with blanco tequila, coffee liqueur, iced hot chocolate and Mexican spices.
Miracle’s original-cocktail roster includes the Czech It Twice, made of Becherovka herbal liqueur, orange juice, pineapple, cream of coconut, and angostura; the Cotton Headed Niny Muggins, with Elyx vodka, fino sherry, vanilla, falernum and lemon juice; the Chailent Night, with Monkey Shoulder whiskey, Martini Rubino vermouth and chai-spiced rum butter; plus two cocktails yet to be announced.
Expect carolers, a “Hanukkah hideaway,” visits from Santa himself, that aforementioned Manischewitz pong and custom glassware, plus a few other surprises. (Remember, this is the bar that brought us spooky bar pop-up Ghostbound for Halloween this year—they know how to do it right.) All cocktails and shots will fall somewhere between $7 and $17, with bites between $3 and $16.
What’s more, Westbound is also bringing back its partnership with PATH, a local nonprofit that fights homelessness; bring in a quart-size bag of new travel-sized hygiene products, and you’ll get a complimentary cup of punch. You’ll be drinking and donating for a good cause, and these cocktails are just about guaranteed to outshine Santa’s humdrum milk and cookies.
Westbound’s Miracle on Santa Fe runs nightly—except Mondays—from November 29 through December 31 at 300 South Santa Fe Avenue.