Sacramento Gets Into the Holiday Spirit(s)
Looking to get Blitzened this holiday season? Several Sacramento bars and restaurants have transformed themselves into Winter Wonderlands, filled with childlike wonder — for those 21 and older. Here’s a few of the more stylish options to get your fix of merriment.
Bodega Kitchen & Cocktails
Pocket/Greenhaven’s bustling Caribbean restaurant (and our neighborhood local) has launched a homegrown pop-up tiled Yuletide Yacht Club. The normally tropical-themed interior has been decked with holiday glee, and features a spritely menu of seasonal food and cocktails. Look for a slushy Pomegranate Dole Whip, “nice” and “naughty” shots, and co-owner Rafa’s famous Rafito’s Coquito. (bodegasac.com, 6401 Riverside Dr.)
The Butterscotch Den and The Snug
Oak Park’s lounge and grill-it-yourself steakhouse and R Street’s chic pub are dive bars the best possible way year ‘round, but both come to life for the holidays with Miracle experiences. They’ve launched launched an over-the-top holiday cocktail menu with extravagant glassware to match, such as the Krampus, a tequila-based concoction served in a mug shaped like the head of the mythical German Christmas creature, with a glowing light under the ice. And yes, you can buy the glasses to enjoy at home or give as gifts. These pop-ups get popular, so consider buying a Fast Pass to skip the lines. (thebutterscotchden.com, 3406 Broadway and snugca.com, 1800 15th St.)
The Jungle Bird
Mele Kalikimaka! The city’s preeminent tiki bar takes the holidays to the tropics for Sippin’ Santa. In true tiki fashion, the cocktails are spirit- and fruit-forward, with seasonal riffs on some classics, served in elaborate and whimsical glassware (that is of course for sale as well.) Once again, reservations are recommended for this popular spot. (thejunglebird.com, 2516 J St.)
Jet’s Midtown
This hip Midtown eatery went for Whoville vibes with their Grinchmas motif. Try a Mean One Margarita or a Gingerbread Martini. Their hardy pub grub food is perfect for absorption so things don’t get too naughty. (jetsmidtown.com, 1226 20th St.)
The Green Room
This East Sac gastropub has festooned its fern bar chic with a little holiday sparkle, and offers a Fab 40s Holiday Menu with themed cocktails and trail mix to take with you on your holiday carriage tour. (thegreenroomsac.com, 3839 J St.)
Crawdads on the River and on the Lake
Settle in for some waterfront cheer at these Instagram-ready sister restaurants that have gussied up for the season. (saccrawdads.com, 1375 Garden Hwy and crawdadsonthelake.com, 9900 Greenback Ln, Folsom)