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Pop-up bars, yuletide events hit San Diego this holiday season

Posted at 1:55 PM, Dec 03, 2019
and last updated 2019-12-17 20:36:50-05

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — The holidays have brought several ways to celebrate San Diego's craft beer and cocktail scene with a flash of festiveness.

Two renowned pop-up bar experiences are in town for the season, as Sippin' Santa heads to Pacific Beach's Grass Skirt tiki bar and Miracle on 30th St. returns to North Park's Polite Provisions. Each themed pop-up boasts a menu of creative holiday cocktails and two locations dressed to impress with decorations.

The holidays also bring some special shopping and sipping events to town. Toast of Gaslamp, Taste 'N' Tinis, and holiday markets at local breweries allow shoppers to spread their dollar locally while also exploring the local brweries and restaurants.

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And the charitable arm of the season is also in San Diego's brew scene, as two breweries celebrate with food drives set to benefit the San Diego Food Bank.

Sippin’ Santa at The Grass Skirt
Nov. 25, 2019 - Dec. 31, 2019
The Grass Skirt in Pacific Beach welcomes Sippin' Santa to town for the holidays, with a variety of holiday-themed tiki cocktails, like the "Papa Noel" (with blanco tequila, apricot brandy, and pineapple juice) or "Festivus Flip" (with bourbon, run, and ginger-infused amaro). The speakeasy-style tiki bar is also decked out for the holidays will festive decorations throughout the bar. Website

Miracle on 30th St at Polite Provisions
Nov. 29, 2019 - Jan. 1, 2020
Polite Provisions once again covers its walls with festive decorations and overhauls its menu to feature holiday cocktails like the "Christmapolitan" (vodka, elderflower, dry vermouth, and spiced cranberry sauce) and "Run Run Rudolph" (prosecco, gin, mulled wine puree, and lemon) for the season. Guests are encouraged to show off their best ugly sweater and join in the yuletide cheer. Website

Santa Pub Crawl
Dec. 7, 2019
Head out to the Gaslamp with several other Santas and spread some holiday cheer during the Santa Pub Crawl. Tickets will take pub crawler to exclusive drink specials across four different bars, VIP entry at locations, and a free Santa hat to don. Website

Holiday Bazaar at Latchkey Brewing
Dec. 8, 2019
Join Latchkey Brewing for a day of holiday shopping among illustrators, crafters, and jewelers with live music, delicious local food, and craft beer during their holiday bazaar. Local vendors will be out offering handmade goods and crafts for holiday shoppers. Website

Hillcrest Taste ‘N’ Tinis
Dec. 12, 2019
Head out on a self-guided tour filled with holiday cocktails, delicious bites, and shopping at Hillcrest's mom-and-pop stops during the Taste 'N' Tinis event. Participating restaurants will offer signature dishes, appetizers, and holiday drinks. Website

Toast of Gaslamp
Dec. 14, 2019
Enjoy delicious cocktail samples and bites at participating Gaslamp restaurants during Toast of Gaslamp. Participating retailers are also offering discounts so guests can get their holiday shopping done as well. Those who wear an ugly sweater or reindeer ears will be entered into a contest for a holiday prize pack. Website

Ugly Sweater Holiday Crawl
Dec. 14, 2019
Grab whatever holiday fashion you deem festive and tacky and journey through the Gaslamp District to four different bars for a holiday celebration. Tickets treat crawlers to a complimentary drink, exclusive bar specials, and VIP entry at locations. Website

Holiday Food Drive at Pure Project
Dec. 15, 2019
Pure Project is hosting a food drive, offering specials on their craft brews depending on donation amounts, that will all in turn be donated as part of Societe Brewing's big holiday food drive. Help support the San Diego Food Bank while also supporting local breweries. Website

Holiday Market at Societe Brewing Company
Dec. 21, 2019
Speaking of Societe Brewing, they'll be hosting a holiday market in their parking lot this month, with local vendors offering goods perfect for holiday shopping. Every dollar purchased at the market will also go towards every full pour inside their tasting room. Website

Ugly Sweater Cruise at Hornblower Cruises
Dec. 21, 2019
Hop aboard a holiday happy hour cruise through San Diego Bay — in your very best ugly sweater, of course. The two-hour cruise will feature holiday Hors d'oeuvres, a boarding cocktail, guest DJs, and ugly sweater contest, and constant views of San Diego's sparkling skyline. Website