New York City's Holiday-Themed Bars Will Keep You Merry and Bright

Christmas in New York City is one of the city's most magical seasons, and while the festivities will likely look a little different this year as the world continues to cope with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there are some traditions that you just can't stop. One grand, albeit unsung, NYC holiday tradition: festive cocktails. Throughout the season each year, some of New York's finest bars transform into winter wonderlands of their very own, while clever pop-up bars dot the city like baubles on a tree. Though it's not yet clear what the bar scene will look like in NYC this December, we've already got visions of sugar plum-inspired cocktails dancing in our heads. So in honor of all of creative bartenders and entrepreneurs keeping the New York drinking scene running, we're highlighting the best places to get your holiday cheer into gear this season and looking back at some of our favorites from the year past.