City Cast Salt Lake podcast host Ali Vallarta here, reporting out from every holiday pop-up bar in Salt Lake City đReady to be dazzled by kitschy decor, fiery drinks, and frothy nog? These three gems are only here for December.
Miracle on First at Varley | 55 W. 100 S. in SLC
Belt out Mariah Careyâs âAll I Want for Christmas is Youâ every Wednesday through Dec. 18 at Christmas karaoke. The national event planners at Miracle Pop-up Bar decked Varleyâs halls and even built two cozy fireplace nooks by the windows. As always, the menu here is great.

My blazing cocktail, the âHoly Mountain," from Seasonâs Drinking at The Ruin. (Ali Vallarta/City Cast Salt Lake)
Seasonâs Drinking at The Ruin | 159 S. Main St. in SLC
We get an all-star team for this one: delicious cocktails from REMORA, a breezy snack menu from Noche SLC, and twinkling decor that asks, âHow can so much tinsel be this tasteful?!â The main attraction here is getting your drink set on fire, but donât miss Scoopâs nog with cacao nibs.
A Christmas Parlor at Flanker | The Gateway (400 W. 200 S.) in SLC
The journey to Flankerâs over-the-top Christmas Parlor starts with a secret doorway to Jack Frost Freezer Company â and things only get kitschier! From the drinkware to the TV screens, not a detail was spared in this delightful speakeasy.
đšIâve been on the bar beat since my 2023 New Yearâs Resolution to have at least one drink at all 216 bars in Salt Lake County. ICYMI, hereâs what I learned.




