Move over, Mariah! St. Louis has its own Queen of Christmas. George and Cheryl are thrilled to be joined by Julie “Fa La La” Lally, the city’s resident expert on holiday pop-ups, who shares everything you need to know to enjoy these festive fetes. From the first-ever holiday pop-up, Miracle, in 2016 to the brand-new Cocktails and Claws, Julie has been to them all and shares the inside scoop on what makes each one unique, as well as tips and tricks on how to get in, which ones are great for families and what, in her opinion, makes the perfect one. With 30 different choices this year, it’s essential listening to guarantee a season filled with holiday cheer. Listen and follow Arch Eats on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever podcasts are available.

This episode is sponsored by The Key Burger Bar & Boogie and supported by the Delmar Loop. The Key Burger Bar & Boogie is a pitch-perfect place where the music plays, the game is always on, and the dance floor is open—your new neighborhood hang in Grand Center. Stop in for a smashburger and stay for the drinks. Visit thekeystl.com for more info.

New to podcasts? Follow these instructions to start listening to our shows, and hear what you’ve been missing!

Have an idea for a future Arch Eats episode? Send your thoughts or feedback by emailing podcasts@stlmag.com.

Hungry for more? Subscribe to our Dining newsletters for the freshest coverage on the local restaurant and culinary scene. And follow George (@georgemahe) and SLM on Instagram (@stlouismag).

Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Contact Lauren Leppert at lleppert@stlmag.com.

 

Mentioned in this episode:

Downtown/Midtown:
Cozy at The Garage: 750 S. 4th, 314-532-2012 – New in 2025.
The Floating Sleigh on the Tom Sawyer riverboat: 50 S. Leonor K. Sullivan, 877-982-1410. – New in 2025.
Santa’s Speakeasy at Hidden Gems: 3118 Locust, 314-925-8931
Sleigh Shed at Union Station: 201 S. 18th, 314-923-3949
Tinsel Tavern at Ballpark Village: 601 Clark, 314-797-7530
Up on the Rooftop at 360d: One South Broadway, 314-241-8439
Weirdly Wonderful Holidays at City Museum: 750 N. 16th, 314-231-2489
Winterfest at Kiener Plaza: 500 Chestnut, 314-289-5300

Soulard:
Bevo Fox Den Speakeasy Pop-Up at A-B Brewery Lights – 1200 Lynch, 314-577-2626 – New in 2025.
Lit at Molly’s: 816 Geyer, 314-241-6200
Rum & Mistletoe at Calypso: 1026 Geyer,  314-448-1516

Grand Center/CWE:
Merry Moves at St. Louis Chess Club: 4652 Maryland, 314-361-2437
Moose Mug Lounge at The Art Bar at Angad Arts Hotel: 3550 Samuel Shepard, 314-561-0033
Wrapped at Cocina Latina in CWE: 508 N. Euclid, – New in 2025!


Delmar Maker District:
CANE at Steve’s Hot Dogs Delmar: 3145 S. Grand – New in 2025.
The Ice Fountain at Fountain on Delmar: 5242 Delmar, 314-226-9269 – New in 2025.

Clayton/Maplewood:
The Chalet at Le Meridien St. Louis Clayton: 7730 Bonhomme, 314-863-0400
*Polar Patio Pop-Up at Side Project Brewing: 2657 Lyle, 

South City:
Frosted at Tower Grove Park: 4257 Northeast, 314-771-2679
Miracle at Small Change: 2800 Indiana
Sippin’ Santa at Planter’s House: 1000 Mississippi, 314-696-2603

Webster/Kirkwood/Frontenac:
Cocktails & Claws at 4 Hands + Peacemaker Kirkwood: 150 W. Argonne – New in 2025!
Shack the Halls: 731 S. Lindbergh (Shack), 314-736-5900
Winter WINEderland at Robust Wine Bar: 227 W. Lockwood, 314-963-0033

West County/St. Charles County:
Bling at The Wolf Cafe: 15480 Clayton, Ballwin, 636-527-7027
Bormio at Noto: 5105 Westwood, Suite A, Saint Peters, 636-244-0874 
Dasher’s Dive Bar in New Town: 3544 Galt House, Saint Charles, 314-575-2240
Toasted Chestnut in Cottleville: 5546 Chestnut, Cottleville, 636-720-1905
Up on the Rooftop 360 Westport: 111 West Port Plaza, Suite 1200, 314-683-2337

Other mentions:
12 Bars of Charity: Together Credit Union Plaza, Ballpark Village
Salume Beddu: 7118 Oakland, 314-645-2050
Steve’s Hot Dogs
O+O Pizza: 102 W. Lockwood, Webster Groves, 314-721-5422
Public School House: 5546 Chestnut. Cottleville, 636-720-1905

You may also enjoy these articles:
Over 25 holiday pop-up bars in St. Louis
“Winter WINEderland” returns to Robust Bistro & Wine Bar
Your ultimate guide to family-friendly holiday activities in St. Louis
Arch Eats: Home (or not) for the holidays
Arch Eats: STL’s Most Delicious Holiday Traditions
More episodes of Arch Eats

Move over, Mariah! St. Louis has its own Queen of Christmas. George and Cheryl are thrilled to be joined by Julie &ldquo;Fa La La&rdquo; Lally, the city&rsquo;s resident expert on holiday pop-ups, who shares everything you need to know to enjoy these festive fetes. From the first-ever holiday pop-up, Miracle, in 2016 to the brand-new Cocktails and Claws, Julie has been to them all and shares the inside scoop on what makes each one unique, as well as tips and tricks on how to get in, which ones are great for families and what, in her opinion, makes the perfect one. With 30 different choices this year, it&rsquo;s essential listening to guarantee a season filled with holiday cheer. Listen and follow&nbsp;Arch Eats&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYnyrcREHGkvOXGJHENgtHtcRMnGPVFW">YouTube</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0BfUm30GQXcfuYAWqwrsYs?si=432aaa0abc5646a4">Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/arch-eats/id1714524378">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;or wherever podcasts are available.
This episode is sponsored by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thekeystl.com/">The Key Burger Bar &amp; Boogie</a>&nbsp;and supported by the&nbsp;<a href="http://visittheloop.com/">Delmar Loop</a>.&nbsp;The Key Burger Bar &amp; Boogie is a pitch-perfect place where the music plays, the game is always on, and the dance floor is open&mdash;your new neighborhood hang in Grand Center. Stop in for a smashburger and stay for the drinks. Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thekeystl.com/">thekeystl.com</a>&nbsp;for more info.
New to podcasts?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/how-to-listen/">Follow these instructions</a>&nbsp;to start listening to our shows, and hear what you&rsquo;ve been missing!
Have an idea for a future&nbsp;Arch Eats&nbsp;episode?&nbsp;Send your thoughts or feedback by emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:podcasts@stlmag.com">podcasts@stlmag.com</a>.
Hungry for more?&nbsp;Subscribe to&nbsp;our&nbsp;<a href="https://info.stlmag.com/newsletters">Dining newsletters</a>&nbsp;for the freshest coverage on the local restaurant and culinary scene. And follow George&nbsp;(<a href="https://www.instagram.com/georgemahe/">@georgemahe</a>) and&nbsp;SLM&nbsp;on Instagram (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/stlouismag/">@stlouismag</a>).
Interested in being a podcast sponsor?&nbsp;Contact Lauren Leppert at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lleppert@stlmag.com">lleppert@stlmag.com</a>.
<hr>
&nbsp;
Mentioned in this episode:
Downtown/Midtown: <a href="https://www.thegaragestl.com/event-details/cozy-christmas-bar-2025-11-28-17-00">Cozy at The Garage</a>: 750 S. 4th, 314-532-2012 &ndash; New in 2025. <a href="https://www.gatewayarch.com/about/arch-events/event/the-floating-sleigh-12-4-2025/">The Floating Sleigh on the Tom Sawyer riverboat</a>: 50 S. Leonor K. Sullivan, 877-982-1410. &ndash; New in 2025. <a href="https://shopgoldengems.com/pages/santas-speakeasy?srsltid=AfmBOooTk5PGgNOlEUcaBYezuXxNe-Ve8mes8_a-UYizRujnM0q6DrjB">Santa&rsquo;s Speakeasy at Hidden Gems</a>: 3118 Locust, 314-925-8931 <a href="https://www.trainshed-stl.com/the-sleigh-shed/">Sleigh Shed at Union Station</a>: 201 S. 18th, 314-923-3949 <a href="https://stlballparkvillage.com/eat-and-drink/tinsel-tavern">Tinsel Tavern at Ballpark Village</a>: 601 Clark, 314-797-7530 <a href="https://www.360-stl.com/event/up-on-the-rooftop/">Up on the Rooftop at 360d</a>: One South Broadway, 314-241-8439 <a href="https://citymuseum.org/event/ww-holidays/">Weirdly Wonderful Holidays at City Museum</a>: 750 N. 16th, 314-231-2489 <a href="https://www.archpark.org/events/winterfest">Winterfest at Kiener Plaza</a>: 500 Chestnut, 314-289-5300
Soulard: <a href="https://www.budweisertours.com/any-road#id=brewery-lights-speakeasy-2025-st-louis">Bevo Fox Den Speakeasy Pop-Up at A-B Brewery Lights</a>&nbsp;&ndash; 1200 Lynch, 314-577-2626 &ndash; New in 2025. <a href="https://www.mollysinsoulard.com/lit">Lit at Molly&rsquo;s</a>: 816 Geyer, 314-241-6200 <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ornament-at-calypso-tickets-1972832616463">Rum &amp; Mistletoe at Calypso</a>: 1026 Geyer,&nbsp; 314-448-1516
Grand Center/CWE: <a href="https://worldchesshof.org/program/2025-11-28-merry-moves-2025/">Merry Moves at St. Louis Chess Club</a>: 4652 Maryland, 314-361-2437 <a href="https://www.angadartshotel.com/event/moose-mug-lounge-2/">Moose Mug Lounge at The Art Bar at Angad Arts Hotel</a>: 3550 Samuel Shepard, 314-561-0033 <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DQfPuoPAUCG/">Wrapped at Cocina Latina in CWE</a>: 508 N. Euclid, &ndash; New in 2025!
 Delmar Maker District: <a href="https://www.steveshotdogsstl.com/news/cane-holiday-pop-up">CANE at Steve&rsquo;s Hot Dogs Delmar</a>: 3145 S. Grand &ndash; New in 2025. <a href="https://www.findmeatthefountain.com/">The Ice Fountain at Fountain on Delmar</a>: 5242 Delmar, 314-226-9269 &ndash; New in 2025. Clayton/Maplewood: <a href="https://cafelaviestlouis.com/event/the-chalet/">The Chalet at Le Meridien&nbsp;St. Louis Clayton</a>: 7730 Bonhomme, 314-863-0400 <a href="https://www.sideprojectbrewing.com/blogs/news/polar-patio-pop-up?srsltid=AfmBOopWDCWlgx3Z18A0eHv5KM2iix3EOgjtt-IUsbDGqhENdT97AT3Y">*Polar Patio Pop-Up at Side Project Brewing</a>: 2657 Lyle,&nbsp;
South City: <a href="http://towergrovepark.org/frosted">Frosted at Tower Grove Park</a>: 4257 Northeast, 314-771-2679 <a href="https://www.drinkchristmas.com/">Miracle at Small Change</a>: 2800 Indiana <a href="https://www.exploretock.com/plantershouse/">Sippin&rsquo; Santa at Planter&rsquo;s House</a>: 1000 Mississippi, 314-696-2603
Webster/Kirkwood/Frontenac: <a href="https://www.4handsbrewery.com/4-hands-kirkwood">Cocktails &amp; Claws at 4 Hands&nbsp;+ Peacemaker Kirkwood</a>: 150 W. Argonne &ndash; New in 2025! <a href="https://www.shackthehalls.com/">Shack the Halls</a>: 731 S. Lindbergh (Shack), 314-736-5900 <a href="https://www.opentable.com/booking/experiences-availability?rid=54751&amp;restref=54751&amp;experienceId=584106&amp;utm_source=external&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=shared">Winter WINEderland at Robust Wine Bar</a>: 227 W. Lockwood, 314-963-0033
West County/St. Charles County: <a href="https://thewolfstl.com/bling/">Bling at The Wolf Cafe</a>: 15480 Clayton, Ballwin, 636-527-7027 <a href="https://www.bormiostl.com/">Bormio at Noto</a>: 5105 Westwood, Suite A, Saint Peters, 636-244-0874&nbsp; <a href="https://dashersdivebar.com/">Dasher&rsquo;s Dive Bar in New Town</a>: 3544 Galt House, Saint Charles, 314-575-2240 <a href="https://www.publicschoolhouse.com/event-details-registration/toasted-chestnut-christmas-pop-up-bar">Toasted Chestnut in Cottleville</a>: 5546 Chestnut, Cottleville, 636-720-1905 <a href="https://www.360-stl.com/event/up-on-the-rooftop-2/">Up on the Rooftop 360 Westport</a>: 111 West Port Plaza, Suite 1200, 314-683-2337
Other mentions: <a href="https://12barsofcharity.com/st-louis/">12 Bars of Charity</a>: Together Credit Union Plaza, Ballpark Village <a href="https://www.salumebeddu.com/">Salume Beddu</a>: 7118 Oakland, 314-645-2050 <a href="https://www.steveshotdogsstl.com/">Steve&rsquo;s Hot Dogs </a><a href="https://oandopizza.oohosp.com/">O+O Pizza</a>: 102 W. Lockwood, Webster Groves, 314-721-5422 <a href="https://www.publicschoolhouse.com/">Public School House</a>: 5546 Chestnut. Cottleville, 636-720-1905
<hr>
You may also enjoy these articles:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.stlmag.com/dining/holiday-pop-up-bars-and-events-in-st-louis/">Over 25 holiday pop-up bars in St. Louis</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.stlmag.com/dining/winter-winederland-returns-to-robust-bistro-wine-bar/">&ldquo;Winter WINEderland&rdquo; returns to Robust Bistro &amp; Wine Bar</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.stlmag.com/family/family-friendly-holiday-activities-in-st-louis/">Your ultimate guide to family-friendly holiday activities in St. Louis</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/arch-eats/episode-4/">Arch Eats:&nbsp;Home (or not) for the holidays</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/arch-eats/episode-31/">Arch Eats:&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/arch-eats/episode-31/">STL&rsquo;s Most Delicious Holiday Traditions</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/arch-eats/">More episodes of&nbsp;Arch Eats</a></li>
</ul>

Get the inside dish on the St. Louis dining scene. Join St. Louis Magazine dining editor George Mahe and dining critic Cheryl Baehr to learn about the latest and greatest restaurants, including what’s going on behind the scenes, the backstories, insider tips, and more. Discover the things you didn’t even know you should know about the local restaurant scene.

Get the inside dish on the St. Louis dining scene. Join St. Louis Magazine dining editor George Mahe and dining critic Cheryl Baehr to learn about the latest and greatest restaurants, including what’s going on behind the scenes, the backstories, insider tips, and more. Discover the things you didn’t even know you should know about the local restaurant scene.

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