This time of year, nothing seems to pop up more than holiday pop-up bars.
Fun and festive, these magical places attract the cheer-meisters and the beer-meisters because of their wall-to-wall decorations, yuletide libations and unique atmospheres.
Some drawbacks to these places, which are found throughout the Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia “tri-state area” and around the country, often are the cramped corners and expensive drink lists.
There are two places in Youngstown, Ohio, that aren’t your typical holiday pop-up bar: Miracle on Federal and the Christmas Cafe.
Miracle on Federal is transformed from The Federal for the entire months of November and December.
The Federal, which was featured on “Bar Rescue” in 2015, has become a classy staple of the Downtown Youngstown bar scene. It is much more than just a late-night hotspot; it really is a dining destination for the entire Mahoning Valley, with ample comfortable seating and some of the best burgers around.
When it becomes Miracle on Federal, it is all that and much more. The decorations cover every square inch of the restaurant, and not in a “throw up all over the walls” type of way. It takes the staff members a few days to carefully craft and meticulously place the Christmas settings around the restaurant — and it ends up looking so beautiful.
The kitchen staff also goes above and beyond with a Christmas-themed menu full of tasty entrees and exciting cocktails.
Again, this isn’t your typical holiday pop-up bar where the drinks are flowing and the drunk karaoke is out of hand. It is a classy establishment and clientele is made up of families and professionals.
Reservations open for Miracle on Federal at the end of October and spots for the next two months are taken in just a few days. For 2025, make your plans early!
Across town in the suburb of Boardman, the Christmas Cafe is a year-round winter wonderland.
It just opened in the spring of 2024, so this Christmas is the first for its namesake. The owner, April Mason, is a lifelong Christmas enthusiast and has finally put her passion to practice and shares her love of the season with the community.
The Christmas Cafe is an inviting little joint with a warm fireplace, small table seating, a coffee bar and a lounge with couches. The casual atmosphere is accentuated with a tasteful menu that includes cakes and pies, as well as breakfast sandwiches, fried chicken and milkshakes.
The best part about this place is that you don’t have to hurry up and visit before the strike of midnight on New Year’s Eve — it’s open all year round! So when you get that holiday itch in the summer and want to celebrate Christmas in July, visit the Christmas Cafe to get your fix!
— Submitted by Matt Peaslee
It's Christmas 365 