Farmingdale pop-up Christmas bars Mr. Grinch, Christmas Club open
The Christmas Club Pop Up Bar returns to Farmingdale for the holiday season on Nov. 25 and runs through Jan. 8.
Credit: The Christmas Club
Things are about to get festive in Farmingdale as two Christmas themed pop-up experiences kick-start the season. Here’s a peek at what’s hitting Main Street.
Come catch the holiday spirit with dinner and drinks at The Christmas Club, an Instagramable setting decorated with colored lights, oversized ornaments and glitter garland.
“It’s everything Christmas,” says Michael Marra, president of Unique Social Events. “We encourage guests to dress in theme, whether that be a Christmas costume, Christmas sweater or even their favorite Christmas pajamas to make it more fun.”
Each 90-minute seating contains a visit from live-action Christmas characters Elsa and Anna from “Frozen,” Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Jack Frost and Santa’s elves, who sing Christmas songs and interact with the guests. Character photo-ops are available with two backdrops: a Christmas tree and fireplace or in front of a Christmas Club logo banner.
The Italian style menu features appetizers ($16-$18) like fried calamari, scarpariello chicken wings and flatbread with roasted pear, goat cheese and arugula. Entrees include chicken a la vodka ($28) as well as the feast of the seven fishes (mussels, clams, shrimp, scallops and more) over linguine ($39). Desserts ($8-$12) range from rainbow cookies to tiramisu.
Christmas cocktails ($15) such as the Merry Margarita (tequila, strawberry liquor, triple sec, cranberry juice), Cookies for Santa (bourbon crème with chocolate chip cookie liquor, almond milk and cookie syrup) and Rum Rum Rudolph (spiced rum with eggnog and cinnamon) keep the party going.
Every attendee goes home with a souvenir Christmas Club cup.
WHEN/WHERE Open Nov. 25-Jan. 8 (closed Mondays, plus Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day), Tuesday to Friday: seatings at 6-8:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday: seatings at noon-8:30 p.m.; 300 Main St., Farmingdale
INFO xmasclubpopup.com
ADMISSION $30-$35 per person (plus tax and fees), includes reserved seating and cup
Last year, The Grinch made a handful of appearances at The Christmas Club as one of the live action characters. Now, he’s gone solo for this 21-and-over cocktail lounge holiday event.
“The response we received was overwhelming to the point where people were specifically requesting to see him,” says Marra. “This year we decided to give him his own venue.”
Each table gets a visit from the Grinch himself where he will do a song or a skit with his signature rude behavior. Plus, Mr. Mean Green has agreed to take photos with everyone.
The room gets decked out to evoke Whoville during Christmas with the Grinch soundtrack playing in the background. Seating will be in three formats across couches, at tables and by the bar.
The menu is small plate focused with items like a Bavarian pretzel with mustard and cheese dipping sauces ($13), the Dip Trio — chips with salsa, cheese and homemade guacamole ($12) and a variety of specialty wantons such as bacon mac & cheese and spinach artichoke ($12). Desserts include chocolate cake, carrot cake and rainbow cake ($8)
Christmas themed cocktails ($14-$16) are the centerpiece of this pop up including the Jack Frosty (vodka, blue Curacao, lemonade, blended with ice), Grinch Punch (light rum, dark rum, Midori, 7-Up) and the Peppermint Martini (vodka, peppermint schnapps, crème de cacao, heavy cream, garnished with a candy cane).
Souvenir cups are given out to all attendees.
WHEN | WHERE Dec. 1-Jan. 8 (closed Mondays and Tuesday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day), Wednesday and Thursday: seatings at 7 and 9 p.m., Friday: 7, 9 and 11 p.m., Saturday: 5, 7, 9 and 11 p.m., Sunday: 6, 7, and 9 p.m.; Alibi Lounge, 230 Main St., Farmingdale
INFO mrgrinchpopup.com
ADMISSION $23 (plus tax and fees), includes reserved seating and cup
Things are about to get festive in Farmingdale as two Christmas themed pop-up experiences kick-start the season. Here’s a peek at what’s hitting Main Street.
THE CHRISTMAS CLUB
Come catch the holiday spirit with dinner and drinks at The Christmas Club, an Instagramable setting decorated with colored lights, oversized ornaments and glitter garland.
“It’s everything Christmas,” says Michael Marra, president of Unique Social Events. “We encourage guests to dress in theme, whether that be a Christmas costume, Christmas sweater or even their favorite Christmas pajamas to make it more fun.”
Each 90-minute seating contains a visit from live-action Christmas characters Elsa and Anna from “Frozen,” Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Jack Frost and Santa’s elves, who sing Christmas songs and interact with the guests. Character photo-ops are available with two backdrops: a Christmas tree and fireplace or in front of a Christmas Club logo banner.
The Italian style menu features appetizers ($16-$18) like fried calamari, scarpariello chicken wings and flatbread with roasted pear, goat cheese and arugula. Entrees include chicken a la vodka ($28) as well as the feast of the seven fishes (mussels, clams, shrimp, scallops and more) over linguine ($39). Desserts ($8-$12) range from rainbow cookies to tiramisu.
Christmas cocktails ($15) such as the Merry Margarita (tequila, strawberry liquor, triple sec, cranberry juice), Cookies for Santa (bourbon crème with chocolate chip cookie liquor, almond milk and cookie syrup) and Rum Rum Rudolph (spiced rum with eggnog and cinnamon) keep the party going.
Every attendee goes home with a souvenir Christmas Club cup.
WHEN/WHERE Open Nov. 25-Jan. 8 (closed Mondays, plus Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day), Tuesday to Friday: seatings at 6-8:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday: seatings at noon-8:30 p.m.; 300 Main St., Farmingdale
INFO xmasclubpopup.com
ADMISSION $30-$35 per person (plus tax and fees), includes reserved seating and cup
MR. GRINCH CHRISTMAS POP-UP
Last year, The Grinch made a handful of appearances at The Christmas Club as one of the live action characters. Now, he’s gone solo for this 21-and-over cocktail lounge holiday event.
“The response we received was overwhelming to the point where people were specifically requesting to see him,” says Marra. “This year we decided to give him his own venue.”
Each table gets a visit from the Grinch himself where he will do a song or a skit with his signature rude behavior. Plus, Mr. Mean Green has agreed to take photos with everyone.
The room gets decked out to evoke Whoville during Christmas with the Grinch soundtrack playing in the background. Seating will be in three formats across couches, at tables and by the bar.
The menu is small plate focused with items like a Bavarian pretzel with mustard and cheese dipping sauces ($13), the Dip Trio — chips with salsa, cheese and homemade guacamole ($12) and a variety of specialty wantons such as bacon mac & cheese and spinach artichoke ($12). Desserts include chocolate cake, carrot cake and rainbow cake ($8)
Christmas themed cocktails ($14-$16) are the centerpiece of this pop up including the Jack Frosty (vodka, blue Curacao, lemonade, blended with ice), Grinch Punch (light rum, dark rum, Midori, 7-Up) and the Peppermint Martini (vodka, peppermint schnapps, crème de cacao, heavy cream, garnished with a candy cane).
Souvenir cups are given out to all attendees.
WHEN | WHERE Dec. 1-Jan. 8 (closed Mondays and Tuesday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day), Wednesday and Thursday: seatings at 7 and 9 p.m., Friday: 7, 9 and 11 p.m., Saturday: 5, 7, 9 and 11 p.m., Sunday: 6, 7, and 9 p.m.; Alibi Lounge, 230 Main St., Farmingdale
INFO mrgrinchpopup.com
ADMISSION $23 (plus tax and fees), includes reserved seating and cup
David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.
