4 biggest Christmas pop-up bars on Long Island this holiday season

'Twas weeks before Christmas with the season in reach,

holiday pop-ups started appearing in Farmingdale, Rockville Centre, Brentwood and Long Beach.

Each offers different food, cocktails and treats,

with special photo-ops and colorful characters to meet.

Make your reservations then get out and go,

please take your pick from the listing below.

MR. GRUMP CHRISTMAS POP UP

230 Main St., Farmingdale

Take on an edgier holiday experience, for those 18 and older, at Alibi Lounge in Farmingdale where the Grinch will turn the tables on the holiday season.

"The Grinch will be rude and roasting the guests," says Michael Marra, president of Unique Social Events. "He will mostly do improv work proclaiming why Christmas is not a good holiday."

Guests 21 and over (with a valid ID) can enjoy cocktails like the Peppermint Martini ($16 — vodka, peppermint schnapps, crème de cacao, half and half and garnished with a candy cane) or the Bah Humbug Bramble ($16 — lavender gin, cranberry juice, lemon juice, orange juice and burnt rosemary). Nibbles include All American Wontons ($14 — cheeseburger, jalapeño or southwest), pulled pork sliders ($20) or candy cane-shaped soft pretzels with a honey mustard dipping sauce ($12). Don’t forget dessert with offerings such as apple crumb wontons with caramel drizzle ($14) or cannoli stuffed zeppoles with a chocolate dipping sauce ($12).

Despite his cranky demeanor, the Grinch will perform a few numbers plus take photos with folks around stacks of presents and Christmas trees. Everyone leaves with a green souvenir stadium cup donning the event logo.

SEATINGS Now through Dec. 29; Fridays: 6, 8 and 10 p.m., weekends 4, 6 and 8 p.m. (10 p.m.on Saturdays)

COST $28 per person (doesn’t include food and drinks); reservations are recommended (walks-ins are welcome upon availability)

MORE INFO 516-586-8622, mrgrumppopup.com

JOLLY GRUMP CHRISTMAS POP UP

210 Merrick Rd., Rockville Centre

For a lighter, brighter Grinch encounter, head over to the Ainsworth in Rockville Centre where he’s paired with little Cindy Lou Who for an all-ages, family-friendly event.

"Cindy will explain that Who-ville is all about Christmas and how they are trying to prevent the Grinch from stealing it," says Marra. "As usual, the Grinch will be up to no good with his antics."

Songs like "I Hate Christmas," "You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" and "It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" will be performed and photos can be taken in front of the Grinch’s lair, Mount Crumpit.

Food ranges from starters like the Mean Green Artichoke Dip with tortilla chips ($16) and Santa’s Coconut Catch ($18 — toasted coconut shrimp with mango salsa and ginger orange marmalade) to the Stocking Stuffer Steakwich ($28 — skirt steak sandwich with mozzarella cheese, caramelized onions and dipping gravy) or Holly Jolly Chicken & Waffles ($25 — chicken fingers over a waffle with maple syrup and sriracha honey).

A playful cocktail menu (must be 21 and over with valid ID) includes Naughty Nog ($18 — spiced rum, eggnog, vanilla extract, simple syrup, topped with whipped cream), The Mean One ($18 — bourbon, cranberry juice, maple syrup, lime juice and bitters) and a shareable drink — Cindy Lou Who’s Creation ($36 — tequila, peach schnapps, pineapple juice, lemonade, peach and strawberry puree) served in a 52-ounce smoking goblet.

Finish out with a sweet ($14) like the hot cocoa layer cake, Heart Grows 3 Sizes ice cream sundae or Christmas cookie cake.

All guests go home with an event souvenir green stadium cup.

SEATINGS Now through Dec. 29; weekdays 6 and 8 p.m., weekends noon, 2, 4, 6 and 8 p.m.

COST $28-$32 per person (doesn’t include food and drinks); reservations are recommended (walks-ins are welcome upon availability)

MORE INFO 516-442-2600, jollygrumppopup.com

THE CHRISTMAS CLUB

600 Long Island Ave., Brentwood

The Christmas Club, located at The Edgewood on the Green in Brentwood, is filled with anything and everything you can imagine when you hear the word "Christmas" from twinkling lights on the ceiling to decked out Christmas trees to shimmering ornaments.

"It’s very decor heavy," says Marra, who served as a designer for the pop-up. "It’s like a department store-style Christmas overload."

Santa Claus is accompanied by Buddy the Elf as they work together to raise the spirit of Christmas in the venue even higher than it is. Songs like "It’s Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas" and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" are performed.

Dine on an Italian-style menu with appetizers like clams oreganata ($18), fried calamari ($18) and mushroom risotto sticks ($17) as well as entrées such as salmon piccata ($35), veal sorrentino ($33) and truffle gnocchi ($27).

Cheers with Christmas cocktails such as the Jollypeño Margarita ($16 — tequila, jalapeños, lime juice, triple sec, agave, cranberry juice, garnished with rosemary, cranberries and a salt rim), the Polar Expresso Martini ($18 — vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur, raspberry syrup, garnished with raspberry dessert sauce) or the Gingerbread Old-Fashioned ($16 — bourbon, gingerbread syrup, chocolate bitters, chocolate shavings, garnished a gingerbread man cookie).

Guests can take some snaps sitting in Santa’s sleigh with a backdrop of sparking snowflakes or in front of a greenery hedge wall with multicolored lights. Red souvenir stadium cups with the event logo are given out to all.

SEATINGS Open through Dec. 29; weekdays 6 and 8 p.m., weekends noon, 2, 4, 6 and 8 p.m.

COST $28-$32 per person (doesn’t include food and drinks); reservations are recommended (walks-ins are welcome upon availability)

MORE INFO 631-392-1259, xmasclubpopup.com

WONDERLAND — A JOURNEY TO THE NORTH POLE

906 West Beech St., Long Beach

Those seeking a fantasy trip can be transported to the North Pole at this new pop-up experience inside The Ugly Duckling in Long Beach that includes an entrée and dessert.

"You are boarding a virtual train from Long Beach to the North Pole then you are going to arrive on the other side," says owner Max Feinberg. "You enter the North Pole train station and walk through downtown North Pole into Santa’s workshop and the offices of Naughty & Nice then back into a large gingerbread house overlooking a snow-covered veranda."

Guests can each choose a holiday-themed entrée such the Heatmiser’s Hot Chicken Sandwich, Polar Penne Ala Vodka or Buddy’s Pancakes topped with chocolate sauce, M&M’s and sprinkles (served during brunch hours) plus a dessert (winter ice cream float, brownie sundae or frosted rainbow cake).

Cocktails ($18) and mocktails ($12) are available to be added on. Adults can toast with a Sugar Cookie Martini (vanilla vodka, Bailey’s amaretto, whole milk, garnished with rainbow sprinkles) or a Campfire Mule (bourbon, maple syrup, lemon juice, ginger beer with a toasted marshmallow garnish). Meanwhile kids get to sip Grinch Punch (Sprite, pineapple juice, green berry Hawaiian Punch), Naughty Soda (Coke, coconut simple syrup, lime juice, heavy cream) or an Orange Creamsicle (orange soda, heavy cream, coconut simple syrup).

There will be photo-ops with live action characters such as a snowman and a reindeer plus a mannequin elf in a three-piece red suit with a big scroll with all the names from the law office of Naughty & Nice.

"This is an incredibly kid-friendly event," says Feinberg. "Children are able to write letters to Santa and drop them off in the North Pole mailbox."

SEATINGS Open through Jan. 5; Thursdays & Fridays: 5 p.m.-2 a.m., Saturdays: noon-2 a.m., Sundays: noon-2 a.m.

COST $40 per person (includes an entrée and dessert); reservations are required

MORE INFO 516-208-3383, wonderlandpopup.com

By David J. Criblez

david.criblez@newsday.comDavidJCriblez

David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.