DECEMBER 202 M any restaurants are embracing December’s festive spirit by transforming their spaces into holiday-themed pop-up experiences. From cozy, seasonal menus and whimsical décor to unique cocktails and limited-time events, these pop- ups help diners celebrate the season in style. Here are a few to check out! Ember Lounge 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix shopdesertridge.com Until January 12, Desert Ridge Marketplace invites guests 21+ to experience Ember Lounge: A District Dome Experience. This immersive experience will transport guests to an evergreen forest that showcases chef- driven bites like bruschetta boards and meatball skillets, craft cocktails like the Northern Lights or the Great Pumpkin, plus a high-definition projection show. Dome after Dark is a late night experience that includes a signature cocktail menu and DJ. Ticket prices vary but start at $60 for a table of two. Skysill Chalet 11 E. Seventh St., Tempe skysillrooftop.com Skysill Rooftop Lounge has transformed into the Skysill Chalet at the Westin Tempe. Reimagined as a mountainside cottage above Mill Avenue, complete with twinkling lights and festive decorations, guests can enjoy themed cocktails, shareable eats like pretzel bites, sliders, mac and cheese and all the cookies, classic board games, holiday movies and music. Tables start at $29 and include a complimentary cocktail and snack to kick off the evening. Customers are also welcome to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots. Candytopia 7014 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale candytopia.com The winter wonderland display at Candytopia will shower guests with sweets around every corner and will run through December 31. With 11 unique, interactive environments, each room will have a fun theme and tons of candy, from fan favorites to seasonal treats, for guests to sample. In addition to the displays, there will also be an ornament-making station. Ticket prices are $15-$26 per person. 50 Shades of Rose 7419 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale 50shadesofroseaz.com Christmas cheer meets a mischievous twist at this year’s 50 Shades of Rose pop-up. Grown-ups can sip on themed cocktails inspired by those wacky movie villains and enjoy wall to wall decor. Menu items include the North Pole Platter, Ya Filthy Eggplant dish, flatbreads and wings (which are 50 cents on Wednesdays!), plus cocktails like the Sleigh All Day, Kiss and Tell hot cocoa, and Clausemopolitan. Reservations are recommended for parties of eight or more. 36 Below 3620 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix 36belowaz.com 36 Below has embraced the magic of the season at its annual Christmas- inspired pop-up. From now until January 5, the space is transformed into a nostalgic wonderland, designed to transport guests into the charm of Christmas. The walls are decked with vintage décor and on the visual screens, diners will gaze out at a serene winter scene – snow gently falling outside a cabin window, complete with distant twinkling lights. The Nutcracker cocktail blends vodka and coffee liqueur with pistachio cream for a holiday twist, while the Holiday Nog has a mix of rum, cacao liqueur, and egg, topped with marshmallow. Light bites include the prosciutto and burrata plate, smoked salmon dip and a seasonal dessert. JoJo’s Winter Wonderland 15037 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale jojosshakebar.com JoJo’s Shakebar invites families, friends, couples and more to its Winter Wonderland-themed restaurant, with events taking place throughout December. Over-the-top holiday décor will help put guests in the spirit while they decorate ornaments or THIS MONTH: WINTER WONDERLANDS

CEMBER 2024 craft gingerbread houses and enjoy themed milkshakes with toppings like cookies, cakes or pies. Grown-ups can try cocktails like the Frozen Polar Espresso or Jingle Juice – and of course, there will be plenty of snacks on hand. On December 23, the man in red will make an appearance from 4-6 p.m. for photo ops! Sippin’ Santa 1 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix bitterandtwistedaz.com Sippin’ Santa is an annual tiki-themed Christmas pop-up at Bitter & Twisted that serves cocktails in a festive, tropical setting. Guests 21 and up will find decorations from 10,000 lights, palm trees, surfboard Saint Nicks, and more. Cocktails may include Sippin’ Santa, Yule Tide or the Sugar Plum Mai Tai. If you get hungry, the regular B&T menu is available – grab a bowl of hurricane popcorn, barbacoa tacos or keep it sweet with a tiramisu cup. The pop-up runs through December 28 and guests who book a $15 Sippin’ Experience will be able to skip the line at reservation time and receive a secret Santa gift. Salt and Lime Modern Mexican Grill 9397 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale saltandlimeaz.com Salt and Lime has transformed into the annual Feliz Navidad Cantina. The restaurant has decked its halls and boasts a menu of holiday-themed dishes and signature cocktails, appearances from Santa and the Grinch, and classic holiday movies playing throughout the restaurant. Scottsdale Resort & Spa 7700 E. McCormick Pkwy. thescottsdaleresort.com The Social Boardroom at Scottsdale Resort and Spa will transform into a festive pop-up bar, bringing holiday magic with tinsel, garlands, twinkling lights and all the cheer until December 31. Guests can savor the season with holiday cocktails, including the Snow Fall with white cranberry juice, champagne and silver shimmer; Silent Night with Howler Head Whiskey, Sazerac Rye Whiskey, banana bread simple syrup, walnut bitters and chocolate bitters; and Frosted Fable with Sazerac Rye Whiskey. When it’s time for a bite, The Social Boardroom has a menu at the ready, with dishes like KC BBQ wings, chorizo and black bean empanadas and brisket sliders with Cajun aioli, horseradish pickles and brioche. Chef Chris Collins and his restaurant group, Common Ground Culinary, opened Saint Urban Wine Bar at the Mercado at Hayden Shopping Center (8260 N. Hayden Road) in November. Collins’ latest concept offers a rotating selection of 30 premium wines by the glass, cocktails, craft beers, and a menu with gourmet bar bites, charcuterie boards, sandwiches, salads and more. sainturbanaz.com A new Peruvian-based restaurant has opened near Arcadia. Mister Pio , located at 4502 E. Thomas Road, offers half and quarter orders of Peruvian chicken made with a 21-spice rub and cooked in a traditional spinning oven. Each dish comes with a side salad, with triple-cooked French fries available for an additional cost. Chef Justin Nasralla plans on adding other items, like a sandwich and cornbread, in the future. misterpio.com