Restaurants and bars in the Indianapolis area that go all-out for the holiday season

For some people, the holiday season isn’t just about time off, seeing family and knocking back a glass of eggnog or two. It’s a weeks-long concentrated effort to wring every bit of holiday spirit out of winter.

If that describes you, there are several places around Indianapolis to check out this season, from themed rooftop bars to full-blown holiday markets. Here’s a rundown of venues that go all out with food, drinks and décor to maximize the purported most wonderful time of the year.

3 Up Rooftop Bar

201 W. Main St., Carmel, 3uprooftop.com

Overlooking the Monon Trail in downtown Carmel, 3Up’s patio is flush with all things green and twinkling. This holiday season, the bar’s upscale pub menu features a robust list of holiday-themed cocktails such as Gin-gle Bells, Mistletoe Manhattan, the floral and spiced Naughty or Nice and a rum and pineapple cocktail dubbed Bah, Humbug!

Athenaeum Christkindlmarkt

401 E. Michigan St., athenaeumindy.org/event-guide/christkindlmarkt

Downtown Indy’s take on the traditional Alpine holiday market features “twinkling lights, a dazzling bandshell and fairy-tale scene.” Tucked in the intersection of Cleveland Street and Allegheny Street are 14 booths, five of which feature a variety of German food and drink. Sample a mini sausage flight, munch on a Lebkuchen-honey gingerbread cookie or down a hot glass of mulled cider just off Mass Ave. The Christkindlmarkt will hold its final weekend hours this Friday through Saturday. Entry is free, and visitors can park at 428 N. East St.

Carmel Christkindlmarkt

10 Carter Green, Carmel, carmelchristkindlmarkt.com

Rated the No. 1 holiday market in America by USA Today, the Carmel Christkindlmarkt boasts over 60 booths with gifts, activities, live entertainment and, of course, food and drink. Aromas of spiced wine, roasted nuts and bubbling Swiss cheese waft over wreaths, tinsel and Christmas trees, transforming Carter Green into a miniature winter village. The market is free to enter and runs through Dec. 24.

Beyond hot cocoa and glühwein: Eater’s guide to Carmel Christkindlmarkt 2023

Daniel’s Vineyard

9061 N. 700 W., McCordsville, danielsvineyard.com/winzers-wonderland

Every Wednesday through Sunday until Christmas, Daniel’s will feature a holiday pop-up bar called Winzer’s Wonderland. Visitors at the Wonderland can enjoy games, live performances, themed photo-ops and holiday movies while sampling from eight themed cocktails and various small bites. The pop-up is open to the public on Wednesday and Thursday for free, themed menu not included. On Friday and Saturday, adults 21 and over can purchase a $30 ticket that comes with one free beer or wine beverage. Sunday tickets cost $10 and are available to visitors of all ages. Tickets must be ordered at least 72 hours in advance on the Vineyard’s website.

Hotel Tango Distillery

670 Virginia Ave., hoteltangodistillery.com/public-events

The Fletcher Place distillery’s event space has been transformed for the holiday season with a festive pop-up bar through the rest of December. Patrons 21 and older can sit by the tasting room's fireplace and sip on limited-edition bourbon cocktails including citrusy cranberry Jingle Juice, a creamy eggnog Naughty & Nice and boozy hot chocolate.

The HC Tavern and Kitchen

9709 E. 116th St., Fishers, atthehc.com/happenings

The classic American grill’s Whoville Hideaway is exactly what it sounds like — a second-floor patio lined with festive decorations, plus a special menu full of homages to Dr. Seuss’ iconic Christmas story. Themed items include roast beast sliders and the Cindy Lou spritz, which features prosecco, apple cider and brown sugar iced syrup. The Tavern also features a non-alcoholic version of the spritz, which is probably a more accurate tribute to little Cindy Lou Who. The Hideaway is open 4 p.m. to closing for adults 21 and over every Tuesday through Saturday until Dec. 26. First come, first serve.

Nevermore at Union Station, Purple Room

302 S. Meridian St., nevermoreunionstation.com/holiday-events

Tinseltown, a holiday dining and drink experience with pop-ups in the United States, Canada and Australia, returns to Indianapolis with festive atmosphere and libations. Union Station will be lined with trees, presents, tinsel and garlands through Dec. 30, serving hot drinks and a Christmas cocktail menu. Tickets, which can be purchased for online for $15, include entry and a themed drink on arrival. Tinseltown’s only rule is you can’t be a grinch — or under 21.

Contact dining reporter Bradley Hohulin at bhohulin@gannett.com. You can follow him on Twitter/X @bradleyhohulin.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indy-area restaurants and bars that go all-out for the holiday season