The spirit of the season is doubled once again this year as both the famed Christmas-themed Miracle and Sippin’ Santa pop-up bars return to Milwaukee. 

Pufferfish, the tropical oasis on the rooftop of Hotel Metro at 411 E. Mason St. will host the Sippin’ Santa bar for the second year. Meanwhile, Tin Widow will bring the magic of the Miracle pop-up back to 703. S. 2nd St. for the fifth time.

Here’s what you need to know before you go!

Sippin’ Santa

PufferFish will launch their Sippin’ Santa festivities beginning Wednesday, Nov. 20, and will continue the celebration through the end of December.

To add to the experience, the PufferFish team has developed a secondary bar experience inside their space called "The FishTank". 

“The fires are on, the space heaters are rolling, and both indoor spaces will be rocking drinks to create a really cozy rooftop vibe,” says Owner JC Cunningham. “There are a ton of new drinks, and new glassware for everyone to purchase, which will make great holiday additions to any home bar.” 

The menu of festive quaffs will include:

• FROSTY THE MERMAN: rye, vanilla-clove syrup, lime, pear & apricot & allspice liqueurs 
• CHOQUITO: Jamaican & Puerto Rican rums, lime, coconut, crème de cacao, mole bitters 
• SUGAR PLUM MAI TAI: Haitian & Nicaraguan rums, lime, orgeat & cinnamon syrup, plum mix 
• TOM AND SHERRY: sherry, cream, coconut milk, almond liqueur, saffron bitters 
• SIPPIN’ SANTA: aged demerara rum, amaro, lemon, orange, gingerbread mix 
• JINGLE BIRD: bourbon, pineapple rum, Campari, pineapple, lime, jingle mix 
• HOLIDAY ON ICE: vodka, dark-roast cold brew, condensed milk, ancho chile liqueur, cinnamon syrup 
• YULE TIDE: tequila, Applejack, lime, maple-cranberry syrup 
• MERRY SPRITZMAS: prosecco, Aperol, tawny port, cognac, lemon, falernum, fig preserves, cardamom bitters 
• A SNOWBALL’S CHANCE IN HILO (for two): Caribbean rums, lime, pineapple, orange, nutmeg & cinnamon syrups, Tiki bitters  
• SILENT NIGHTCAP (shot): dark chocolate, mint & orange liqueurs, espresso 

“The team over at Tin Widow steps it up every year,” says Cunningham. “We are really excited to partner with them again and turn our little rooftop escape into a winter wonderland.”

In addition, the Presidential Room at Hotel Metro will be converted into The Santa Suite. This experience will offer holiday decorations, mini drinks from PufferFish, Christmas cookies, turndown service and much more. To book, visit hotelmetro.com. This package will be available for overnight stays booked during the Sippin’ Santa pop-up.

PufferFish will be open Wednesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. and Sundays from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

X

Miracle pop-up

Meanwhile, The Tin Widow will open Miracle on Friday, Nov. 29, extending its season through New Year’s Eve!

As for this year's festivities, Sam Berman, owner of Tin Widow says that the bar will be presenting the best pop-up yet.

“New decorations and cocktails will mix with longtime favorites to create a fresh and exciting experience,” he says. “This year we are going all out!”

With a bit of magic infused in every pour, each drink is served in signature glassware and Miracle’s cozy and irreverent ambiance, outfitted with twinkling lights and kitschy decorations, provides the perfect backdrop for sipping these festive libations with friends and loved ones. 

Meanwhile, the menu of Miracle cocktails will include: 

• CHRISTMAPOLITAN: vodka, elderflower, dry vermouth, spiced cranberry sauce, lime, rosemary, absinthe mist 
• SNOWBALL OLD-FASHIONED: rye whiskey, gingerbread, aromatic & wormwood bitters, orange essence 
• STOCKING STUFFER: bourbon, Pedro Ximénez sherry, amaro, cinnamon syrup, iced “hot” chocolate, aromatic bitters, marshmallow 
• CHRISTMASAURUS: pineapple rum, mezcal, velvet falernum, apricot liqueur, lime, coconut milk, toasted cumin, coffee & pineapple syrup, aromatic bitters 
• CROOKED ANTLER: brandy, ruby port, vanilla liqueur, hazelnut liqueur, chestnut orgeat, lapsang tea, acid-adjusted orange, aromatic bitters, nutmeg, peated whiskey spritz 
• SANTA SLIDE: whiskey liqueur, cream sherry, dark creme de cacao, dry orange curaçao, caramelized orange, cream, mole bitters, orange chocolate  
• RUN RUN REINDEER: mulled wine reduction, prosecco, lemon, aromatic bitters 
• RUDOLPH’S REPLACEMENT: vodka, coffee liqueur, white creme de cacao, orange curaçao, chai syrup, almond milk, aromatic bitters 
• KOALA LALALA: blanco tequila, dry vermouth, apple liqueur, tamarind, lemon, eucalyptus bitters, mint, soda 
• YIPPIE KI YAY MOTHER F****R!: Barbados rum, rhum agricole, Trinidad overproof rum, ube & coconut orgeat, acid-adjusted pineapple juice 
• JINGLE BALLS NOG: cognac, cream sherry, almond milk, cream, egg, vanilla, nutmeg
• HOT BUTTERED RUM: **served hot** aged Jamaican rum, velvet falernum, mixed spiced butter, oat milk, nutmeg 
• NICE SHOT: rye whiskey, gingerbread 
• NAUGHTY SHOT: tequila, habanero, ginger, hibiscus  

For the first time ever, Tin Widow will also be offering a special all-ages Cocoa Bar on select weekend afternoons with activities and special drinks for the whole family to enjoy. 

“This year promises to be the biggest and best year yet, with even more bright lights and holiday cheer guests have come to expect from Miracle on 2nd Street,” says Berman.

Tin Widow will be open Sunday through Thursday from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.