Philadelphia’s Midtown Village is a whole lot brighter this year with the opening of Tinsel, a new Christmas pop-up bar in the space occupied for over 100 years by Simpson’s Jewelry. The sparkle of diamonds has been replaced by the twinkle of holiday lights of all types and colors, and the former jewelry counter has been transformed into a 25-foot twelve-seat bar, serving up a menu of seasonal concoctions that are sure to add to your holiday cheer.
Owner Teddy Sourias, Events Coordinator Hank Henson, and the team from Craft Concepts Group, who also operate Bru Craft & Wurst, Cinder, U-Bahn, Uptown Beer Garden, and Finn McCools (located right next door to the new venue), were as busy as elves, working night and day to prepare the main front bar area and two smaller back rooms in time for the opening, less than a week after the jewelry store closed. The result is a wintertime delight that evokes the nostalgia of Christmases past, with a mid-century feel, hipster flair, and a too-much-is-never-enough aesthetic. The space, both inside and out, is decked out from floor-to-ceiling with vintage decorations. There’s a life-size Santa, a live tree, glittering ornaments, dropped ceiling tiles covered in gift wrap, a toy train in the window, traditional strings of indoor and outdoor bulbs, the latest in flashing laser and LED lights, and original works by artist Scott Johnston, including a fireplace installation, a painting of the Grinch who stole Christmas, and a mural of Krampus – the half-goat half-devil horned creature of German legend, who punishes children who’ve been naughty.
Patrons are treated to a soundscape of popular holiday music (including everything from Nat King Cole to John and Yoko to Michael Bublé), while sipping themed craft cocktails (with such festive names as Gingerbread Man Martini, Jingle Juice, Merry Margarita, and Santa’s Pick-Me-Up) and an assortment of beers and ales, on draft and in cans, served up by the merriest of bartenders Eriq Morris and Rachel Perez. Light fare is also available, as are $5 Happy Hour specials, offered Tuesday through Friday, from 5 to 7 PM.
Tinsel is open Tuesday-Thursday, 5-10 PM; Friday-Saturday, 2 PM-midnight; and Sunday, noon-5, through the remainder of 2017, so get your Christmas cheer on and make your spirits bright while you can!
Tinsel Christmas Pop-Up Bar is open through Sunday, December 31, 2017 – 116 South 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA. For more information, call (215) 397-3308, or visit online.
