It’s December, and if you’re not here to party then get out of the way of people who rock out to Christmas carols and wear tree decorations as accessories. These are the spots where the holiday season lives, in some cases even well past Christmas Eve. The Standard, East Village isn’t letting its High Line sister’s rinkside chalet have all the holiday glory. Sip hot drinks like gluhwein and Spiked Super Dark Chocolate amid the forest of fully decked fir trees (with more for sale!) that have sprung up on Narcissa’s patio, or reserve a traditional (heated, of course) Alpine yurt for a fondue party ($60 per person). They’re only open until 9 p.m. so make this your first stop instead of the last on your Christmas crawl. Groups of 8-10 people can reserve a hut by calling 212-228-3344. Through New Year’s, 25 Cooper Square You think Santa wants to chill out on the North Pole after pulling an all-nighter? Get toBoilermaker to spend winter on the beach with new Polynesian cocktails crafted by cocktail experts from Chicago (who know how to warm you up) and New Orleans (who know how to keep a party going) like the Hawaiian Milk Punch of bourbon, balsam liqueur and chai syrup. 13 First Ave., East Village
This winter wonderland is straight from Alaska. Midtown’s 230 Fifth is bringing back its glass-walled igloos for the season to make you feel like you’re inside a glittering snowglobe looking out onto the lights of Midtown twinkling back at you. Up to 11 people can huddle into the igloos, which can’t be reserved; fortunately, you have from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. to score the city’s chicest holiday photo op. 230 Fifth Ave. Good Story, the rooftop bar at Arlo Hudson Square Hotel, is pulling on its ugly Christmas sweater for the holidays with “tacky, fun, quirky” decorations. Providing the nosh is Harold’s Meat + Three with all your favorite winter bites like cheese puffs, pigs in a blanket and Christmas cookies. Themed cocktails include Jingle Juice (a Champagne punch with cognac) and gingerbread-flavored Jello shots. The bar also serves its own boozy version of an advent calendar: One bottle of liquor each night will be opened and served to guests for free each day until Christmas. 231 Hudson St., Tribeca Take the stairs to the basement of the East Village’s new retro barThe VNYL and find the Holiday Hideaway, glittering with fake snow, tinsel and a (fake) crackling fire. The signature drink is Santa’s Milk Punch, or indulge in some holiday cookies. On Mondays, elves will surprise guests with gifts, and the upstairs bar/screening room will show Christmas movies starting at 6 p.m. 100 Third Ave.
Williamsburg’s Belle Shoals has transformed its indoor bar and outdoor garden into Silver Belles, with twinkling lights, snow-covered trees and specialty hot cocktails. Curl up with the Choco…Choco…Oaxaca (Illegal mezcal, spiked house cocoa) next to the fire pit and put a jingling tune on the Wurlitzer jukebox. 10 Hope St. The winterized rooftop bar at Eataly’s Flatiron location is back for a second year, enclosed in glass and decked out with evergreen garlands, classic travel posters, faux fur throws and snow. Meant to resemble a Swiss chalet,Baita’s menu takes its cues from northern Italy, with hearty fare that includes a polenta bar, raclette three ways and mains like braised veal shoulder stew. Bring the whole crew (up to 10) and take over a wooden cabin for the ultimate experience. And unlike elsewhere in the city, the decorations will remain through April. 200 Fifth Ave., Flatiron
Because no Christmas bar list is complete without the OG, and still the best, example of holiday cheer: Rolf’s. This French-German restaurant packs in giant ornaments, mistletoe, angels, garlands, icicle lights and every other Christmas decoration it can, hanging it all from the ceiling in the most festive and precarious indoor holiday display in the city. 281 Third Ave., Gramercy The East Village’s renown cocktail barMace dons its holiday best with garlands, special glassware, bartenders in Santa hats and all the Christmas music you’ve been waiting for since Jan. 1. “Santa’s grotto of frivolousness” has a totally new drinks menu by Nico de Soto, with the mommy’s little helper Chrismapolitan (vodka, St. Germain, spiced cranberry sauce, fig bitters, lime) sure to brighten your spirits. 649 E. Ninth St. Tucked away on the second floor of the new Arlo Nomad Hotel is BARlo, an upstate cabin-style hideaway of wood paneling, fur throws and weekly large-format dinners in addition to the full menu (pan pizzas, savory cannolis) from Dale Talde’s downstairs “Italian-ish” restaurant Massoni. By day, relax with Italian-American cocktails over board games and cards; by night, it becomes a party. 11 E. 31st St.
