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New bar from The White Horse gallops onto Riverside, plus more Austin food news

Editor's note: We get it. It can be difficult to keep up with the what’s what and who’s who of Austin food. But we have you covered with our regular roundup of the freshest Austin restaurant news.

The owners of The White Horse opened a new bar at 2538 Elmont Dr. on February 2. In addition to beer and cocktails, the retro-themed Frazier’s Long & Low serves an easygoing food menu including corn dogs, wings, patty melts, fries, and fried mozzarella on a stick.

Aviary Wine & Kitchen has named a new executive chef, according to a release. Andre Molina has worked in several renowned Austin kitchens including Intero, Launderette, Jeffrey’s, and Barley Swine and will be debuting a locally menu that includes barbecue turnips, cauliflower mole, and a mushroom tamal.

South Austin’s Loro is flying high with a new menu item available only during happy hour. Made with sriracha, Thai chilis, and tallow instead of the traditional hot sauce, the restaurant's wings are garnished with cilantro and furikake and served with a coconut dipping sauce. The dish is available on weekdays from 2-5 pm.

Hot Luck Fest founders Aaron Franklin, James Moody, and Mike Thelin are teaming up with Alamo Drafthouse to kick off the third year of their annual food and music festival at Community First! Village. Appropriately, the event begins with a screening of The Three Amigos followed by the announcement of the 2019 lineup. The $50 tickets include access to the screening and an enchilada platter from Franklin Barbecue and Eldorado Cafe. A $25 ticket can also be purchased for the screening only.

Sway and Gati were the big winners of the Far East Fest on February 9. Gati took home the honors for best vegetarian dish and dessert while Sway was named most creative dish and critic’s choice. Tito Adobo won the people’s choice for its Filipino pork belly.

Some of Austin’s best restaurants will be battling it out at The Brewer’s Table on February 24 to determine who will be crowned the Sausage Kings of Austin. The annual competition challenges eateries like Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden, la Barbecue, and Scholz Garten to create off-menu sausages using Brewer’s Table Beer. Guests vote for their favorites to determine the ultimate winner.

The Austin Oyster Festival is diving in to its seventh year with more bivalves that you can swing a stick at. The main ticket covers an extravagant spread from Eddie V’s executive chef Chris Bauer, a Bloody Mary bar, and beer from Bell’s Brewery. The VIP lounge features bites from Mongers Market + Kitchen, Le Politique, The Little Darlin’, Nightcap, and Salt Traders Coastal Cooking.

Frazier's interior gived '70s vibes.

Frazier's/ Instagram

Frazier's interior gived '70s vibes.

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Milk, cookies, and cocktails

These 15 holiday bar pop-ups are making spirits bright in Austin

Inside the Miracle on 5th Street Bar at the Eleanor

Photo from theeleanoratx.com

Miracle on 5th Street Bar at the Eleanor is back for its eighth year, open through December 28.

In Austin during the holidays, it's either sunny and 85 degrees, or freezing and the power is out. The chances are slim to none that we'll ever have a snowy, White Christmas,so our local businesses and bars have come to the rescue.

They're throwing everything they've got into making Austin's holiday season bright and merry by creating fully festive pop up bars, complete with specialty holiday menus.

Since there are so many this year, we've chosen our top 15 holiday pop-up bars, plus everyone's favorite year-round staple.

Après Swim at Swim Club
December 15 - 30 — 650 E. 10th St.
Leave it to Swim Club to create the "pop up bar of your pink disco dreams," according to the event website. This pop-up will feature festive cocktails by Austin's Travis Tober, decorate-your-own-cookie boxes, paint-n-sip-your-own-disco ball ornaments, and family holiday movies on the lawn on Thursday evenings. Reservations are recommended.

Best in Snow Bar at TLC Austin
November 30 to January 1 — 1100 S. Lamar Blvd., Ste. #1150
Best in Snow will take over TLC Austin from November 30 through New Year's Day. This event includes festive drinks, food specials, snow machines, cookie decorating, Christmas movie screenings, holiday arcade games, and more. Reservations are recommended.

Candy Land at Cosmic Saltillo
November 14 to December 29 — 1300 E. 4th St.
This holiday pop-up is styled after a classic gingerbread house if it were on the Candy Land game board. It's the first time Cosmic Saltillo is doing this Christmas bar, which includes Candy Land-themed cocktails like the Honey Pear Cottage, Mudslide Mountain, and Gum Drop Pass. Cosmic encourages guests to wear their holiday best.

Devil May Christmas at Devil May Care
November 20 to December 28 — 501 W. 6th St.
This holiday season, the underground lounge at Devil May Care turns into a cozy but edgy holiday lair, with a "wicked and festive energy," according to the event page. For the entire month, they'll offer limited-edition cocktails inspired by the season and plenty of "mischievous cheer."

Get Lit is Kitty Cohen's Hanukkah-themed bar, open December 3 through January 2. Photo from Kitty Cohen's Instagram page

Get Lit Hanukkah Bar at Kitty Cohen's
December 3 to January 2 — 2211 Webberville Rd #3548
From December 3 through January 2, Kitty Cohen’s Hanukkah themed pop-up bar, Get Lit, is taking over with decorations and a special menu featuring Hanukkah-inspired cocktails. Get Lit will also be featuring some special food pop-ups with traditional Hanukkah foods.

Jingle Jangle at the Dead Rabbit
November 19 to January 6 — 204 E. 6th St.
Dead Rabbit is bringing Irish holiday traditions across the pond with Jingle Jangle. This pop-up features warming, seasonal Irish dishes alongside kitsch-themed cocktails, festive decor, and a constantly-cycling Christmas soundtrack with all the hits. Walk-ins are welcome, but you may want to book ahead of time.

The Lodge at Hotel Van Zandt
November 29 to December 29 — 605 Davis St.
Hotel Van Zandt's "The Lodge" is an upscale but cozy pop-up, featuring several private igloos. Igloos can accommodate up to six guests and each includes a dedicated server, Bluetooth speaker, holiday decor, and of course holiday-themed snacks and cocktails. Reservations are available via Eventbrite.

Miracle on 5th Street at The Eleanor
November 15 to December 28 — 307 W. 5th St.
For the eighth year, Miracle on 5th Street is back at The Eleanor. This ticketed event includes a variety of themed cocktails, shots, non-alcoholic drinks, and holiday-themed snacks. Tickets start at $5 and go up to $1,000 for large groups. Group reservations are not available for fewer than eight people.

Mr. Bo-Jingles at the Hilton Austin
November 29 to January 1 — 500 E. 4th St.
The Hilton has transformed its Reverbery Bar into a mashup of rock-and-roll and holiday magic. The pop-up, Mr. Bo-Jingles, is coined after Austin music legend Jerry Jeff Walker's iconic 60s song "Mr. Bojangles" and is decorated with a giant, sparking 20-foot guitar, a shimmering Texas flag, and candy-cane wrapped columns. Expect tons of holiday drink specials and live music. Entry is free.

Naughty or Nice Upstairs at Caroline
November 21 to December 29 — 621 Congress Ave.
Upstairs at Caroline is bringing back its "Naughty or Nice" pop-up from November 21 through December 29. The festivities include a specialty cocktail menu, s'mores, and a "Polar Express Shotskii." "Naughty people get Malört, nice people get rumple mintz," the menu advises. Entry is free.

Ralphie's on Congress
December 5 -31— 701 Congress Ave.
From December 3 through New Year's Eve, The Stephen F. Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel will transform its iconic Stephen F's Bar and Terrace into "Ralphie's on Congress," a holiday pop-up bar inspired by A Christmas Story. Ralphie's will be bedazzled with twinkling lights, holiday decor, and leg lamps, of course. Entry is free.

Snow Much Fun at Edge Rooftop at JW Marriott
November 23 through the holidays — 110 E. 2nd St.
It may not be snowy in Austin, but it will (kind of ) be snowing at JW Marriott's rooftop pop-up bar. "Snow Much Fun" includes s'mores, firepits, craft cocktails, and hourly "snowfalls."

The Ugly Sweater at the Fairmont
November 26 to December 28 — 101 Red River St.
Wear your ugliest Christmas sweater to The Ugly Sweater at The Fairmont. This pop-up is taking over Rules & Regs, The Fairmont's rooftop bar. In this alternate holiday universe, the bar is covered in lights and tons of nostalgic and kitschy holiday decor. Entry is free.

Private igloos at the Otis Hotel's Otopia Rooftop Bar. Guests can reserve a private igloo including a vinyl player at The Otis Hotel's Otopia Rooftop. Photo from WinterSol Eventbrite page

WinterSol Igloos on the Otopia Rooftop at The Otis Hotel
December 5-30 — 1901 San Antonio St., Unit 1100

The Otis Hotel's Otopia Rooftop bar will be transformed into a winter wonderland on December 5, including private igloo rentals. Igloos will include a cookie-decorating kit, a polaroid picture of your group, postcards for your party, board games, and a vinyl record player. Food and holiday-themed drinks are also available for purchase. Reservations are required, and start at $200.

Yule at Azul
November 21 to December 29 — 310 E. 5th St.
According to the event page, Yule at Azul is the "highest rooftop holiday event." Holiday cocktails plus private holiday cabanas will be available to help keep you warm on these 65 degree-nights. Walk-ins are welcome, but organizers recommend booking a table or cabana to ensure you have a cozy spot. Each cabana has a different holiday theme and costs $100 to book.

And as always...

Lala's Little Nugget and South Pole
Since 1972 at 2207 Justin Lane and 3008 Davis Lane, Suite 101
At Lala's, it's always Christmas. At both the original location, Lala's Little Nugget on Justin Lane, and now, their new South Austin location called Lala's South Pole, you can get yuletide drinks and pizza any day of the year, in a kitschy, cozy, forever-Christmas-themed bar. As always, entry is free.

Exterior of Lala's Little Nugget. At Lala's Little Nugget, it's Christmas year-round. Photo from lalasaustintexas.com

christmas holidays bars pop-ups