Christmas Bar Pop-Ups!

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We’re locking in partners for December to 2026. If you want to get your business in front of Scottsdale locals reach out here.

I’m currently writing this on a train from Vienna to Graz (Austria) and every few minutes I have to take a break and admire the views. I've been in Austria since last Thursday and the Christmas cheer is cranked up to 11 here. I love it.

Christmas countdown is on and Scottsdale's holiday bar scene delivered the festive energy I’ve been waiting for! Four local spots have transformed into winter wonderlands perfect for date nights or grabbing drinks with friends.

50 Shades of Rosé in Old Town has gone full Whoville with over-the-top décor and playful holiday cocktails like the Gingerbread Martini and Christmas Tree Flight. Their Mistletoe Mondays are perfect for date night with a complete dinner package, and Snow Globe & Sip on Tuesdays ($25) lets you craft your own snow globe while sipping wine. I checked this out a few weeks ago and their team put a TON of effort into the decorations which I appreciated.

Over at BLVD Kitchen & Bar on Indian School (located on the Hilton’s property), the Miracle Bar pop-up runs through December 30th with a cozy ski lodge vibe complete with a roaring fireplace and chair lift photo op. They're even bringing in special guests like the Grinch on select nights, so definitely make reservations for weekend visits. We had a Chamber of Commerce meeting right when the lights went up and I thought it was a great little spot!

Porter's Saloon has transformed into Porter's North Pole with 12 festive cocktails including "Tequila My Sleigh" and "Jack Frosted." The whole saloon becomes Santa's workshop with enough holiday magic to make even the Grinch smile.

Coach House in Old Town is keeping it classic but magical with thousands of twinkling lights covering this dive bar that's been around since 1959. Sometimes the simplest approach hits just right, especially when you're looking for that authentic Scottsdale charm mixed with holiday spirit.

For all the folks in North Scottsdale please let me know if there’s any you’ve found. I live in North Scottsdale as well and have yet to see anyone doing the holidays big for their bar.

A boutique office building in McCormick Ranch just sold for $10 million, with the new owners already planning upgrades to the lobby, restrooms, and parking areas. Revelation Real Estate picked up the nearly full property and seems committed to making improvements right away. It's always good to see investment flowing into our local commercial real estate market, especially in established areas like McCormick Ranch where businesses continue to thrive.

Hecho Libre just soft-opened inside the newly revamped Kimpton Miralina Resort (formerly the Scottsdale Plaza Resort).

Chef Wes Avila, a two-time James Beard finalist, brings a Baja-meets-Sonoran menu that stands out from the usual.

The menu has chilaquiles with queso oaxaca, halibut veracruzana, carnitas with pickled jalapeño relish, and grilled pescado a las brasas. The official resort opening is January 5, but you can get a sneak peek (and a taste) now. The pics look 🔥

I've been using Quantum Red regularly and it fits into my routine with zero hassle. What hooked me was how incredibly convenient their self-serve model makes everything, plus the real benefits like better sleep, faster muscle recovery, and clearer skin.

You get access to an app that opens the door when you arrive. No front desk, no waiting around, no scheduling around someone else's hours. Just show up, get your 10-20 minutes of red and near-infrared light, and you're out. It's the same approach that makes 24-hour gyms work so well.

The value is excellent too. I found their pricing to be the best compared to other red light therapy options around Scottsdale, and you get access to both red light therapy and infrared sauna services. Their Scottsdale location makes it easy to squeeze sessions into lunch breaks or after work.

The real test for me was consistency. I'm terrible at sticking with wellness routines that require too much effort, but when something is this simple, I actually use it. Regular sessions over time, and I notice better energy and recovery after each one.

If you've been curious about red light therapy but put off by complicated scheduling or high prices, this is your answer. Professional-grade equipment with complete convenience.

Check out Quantum Red here

I had no idea these guys existed until a friend posted it on IG! Wagner Christmas Trees is a family-owned Christmas tree lot right here in Scottsdale that brings fresh-cut Oregon trees straight from the Pacific Northwest.

They set up shop at the 101 & Scottsdale (7201 E Henkel Way) with premium Noble, Fraser, and Nordmann firs in every size from tabletop to 14-footers. I wish I found them sooner becuase it’s literally right next to me!

Their staff trims, nets, and loads your tree, or they'll deliver throughout Scottsdale, Phoenix, and Paradise Valley if you want the full-service experience.

They stick to their trees being genuinely fresh which means it’s going to make any home smell amazing. Wagner's also makes handmade evergreen wreaths if you want to complete the look.

Now I know exactly where I'm getting my tree next year.

I think Christmas at the Princess is one of Scottsdale's best holiday date nights! Christmas at the Princess transforms the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess into 65 acres of holiday magic through January 3rd.

You and your date can ice skate on a 6,000-square-foot real ice rink under the desert stars, then warm up with s'mores at The Village while checking out the light displays. The 120-foot Ferris wheel gives you great views of everything, and there's something really nice about sharing one of those cozy fire table spots they have scattered throughout the property.

What makes this perfect for date night is how many different experiences you can pack into one evening. You could start with dinner at one of their restaurants, then walk through the displays, catch the new Starlights show, and end with hot cocoa by the fire. They also have Chateau Champagne, which is their new exclusive experience that's perfect for a special night out. My soon-to-be-married friends said the Chateau Champagne experience was a blast.

The whole thing runs Monday through Thursday 5-10pm and Friday through Sunday 4-11pm. Starting tomorrow, December 18th, they're open daily 4-11pm, so you have more flexibility later in the season.

Buy tickets ahead of time and consider going on a weeknight if you want a more relaxed experience with fewer crowds although when I went it was still pretty busy!

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Friday, December 19

🧠 Trivia Night @SMoCA: Holiday Edition | Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art | 7:00 PM

🤠 Million Dollar Breakaway | WestWorld of Scottsdale | 6:30 PM (multiple days)

Saturday, December 20

🎅 Breakfast with Santa! | Chick-fil-A Raintree Drive & 101 | 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM

💐 Cactus Flower Creations Tinsel Training | Cactus Flower Florists | 10:00 AM

🍪 Holiday Cookie Exchange | Classic Cooking Academy | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

🚴 Sparkle & Spin Scavenger Hunt | Old Town Scottsdale | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

🎄 Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park | McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park | 6:00 PM & 8:00 PM

🎶 An Evening With Squirrel Nut Zippers – Christmas Caravan | Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts | 7:30 PM

🍷 Dazzling Dish & Wintery Wine | Kiva Craft Center Courtyard | 5:00 PM

Sunday, December 21

🎤 LeAnn Rimes | Talking Stick Resort | 8:00 PM

🍽️ 12 Days of Christmas at COURSE Restaurant | COURSE Restaurant | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM (multiple days)

🎁 Scottsdazzle Toyland | Civic Center Library Lawn | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

🍗 Christmas Take Home Dinner | Fairmont Scottsdale Princess | Pickup Times Vary

⛸️ Public Skating | Mountain America Community Iceplex at Mullett Arena | See link for schedule

🎸 Christmas with Reba and Dolly – Tribute to Reba & Dolly | Casino Arizona | 7:30 PM

Featuring the most expensive home sold in Scottsdale this week at $8.4M! I don't know why but I'm really digging the gray block-style compound look. It just looks so unique and the inside looks amazing.

Here’s the link if you want to check it out.

Scottsdale Scoop is 100% free and independently run (it's just me over here). Your support helps me keep bringing you the best local spots, events, and inside scoop on what's happening in Scottsdale every week. Your contribution will go towards keeping the Scoop going so we can have more fun in community events! really appreciate all the support all of you 🙂 - John