It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Peoria.
Lit trees peeked out of windows as outdoor decorations shone amongst the first big winter snow. Around town, festivities are underway. The Parade of Lights in East Peoria and Peoria’s Santa Claus Parade have each taken place, the Peoria Riverfront Museum lit its 75-foot-tall tree, and throughout the month, various bars and restaurants are offering festive holiday pop ups.
If you are searching for a space decked out in yuletide cheer, check out these local businesses.
City Heat
How long does the pop up last? Decorations will remain until the final week of January, according to daytime bar manager Crystal Chiaravalle.
Details: Christmas ornaments, lights and tinsel garlands decorate the ceiling at City Heat. Wrapping paper adorns the walls and other festive décor can be found throughout the establishment.
The business is collecting donations for Toys for Tots until Dec. 16.
Chiaravalle said this is the second year City Heat has been decked out in Christmas cheer – with even more decorations this year. She enjoys seeing how happy customers are when they come in and said there is always something new to see.
“Every morning when I come in, it’s just beautiful,” she said. “I just love it.”
Connect: 2248 W. Glen Ave., Peoria; (309) 691-7444, https://www.facebook.com/CityHeatPeoria/
Jalapeños
How long does the pop up last? Owner Nora Leon said the holiday pop up will continue through the end of the year.
Details: For a second year, Jalapeños is filled with holiday cheer. The Christmas pop-up is concentrated in the bar area, but Leon said festive décor can be found throughout the restaurant.
“It’s been great,” she said. “People are loving it.”
The menu boasts six holiday drinks, Leon said, and seasonal songs fill the space.
In keeping with the season, Leon said Jalapenos is offering a 12 Days of Christmas gift card giveaway and will host an ugly sweater weekend on Dec. 13 and Dec. 14 – with those who post a picture of themselves at the restaurant being eligible for another gift card giveaway.
Connect: 4700 N. University St., Peoria; (309) 691-3599, https://www.jalapenosmetro.com/
Kelleher’s Irish Pub & Eatery
How long does the pop up last? Kelleher’s will host its Jingle & Sip pop up through Jan. 3.
Details: This year, the entirety of Kelleher’s is decked out for the season.
Sean Sullivan, co-owner at the eatery, said the Jingle & Sip pop-up menu will be served alongside a pared-down version of the restaurant’s regular menu during all hours of operation. Reservations are still recommended – especially for Thursday, Friday and Saturday – he said, and can be made online or by calling the restaurant.
Customers can order cocktails such as a blue Christmas margarita, the snowy nutcracker, a midnight cherry espresso martini and more. The Jingle & Sip food menu features “stocking stuffers,” “under the tree” entrees and a couple of desserts.
This year, Sullivan said the extra space enabled the restaurant to offer “a couple different highlighted feature areas.” He said guests can find photo opportunities like a bow wall, an ornament wall and a tinsel wall.
“It’s going to be a good time as always and again, it’s really neat,” he said. “When we had people walking in on Friday, they just couldn’t believe the decorations we got hanging from the ceiling and on the walls and everything that’s done now.”
The restaurant plans host various holiday events, including wreath making and brunches with Santa.
Connect: 619 SW Water St., Peoria; (309) 673-6000, https://www.kellehersonwater.com/
Nightjar
How long does the pop up last? Snowflake Lane is hosted through Dec. 30.
Details: A “globe-trotting celebration of holiday cheer!” is available at Nightjar this holiday season.
“Peoria is such a diverse community that we really wanted to celebrate all of the different origins that come together in our community,” co-owner Jessie Yoskin said, “and so, we decided to kind of go with the theme of the different holiday traditions around the world.”
Customers can find festive cocktails which draw inspiration from across the globe. A “passport” will be given to guests who order a holiday cocktail. Those who get a stamp for all 12 drinks – which each draw inspiration from a different country – will receive a prize.
Classics, such as egg nog and mulled wine, will also be available. Both drinks will have take-home options, as well.
A holiday ale will also be offered.
Groups of six or more are encouraged to make reservations.
The business’ website encourages the community to, “drink, discover, and celebrate the season around the world — all without leaving (Peoria).”
Connect: 112 State St., Suite 1a, Peoria; (309) 306-1449, https://www.nightjarpeoria.com/
Oliver’s in the Heights
How long does the pop up last? Oliver’s Grinch-themed pop up will end the second week of January.
Details: Grinch-themed décor can be found throughout the Peoria Heights eatery. This year, general manager Krystine Vos, said the holiday setup extends into the beer garden.
Customers can find a Grinchy menu – served alongside the restaurant’s regular offerings – all day long. Vos said the Max’s Mule, Martha Mays Pizza Puffs and Grinchy Garlic Dough Bites have been particularly popular.
“They love it,” Vos said of visitors. “They’re going around taking pictures everywhere. We’ve had people from Indiana, Decatur, Chicago – make the special trip just to come see us. So, it’s been pretty nice.”
Customers can attend a Christmas Karaoke night on Dec. 11. Then, on Dec. 13, Oliver’s plans to host a Grinch breakfast buffet in the morning and a Grinch costume contest for those 21 and over in the evening.
Connect: 1231 E. Samuel Ave., Peoria Heights; (309) 681-1779, https://www.oliversintheheights.com/
Thyme Kitchen and Craft Beer
How long does the pop up last? The restaurant’s holiday pop up will continue into January.
Details: Multiple employees pitched in to help bring Thyme’s Christmas pop up to life, according to Spice Hospitality owner Travis Mohlenbrink. Lights shine from the ceiling, the loft features a ski-lift theme and other festive décor adorns the dining area as holiday music fills the space.
Six seasonal cocktails are available, along with a special food menu focused on vintage Christmas hors d’oeuvres. Christmas specials will be available all day alongside the restaurant’s regular menu.
“It is a super fun thing to walk into and be inside of,” he said. “It’s, you know, something about Christmas lights in this time of year that puts a lot of smiles on people’s faces…. It’s fun to see and fun to be around.”
Reservations can be made online.
Connect: 736 SW Washington St., Peoria; (309) 713-2619, http://thymepeoria.com/
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Drinks, lights and cheer: Guide to festive Christmas pop ups in Peoria
Reporting by Cassidy Waigand, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
