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Winter In NYC: Bars, Restaurants Decked Out For The Holiday Season

By John Friia

While winter brings shorter and colder days, restaurants and bars throughout the city are creating a way to make those frigid days tolerable. From faux ski chalets to tropical Santa cocktails, there is no shortage of winter fun. Here's our top picks:

Winter Bars - Gallow Green
(Credit: Gallow Green)

The Lodge at Gallow Green

542 West 27th Street
New York, NY 10001
212-564-1662
www.themckittrickhotel.com

More: Best Hot Toddies and Mulled Wine In NYC

Once people step inside The Lodge at Gallow Green, they will feel transported to a mountainside ski chalet in the Alps. Nestled in the heart of Chelsea, the popular rooftop bar is a green oasis situated atop The McKittrick Hotel. During the winter months, the bar is transformed into a dramatic hideaway that invites guest to enter a cozy ski chalet hidden amidst an expansive pine tree forest. Diners can enjoy a selection of craft cocktails and large format drinks, including the signature "Sleep No More" mulled wine.

Winter Bars - Miracle At Mace
(Credit: Miracle At Mace)

Miracle at Mace

649 East 9th Street
New York, NY 10009
347-886-7739
www.macenewyork.com

More: Best Holiday Cocktails In NYC

Continuing to spread the holiday cheer, Miracle at Mace returns for another year of fun-filled festivities. The beloved seasonal pop-up brings people to a holiday wonderland with hanging presents, stockings, garland and Christmas lights throughout the bar. Embracing the spirit of the season, the bar will play classic yuletide songs and serve themed cocktails through December 24. With an array of seasonal libations, people can find themselves ordering "Christmapolitans" all night, which is a twist on the Cosmopolitan made with vodka, fig and spiced cranberry sauce.

Winter Bars -Haven Rooftop
(Credit: Haven Rooftop)

Haven Rooftop

132 West 47th Street
New York, NY 10036
212-466-9000
www.havenrooftop.com

More: Best Bars With Fireplaces In NYC

New Yorkers can escape the hustle and bustle of Times Square at Haven Rooftop atop the Sanctuary Hotel New York. The seasonal glassed-in rooftop is known for their hot drinks, creative cocktails and a hearty menu that complement the cozy environment. Throughout the winter, people can relax in lounge chairs and nestle near personal fireplaces with blankets. With the hanging snowflakes and snowy decorations, Haven Rooftop is a winter retreat for friends and family.

sippin-santa-credit-noah-fecks

Sippin' Santa's Surf Shack

13 First Avenue
New York, NY 10003
212-995-5400
www.boilermakernyc.com

More: Best Holiday Window Displays In NYC

While many people associate the holidays with frigid temperatures, Sippin' Santa's Surf Shack brings a Tiki theme to the holiday season. Whisking New Yorkers away to tiki wonderland, this pop-up bar offers a vast list of Polynesian cocktails with a holiday twist.

Winter Bars - Eataly
(Credit: Eataly)

Baita at Eataly

200 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10010
212-937-8910
www.eataly.com

More: Best Hot Chocolates In NYC

Baita is an enclosed heated rooftop, which boasts stunning views of the Flatiron District while radiating northern Italy décor. Named after a small ski lodge in the Alps, Baita is filled with pine trees and garland. Diners can indulge in New York's first polenta bar -- a staple dish of Italy -- while sipping on the "Smokey S'More" with hot chocolate, tequila cream, mezcal and cookie crumble.

Winter Bars - Silver Belles
(Credit: Silver Belles)

Silver Belles Shoals

10 Hope Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
718-218-6027
www.ingoodcompanyhg.com

More: Brooklyn's Best Outdoor, Garden Restaurants

Williamsburg is getting into the holiday spirit with Silver Belle Shoals. From the outdoor garden to the bar, there are twinkling lights, snow-covered trees and fire pits will put a holiday smile everyone's face. Silver Belle Shoals also offers live music and special holiday guest, including photos with Drunk Santa on December 3rd. This holiday bar brings a new meaning to reindeer games this season.

Winter Bars - Vnyl
(Credit: Jessie Gibson)

The VNYL

100 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10003
917-675-7725
www.thevnyl.com

More: Best Holiday Movie Screenings In NYC

New Yorkers can head to the basement bar of The VNYL for their "Holiday Hideaway," a festive getaway this season. The East Village hot spot will put you in the holiday spirit with an abundance of tinsel and fake crackling fire. People can warm up with their signature cocktails and dishes, including their "Santa's Milk" punch and holiday cookies. Throughout the season, the festive bar with host elves on Monday evenings to hand out surprise stocking stuffers to lucky guests. The holiday cheer is also on display in the main bar, which will be showing classic Christmas movies every Monday.

Winter Bars - Locl
(Credit: Nylo New York City)

LOCL Bar

222 West 77th Street
New York, NY 10024
212-651-3319
www.nylohotels.com

As the weather begins to get colder and the nights grow longer, the Upper West Side's LOCL bar is receiving a Shakespeare-style makeover. Located in the NYLO hotel, the popular bar will transform into "A Mid-Winter Night's Dream," which includes garlands, lights and sparkles.

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