Tinseltown at Billy Sunday Charlotte
The holiday season is here, which means the return of decorated bars serving festive cocktails. Among the list of holiday pop-up bars in Charlotte is Tinseltown at Billy Sunday. This seasonal favorite is back at the Optimist Hall bar, from Nov. 29-Dec. 31. I attended a preview of Tinseltown and have the scoop on all the cocktails, food and more.
Kidnap Sandy Claws at Billy Sunday’s Tinseltown holiday bar.
Tinseltown at Billy Sunday Drinks
Tinseltown boasts 12 festive cocktails to enjoy and a shot option as well. Each has a fun name, many based on quotes from holiday films. The hot cocktails are served in adorable holiday-themed mugs that you might be tempted to take as a souvenir. Don’t be a Grinch. The bartender can likely tell you where you can get one of your own.
Yippee Ki-Yay Mother F*cker: My personal favorite (part because of the taste, part because I love “Die Hard”), this hot buttered rum uses the most delectable gingerbread butter batter. This is my formal request for Billy Sunday to sell this butter by itself because people (me) would eat it on anything. The butter is combined with hot water and dark rum for a cocktail that tastes as good as it smells.
Be Sure to Drink Your Ovaltine: Enjoy a childhood favorite hot chocolate with or without alcohol. This dairy-based hot cocoa is finished with homemade whipped cream.
Feliz Navidad!: This is a classic coquito made with rum, coconut milk and traditional spices.
Holiday Who-be What-ee: Billy Sunday’s hot toddy, with spiced honey and lemon, can also be made without the bourbon for a non-alcoholic, warming winter drink.
Hallelujah! Holy Sh*t! Where’s the Tylenol?: A coup glass with a scoop of cranberry sorbet is served with a mixture of gin, rosemary and sparkling wine that the bartender pours over the sorbet.
Kidnap Sandy Claws: A sugar cookie martini made with vodka, amaretto, vanilla and milk. The glass is decorated with a swipe of frosting that’s rolled in red and green sprinkles.
Lump of Coal: Billy Sunday gives the classic bourbon Old Fashioned a twist with cacao, maple and house-made chocolate bitters. This chocolatey cocktail is smoked and presented in a decorated box.
Reindeer Games: If bubbles are your preference, try this lightly sparkling cran-apple mocktail. You can even add your choice of spirit to it.
Sleighing It: New to the 2024 menu is this reposado tequila cocktail with house-made apple cider syrup, apple cider, lemon juice and angostura bitters. Sip these seasonal flavors over ice in a glass shaped like an ornament.
Throne of Lies: This espresso martini, served hot, uses house-made cold brew, vodka, cacao with brown sugar gelato at the bottom of the glass.
Ya Filthy Animal: Served in a cute teddy bear-shaped container, this bourbon and eggnog drink is a creamy, cold cocktail.
Yoo-Hoo! Big Supper Blow Out!: Select a spirit of your choice to pair with this cocktail made with blue curacao, strawberry- and mango-infused orgeat, lime juice and tiki bitters.
Naughty or Nice?: Which are you? Choose a shot that fits your mood. The naughty shot is vodka, house-made cranberry syrup and lemon juice, while the nice shot has creme de menthe and creme de cacao. Grab your friends and throw back your shots from the shot ski that serves up to four people.
Tinseltown at Billy Sunday Food
If the cocktails start hitting and you’re feeling peckish, don’t worry about leaving Billy Sunday to get food. The bar will serve an array of small bites and snacks during Tinseltown, including spinach and artichoke dip, pretzel bites with beer cheese and mustard, and more.
Tinseltown at Billy Sunday Vibe
As soon as you walk by Billy Sunday, located on the lower level of Optimist Hall, the glittering lights catch your eye. Inside, find ornaments hanging from the ceiling, festive pillows on the chairs and couches, and tinsel, wrapping paper and Christmas trees all around.
Outside, standing heaters and firepits will keep you warm while you sip your cocktail. Grab a photo in front of the tree adorned with red, green and white ornaments. Or, go to the side of the building for pics in front of the grassy photo wall. Between the oversized ornaments, you’ll have plenty of room for a selfie or group photo.
Photo opportunities at Tinseltown at Billy Sunday
Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. When you arrive at Optimist Hall, put your name in with a Billy Sunday hostess. If there’s a wait, head inside the food hall for a bite to eat or seasonal cocktail from Spindle Bar. Because Tinseltown is such a popular event, Billy Sunday is unable to accommodate groups larger than six people.
Billy Sunday is located at 1115 N. Brevard St., Charlotte.