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 Tinsletown 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.

Tinseltown at Billy Sunday Drinks

Tinseltown boasts 14 festive cocktails to enjoy. 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.

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. If you like sweet cocktails, definitely order this one.

Feliz Navidad!: This is a classic coquito made with rum, coconut milk and traditional spices. I didn’t get a chance to try this drink at the preview, so it’s first on my list when I go back to Billy Sunday.

Help Me...I’m Feeling!: Warm up with this hot, red-wine mulled wine, complete with brandy, mulling spices and orange.

For an Old Pal in the Army: If mulled wine isn’t your thing, try this mulled cider drink with lemon and cinnamon. Order as-is for a classic winter beverage or booze it up with your choice of spirit.

Silver & Gold: Of all the flavors of winter – peppermint, toffee, clove and pomegranate – blood orange is often slept on. This tequila mule combines tequila, blood orange and ginger beer for a not-too-tart concoction, served with a chocolate gold coin on top.

Ya Filthy Animal: Served in a cute teddy bear-shaped container, this bourbon and eggnog drink is a creamy, cold cocktail.

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.

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 pear sorbet is served with a mixture of gin, rosemary, lemon and sparkling wine that the bartender pours over the sorbet.

Son of a Nutcracker: Billy Sunday gives the classic old fashioned a holiday twist with pecan orgeat, cardamaro vino amaro and mole bitters. This pecan pie old fashioned is presented in a nutcracker-decorated box.

Throne of Lies: This espresso martini, served hot, uses Giddy Goat cold brew, vodka, fall-spiced syrup and cinnamon whipped cream. The top of the drink is adorned with a ground-spice crown fit for the Queen City.

Naught or Nice?: Which are you? Choose a shot that fits your mood. The naughty shot is vodka, lemon, maple and coffee liqueur, while the nice shot has herbal liqueur, lime and cinnamon syrup. Grab your friends and throw back your shots from the shotski that serves up to four people.

Reindeer Games: If bubbles are your preference, try this lightly sparkling cran-apple mocktail. You can even add your choice of spirit to it.

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. Try the Crushing It candied nuts, Let It Snow puppy chow or You Better Not Pout cheese popcorn. If you’re feeling hungrier, indulge in the Sliding into Santa’s DMs beef sliders, Resting Grinch Face spinach and artichoke dip or We Knead a Little Christmas pretzel bites with beer cheese and mustard.

If you’re sitting outside, order the Let’s Get Toasted s’mores kit for two.

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 glowing icicles hanging from the wall, 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.

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.