It's only the beginning of October but there's one festive wintry ritual ready to roll: Called
Winterproof, it's a holiday-themed pop-up taking over the rooftop of the Statler Dallas hotel in downtown Dallas.
The hotel's rooftop lounge, ordinarily called Waterproof, will transform into Winterproof during the cooler season, from November 22 through February 11, offering outdoor snowglobes and heated cabanas for rent.
This is the fifth year for this annual holiday tradition, but there's a tasty new twist this year: Winterproof is celebrating Willy Wonka, the famous fictional chocolatier — perhaps to coincide with Timothée Chalamet's new film of the same theme being released in December? — with a new cocktail menu and a new Wonka-themed "edible" afternoon tea service on weekends.
Here's a sneak peek at the new cocktails, all based upon the beloved Roald Dahl work and its characters:
- Gingerbread Espresso Martini: Ketel One vodka, gingerbread syrup, coffee liqueur, cold brew
- Willy Wonka's Passionfruit Margarita: Tequila, Patron Citronage, passionfruit reduction, fresh lime juice, agave syrup
- Chocolate Factory Old Fashioned: Bourbon, Aztec chocolate bitters, orange bitters, simple syrup
- The Violet Beauregarde: Gin, lavender honey syrup, blueberry reduction, fresh lemon juice
- Charlie's Peach & Rosemary Mule: Grey Goose White Peach and Rosemary Vodka, fresh lime juice, ginger beer
- Pumpkin Spice Oompa Loompa: Vodka, Kahlua, pumpkin spice cream
- Just What the Dr. Wilbur Wonka Ordered: Pear nectar, St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur, dry champagne
- Grandpa Joe's Spiked Eggnog: White rum, amaretto, house-made eggnog, dusted with nutmeg
- Veruca's French 76: Vodka, Heering cherry liqueur, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, Champagne
- The Gene Wilder: Tequila, orange liqueur, rosemary simple syrup, sparkling water
There are two sizes of private snow globes available to rent.
Small globes, which seat up to four people, are available to reserve with two-hour food and beverage minimums starting at $200. Larger globes fit up to six people and start at $300 per two-hour reservation.
The cabanas, which accommodate up to 6-8 people, have been reimagined with themed decor. They can be reserved with prices ranging from $350-550.
Willy Wonka Tea
The tea is available on weekends only November 25-December 31, from 11 am-3 pm. It includes tea plus savory and sweet bites that include
- egg salad on a mini croissant
- chicken salad on petit pains au lait
- English cucumber with whipped dill cream cheese on brioche
- pimento cheese on nine-grain bread
A daily selection of assorted mini scones are served with house-made jams, jellies, and Devonshire cream. Desserts include mini raspberry cupcake, goat cheese cranberry panna cotta, chocolate-dipped shortbread cookies, and a lemon curd tart.
Guests also receive a complimentary glass of rosé, Champagne, or sparkling cider (non-alcoholic).
Tea reservations are $58 for adults and $25 for children 12 and under.
It's free to visit Winterproof on weekdays before 3 pm — after that it's $10 on weekdays and $15 all day on weekends.
Reservations for snow globes, cabanas and Willy Wonka’s Edible Tea can be made
here.