Holiday Drinking

2 holiday pop-up bars are landing like Santa's sled in Dallas-Fort Worth

Special-edition glassware is part of the Miracle package.

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Two big holiday-themed speakeasy pop-ups are landing in Dallas-Fort Worth, like Santa on his sled. One is a national tour that comes through annually. The other is a pop-up in Plano from a veteran of the cocktail themed bar tour.

This doesn't even get into the whole rooftop globe thing which has become its own flourishing holiday tradition, and Christmas lights are another topic entirely.

Here's your holiday popups:

Tinseltown at Legacy West: November 24-December 30
All-encompassing Christmas-themed pop-up at Legacy West on Headquarters Drive Opening is from the Viral Group, the Australian pop-up kings whose previous ventures include the Alice in Wonderland cocktail pop-up and the elusive Karen's Diner.

They created this Xmas-themed tour in 2021 and are bringing it to multiple cities across the U.S. to share in the holiday ~~profits~~ joy. Expect Santa's elves, tinsel, festive tunes, and winter drinks, with custom-created Christmas cocktails as well as non-alcoholic drinks.

Hours are Wednesday-Thursday 5:30-9 pm, Friday 5.30-11 pm, Saturday 1-10.30 pm, and Sunday 1-8.30 pm. This pop-up bar is a strictly 21+ event, but family-friendly sessions are available for those under drinking age.

Tickets are $15 and include entry to the themed bar for 90 mins and a themed drink on arrival.

Miracle and Sippin’ Santa, various bars: November 20 through December 31
Annual Christmas-themed cocktail pop-up bar was a pioneer in the genre when they debuted the concept nearly a decade ago, featuring festive cocktails, over-the-top decorations, and limited-edition mugs you're meant to acquire and collect. This tour has new cities, new cocktails, and "unparalleled" glassware.

Initially, this concept was kind of an exclusive thing that came to a limited number of bars, but they've gone wide, with nearly 200 participating locations, including multiple venues throughout every city in the U.S. and beyond. That includes an unprecedented eight bars in Texas, as follows:

Arlington – Miracle at Live! (at Miller Tavern & Beer Garden)
Austin – Miracle on 5th Street (at The Eleanor)
Dallas – Miracle at Royal 38
Fort Worth – Miracle on South Main (at Nickel City Fort Worth)
Frisco – Miracle at The Aussie Grind53
Houston, TX – Miracle at Johnny’s Gold Brick
Houston – Miracle at Winnie’s
San Antonio – Miracle on Commerce Street (at The Esquire Tavern)

Is it really special when it's everywhere? But back to the dishware: According to the release, "the Miracle and Sippin’ Santa holiday mug collections have become synonymous with the joy and magic of the season, and this year’s collection is no exception. Building upon their legacy of inimitable festive glassware, Miracle and Sippin’ Santa will unveil several new merrymaking mugs that perfectly embody the playful holiday spirit." What is this, Crate & Barrel?

Pizza News

Donatos Pizza debuts in Texas with first opening in Frisco

Donatos

Donatos Pizza

An anticipated pizza chain is about to make its Dallas debut: Donatos Pizza, the franchise famous for spreading its toppings to the very edge of the crust, will open its first location in Texas at 8990 Coit Rd. in Frisco.

According to a release, it'll open on November 12.

Donatos is so into its method of distributing toppings all the way to the edge that they have registered a phrase: Edge to Edge® pizza.

Their menu features more than a dozen varieties of pizza such as veggie, four cheese, and pepperoni with hot honey. Their signature crust is a thin-crust but they also offer thicker alternatives as well as a cauliflower crust. Pizzas come in a 7-inch individual and go all the way up to a 14-inch large. Prices range from $15 to $25.

Fans appreciate their better-than-average ingredients and describe it as more flavorful compared to other corporate pizza chains, with a crisp thin crust and generous toppings.

In addition to pizza, Donatos' menu includes oven-baked wings, sub sandwiches, including meatball and Italian cold cuts, plus appetizers and salads.

“Opening a Donatos Pizza location in Texas is a dream come true for us. As lifelong fans of Donatos, we’re thrilled to bring this beloved Ohio-based brand to the Frisco community,” said Casey Dennis, co-owner of Donatos Pizza Frisco. “We can’t wait for everyone to experience great pizza and join us for some fun at the grand opening on November 12th.”

Bringing Donatos to Frisco are two three natives of Ohio, all with a connection to Donatos: Dr. Rico Singleton, Casey Dennis, and Cameron Hopkins — all eager to share their long-time love of Donatos in their new home in Texas. They also share a brotherhood through Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., which emphasizes initiatives like Bigger and Better Business, reflecting their entrepreneurial spirit.

Singleton is a native of Zanesville, Ohio, with a background in Information Technology who has lived in Texas for 8 years. Dennis is from Columbus, has a degree in pharmacy, is lifelong friends with Singleton, and has also lived here for eight years. Hopkins is also a native of Columbus, with a background in software engineering and real estate investing and has lived here five years.

They're also opening another location in the Dallas area in Flower Mound, coming later this year.

“Bringing Donatos Pizza to Texas marks a historic milestone as we begin this exciting journey to expand the brand throughout the DFW area,” says Donatos President and CEO Kevin King. “We look forward to becoming an integral part of the Frisco community through our promise to serve the best pizza and make your day a little better.”

Donatos Pizza was founded in 1963 when Ohio State sophomore Jim Grote bought a small pizza shop in Columbus, Ohio, where the company is headquartered. At one point, Donatos was bought out by McDonald’s in 1999. By 2003, Grote bought it back.

Ther are currently 470-plus locations in 28 states. That includes 175 stores plus nearly 300 non-traditional locations nationwide, including select Red Robin restaurants.

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