Pop-up News

Dallas is one of 5 cities hosting a Mariah Carey holiday pop-up bar

Mariah Carey bar

Bucket Listers

A new celebrity-driven bar is coming to Dallas from the self-styled Queen of Christmas: Called Mariah Carey Black Irish Holiday Bar, it's a holiday pop-up that will camp out at Virgin Dallas Hotel, beginning November 15 and running through December 29.

Black Irish by Mariah Carey is the Irish cream liqueur founded and inspired by the heritage of the global singer-songwriter, and comes in three flavors: Original, Salted Caramel, and White Chocolate. The brand is partnering with Virgin Hotels to create a Mariah Carey Black Irish Holiday Bar at select Virgin Hotels, including Chicago, Dallas, Nashville, New Orleans, and New York.

Mariah Carey’s Black Irish Holiday Bar at Virgin Hotels will feature a full takeover that transforms various spaces into a holiday-themed winter wonderland. Interactive features include:

stepping into a magical holiday window photo display adorned with a custom All I Want For Christmas Is You neon sign
sitting on a festive wreath to recreate the iconic album cover from Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special
interactive photo booth
Black Irish Christmas tree
‘letters to Mariah’ station
lyric wall

Carey is a big fan of the holiday, even going so far as to call herself the Queen of Christmas, and who are we to dispute? She'll even be in town a week after the bar debuts, when she stops at American Airlines Center on Thursday, November 21 on her "Mariah Carey’s Christmas Time tour, celebrating the 30th anniversary of her 1994 album Merry Christmas and its iconic single, "All I Want For Christmas Is You."

What are the odds she'll stop in to her own branded bar?

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These festive Black Irish cocktails can be sipped in this captivating holiday-inspired experience that feels like straight out of a holiday music video:

Signature Espresso Martini featuring Black Irish Irish Cream and a candy cane rim
Martini Flight that includes a White Chocolate Martini made with Black Irish White Chocolate Irish Cream and topped with cotton candy and glitter, a Reposado Tequila Espresso Martini with Black Irish Irish Cream garnished with a cinnamon stick, and a Bourbon Martini infused with Salted Caramel Black Irish Irish Cream topped with a chocolate covered pretzel rim
Cocoa Coffee spiked with Black Irish Irish Cream and topped with red and green glitter sprinkles and edible butterflies.

The pop-up’s design is created in partnership with Bucket Listers, the team behind the viral Malibu Barbie Cafe, Diamonds and Rose Experience by Bravo, and Saved by the Max experiences, and will feaure not only Carey-inspired photo opps but also exclusive merchandise.

Virgin Hotels Collection CEO James Bermingham says: “We’re excited to be partnering with Mariah Carey’s Black Irish and Bucket Listers to bring this holiday experience to life across select Virgin Hotels."

Black Irish CEO John Herzog says: “I'm thrilled to partner with Virgin Hotels this holiday season to bring a truly unique experience to life, celebrating the 30th anniversary of Mariah Carey’s timeless classic, ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You.’ We're excited to offer guests at Virgin Hotels an unforgettable opportunity to enjoy a signature Black Irish cocktail alongside immersive holiday moments inspired by Mariah herself."

Mariah Carey says: “Black irish cream is my new favorite! Especially in the holiday season, you can enjoy it over ice as well and in eggnog."

Mariah Carey’s Black Irish Holiday Bar pop-up at Virgin Hotels in all 5 cities runs daily, with 90-minute time slots offered between 4-9:15 pm. Tickets start at $20 and include a complimentary Black Irish welcome cocktail.

Brunch will be available on Saturday and Sunday from 12-3 pm, priced at $65. Each brunch ticket includes a Black Irish welcome cocktail and an entrée.

Pie News

White Rhino Coffee acquires Dallas bakery chain Emporium Pies

Photo courtesy of Emporium Pies

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A Dallas pie company has a new boss: Emporium Pies, a small chain of pie shops founded in 2012, has been acquired by White Rhino Coffee, the Dallas-born coffee company known for its community-driven cafés and craft-focused approach.

Emporium Pie owners and sisters Landon Perdue, Jen Abohosh, and Addie Roberts say in a release that the transition reflects a natural alignment in values.

"Part of our shared mission is hospitality and giving people a reason to celebrate," Roberts says. "We love the team, who I’ll continue working alongside, and I’m excited for this next chapter together. There’s something about dessert that brings people joy in a way nothing else can, and we’re thrilled to see that legacy carried forward."

Emporium began as a small operation selling pies from a 1930s bungalow in Bishop Arts. A second location opened in McKinney in 2013, followed by Deep Ellum which opened in 2016, and Fort Worth which opened in 2021, for a total of four shops. This is the second time the chain has changed hands; the original founders sold the company in 2022.

White Rhino was founded in 2007 and currently has 12 locations, the most recent being a location at Cypress Waters, inside a conference room, which opened in 2025.

“Emporium Pies has built an extraordinary legacy,” said Sara Escamilla, CEO of White Rhino Coffee. “Their products are consistently excellent, impeccably crafted, and beloved. Every pie is made with the highest quality ingredients. To be able to support and grow a concept of this caliber is an honor.”

The bakers and Addie Roberts will remain on staff, ensuring that the recipes remain unchanged. While the businesses will operate as usual for now, White Rhino Coffee plans to explore expanding Emporium Pies’ footprint across the Dallas–Fort Worth area.

They'll also introduce collaborations and menu integrations such as signature pie-and-coffee pairings.

“For now, it simply means coffee and pie - two of life’s best comforts - can be enjoyed across both brands,” Escamilla says.

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