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?

Menu
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.

Hummus News

Revered family-owned Mediterranean restaurant debuts in North Dallas

Samantha Marie Photography

Zon Zon food spread

An upscale Mediterranean restaurant is coming to North Dallas from a trusted name: Called Zon Zon, it'll open at 5455 Belt Line Rd. #130, in the Work/Shop center, and it's hospitality group Yela Concepts led by Yaser Khalaf (Darna, Baboush), together with his son Mak Khalef in their first collaboration.

According to a release, it'll open on December 22.

Named for Mak's sister Zaina (“Zon Zon”), the restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner with a refined take on Mediterranean dining, rooted in tradition but with modern influences.

"We tried to merge what embodies Mediterranean cuisine with dishes that people in Dallas love," Mak says. "A lot of the dishes we have on menu are Mediterranean but have American and Texan influences."

Mezze favorites include hummus topped with green shatta and extra-virgin olive oil; baba ghanoush with charred eggplant, tahini, dukka, and pomegranate; crispy cauliflower with saffron labneh; tuna neya with tahini, mixed pickles, and Aleppo pepper; and kibbeh with ground lamb, onions, pine nuts, and dill labneh.

Salads include seared tuna salad with freekeh and golden beets; Tahini Caesar with tahini–Caesar dressing and za’atar croutons; and roasted beets with burrata, oranges, and pistachios.

Entrées include roasted chicken with garlic-batata and pomegranate jus; chicken shish kebab over saffron rice with almonds and raisins; hanger steak shawarma frites — a clever twist on steak frites with hand-cut fries; ZZ’s Wagyu cheeseburger with smoked provolone and house pickles; Prime ribeye with za’atar chimichurri and heirloom carrots; and apricot lamb couscous.

The beverage program complements the menu with a Mediterranean-focused wine list and creative cocktails such as the coffee-kissed Midnight Istanbul and ZZ’s Margarita, with burnt pineapple and ras el hanout.

Designed in collaboration with Dallas-based Coeval Studios, the restaurant features a 2,130-square-foot interior with an expansive 735-square-foot patio that seats 76, for a total occupancy near 100.

The restaurant boasts an open kitchen, while decorative finishes include modern woodwork, rich textures, and Middle Eastern-inspired details — stylish yet inviting, with a setting that feels like home.

“The inspiration behind Zon Zon came from wanting to create the kind of place we’ve always wished existed — a neighborhood Mediterranean spot that feels both familiar and exciting - we wanted to create a comfortable space where guests can meet up with friends or neighbors on a regular basis,” says Yaser in a statement.

Mak went to college to sudy biomedical engineering, but says he couldn't resist the lure of the restaurant world in which he grew up.

"Zon Zon is a reflection of everything we love about food," Mak says. "What makes this especially meaningful is building it with my dad — bringing our family’s story and passion to the table."

openings