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.

Craft Beer News

Lakewood Brewing brings Fort Worth favorite Rahr beers to Dallas

Photo by Mary Tuab/Flickr

The new partnership will expand production capacity for select Rahr brands.

Longtime Fort Worth craft beer name Rahr & Sons Brewing is about to surface in a new location: The brewery, which exited its longtime brewery space in Fort Worth in 2025, has entered a new partnership with another acclaimed brewery: Lakewood Brewing of Dallas.

The new partnership will expand production capacity for select Rahr brands, bringing together two of North Texas’ most respected craft brewing pioneers.

"Rahr Brewing has been seeking additional brewing capacity to help meet increasing Dallas demand," their statement says. "Under this new agreement, Lakewood Brewing will produce certain Rahr brands at its Dallas facility, while Rahr will continue brewing beer in Fort Worth."

As an added benefit to the new partnership, Rahr beers will be served on tap at the Lakewood Brewery taproom.

Rahr left their Fort Worth location after 20 years, with a goal to find a new home. (Their space was taken over by Blue Flag whiskey distiller.) Rahr has continued to brew their beers, maintaining their availability in restaurants, bars, and stores.

Craft beer pioneer Fritz Rahr debuted his namesake brewery in 2004, back when Fort Worth was “very much a Miller-Coors town,” as he said in 2024. They went on to establish themselves as the godfather of Fort Worth's craft beer scene, thanks to an evolving roster of beers that range from classics like Texas Red American ale to newer favorites like Dadgum IPA — earning them critical nods such as a CultureMap Tastemakers Award nomination in 2023 for Brewery of the Year.

Founded by craft beer aficionado Wim Bens in 2012, Lakewood Brewing has become one of Texas’ most recognized independent craft breweries, winning numerous awards. Their tap room on the east side of Dallas is a popular beer hound haunt.

With the new partnership, the two brands will collaborate on brewing projects, special releases, community events, and initiatives that celebrate the vibrant culture of North Texas craft beer.

“This partnership is built on friendship, mutual respect, and a shared belief in the future of Texas craft beer,” says Fritz Rahr in a statement.

“Together, we can continue to innovate while honoring the traditions that have made both of our breweries successful," Wim Bens says. “Rahr Brewing has long been a cornerstone of the North Texas brewing community. We are excited to produce some of their brands here at our brewery.”

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Celestina Blok contributed to this story.

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