Getting Blitzed

Dallas' Omni Hotels debuts holiday bar pop-up at 7 Texas properties

Is your order naughty or nice?

Photo courtesy of Omni Hotels & Resorts

Dallas-based Omni Hotels is ringing in the holidays with an over-the-top cocktail experience that will debut at 27 hotels across the U.S., including seven in Texas and five in Dallas-Fort Worth.

The holiday initiative is an expansion of their successful Blitzen’s Bar, the festive pop-up they debuted at the Omni Dallas hotel in downtown Dallas in 2024. Now the hotel chain will expand the concept, launching bar takeovers at these seven hotels in Texas:

Dallas: Hops & Hens at Omni Dallas Hotel
Fort Worth: Wine Thief at Omni Fort Worth Hotel
Frisco: Lobby Bar at Omni Frisco Hotel at The Star
Frisco: Lounge by Top Golf at Omni PGA Frisco Resort
Irving: LRH at Omni Las Colinas Hotel
Houston: La Reserve at Omni Houston Hotel
San Antonio: El Colegio at Omni La Mansión del Rio

From November 28 to January 9, these hotel bars will transform into a winter wonderland decked out with twinkling lights, festive decor, and a menu of merry-making cocktails crafted by mixologist Julie Reiner, a judge on Netflix’s Drink Masters and the creative force behind New York City favorites Clover Club, Milady’s, and Leyenda.

The cocktail menu will comprise eight drinks including:

The Blitzen with Woodford Reserve Rye, Liquid Alchemist ginger apple spice syrup, and angostura bitters, served in a holiday ornament
Sleigh Ride with Grey Goose Vodka, Italicus, lime, cranberry syrup, and soda water, served with light-up ice cubes
Espress-Ho Ho Martini with Don Julio Reposado Tequila, Mr. Black coffee liqueur, and espresso, garnished with a mini MoonPie

There's also a zero-proof Merry Spritz-mas with Curious Elixir #4, Fluère non-alcoholic bitter, and lemon; and a decadent and trendy Dubai hot chocolate with caramelized kataifi, pistachio whipped cream, and dripped Stroopwafel chocolate bar, served in a gold coffee mug.

Accompanying snacks will include Reindeer Fuel (smoked maple-chili nut and pretzel crunch) and an assorted holiday cookie tray.

"After the incredible response to Blitzen's Bar last year, I'm thrilled to return with Omni Hotels & Resorts to make this holiday season even more memorable," Reiner says in a release. "Crafting cocktails for Blitzen's is all about pushing the boundaries of tradition, and infusing classic holiday flavors with playful, modern twists - and this year's menu delivers in the most fun and flavorful way."

Each hotel will also host holiday experiences including concerts, photos with Santa, and special holiday stay packages.

On Saturday, November 29, Omni's properties will simultaneously light their Christmas trees at 6 pm local time, marking the official start of the season, which also features the brand's cherished annual hot chocolate ritual.

TX to TN

FlixBus rolls out new budget-friendly route from Dallas to Nashville

Photo courtesy of FlixBus

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Traveling from North Texas to Tennessee just got a lot easier, more affordable, and more scenic. Budget-friendly bus service FlixBus just launched its first-ever direct route connecting Dallas to Nashville, with departures running five days a week.

FlixBus is the largest intercity bus network that offers passengers affordable and comfortable travel across 1,800 destinations in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The signature lime green buses come with free Wi-Fi, power outlets, comfortable seating, and extra legroom, and passengers can bring one carry-on and one stowed luggage for their trips.

Passengers booking the Dallas-to-Nashville route will depart from the Dallas Bus Station at 9755 Harry Hines Blvd., and arrive at Nashville Bus Station at 709 Rep John Lewis Way South. Travel times will vary depending on the number of stops, traffic, and other circumstances, but will generally be between 11.5-14.5 hours.

The new route will also offer direct access to other travel hubs, including:

Sulphur Springs (travel center): 1600 W. Shannon Rd., Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
Texarkana (travel stop): 4020 S. Lake Dr., Texarkana, TX 75501
Memphis Bus Station: 3033 Airways Blvd., Memphis, TN 38131

Fares for the route, which launched August 13, start at $63.99 per passenger per way.

Another travel route from Texas to Tennessee
In addition to the new Dallas-Nashville route, FlixBus will relaunch its Houston-Memphis route later this month, with service starting Thursday, August 27.

The Houston-Memphis route will operate five days a week with an extended daily service in November to accommodate Thanksgiving holiday demand.

Departures will be from 605 Gray St. in downtown Houston, and passengers will arrive at Memphis Bus Station.

The seven stops along the Houston-Memphis route are:

Lake Charles (Lakepoint): 750 Enterprise Blvd., Lake Charles, LA 70601
Lafayette (Louisiana): 1701 N University Ave., Lafayette, LA 70507
Baton Rouge Bus Station: 1253 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70802
New Orleans Bus Station: 1001 Loyola Ave., New Orleans, LA 70113
Hattiesburg: 6635 US-49 S, Hattiesburg, MS 39401
Meridian Bus Stop: 1901 Front St., Meridian, MI 39301
Batesville (Terza One Stop Shop): 22023 MS-6, Batesville, MI 38606

The new Texas-Tennessee routes expand FlixBus' network across the South while offering travelers cost-effective and comfortable transportation to "major business, entertainment, and cultural destinations while providing access to smaller communities along the way."

"The South continues to see increasing demand for affordable, convenient ways to travel between major cities," says Flix North America head of communications Karina Frayter in a release. "As more travelers look for alternatives to driving or flying, we're expanding our network to make it easier to reach the destinations that matter most, whether you’re traveling for school or work, visiting friends and family, or taking a vacation."

Passengers can book tickets for all destinations via FlixBus.com and the FlixBus app.

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