At Hidden Bar at The Noelle in Nashville, you might think you’ve stumbled into the Griswolds’ family Christmas. Inspired by the classic 1989 holiday film, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, the pop-up bar (open until January 7th, 2023) features well-edited details such as a recreation of the family living room replete with a burnt-to-a-crisp Christmas tree; framed family photos; a jello mold, and illustrations of the family “truckster.”
“No one goes out just to eat and drink, they go out for the experience,” says Noelle’s Food & Beverage General Manager, Brad Stewart. “This city goes crazy for Christmas. Launching Hidden Bar’s Holiday Vacation based on a movie that the majority of people have seen hundreds of times creates an experience of fun nostalgia.”
From top left: “Last True Family Man” cocktail; “Hallelujah! Holy S#%t, Where’s The Tylenol?”; “Tap Dancing With Bing Crosby;” “It’s Christmas and We’re all in Misery;” “That’s Good Eggnog.”
The pop-up bar, designed by Relic Creative, serves up small bites based on key quotes and one-liners from the movie such as “don’t forget your lunch, Clark,” a mix of cured meats, cheese, gherkins, jam, and crackers; Aunt Beth’s jello mold; and Clark’s Candy, a peanut butter chocolate cup. Drinks include “Hallelujah! Holy S#%t, Where’s the Tylenol?” with Blanco, pomegranate, cranberry, cointreau, lime, and blackberry monin, and “Squirrel!” a pear-infused libation with Don Fulano reposado, lime, green chartreuse, and agave.
“Guests feel like they’re a part of a Griswold’s holiday gathering, with a Noelle style twist on it and fun, elevated cocktails,” adds Stewart.
