Two Sand Dollar locations bring back their Christmas “pop-up” festivities for 2023…
Miracle on Spring Mountain
Making Christmas, Making Christmas, la, la, laIt’s almost here and we can’t waitSo ring the bells and celebrate‘Cause when the full moon starts to climbWe’ll all sing out, “It’s Christmastime”
– Danny Elfman, The Nightmare Before Christmas
Yes, it’s time to wrap up those snakes and rats. Take down those ghosts and send the witches on their way. Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and soon after that…Santa and snowmen! Sand Dollar Lounge‘s original location on Spring Mountain Road and its sister spot at the Plaza Hotel on Main Street are almost ready to transform into winter wonderlands. Their makeovers are so inspired that even Jack Skellington will giggle with glee.
Sippin’ Santa on Main
If you don’t know what a Sand Dollar seasonal pop-up is, you might want to take an in-depth plunge into our previous coverage here. But since you’re already pressed for time with Thanksgiving prep, just know that your favorite neighborhood music bars get a top-to-bottom make-over, Santa-style. Thousands upon thousands of lights, decorations, and whimsical touches magically appear, along with new holiday-themed cocktails and pizzas.
The original Sand Dollar Lounge is located at 3355 Spring Mountain Road, nestled nicely between Treasure Island Resort and the world-famous Golden Tiki Lounge. This will be the fourth year of its Miracle On Spring Mountain pop-up. As in previous years, special cocktails have been created to get you in the holiday spirit.
- Christmapolitan – Vodka, Elderflower, Dry Vermouth, Spiced Cranberry Sauce, Fresh Lime, Rosemary, Absinthe Mist.
- Snowball Old-Fashioned – Rye, Gingerbread Aromatic Bitters, Wormwood Bitters, Orange Essence.
- Koala Cooler – Applejack, Blanc Vermouth, Aquavit, Spiced Apple, Lime, Celery Shrub, Eucalyptus Bitters, Mint, Soda.
- Marshmallows & Unicorns – Gin, Vanilla Liqueur, Velvet Falernum, Cherry Liqueur, Cardamon, Black Pepper, Marshmallow, Lemon, Egg White, Tiki Bitters, Soda.
- Jingle Balls Nog – Cognac, Cream Sherry, Almond Milk, Cream, Egg, Vanilla, Nutmeg.
- Yippee Ki Yay Mother F****r! – Barbados Rum, Rhum Agricole, Trinidad Overproof Rum, Ube and Coconut Orgeat, Acid-Adjusted Pineapple Juice.
- Nice Shot – Rye Whiskey, Gingerbread.
- Naughty Shot – Tequila, Habanero Ginger, Hibiscus.
No visit to Sand Dollar is complete without indulging in their specialty pizzas. Here are this year’s seasonal choices:
Just a stone’s throw from Fremont Street Experience, Sand Dollar at Plaza Hotel has its own spirited cocktail surprises in store:
“Returning for the second year at The Sand Dollar Downtown at The Plaza Hotel & Casino in Downtown Las Vegas, Sippin’ Santa On Main will have guests saying “Aloha” from the North Pole. The tropical, relaxed, and well-tanned spin-off of the Miracle holiday experience, Sippin’ Santa will once again feature tiki-inspired cocktails and kitschy décor – imagine Santa on a surfboard instead of a sleigh and palm trees instead of pine.”
- Sippin’ Santa – Aged Demerara Rum, Amaro, Lemon, Orange, Gingerbread Mix.
- Surf Nut – Gold Puerto Rican Rum, Apricot Brandy, Fresh Lime, Caribbean-Spiced Coconut Water, Cream of Coconut.
- Merry Spritzmas – Prosecco, Apertif, Tawny Port, Cognac, Lemon, Falernum, Fig Preserves, Cardamom Bitters.
- Sharkey’s First Christmas – Vodka, Aquavit, Melon and Walnut Liqueurs, Fresh Lime and Pineapple Juices.
- Jingle Bird – Bourbon, Pineapple Rum, Apertif, Fresh Lime, Pineapple, Jingle Mix
- Yule Tide – Tequila, Applejack, Fresh Lime, Maple-Cranberry Syrup.
- North Pole Bowl – Martinique and Jamaican Rums, Black Tea, Thrice-Spiced Honey, Fresh Lime, Vanilla Syrup (serves two).
- Ginger Snapper (Shot) – Navy Strength Rum, Ginger, and Macadamia Nut Liqueurs.
In addition to pizza, Sippin’ Santa on Main will feature additional food items as shown below:
You can expect a cornucopia of concerts, themed evenings, celebrity appearances, and visits by respected Las Vegas chefs. Held Mondays and Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. throughout December, prominent local chefs will take over The Sand Dollar Lounge’s pizza kitchen to craft their original pizza recipes, created specifically for Miracle on Spring Mountain.
Proceeds from ALL pizzas sold throughout the Miracle Pizza Pop-Ups will be donated to the Inspiring Children Foundation, which helps youth and families from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds rise above their challenges and struggles in life: To heal, grow, and become their best selves.
All Miracle Pop-Ups begin at 6:30 p.m.
- Monday, December 4, 2023 – Bruce Kalman (Head Smoke/Founder, Soul Belly)
- Jigglymeat Supreme with burnt ends, Smoked Scamorza, Pickled Onions, Bourbon BBQ Sauce, and Mike’s Hot Honey.
- Walking In A Winter Wonderland with Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts, Guanciale, and Parmesan Rosemary Panna.
- Wednesday, December 6 – Nico Costagliola (Executive Chef, Guy Savoy)
- Padam Padam – Pissaladière on a Focaccia Loaf with a 50/50 split of Caramelized Onion, Niçoise Olives, and Anchovy on one half and Gratin Zucchini, Eggplant, Tomato, and Herb de Provence on the second half.
- High Tone – Tartiflette with Lardon, Caramelized Onion, Fingerling Potato, and Reblochon Cheese.
- Monday, December 11 – Steven Buckley (Sous Chef, Momofuku)
- Can You Feel Me with Togarashi Stuffed Crust, Roasted Longganisa, Black Tea Tomato Sauce, Sous Vide Egg Yolk, Crispy Leeks, and Basil.
- Underneath The Tree with Mushrooms outsourced from local providers, Miso Crema, Parsley Oil, Garlic, and Rice Pearls.
- Wednesday, December 13 – Alec Paki (Chef, Sparrow & Wolf)
- Christmas In the Sand with Melted Leek, Guanciale, Clam, Parmigiano, and Sauce Mornay served on Naan Bread.
- Hawai’i ’78 with Kalua Pig, Calabrian Pineapple, and Mozzarella served on Naan Bread.
- Burning Down the House with Wisconsin Brick Cheese with Cup’n’Char Pepperoni.
- Sunday, December 17 – Chris Decker (Truly Pizza, Member of the US Pizza Team/World Pizza Champions)
- Sunday Service with Traditional Sunday Gravy, Fresh Mozzarella, Parmesan, Ricotta, and Porcini Breadcrumbs.
- Almost Famous with Sesame Seed Crust, California Tomato Sauce, Garlic Confit, Sicilian Oregano, Sea Salt, and Stracciatella.
- Trust Me – A Vegetarian Forward surprise.
- Wednesday, December 20 – Justin Ford (Executive Chef and Owner, Yukon Pizza)
- Full Send with Winter Squash, Smoked Scamorza, Biscotti Crumble, Brown Butter Drizzle, and Fried Sage Hot Honey.
- Playuurs Only with Short Rib, Potato au Gratin, Gruyere Cheese, Chives and Demi Glacé.
You can visit here and here for lists of other upcoming special events. Both celebrations run Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 through Saturday, Dec. 31, 2023.
The Sand Dollar Lounge is located at 3355 Spring Mountain Rd, Ste 30, Las Vegas, NV 89102. Hours of operation for Miracle on Spring Mountain are Monday through Sunday from 3 p.m. to 4 a.m.
The Sand Dollar Downtown is located inside The Plaza Hotel & Casino at 1 N. Main St. in Downtown Las Vegas. Hours of operation for Sippin’ Santa On Main are Monday through Sunday from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m.
