Christmas Pop-up Bar Tinsel Brings Season’s Gleam to Philadelphia

Tinsel is lit for Christmas 2023!

“Oh, heart, let’s never grow too old To smile anew, when Christmas comes, At tassels red and tinsel thread …”
~ Nancy Byrd Turner

Story, photos by Sharon Kozden

Philadelphia’s beloved and popular Christmas pop-up bar is back! Tinsel came to sleigh on November 24th with its 2023 “Christmas Comedy” theme. In addition to lights galore and always outre displays and decorations, Tinsel is highlighting decades of tee-hees from fan-fav funny movies.

Something I really look forward to at Tinsel each season is the specificity to detail in its overall production, decor and presentation. Be on the lookout for the little things. Check every crevasse! Mind all nooks and crannies because minutiae matter to the designers and creators in what is a relatively small space that’s big on subtlety and the finer points. Blink, and you’ll miss it, so pay attention, all y’all nutcrackers!

Tinsel’s annual design conceptualizations are always next level, festive and wondrous. They really are not-to-be missed, veritable run-don’t-walk presents to Philadelphia from Teddy (a.k.a. Kris Kringle) and his talent team. While he is a jolly fellow fond of spreading yuletide cheer, I refer to Teddy as Kris Kringle rather than Santa. It’s actually Kory Aversa of Aversa PR who has rightly earned the moniker of PR Santa. Together, they bring the magic and deliver joyous Christmas miracles throughout the holly-jolly months in Philadelphia.

I ventured into Philly’s Midtown Village with my plus-one for Tinsel’s Media and VIP Preview, which has become for me in recent years both holiday tradition and seasonal harbinger. My Christmastime just isn’t the same without a pop-in to the pop-up located at 116 S. 12th Street and sandwiched in between Sueno and Finn McCools Ale House.

Craft Concepts Group‘s (CCG) President Teddy Sourias owns–along with other successful pop-ups, bars, beer gardens and restaurants peppered throughout the city–the above-mentioned establishments.

Gladwyne, where I reside, is a mere ten miles from Center City; however, it can really be a logistical challenge to journey from home to the events I so enjoy attending. For instance, and on Tinsel Eve, I had to drive to my friend’s place, after which we took the train to William H. Gray III 30th Street Station, then later we practiced time management (after having imbibed themed cocktails!) in order to catch a train back. We didn’t plan the second half of the trip until well into our merry making, so rather than wait a spell for the next train, we Uber’d back to his place, after which I then Uber’d to my home (leaving my ride at his digs), only to have to awaken early the following morning to then … you guessed it … Uber to fetch my car.

My point in having related this navigational narrative is all to say that I really need to publish a novel, become independently wealthy a la J. K. Rowling and have a driver on standby to chauffer me hither and thither as I promote and cover events in Philly. On further thought, if we hadn’t hit up William H. Gray III 30th St. Station, I would never have gotten to see the glorious Christmas tree and marvel again at the building’s Art Deco-style magnificence. Things really must happen for a reason!

I dressed for said Preview in my P.J. Salvage pink onesies, pink satin Santa hat purchased at Victoria’s Secret in Pasadena, California and a lighted Xmas necklace I’d received as part of my swag bag from PNC‘s LumiNature at the Philadelphia Zoo–another recent media event from Aversa PR. My companion donned his red Santa hat.

On arrival at Tinsel, we were warmly greeted and ushered in to begin our adventure, taking in everything everywhere and all at once, meeting up with fellow media folk and influencers (some of whom I haven’t seen in ages), nabbing spots at the bar to check out the always-fascinating hot- and cold themed cocktails and filling our plates with the gorgeous, belly-sating foodstuffs delivered from neighboring Sueno. The bar elves were all merrily decked out and prepared to serve us drinks with names!

I sampled a shot called the Grinch, sipped Jingle Juice from a red Santa boot and tippled from the Tinsel Snow Globe replete with tapioca snowflake beads. Lou and I both loved the velvety goodness of Worlds Best Hot Chocolate with Skrewball, whipped cream and giant marshmallows. Our server had a wicked wrist move with the flambe flame and toasted our topper ‘mallows to perfection! Shout out to these servers, who are simply the best.

We grazed on tortilla chips with guacamole dip and devoured sausages with ‘kraut, cheesy mushroom quesadillas, cheese-drizzled empanada segments and pulled pork “sammies” on brioche buns. Light bites, yes; however, it truly was an epicurean feast from the Sueno menu. And when we couldn’t eat another bite or indulge in a nightcap, we called it a night and bade farewell to Tinsel for another year.

Thanks to my hosts at CCG and Aversa PR for the holiday wonder and for the chance to feel like a kid again with its “Christmas Comedy” trip down memory lane. As Joan Mills recalled, “Christmas is the keeping place for memories of our innocence.”

The Christmas tree at William H. Gray III 30th Street Station is picture-perfect.

Sharon Kozden fronts the Christmas tree at William H. Gray III 30th St. Station. PJ Salvage onesies and pink satin Santa hat from Victoria’s Secret in Pasadena, CA was the chosen festive get-up for the Media and VIP Preview of Tinsel.

Hiya, Buddy the Elf!

Not the Burl Ives snowman! It’s Sam, the movie’s narrator.

One of my favorite childhood Christmas memories is the character of Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster from the 1964 classic Rudolph the Red- Nosed Reindeer movie.

From Left, Alaina Kearney and Sharon Kozden don’t seem bothered in the least by a hulking Abominable Snowman looming large.

Like some Everest summiteer-wannabe, Clark Griswold (a.k.a. Sparky) scales siding to hang Christmas lights.

Sharon Kozden poses in her onesie while seated in everyone’s favorite opulent photo-op chair.

From Left, The Phillie Phanatic, he of the protuberant nose and googly eyed Gritty the Philadelphia Flyers mascot made their inaugural nativity- scene appearance.