Philadelphia’s Christmas Pop-up Bar Tinsel Amps Up Watts, Tech and Decor
Tinsel’s swirly signage hangs from the Midtown Village building’s gingerbread-house exterior.
Story, photos by Sharon Kozden
“Tinsel is another word to describe anything as being cool or amazing (You are so Tinsel).” — Urban Dictionary
Christmas, 2022 is a wrap. Time to recycle-toss the tree and pack-up those fragile ornaments until next year’s production. And speaking of productions, check out this account of my own ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas adventure!
On the evening of November 21st, I made the scene at Tinsel, the wildly popular Christmas Pop-up bar owned and operated by Teddy Sourias of Craft Concepts Group, where Sourias and Kory Aversa of Aversa PR & Events were hosting a media-only preview party. The standing-room-only venue was teeming with merry-makers eager to photograph everything-everywhere and all at once. Tinsel’s 2022 iteration was bigger, better, brighter and more, and we influencers were keen to create content and get the word out. Tinsel was oh-so-very Tinsel.
According to head honcho Sourias, whose holdings also include BRU Craft & Wurst, U-Bahn, Kontrol, Finn McCool’s Ale House, Uptown Beer Garden, Tradesman’s, Blume Burger and Sueno, “Tinsel Christmas Pop-up Bar is all about the details this year. The design team and artists went above and beyond to take the experience to all new levels. We wanted to take everything we designed and learned over the last six years and create something more elaborate, more original and more festive. We have back several signature pieces, like Santa’s throne room but with a new and fresh make-over. I am really proud of the new installations, like our giant advent calendar, new holiday light shows and our spinning disco snowman.”
More, indeed, was the operative word this season. Tinsel was stirring all over the house with some 10,000+ lights, brand new designs, freshie art installations by new creatives, a giant Gritty Santa, poufy clouds, silver streamers and snowflakes hung from a Starry Night ceiling, an advent wall of numbered boxes with tiny doors that opened to reveal elves staged in clever scenarios, a throne-chair fronting a glittering ornament mashup, 12 themed cocktails reppin’ the days of Christmas carol, take-home glassware, a playlist of spirited yuletide tunes, umpteen wrapped presents, an oversized naughty v. nice list and more. Yes, extra-extra … as in a holiday light show featuring something called “augmented reality (AR),” which combines real-world objects with computer-generated content to create an enhanced interactive and immersive experience.
Despite enumerating the above list of Tinsel offerings, circa 2022 (and while checking it twice!), I’m sure I unintentionally omitted something noteworthy. A next-level experience was, after all, the CCG’s dream team’s mission. My own experience was akin to watching an episode of The Simpsons; there was so much to sensorily absorb and astound that it was easy to, say, have missed a spot. In fact, I was tempted, when eyeballing the decorated ceiling, to jokingly announce, “You missed a spot,” but even the ceiling received the same opulent artistic treatment and was agleam and brimming with stuff.
Back in the day, I collected things–so many things–until I one day reversed course to adopt a spare, clean Japanese decor aesthetic. You’d think I would’ve gotten my tinsel in a tangle on entering an environment stuffed to the gills with what my mother calls dust-catchers. Not so. I actually had the opposite reaction and became like a kid at Christmastime, eyes wide, mouth agape, filled with wonderment at sight of so much shimmer, sparkle and bling. It came with ribbons, it came with tags, it came with packages, boxes and bags!
Tinsel’s facade was designed as a gingerbread house, the entryway a frosted gingerbread village. Gritty Claus, all bugged-out eyes, orange-bodied and red Santa-suited, greeted me at the end of the lane, which then opened to the heart of the village (read: Tinsel Central). Will Ferrell’s Buddy the Elf was to my right, peeking out a window, wide-mouthed and face animated as if to promote his namesake themed cocktail, the Cotton-headed Ninny-Muggins (absolut vanilla, hot chocolate, whipped cream, graham cracker dust).
Throughout the evening, I sipped three of the featured 12 Christmas drinks; my favorite was the Tinsel Snowglobe with kiki vodka, maple simple lemon, ginger ale and tapioca balls. OMG: a “drink with a name” captured within a shaken-not-stirred globe chockfull of edible snowballs. Talk about an augmented-reality encounter. Big Kid that I am, I was all in for the Tinseltime spectacle. The Peanut Butter & Jolly Shot contained skrewball, eggnog, a dash of cinnamon and … ta-da … gold edible glitter! The Candy Cane Forest Shot consisted of boardroom vodka, white creme de cacao and cherry juice held in an edible candy-cane shot glass.
The foodstuffs we enjoyed were a revelation. Even the crudité platter–or perhaps I should say especially that tray of sliced whole and raw veggies–was gorgeous. I can’t recall ever waxing ecstatic over produce; however, these were uncommonly fresh, crispy and memorable. I even asked from whence the magnificent platter came, it was that remarkably stellar. Turns out another CCG restaurant called Sueno happens to be located next door, so the entire gorgeous eatables’ offerings were provided by this exceptional member of the Sourias family of eateries.
My holiday happening in Tinseltown spotlighted more than noshing and imbibing. I met up with fellow media acquaintances and colleagues, introduced myself to new folks, spread fa-la-la holiday cheer with my on-point outfit and absorbed as much of the holly-jollification as my approximately two-hour ticketed time slot would permit. A fan-favorite selfie and photographic hot spot was the ostentatiously lavish red and gold throne chair in the throne room, which–and like everything else this year–was redolent with festive baubles, whatchamacallits and thingamajigs.
Typically, Tinsel operates on a Black Friday through New Year’s Eve schedule, so there’s always plenty of time to revel even if you’re inundated with seasonal to-do tasks. Personally, and like a single star tree-topper ornament, Tinsel tops my yearly Yuletide can’t-be-missed Christmas celebration. Thanks, Kory and Teddy @aversapr and @craftconceptsgroup, for hosting. You’re both tres-tres Tinsel!
In a hot minute to follow, I’ll be posting an article (along with photos) from my second favorite annual holiday City fete–the fantastic Uptown Beer Garden production of U-Ville, Craft Concept Group’s 2022 version of the Suessian- and Grinchian Who-ville. Stay tuned …
CCG’s Teddy Sourias and Kory Aversa (Aversa PR & Events) hosted the media-only preview party prior to Tinsel’s official Black Friday kick-off.
“Ornaments” advertise Craft Concepts Group’s family of restaurants, bars, pop-ups and beer gardens.
Tinsel’s distinctive logo design favors that of the traditional, swirly Christmas ribbon candy.
What’s a Christmas pop-up without a Buddy the Elf sighting?
Wait, what? I’m confused: my name is missing. A lie of omission!
The Man!
Sharon Kozden brings additional ornamentation to Tinsel’s already bejeweled-slash-bedecked throne chair.
Stocked above the bar area are rows and columns of keepsake glassware ready to be filled with themed-cocktail concoctions.
Classic holiday stories play out onscreen above the bar.
Tinsel’s bar servers are as full of cheer as is the pop-up itself. Now that’s entertainment!
On the preview-party day of Tinsel, Craft Concepts Group gave to we … 12 themed cocktails … and all drinks in glasses free. The Tinsel Snowglobe (with tapioca balls!) is pictured here.
All twelve themed cocktails include token glassware such as this reindeer mug.
The Peanut Butter and Jolly Shot is dusted with cinnamon and edible gold glitter.
Peep this edible candy cane shot glass! Tres clever.
Tinsel’s sky decor boasts puffy white clouds and is dripping with snowflakes and twirly silver streamers along with copious light strings.
I couldn’t not snap a shot of this kitty hat, which blended so well with Tinsel’s vibe. Ladies enjoy a chit-chat and drinks.
I can’t even say, “You missed a space,” that jam-packed are Tinsel’s elaborate trimmings and embellishments.
Tinsel’s 2022 iteration features 10,000+ lights. Talk about illuminating and dee-lightful!
Santa’s elves said what they said and meant what they said.
Sharon Kozden becomes one acquainted with Gritty Claus.
Up close and googly-eyed Gritty Santa will need those peepers to navigate his reindeer team on Christmas Eve.
Proffered light bites included this delectable pork slider. Cocktail lid topper features a tiny house laden with heavy snowcover.
The crudité platter was attractively presented, fresh beyond measure and as colorful as a string of holiday lights.
A little elf told me the chips and pico de gallo-like dip arrived courtesy of Tinsel’s next-door neighbor (also a CCG-owned restaurant), Sueno.
Moist and juicy sausage sections and sauerkraut were perfectly paired.
A stainless-steel chafing dish keeps warm these savory and super-cheesy quesadillas.
Cheese-smothered and topped beef enchiladas encased in crispy, wafer-thin phyllo dough were mouthwateringly superb.
Brioche buns house flavorful shredded pork sliders and crunchy red cabbage.
These were some of the finest and freshest light bites I’ve ever enjoyed. Noteworthy, actually. So much so, that I inquired about the provider and was informed that everything was Sueno-supplied. Note to self: hit it next door Sueno soon!
Wall-hanging faux fireplace encircled by all manner of confectionary-sweet decor ups the cozy ambiance factor.
Blazing logs on the fire … in Dolby!
Countdown: Tinsel’s design team and artists crafted a wall-filled advent calendar that featured elves starring in various unique and creative settings.
“You’re gonna need a bigger boat,” little elf!
This little elf in a box eyeballs a lollipop with a lick in mind.
Having a soak before the start of a toy-making shift, this advent-marking elf makes time for the all-important work-life balance.
Just in time for holiday gatherings with family is the Get Along Shirt (as modeled here by two boxed elves).
The final advent box for Christmas Day contains … you guessed it … an elf, hence the speech bubble that says what it says and means what it says. Please make a note of it.
Tinsel’s point of ingress and egress is very, well, homey. Row-homey, that is.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night from Tinsel, circa 2022. Thanks, CCG and Aversa PR for a night to remember! Maker-willing, see you in 2023.
