You could call Craft Concepts Group the Christmas connoisseurs of Philly, with the ever-popular return of Tinsel, Uptown Beer Garden’s seasonal holiday revamp, and now, the new White Elephant Christmas Bar on Locust Street.
Think pretty, pink, gold and 300 disco balls making up the space to become “unlike any other Christmas bar.” White Elephant features themed Christmas trees, a fireplace and an array of themed cocktails and holiday beers, plus some Carlino’s Tomato Pie being served up for bites.
“We had a vision for a disco pink and sparkly Christmas party with every square inch of the venue covered in pink, silver, gold holiday ornaments, streamers, garland, and other Christmas decor,” says Teddy Sourias, owner of Craft Concepts Group.
He continued: “We wanted to go all out and do something [that has] never been done before in Philly and bring some holiday cheer to this section of Rittenhouse. Where Tinsel is the original, and Uptown is the largest outdoor Christmas bar, we wanted to create something with elite vibes, that is well done and cozy, yet takes your breath away when you step inside.”
This new holiday activation opened last weekend, and will be serving Philadelphians every Sunday to Thursday from 4 p.m. to midnight and Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.
The space’s outfittings were sourced from around the city, as Sourias noted he wanted to keep things local on all ends. Everything in the space down to the White Elephant hand-made fiberglass head you’ll see upon entering is proof of that.
“Around this area there is no other venue or bar that quite encapsulates Christmas in this fashion: A glam, pink, disco Christmas that you can experience here at White Elephant,” Sourias added.
“There was minimal actual construction done to the space, so the design team had a hearty challenge transforming the space into the new concept from the old , but [they] created an entirely new interior out of decorations and installations alone. The most challenging part was keeping that original Blume element, but making the decor blanket the space to where the shell of Blume is barely recognizable and replaced completely with White Elephant and the Christmas disco party of the holiday season.”
Similar to Blume’s appeal for some, the White Elephant Christmas Bar will offer a few different photo opportunities, and the sound system has a special White Elephant curated playlist to set the tone.
And as a release states, for drinks, Philadelphians can look for a menu of specialty hand-crafted cocktails alongside typical craft beer and domestic favorites (including holiday selections being poured as well.) Mike Smyth of White Elephant designed the menu to be “upscale and classy with elevated Christmas cocktails”, so think eggnog, cranberries, spice, fancy winter garnishes and more.
Highlighted cocktails include the Rum Rum Rudolph $14 (Captain Morgan, brandy, eggnog, nutmeg, cinnamon and a sugar rim), Reindeer Games, $13 (Screwball Whiskey, hot chocolate, whipped cream and a candy cane), White Elephant Margarita $14 (Hornitos Tequila, coconut, lemon, lime and a cranberry garnish) and the 7 Swans Sangria $14 (cabernet, cranberry juice, cider, apples, fresh cranberries and cinnamon sticks.)
Christmas beers on the other hand will span the Sly Fox Christmas Ale, Troeg’s Mad Elf and Wyndridge Gingerbread Cider.
To learn more information about the White Elephant Christmas Bar (1500 Locust St.) check out @whiteelephantphl on social media.
