The Square to Become Christmas Cocktail Pop-Up Before Reemerging as New Restaurant

The day after Thanksgiving (November 24) notoriously brings rabid shopping sprees, immediate decorative binges, and the indelible sounds of Christmas music. Now it will include a more traditional bender with the advent of Deck the Halls, a Christmas-themed cocktail pop-up from a trio of SF beverage veterans that will transform the former location of The Square (from the team behind Sons & Daughters) into a cheer-filled winter wonderland — that’s only until New Year’s, however, when work will begin on Lillie Coit’s, the restaurant that will permanently occupy the space.

Nick Floulis (Opavino, Chubby Noodle) will ultimately turn the space into a restaurant with partners Elmer Mejicanos and John Paul Jacques (formerly of Tony’s Pizza Napoletana), named after Lillie Hitchcock Coit, the strong-willed benefactor of Coit tower and “patroness of SF firefighters.” Details are forthcoming on that concept, which will open in spring of 2018.

In the meantime, Floulis and pals Shaher Misif (Cantina) and Ken Luciano (Plumpjack, Wildhawk) jumped on the opportunity for a limited-time cocktail collaboration. According to the partners, it will be an over-the-top menu of holiday drinks, like The Gingerbread House, made with dark rum, spiced ginger molasses, and heavy cream “in an actual gingerbread house.” Misif says that if he has his way, “the chimney will be working,” too.

“We want something very nostalgic and creatively geared towards the holidays,” Floulis told Eater. “Something you probably wouldn’t regularly do in bars.” There will be a small menu of food, which the guys say will be simple and bar-driven — that is, comfort food that will hold up to the consumption of holiday drinks.

Naturally, the interior will set the twinkling, snow-capped tone: Nick Roberto of Auspice Design (Trick Dog, 15 Romolo) has big plans, describing the scene as “toy store meets cozy lodge meets penguin paradise.” And, Misif says, there will likely be more surprises added along the way, including the possibility of some special non-Christmas elements. So, get that Instagram app updated for what could be this year’s best ‘gram yet.

The pop-up will run November 24th until the New Year at 1707 Powell Street; hours will be Monday- Weds from 3 p.m.- midnight and Thursday- Friday from 3 p.m.- 2 a.m., Saturday noon- 2 a.m., Sunday from 12 p.m.-12 a.m. Kids are allowed, though earlier is recommended.

• The Square, A New North Beach Classic [ESF]
• Deck the Halls Bar [Official Site]