This Holiday Pop-Up Bar at Mall of America in Minnesota Is Pure Holiday Magic

If you happen to be at Mall of America this winter and find yourself in the mood for some cheer, head up to The Fair on 4. During the months of December and January (through January 25, 2025) this winter, The Fair on 4 is transformed into a "Winter Wonderland"-themed holiday pop-up the Mall of America in Minnesota. So, feeling desirous of a little holiday cheer, I thought I'd head over to MOA and check it out.

You'll find The Fair on 4 on the east side of the MOA's fourth floor, right above Huntington Bank Rotunda. It's a lively place with games, rides, and most importantly (if you ask me), fair food - which is a great way to relive warm summer days when the weather outside is frightful. But its winter wonderland pop-up concept, which was new in 2024, helps to make our Minnesota cold weather season even more delightful.

The venue spared no expense or detail in decorating its expansive 35,000-square feet of space, but it's the area around the main bar that's ground zero for wonderland magic. There's a photo wall for festive selfies, as well as an "igloo" on the bar's patio where you can snuggle up for pics with some of your favorite folks.

Going all-in on the theme, The Fair on 4 curated a Winter Wonderland menu with festive drinks and holiday-themed bites. I tried the "frosted-gold old fashioned," which had a spicy edge thanks to the cinnamon simple syrup used in the mix. A candied cranberry and sprig of rosemary elevated the drink's holiday cred even more. Keeping with the bourbon theme, I also tried the bar's "north star hot toddy," which uses a standard recipe - bourbon, honey, lemon juice, and a star anise garnish - but hits just right on a cold winter night.

Food-wise, I tucked into the "winter wonderland salad," which was really tasty with its goat cheese, dried cranberry, and pecan topping. Then I finished with the "jingle bird stack," a turkey burger take on a Thanksgiving leftover sandwich, with brie, cranberry orange relish, sage stuffing, and dijon aioli. It was pretty rich, especially with the brie, and I got full fast.

In addition to the winter wonderland-themed decor and menu, all the old favorites at The Fair on 4 are still available, as are all the fun activities, like axe-throwing, go karts, and arcade games. It's a great place to blow off some steam if you're already at the MOA or an excellent spot to get together with friends for a winter gathering - or as part of a Mall of America weekend getaway. For more information and to see what else is on the menu, pay a visit to The Fair on 4 website. What are some of your favorite holiday pop-ups in Minnesota? We'd love to hear all about them.