Jingle all the way: Holiday popup bar arrives in Media
Delco gets first-ever holiday pop-up bar on State Street in Media
MEDIA » Almost as soon as the last turkey leftover was eaten, Delaware County’s very-first pop-up Christmas bar opened in Media and it has been “jingle all the way” ever since.
Diego’s Cantina and Tequila Bar, 214 W. State Street, opened its “Jingle” Christmas Pop-up Bar Nov. 30 and it will be open to spread holiday cheer until the first of the new year. Like other holiday pop-up bars, Diego’s Jingle looks unabashedly like Christmas on steroids, without an inch of the place lacking in tinsel, lights, balls, garland, wrapping paper and ribbons. Additionally, there are yuletide-themed cocktail offerings, like hot apple cider laced with tequila, green mint martinis, peppermint long island iced teas and margaritas with festive red and green salted rims. There’s also a “Guess how many Christmas Hershey Kisses are in the jar” contest and other promotions happening during the pop-up. The closest correct answers in the Hershey Kiss contest will be awarded on New Year’s Day with prizes of hats, shirts and food discounts.
Of course, as would be expected to accent the glittery explosion of silver, gold, red, and green, there’s also around-the-clock Christmas music, too, as well as holiday movies playing on the televisions.
Already a hit on Instagram and other social media, Diego’s pop-up winter wonderland has a photo-op outside, before a person even enters the establishment, with a large red Santa chair, decorated Christmas tree and red mailbox for Santa letters.
“People are surprised when they walk in here,” laughed Dwight Artwell, the executive chef at Diego’s Cantina and Tequila Bar. “Customers who come in say they heard about Jingle, or saw photos on Instagram, but they wanted to experience it themselves. Very few have been disappointed.”
Artwell said the idea to create Delco’s first holiday pop-up bar, came from Hallie Yancey, the manager at Sterling Pig Brewery in Media.
“Hallie hangs out a lot in Philly and knows popup Christmas bars are a big thing there and a lot of fun,” Artwell explained. “She said that we need to bring that holiday spirit here to Delco so people don’t have to travel as far.”
Yancey, Artwell and a handful of others got together and began to deck the halls, using over fifty strands of lights, four Christmas trees, dozens of large candy canes, countless rolls of wrapping paper and unlimited tinsel and other ornamental finds.
“Honestly, the decorating took us over 10 hours to do,” Artwell laughed. “We got carried away!”
The results have yielded contagious good cheer and positive reviews by customers.
On a recent weeknight, friends Harlee Weible of Ridley Township and Meegan Cook of Prospect Park visited Diego’s Cantina and Tequila Bar popup for the first time. Both said they will definitely go back again.
“We loved it,” smiled Weible. “They went all out and it looks great!”
Diego’s belongs to Loic Barnieu, who also owns Sterling Pig Brewery in Media and West Chester, Tap 24 and La Belle Epoque Wine Bistro in Media.
In addition to the seasonal Jingle pop-up, Diego’s Cantina and Tequila Bar continues to offer its year-round full menu of everything from soups, salads and appetizers to entrees that include tacos, burritos, quesadillas, burgers, tamales, fajitas and much more. The kitchen is open from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday, from 11:30 a.m. to 12 midnight Friday and Saturday, and from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Artwell said in addition to the full menu, he will offer some holiday food specials, like Chicken and Waffles and Buffalo Chicken Nachos. Happy Hour is 4-6 p.m. daily.
“Customers keep coming in and we watch their eyes light up,” Artwell stated, when describing Jingle’s initial effect on patrons. “They say over and over that they’ve never seen anything like it and it helps them feel the Christmas spirit. Even on your worst day, I think you will get in a good mood here!”
For more information, call Diego’s at 484-442-8741. If taking pictures, customers are asked to use the hashtag #jingle_on_state when posting their photos.