PufferFish Announces the Return of Sippin’ Santa

Tropical rooftop bar to welcome back the famed Holiday Pop-Up for a second season.

Milwaukee, WISC – Famed Christmas-themed, cocktail pop-up bars, Miracle and Sippin’ Santa, are both coming back to Milwaukee for the 2024 holiday season. PufferFish (411 E. Mason St.) will become the Sippin’ Santa bar for the second year in a row, while Tin Widow (703 S. 2nd St) will be bringing Miracle back for the fifth time.

PufferFish opened their doors in June of 2022 on the rooftop of Hotel Metro and quickly became known for their tropical drinks and good vibes. Tin Widow has been a staple in the cocktail scene in Milwaukee since 2014. “The team over at Tin Widow steps it up every year” says PufferFish owner, Jc Cunningham. “We are really excited to partner with them again and turn our little rooftop escape into a winter wonderland.”



Miracle was founded in NYC in 2014 in what is now a bar called Mace. Sippin’ Santa was founded one year later in 2015 as the tropical companion. Both pop-ups have a strong emphasis on cocktails, with Miracle having more focus on craft drinks, and Sippin’ Santa being more Tiki inspired. There is only one bar of each kind allowed per city, and Milwaukee is one of only a handful of markets that has the privilege of hosting both.

Miracle and Sippin’ Santa are both nationally recognized pop-ups with just under 250 locations participating this season. “New decorations and cocktails will mix with longtime favorites, to create a fresh and exciting experience.” says Sam Berman, owner of Tin Widow. “This year we are going all out!”

Both Miracle and Sippin’ will be serving up specialty drink menus, with creative and whimsical glassware and garnishes. The PufferFish team has developed a secondary bar experience inside their space called the FishTank. “The fires are on, the space heaters are rolling, and both indoor spaces will be rocking drinks to create a really cozy rooftop vibe,” says Cunningham. “There are a ton of new drinks, and new glassware for everyone to purchase, which will make really great holiday additions to any home bar.” New additions include the Sugar Plum Mai Tai and Frosty the Merman, as beloved classics like the Jingle Bird, Holiday on Ice and Merry Spritzmas return.

Both holiday pop-ups will kick off this month with PufferFish launching Sippin’ Santa next Wednesday, November 20th, and will continue through the end of December. Tin Widow will open Miracle on Friday, November 29th, and will be extending its season through New Year’s Eve!

PufferFish will be open Wednesday – Saturday from 5pm to 1am, and Sundays from 2pm to 10pm. Tin Widow will be open Sunday – Thursday from 6pm – 2am, and Friday & Saturday from 6pm – 2:30am.

For the first time ever, Tin Widow will be offering a special all-ages Cocoa bar on some weekend afternoons, with activities and special drinks for the whole family to enjoy. “This year promises to be the biggest and best year yet, with even more bright lights and holiday cheer guests have come to expect from Miracle on 2nd Street,” says Berman.

In addition, the presidential room at Hotel Metro will be converted into The Santa Suite. This experience will offer holiday decorations, mini drinks from PufferFish, Christmas cookies, turndown service and much more. To book, go to www.hotelmetro.com. This package will be available for overnight stays booked during the Sippin’ Santa pop-up.

For more information visit @PufferFishTiki on Instagram or The Tin Widow MKE on Facebook.

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