Now Open: All Pink CHRISTMAS Bar White Elephant, New Uptown Express and Tinsel
Monday, December 04, 2023
CRAFT CONCEPTS GROUP ANNOUNCES
CNBNews graphic file
Philadelphia, PA - Teddy Sourias and the elves at Craft Concepts Group are spreading Christmas cheer with three holiday-themed pop-up bars for the 2023 season. White Elephant at 1500 Locust with a pretty in pink design aesthetic and elite vibes that are pink, silver, gold, glitter and disco balls. The brand new bar took over six weeks to construct and was kept secret until the giant white elephant appeared on Locust Street over the front doors.
The newest Christmas bar in Philly features theme cocktails, photo opps, Carlino's famous tomato pie and dazzling lights and decor. All aboard the Uptown Express - all new at Uptown Beer Garden (1500 JFK Blvd). Uptown has been transformed from a fun summer beer garden to a North Pole winter wonderland via the Polar Express!
President Teddy Sourias and designer Oscar Soto crafted the perfect winter scene for patrons who want to be completely immersed in Christmas spirit and holiday cheer. Look for a Candy Cane forest from elf, large facade of The Polar Express, Christmas vacation motif in Kedera tiki bar, Heat Miser & Snow Miser arguing, and more!
Tinsel, Philly's original pop-up Christmas bar returns with glitz, glamor, and ho-ho-holiday fun to saturate the season. "Christmas Comedy" celebrating the past 60 years of holiday classics, with enough custom paintings, sculptures, installations, and photo ops to drain your battery before your drink! Travel through the seven levels of The Candycane Forest, past the swirling Gumdrop Sea then relax in a corner of the Griswold living room, or assist Yukon Cornelius in battle against the formidable Bumble! Or join the Wet Bandits in a life of crime, just be sure not to "shoot your eye out, kid!" With enough lights, garland, and kitsch to make your Great Aunt Sally blush, Tinsel invites you to bask under the neon glow of familiar Christmas heroes- and antiheroes- just be sure you have your spiritual affairs in order before you meet the Ghost of Christmas Future!
White Elephant - 1500 Locust Street - now open
Uptown Express - 1500 JFK - now open
Tinsel Christmas Pop-Up Bar - 116 S. 12th - now open
1) WHITE ELEPHANT - OPEN
White Elephant is Philadelphia's newest and prettiest Christmas bar at 1500 Locust Street IS NOW OPEN, 3,000 square feet of beautifully decorated space. The stunning, posh and pretty in pink decor is a mix of unique textures, fabrics, decorations and designs that are pink, silver and gold - with 300 disco balls and a disco ball Santa hanging overhead - with the complete dining room ceiling covered every inch with pink and pretty decorations, ornaments, snowflakes and more.
Teddy Sourias and the Craft Concepts Group team brainstormed the name together and worked with designers and artists Jill Keyes and Steph Irwin to design the space. With other popular Christmas bars such as Tinsel and the Uptown Express Pop-up at Uptown Beer Garden, they knew that it had to be unique, relevant, and exciting to become another staple in Philadelphia during the holiday season. The name stems from the popular Christmas gift exchange “White Elephant” party that became popular among households over the years. The name of the gift exchange has evolved from yankee swap, dirty santa, and more - but originated as “White Elephant” that has now become a staple of the holiday season.
Picture a world where Christmas in pink, silver, gold, and disco collide in a cacophony of holiday magic! White Elephant is more than just a bar; it's an experience. From the moment you step inside, you're in a wonderland of shimmering ornaments, twinkling lights, and an abundance of disco balls - 300 to be exact! A vision of a Christmas celebration that is both traditional and trendsetting. For a twist on tradition: we're introducing a holiday twist on a local favorite – cold tomato pie from local Carlino’s Italian market (until supplies last), a savory treat that perfectly complements the sweet and festive atmosphere, adding a unique touch to the experience at White Elephant. Visualized by the festive atmosphere, the bar is decorated with 300 disco balls, 1200 christmas ornaments, 8000 feet of garland, 12 Christmas trees, and a show stopping 7 foot X 8 foot giant fiberglass antique white elephant head. Join us in bringing the Christmas party to Locust street this holiday season!
Sourias said, "We had a vision for a disco pink & sparkly Christmas party with every square inch of the venue covered in pink, silver, gold holiday ornaments, streamers, garland, and other Christmas decor! We wanted to go all out and do something 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. We can't wait to debut it to the world when we open this Friday."
For design and sourcing, Sourias explained many of the materials were sourced locally in Philadelphia - which gives White Elephant a local nostalgic feel! He said, "We worked closely with local businesses, salvage, thrift, and second-hand businesses in the area to create the magic within the space and utilize local materials - being a local team ourselves. The White Elephant hand-made fiberglass head you’ll see upon entering is an authentic antique - and was sourced from an antique shop and originally an amusement park funhouse elephant head, a truly unique antique to bring to the space and tie in the history of the name White Elephant itself."
For vibe, he said, "We wanted to keep many of the Blume elements that shaped the space so well, including the pink seating bays and the pastel colored walls! When deciding to do a Christmas pop-up, the design team kept many of these elements and then embellished with the pink, sparkly, disco overlay that you’ll see from the moment you walk into the space. Around this area - there is no other venue or bar that quite encapsules Christmas in this fashion - a glam, pink, disco Christmas that you can experience here at White Elephant. 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 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, replaced completely with White Elephant and the Christmas disco party of the holiday season!"
For the perfect holiday party photo, there are many elements in the bar that make it instagram worthy - starting with the life - sized 7X8 foot antique White Elephant head that dons the bar! Besides that, the ceiling is coated with pink streamers, disco balls, Christmas ornaments, and Garland. Each pocket of the venue is covered in Christmas decor - as if you have stepped directly into Eloise’s Christmas at the Plaza, that is also hosting a disco party! The cocktails are also instagram worthy, creating a warm winter feel of traditional Christmas through exciting garnishes and cocktail finishes.
The televisions will have a roaring fire on them to add to the vibes, and the sound system has a special White Elephant curated playlist to set the tone.
For drinks look for a special menu with specialty hand-crafted cocktails that are winter and Christmas themed alongside typical craft beer and domestic favorites - including holiday selections pouring as well. Mike Smyth of White Elephant designed the menu to be upscale, classy with elevated Christmas cocktails - think eggnog, cranberries, spice, sugar with fancy winter garnishes and more.
For food, look for locally sourced cold tomato pie from Carlino’s Italian Market to support a local Philadelphia business staple that we all know and love. Tomato pie orders will take place at the counter and each guest will be given an ornament to redeem at the kitchen window for their slice or two - or three!
Once open, hours will be Sunday to Thursday, 4:00pm to 12:00am Midnight, and Friday 4:00pm to 2:00am, and Saturday 4:00pm to 2:00am. White Elephant is located in the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood of Center City.
For buy-outs and large group parties, contact Molly Purcell at [email protected] or 5709331213.
Menu Highlights -
Rum Rum Rudolph $14
Captain Morgan, brandy, eggnog, Nutmeg, cinnamon, sugar rim
Reindeer Games, $13
Screwball, Hot chocolate, Whipped cream and Candy Cane
Santa Spritz , $12
Champagne, Splash Cranberry simple, Rosemary Sprig, Cranberries garnish
Jolly Hot Toddy, $15
Hornitos, honey, fresh lemon juice, 1/2 oz cinnamon syrup, hot water, Garnish Cinnamon stick & lemon wheel
White Elephant Margarita $14
hornitos tequila, coconut, lemon and lime, Cranberries garnish
Naughty or nice $13
blue coat gin, lemon juice, rosemary simple, cranberry juice
Shaken and served up in a martini with a rosemary sprig(christmas tree garnish)
7 Swans Sangria, $14
Cabernet, cranberry juice, cider, apples, fresh cranberries, cinnamon sticks
Sly Fox Christmas Ale, $7| 16oz
Spiced Ale | 6.3%
Troeg’s Mad Elf, $8 | 10oz
Holiday Ale | Cherry, Honey | 11.0%
Wyndridge Gingerbread Cider, $7 | 16oz
Semi-Sweet Cider | Ginger, Molasses, Spices | 6.0%
Tomato Pie Slices from Carlino’s Market, 1 for $4, 2 for $7
White Elephant Team -
Owner - Teddy Sourias and Craft Concepts Group
Directors of Operation - Hank Henson, Mike Smythe
Assistant Directors - Isabel Rosenberg and Will Donald
Designers - Jill Keyes and Steph Irwin
General Manager - Todd O'Connor
Private Events and Large Groups - Molly Purcell
Beverages - Mike Smythe (cocktails) and Rob Kline (beer)
Marketing - Grace Gosner
PR and Influencer Outreach - Kory Aversa, Aversa PR
About Jill Keyes -
Jillian has Baltimore blood but has set up life, home, and heart in Philadelphia! On top of being a one-woman-costume-shop freelancing machine, she works at Upper Darby Summer Stage between theater seasons, and manages the Drexel University Costume Shop during the school year. She has a wide variety of experience (from big period pieces, to small high concept shows), but her favorite projects involve bold color, humor in design, and wild crafts... Which usually end up being devised pieces or childrens' theater. Jill has designed for Craft Concepts Group before with Tinsel Christmas Bar and Tinsel Takes Flight.
About Steph Irwin
Steph Irwin is a Philly based experiential event & installation producer. She owns & operates a creative agency as well local vendor community Now + Then Marketplace. She has helped open several businesses in Fishtown, making a large impact on the local community and beyond. Steph has designed for Craft Concepts Group before at Uptown Beer Garden and Tinsel Christmas bar, halloween, and Tinsel takes flight pop-ups alongside Jill.
2) THE NEW UPTOWN EXPRESS AT UPTOWN BEER GARDEN
Uptown Beer Garden presents the first ever Uptown Express - with three times the space, three times the decorations and the most decorations ever. Uptown is by size considered the largest single Christmas pop-up bar in NJ, DE and PA. Uptown is also one of the few family-friendly Christmas pop-up bars in the region where families are always welcome, especially as they come and go to Christmas Village across the street. It is the perfect spot to get warm and sit and relax after a long day of shopping and holiday sights.
The Uptown Express is an amalgam of CCG's favorite Christmas Classic movies. Take a ride with Craft Concepts Group on The Polar Express into your grandmother's old TV, and through a winter wonderland of cinematic delight as we proudly present The Uptown Express at Uptown Beer Garden.
Sourias said, "We are confident that Uptown's newest pop-up will transport you into the heartwarming world of your favorite Christmas classics. From the whimsical realms of Buddy the Elf's candy cane forest to the mischievous antics of Heat Miser and Snow Miser, we've decked the halls with scenes from the most iconic Christmas movies of all time. As you step through the 1950's television facade, immediately to your right you will walk through the candy cane forest meeting Buddy the Elf at the end in New York City on the quest to find his father."
Visitors are invited to meet a hand-made Rudolph at the host stand, and continue through the winter wonderland in the main bar. Once through the door of the second half of the garden, guests are met with a 15 foot Christmas tree as if they have stepped into Whoville, with a circle of who's singing Christmas cheer as the grinch looms ominously behind them... to the left, Heat Miser and Snow Miser are having a heated argument over the coy pond, and to the right the 10 foot facade of the Polar Express leads guests to a car-sized hand built replica of The Polar Express itself!
As guests continue walking to meet Santa at The North Pole, and tell him what they want for Christmas they will see a life-sized Scrooge taking flight as the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future show him who he could be.
As more scenes become apparent throughout your journey, you'll see a familiar scene from the Nutcracker, guests can sit in Clara's life-sized living room and play around with a festive drink before coming face to face with the Wet Bandits van as they scope out the McAllister house - not knowing that Kevin is waiting for them behind the door! Next, enter the Tiki bar, Kedera, and take a miraculously lit Christmas Vacation with Clark Griswold and the family - with a look inside his suburban home as the bar lights up with 235,000 Christmas lights!
For theme, the team at Craft Concepts Group wanted to upgrade the theme from one movie - in the past as U-Ville - to even more now that the Beer Garden has expanded to nearly three times it's original size like the Grinch's own heart! What was once a charismatic scene that included each nook and cranny of U-Ville, Craft Concepts team knew that new movies, scenes, and nostalgia needed to be added to account for the new size. The bigger, the better, and that is exactly what we did with The Uptown Express!
"The main focus was to bring classic Christmas movie scenes and characters to Philadelphia and evoke the feelings of nostalgia and core memories from our childhood at Christmas time," said Sourias. "We wanted patrons to feel like they were entering through a television - not just any television, but the television from your grandmother's living room - to transport you into the fictional movie world. You can then walk from one scene to another as if changing channels. We knew it was going to be an outdoor venue, so the construction of the pieces needed thought on a large-scale, as if on a movie set. Many aspects of each scene were not even created on site, but at an alternate location and brought in a few days before opening for installation! Many of the materials used are sourced locally in Philadelphia, giving the pop-up a Philadelphia based
feel. With the grand scale of the project, the design and construction team also had to be grand - in size and thought. The team of artists not only meticulously built, painted, and constructed each scene, but assisted with the install of each motif and worked tirelessly to create the magic that each person will surely feel as they walk through the beer garden."
feel. With the grand scale of the project, the design and construction team also had to be grand - in size and thought. The team of artists not only meticulously built, painted, and constructed each scene, but assisted with the install of each motif and worked tirelessly to create the magic that each person will surely feel as they walk through the beer garden."
Sourias added, "Sip on specially crafted cocktails inspired by your favorite Christmas movie moments, quotes, and phrases from 'The world’s best cup of coffee' Espresso Martini to Santa’s Sangria, our drink menu is a delightful journey through the tastes and spirits of the season. Get ready for nostalgic fun, specialty drinks, and the warm, fuzzy feeling that only Christmas movies can provide."
Drinks were created alongside the theme of Christmas movie classics. The team brainstormed the best Christmas movie quotes, phrases, and feel of each drink to come up with the clever names! The drinks are accompanied by several different types of take home cup, including a Christmas present that the Grinch might steal, a Candy Cane shot glass to chase your peppermint shot with, a campbell's soup can "Canned Good", and a hearty mug to sip hot chocolate from that you might have gotten on The Polar Express!
The televisions will rotate between sports, winter scenes, movies and other holiday programs. The sound system has a special playlist highlighting the Christmas classics, mixed with some new holiday favorites.
For buy-outs and large group parties, contact Molly Purcell at [email protected] or 5709331213.
Uptown Express Team -
Owner - Teddy Sourias and Craft Concepts Group
Directors of Operation - Hank Henson, Mike Smythe
Assistant Directors - Isabel Rosenberg and Will Donald
Chef - James Lovett
Designers - Oscar Soto
Private Events and Large Groups - Molly Purcell
Beverages - Clair Kotula / Mike Smythe / Rob Kline (beer)
Marketing - Grace Gosner
PR and Influencer Outreach - Kory Aversa, Aversa PR
About Oscar Soto - new to CCG and Uptown!
Born and raised in Costa Rica, Oscar is currently based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Has a bachelor degree in Architecture and post graduate studies in Set Design. From an early age, the film & theater world captivated him, giving him the chance to create worlds for imaginary characters and places.
Oscar has eight years of experience working as a set designer or art director for a wide range of productions including: musicals, plays, tv advertisements, international reality TV shows, films and operas. Titles include: Jesus Christ Superstar, Chicago, West Side Story, Don Giovanni
and I Pagliacci. Commercials include companies like: McDonalds, Nissan, Uber.
The city, and the house -as particle of the whole-, are his main sources of inspiration and main field of artistic work. Many of his works feature windows, as the portals linking the inside and the outside letting in light and air, setting the mood for the day. In 2021, he had a solo exhibition at the National Costar Rican Art Museum titled “Imaginaries of Congestion”.
This is Oscar's first year designing for Craft Concepts Group, and has made his debut with Uptown Beer Garden's Uptown Express holiday pop-up!
Uptown Express menu:
Designers - Oscar Soto
Private Events and Large Groups - Molly Purcell
Beverages - Clair Kotula / Mike Smythe / Rob Kline (beer)
Marketing - Grace Gosner
PR and Influencer Outreach - Kory Aversa, Aversa PR
About Oscar Soto - new to CCG and Uptown!
Born and raised in Costa Rica, Oscar is currently based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Has a bachelor degree in Architecture and post graduate studies in Set Design. From an early age, the film & theater world captivated him, giving him the chance to create worlds for imaginary characters and places.
Oscar has eight years of experience working as a set designer or art director for a wide range of productions including: musicals, plays, tv advertisements, international reality TV shows, films and operas. Titles include: Jesus Christ Superstar, Chicago, West Side Story, Don Giovanni
and I Pagliacci. Commercials include companies like: McDonalds, Nissan, Uber.
The city, and the house -as particle of the whole-, are his main sources of inspiration and main field of artistic work. Many of his works feature windows, as the portals linking the inside and the outside letting in light and air, setting the mood for the day. In 2021, he had a solo exhibition at the National Costar Rican Art Museum titled “Imaginaries of Congestion”.
This is Oscar's first year designing for Craft Concepts Group, and has made his debut with Uptown Beer Garden's Uptown Express holiday pop-up!
Uptown Express menu:
Hot, Hot, Hot…Hot Chocolate!, $15
Hot Chocolate with Skrewball whiskey and whipped cream in a take-home mug
Heat Miser, $15
Hot cider with cinnamon whiskey and cinnamon stick
Prancer’s Punch, $14
Whitley Neill quince gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, cranberry juice, and prosecco
Santa’s Sangria, $14
Cabernet, Cranberry juice, luchador tequila, apples, cranberries, cinnamon sticks
The World’s Best Cup of Coffee, $14
Crystal Head Espresso Martini
Ya Filthy Animal, $15
Absolut, cranberry simple, red bull served in a soup can
Jingle Juice Pouch, $18
Sly Fox Christmas Ale, $7/16oz
Spiced Ale, 7.0%
Evil Genius Santa I Know Him, $8/16oz
Festive Saison, Rose Hips, Chamomile, Black Currants, 7.2%
Spiced Ale, 7.0%
Evil Genius Santa I Know Him, $8/16oz
Festive Saison, Rose Hips, Chamomile, Black Currants, 7.2%
You’re a Mean One, $12 (Shot)
Absolut Vanilla, Midori, Simple Syrup, and Lemon Juice
All Aboard (Shot)
Corralejo, Peppermint Liquor, Creme de Cocoa and triple sec
Food
Soft Pretzel, $7
Boardwalk Fries, $7
Mac & Cheese Bites, $12
Wings, $12
Chicken Fingers, $13
Meatballs, $8
Shredded Chicken Tacos, $16
Pulled Pork Tacos, $16
Veggie Tacos, $16
BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders, $14
Buffalo Chicken Sliders, $14
Meatball Parm Sliders, $14
Caesar Salad, $10
3) TINSEL CHRISTMAS POP-UP BAR: CHRISTMAS COMEDY
Tinsel, Philly's original pop-up Christmas bar returns with glitz, glamor, and ho-ho-holiday fun to saturate the season. "Christmas Comedy" celebrating the past 60 years of holiday classics, with enough custom paintings, sculptures, installations, and photo ops to drain your battery before your drink! Travel through the seven levels of The Candycane Forest, past the swirling Gumdrop Sea then relax in a corner of the Griswold living room, or assist Yukon Cornelius in battle against the formidable Bumble! Or join the Wet Bandits in a life of crime, just be sure not to "shoot your eye out, kid!" With enough lights, garland, and kitsch to make your Great Aunt Sally blush, Tinsel invites you to bask under the neon glow of familiar Christmas heroes- and antiheroes- just be sure you have your spiritual affairs in order before you meet the Ghost of Christmas Future!
“The first year we did tinsel, we turned the former jewelry store into a christmas bar in six days," said Sourias. "In retrospect, it was austere considering the lengths we go to decorate these days... But somebody told our owner Teddy that it looked like Christmas threw up, in a good way."
He added, "This is something we have held onto over the years. Despite the advancements we have made over the years, what we try to do is create two layers and overlap them. First we plan a narrative, and tell that story with the fabrications and sculptures we create. And then we get armfuls of lights and garland, and throw Christmas up on top of it... In a good way."
Co-Designer Alex Bokulich said, “I am in love with the process of this project. As much joy as it is to finish the space, and see the vision come to life... I love the planning and labor to execute the vision. Finding cool old artifacts and weaving them into our story, collaborating with *many* talented artists, and even just the comments from neighbors in our local community that appreciate watching it come together. This year, the high point for me was watching a crowd across the street admiring us as we hung out neons on the facade.. they cheered when it lit!”
Co-Designer Alex Bokulich said, “I am in love with the process of this project. As much joy as it is to finish the space, and see the vision come to life... I love the planning and labor to execute the vision. Finding cool old artifacts and weaving them into our story, collaborating with *many* talented artists, and even just the comments from neighbors in our local community that appreciate watching it come together. This year, the high point for me was watching a crowd across the street admiring us as we hung out neons on the facade.. they cheered when it lit!”
Highlights:
* Stained glass panels with Kevin Mcalisyter, Whoppi Goldberg, Keith David, Tim Allen
* Scrooged Wall with Bill Murray, Frank Cross, Jacob Marley Figure past and present in stained glass plus a giant floating Ghost of Christmas Future
* Scrooged Wall with Bill Murray, Frank Cross, Jacob Marley Figure past and present in stained glass plus a giant floating Ghost of Christmas Future
* Eight foot tall Bumble
* Lifesized Rudolph Snowman and Characters
* Seven levels of the candy cane forest and swirly gumdrops
* Animatronic clark griswold scene from Christmas vacation with other notable scenes such as the burning cat, Clark scaling his home siding to hang lights, the famous Christmas tree before burning, and a wet bandits mini-scene
* Animatronic scrooge waving from his bedroom window after he turned good
* Dr Seuss Grinch theme filling the throne room along the walls with 25 who’s in whoville
* MILES of garland!
* Suspended sleigh with projector of favorite scenes from Christnas classics
* Three giant vintage toy Christmas mobiles circulating over head
* Seven levels of the candy cane forest and swirly gumdrops
* Animatronic clark griswold scene from Christmas vacation with other notable scenes such as the burning cat, Clark scaling his home siding to hang lights, the famous Christmas tree before burning, and a wet bandits mini-scene
* Animatronic scrooge waving from his bedroom window after he turned good
* Dr Seuss Grinch theme filling the throne room along the walls with 25 who’s in whoville
* MILES of garland!
* Suspended sleigh with projector of favorite scenes from Christnas classics
* Three giant vintage toy Christmas mobiles circulating over head
* 100 nutcrackers of all shapes sizes and types
* Facade - An intricately lit up scene evocative of a popular Philadelphia landmark (Macy's Light Show) that harnesses the spirit of Christmas every year
Menu Highlights:
Cocktails:
A Bit Nippy, $16
Tinsel Snow Globe, $20
World's Best Hot Chocolate, $18
Canned Good, $18 with $1 going to charity
4th Food Group, $16
Kevin!, $17
Bah Humbug, $18
Heat Miser, $17
Yippee-Ki-Yay, $16
Jingle Juice, $18
The Grinch, $13
Cha-Cha-Cha, Hey!, $13
For buy-outs and large group parties, contact Molly Purcell at [email protected] or 5709331213.
Tinsel Team -
Owner - Teddy Sourias and Craft Concepts Group
Co-Designers - Alex Bokulich co-designers with Jason Miller
Contributing artists - Ben Hartshorn, Constance Case, ElectroRomantic, Mistress Zeneca, Scott Johnston
Contributing artists - Ben Hartshorn, Constance Case, ElectroRomantic, Mistress Zeneca, Scott Johnston
Directors of Operation - Hank Henson, Mike Smythe
Assistant Directors - Isabel Rosenberg and Will Donald
Assistant Directors - Isabel Rosenberg and Will Donald
Designers - Alex Bokulich, Scott Johnston, Jill Keyes and Steph Irwin
General Manager and Beverages - Josh Leva
Private Events and Large Groups - Molly Purcell
Marketing - Grace Gosner
PR and Influencer Outreach - Kory Aversa, Aversa PR
PR and Influencer Outreach - Kory Aversa, Aversa PR