5 Pennsylvania Restaurants That Go All Out With Their Christmas Decorations
Sixty thousand ornaments. That’s the reported count hanging inside one Pennsylvania restaurant during the holidays, and it isn’t even the wildest part.
The same room adds more than 20,000 lights and about 6,000 feet of garland. Then the owners went back the next year and added 20 more trees.
Apparently enough isn’t in their vocabulary. I love that kind of stubborn holiday spirit.
Elsewhere on this list, a grand hotel builds a gingerbread copy of itself. A neighborhood bar wraps its walls in lights, and an old bank turns its dining room into a festive spot by the fireplace.
I can’t think of a better excuse to grab dinner in December.
So which of these five would you see first? Grab a scarf, check the hours, and maybe skip the ugly sweater debate this year.
Okay, maybe don’t skip it, since a sweater might match the decor.
1. Craftsman Row Saloon
Somewhere in Center City, a storage closet must be begging for relief. Craftsman Row Saloon stacks its holiday pop-up with more than 60,000 ornaments, over 20,000 lights, and roughly 6,000 feet of garland.
The owners didn’t stop there, either. For the 2024 season, they added 3,000 more lights, 20 more trees, and a fresh crew of elves on shelves.
Hundreds of wreaths, nutcrackers, deer, and Santa dolls fill in the gaps. Stepping inside feels like someone hit the fast-forward button on December.
The holiday menu leans into the theme with a Christmas Dinner Burger. It comes stacked with stuffing and cranberry sauce, with sweet potato fries on the side.
Milkshakes go just as big here. The Ugly Sweater blends eggnog flavor with crushed gingerbread cookies, then tops it with a gingerbread sandwich and a marshmallow peep.
Outside the holidays, the regular menu keeps things fun with fried pickles, poutine, and a cheesesteak burger. The saloon accepts reservations, which can help on a busy winter weekend.
Want a holiday outing that also counts as lunch? Hours shift with the season, so check ahead before you head into the city.
Address: 112 S 8th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
2. 1741 On The Terrace | Historic Hotel Bethlehem
Bethlehem calls itself Christmas City, USA, so the bar for holiday cheer sits pretty high in town. 1741 on the Terrace, the restaurant inside Historic Hotel Bethlehem, clears it with room to spare.
The star of the season is a gingerbread model of the hotel itself. It’s a sweet tribute to a building that already looks like a holiday card on Main Street.
Decor greets you right at the entrance, so the festive mood starts before you even sit down. Inside, the dining room pairs Victorian touches with lots of natural light.
The menu takes a polished New American approach. Breakfast, brunch, and dinner are all part of the lineup, and a full vegetarian menu is available too.
Desserts and coffee earn plenty of attention here, which makes sense in a gingerbread kind of season. Some evenings may also include live music, adding a nice soundtrack to the twinkle.
Planning a December trip to the Lehigh Valley? Dinner and brunch reservations are recommended, especially during the busy holiday season.
A stroll down Main Street afterward makes a fine way to round out the evening. Hours and holiday events can shift, so check ahead before you make the drive.
Address: Hotel Bethlehem, 437 Main St, Bethlehem, PA 18018
3. Bob’s Garage
Karaoke under a canopy of Christmas lights sounds like a December dream, and Bob’s Garage on Freeport Road makes it real. This Pittsburgh neighborhood bar goes wall-to-wall with festive light displays when the holidays arrive.
Fancy linens and tasting menus aren’t the point. The appeal is loud, glittering fun with a microphone in the mix.
Live performances and karaoke give the room its personality. Belting a holiday classic surrounded by that many lights might be the most Pennsylvania way to spend a winter night.
Food is on hand at the bar and at tables, with happy hour bites in the lineup. Popcorn makes the menu, which feels right for a night of singing and people-watching.
Practical perks help too. Free parking in the lot and on the street takes one hassle off a winter outing.
The bar doesn’t take reservations, so arrive with a little patience on a weekend. Friday and Saturday nights tend to be the busiest.
Bring friends who can carry a tune, or at least friends who don’t mind when you can’t. Hours shift with the season, so check ahead before you go.
Address: 1372 Freeport Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15238
4. The Plough & The Stars
Banks used to guard money, but this one now guards some serious holiday spirit. The Plough & the Stars serves Irish pub fare inside an airy former bank in Philadelphia’s Old City.
Come the season, the bar and dining areas get dressed up beautifully for Christmas. A fireplace adds an extra layer of comfort once the temperature drops.
The open room gives the decorations space to shine. It’s a fun mix of traditional and city style, with a festive glow on top.
Hungry? The menu leans on Irish comfort favorites like shepherd’s pie, seafood chowder, and fish and chips.
A traditional Irish breakfast also shows up for the early crowd.
Families get a kids’ menu and high chairs, and the kitchen offers full vegan and vegetarian menus too. That makes it easy to bring along the whole holiday gang.
Good news for pup parents: dogs are allowed inside. The restaurant also accepts reservations, which helps when the holiday season fills the calendar.
Pair a meal with a walk through the historic streets nearby, and you’ve got a full December afternoon. Hours can change around the holidays, so check before you go.
Address: 123 Chestnut St (entrance on N 2nd St), Philadelphia, PA 19106
5. Harper’s Garden
Greenhouses and twinkly lights might be the best combo for a winter dinner date. Harper’s Garden brings both together in a spacious, warehouse-chic room near Rittenhouse Square.
The modern botanical look already feels a little magical year-round. During the holidays, the decorations and lights turn an ordinary evening into something whimsical.
And if you miss the Christmas window? The space still holds plenty of appeal long after the ornaments come down.
Seasonal New American cooking drives the menu. Think Moroccan lamb meatballs, hamachi crudo, rigatoni alla vodka, and a chocolate tart for dessert.
Cheese boards make easy sharing plates for a group. The Harper’s Cheeseburger keeps things simple for anyone who wants a classic.
Private dining rooms are available for bigger holiday get-togethers. Office parties, family gatherings, and friend groups could all fit the bill.
Weekend brunch adds another way to catch the lights in daylight. Dinner and brunch reservations are recommended, and parking in this part of Philadelphia can be tricky.
Not many Pennsylvania dinners come with a glowing greenhouse and dessert on the side. Hours shift with the seasons, so check ahead before making the trip.
Address: 31 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
