This Very Limited Time Pop-Up Bar In St. Louis Is On Wheels

I wish I had heard about the North Pole Night Cap sooner. Because it's just the kind of cool pop-up bar experience I'd really enjoy.

For me, it's not in the cards this year. However, if you're itching to wrap up your Christmas holiday with some cocktails and a quick getaway to St. Louis, this rolling pop-up bar might just be your thing.

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Yes, this is a rolling pop-up bar that departs Union Station St. Louis starting tonight, Thursday, and Friday (December 28, 29, 30, 2022) each night at 8:30 because it's a train. It's like one of those magical Polar Express trips railroads do before Christmas every year, except this one is for the 21 and up -- cause the point is cocktails!

Union Station Director of Sales and Entertainment Cameron Schoeffel told KSDK that the trip to the North Pole is in a sense a magical tour of St. Louis with some cool views of the riverfront.

While I can't say for sure what route the North Pole Night Cap train will take. I can say from experience, the tracks Amtrak's Missouri River Runner uses coming into and out of St. Louis provides some interesting views of St. Louis, the Gateway Arch, and the riverfront. So I do think you could see some spectacular views of St. Louis at night.

There are three seating options. First Class, which are pods of four seats facing each other with a small table in between. This will be sold in groups of four. Premium Upper Dome Car seating, which is a mix of booth seating and captain's chairs. These seats are upper-level seats with 360-degree views in the dome area. Each person in your group needs a ticket. Finally, there are Premium Dome Car tickets, which is lower level premium seating in a lounge-style setting Each person in your group needs a ticket for these seats too.

Since this is something I just heard about and I'm clueing you in late to the party, seats are rather limited. Although there did seem to be a few available as of this afternoon, Wednesday, December 28, for all three days the train is running. So if this is something you want to do, I'd go over to the Union Station St. Louis website and score your tickets sooner rather than later. Available tickets I saw looking at availability on the website cost $50 and $65 dollars.

The Train Depot area of Union Station will open each night at 7:15 PM for guests of the North Pole Night Cap to enjoy their first cocktail of the evening and take advantage of holiday photo opportunities. The Train will board at 8:15 and the excursion will depart at 8:30, with the ride lasting about 45 minutes.

On board, the decorated train guests will enjoy a festive atmosphere with Christmas music, beverages, and maybe even some fun with ol' St. Nick himself. Groups are encouraged to wear pajamas, ugly sweaters, and other festive holiday gear to help with the holiday spirit aboard this rolling pop-up bar.

While I can't make it this year, it's my hope they'll offer this excursion next year, and based on how popular the tickets seem to be, I'd bet they do. If you happen to go, let me know what your experience was like.

Look At What I Saw Out The Window Between Warrensburg and Chicago

I recently rode Amtrak's Missouri River Runner/Lincoln Service between Warrensburg and Chicago. Here's some of what I saw outside the window during the ride.