WARREN — The already charming holiday season downtown is taking on more of a festive feel this year with the opening of a Christmas pop-up bar and restaurant at the Darlene Lounge.

A Modern Methods Christmas is part of a growing trend of Christmas pop-up bars across northeast Ohio, including Miracle on Federal at The Federal in downtown Youngstown that’s in its fourth year.

Yet there’s one business in Boardman that spreads Christmas cheer all year, The Christmas Cafe, which this year is marking its actual first Christmas in business.

At the Darlene Lounge and The Federal, their interiors have been transformed into holiday retreats, decorated with all things Christmas. It’s the same for the cafe on California Avenue adjacent to the Southern Park Mall.

This year is the first for the pop-up at the Darlene Lounge, co-owned by Sarah and Adam Keck, who also own and operate Modern Methods Brewing Company and taproom. The pop-up features holiday-themed cocktails and mocktails as well as rotating seasonal menus.

It came to be with the help of friends, who pitched the concept to Sarah and helped make it real.

Erika Stevens of Champion approached Sarah with the idea earlier this year after renting the lounge for her family’s annual holiday party in 2023. The day before the party, Erika hung decorations to set the mood.

“And I was like, this would be so cool as a Christmas pop-up, so then I was inspired,” Stevens said.

“And I said that sounds really cool and like it’s a lot of work, but if you’re willing to help with that, yes, let’s try it,” Sarah said.

“That is a big part of everything we have done here with Modern Methods and the lounge. We have wonderful customers turned friends who we get to collaborate with; we love working with local food trucks and restaurants and artists, and we very much view the space as a community space and community ownership of that space, so when people have a cool idea and want to see it through, we’re on board,” Sarah said.

Many hours were spent scouring the internet looking for ideas, said Stevens, a self-admitted doer who credits Ashley Blankenship, also of Champion, as the creative force.

To help collect decorations, there was a Christmas in July event to let people donate items.

In terms of the food, Sarah collaborated with local restaurants and food trucks — West & Main just a few doors down from the lounge on West Market Street, Babcia’s Lunchbox of East Palestine and Immovable Feast of Akron.

Dinner service, which has seatings at 5 and 7:30 p.m., is available only on certain dates through Dec. 19. A cookies and cocktails service starts at 10 p.m.

Small plates and beverage service, meanwhile, is available on certain dates through Dec. 23.

“We have heard from some people, hey, I want to come, but I don’t want to sit and have a three-course meal or I want to bring my kids … and we absolutely hear that and want the space to be enjoyed by everyone, so we have a couple of dates” where service is first come, first served with charcuterie boxes, small plates and cookie boards, Sarah said.

The pop-up has been well-received. Patrons are encouraged to dress in the holiday spirit.

“People have been coming in with their silly sweaters. I can only imagine that will ramp up as we get closer and closer to Christmas,” Sarah said.

BOARDMAN’S

CHRISTMAS CAFE

In Boardman, April Mason, a transplant to the Mahoning Valley from San Francisco by way of Atlanta, opened the restaurant on California Avenue in January.

The cafe, April said, has been well-received by the public and other restaurant owners in the area who have been supportive. The place is often full, she said.

“I believe because we are niche, it gives us a little cushion there because people are Christmas enthusiasts all year round, not just at the holiday,” April said. “But, of course, business is booming even more because of the holiday.”

April moved to Boardman in April 2023. Still adjusting to her new life in the Valley, she said she decided to go for a drive and listen to Christmas music because “Christmas music lifts my spirits and makes me happy.”

April went to bed and woke up, asking herself, how many other people are uplifted by Christmas, and took to writing a sales pitch that turned into the cafe. The lease was signed in September 2023 and the cafe started serving Christmas lovers in January.

The cafe is open Wednesday through Sunday. It will be open Dec. 25 for a catered dinner with Santa, caroling, board games, movies and other activities.