Trash Panda Drinking Club, located on Houston’s north side at 515 Patton, has always been known for its fun, eclectic, laid-back atmosphere, as well as an extensive cocktail list and bar-savvy food. For December 2024, owner Greg Perez and his staff have gone all-out decorating the bar as the Trashmare Before Christmas, an homage to Tim Burton’s spooky classic movie, The Nightmare Before Christmas. A TikTok video on the Howdy Houston account went viral, so far having over 381,800 views. 

Visitors will find over-the-top decorations and vibrant neon-painted murals representing the characters of the movie. Inside the bar, guests will be greeted by life-sized renditions of The Pumpkin King and Oogie Boogie — and, of course, a lot of lights. The windows are covered with artwork featuring all the main characters. On one end of the bar area, Sally minds a fireplace adorned in spider webs. Outside is the creepy Dr. Finklestein in his wheelchair. Perhaps the most impressive feature of the entire installation is the monster fountain custom-made by Houston artist Ramos Renditions. 

To go along with the decor, there are also special themed dishes and drinks. When the weather’s cool, warm up over a bowl of chicken pozole with hominy in a vibrant green soup of puréed tomatillos and chiles, accented with crunchy cabbage and sliced radishes. When you’re more in need of comfort food, the arroz con leche with a churro alongside will fit the bill. 

To drink, the Trashmare Before Christmas menu offers character-themed cocktails such as Bone Daddy with Trash Panda’s custom-blended El Tesoro Reposado Tequila, Nixta corn liqueur, Ancho Reyes Verde, horchata and cinnamon, Sandy Claws Highball with Suntory Toki Japanese whisky and cranberry-rhubarb soda and Boogies’ Boys with Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Pasubio, a wine-based amaro, Velvet Falernum, coconut cream, pistachio, Bolivar Bitters and Almond Joy. 

Two or three people can share My Bugs (or one who’s really trying to make a night out of it). The large-format cocktail includes vodka, hibiscus, chai, lemon, ginger beer and a Dum Dum lollipop. Perfect for the season, there are a few hot drinks, too: Firulais, a non-alcoholid hot chocolate with peppermint, abuelita hot chocolate and marshmallows and Doll Face made with gin, cardamom and Ponche Navideño, a traditional Mexican hot fruit punch. Cocktails cost between $12 and $14 — very reasonable prices for craft concoctions by today’s standards. 

The seasonal cocktails are served in tiki mugs representing Jack, Sally and Oogie Boogie. Our favorites might be the totem pole-esque one featuring the trio Lock, Shock and Barrel and adorable ghostly dog, Zero. Guests can buy the tiki mugs to enjoy at home for only $17 each. 

Trash Panda’s Trashmare Before Christmas pop-up will run through January 5. No reservations are needed to visit. Parents are welcome to bring their children until 8 p.m. 

Disclosure: Trash Panda Drinking Club is a valued sponsor of our work covering Houston’s food and beverage scene. Join the mission! Email us for details on individual and corporate sponsorships.

Phaedra Cook

Phaedra Cook has written about Houston’s restaurant and bar scene since 2010. She was a regular contributor to My Table magazine (now closed) and was the lead restaurant critic for the Houston Press for two years, eventually being promoted to food editor. Cook founded Houston Food Finder in November 2016 and has been its editor and publisher ever since.