By Isla Molton, Staff Writer
Twelve local restaurants have been decking the halls this December with the “12 Bars of Christmas,” a festive tradition that brings the community together with everything from twinkling lights and visits with Santa to outdoor dining in igloos in an event that has become a festive favorite.
Originally started by Lucky 12 owner Mark Ballog with the intention of spreading holiday joy and helping support local businesses, it has now become a highly anticipated event filled with merry flair for all ages each holiday season.
It started after Ballog was in Tennessee visiting a hotel with a pop-up bar he had to find. He figured with tourists leaving the beach behind after the busy summer and fall months, a Christmas pop-up bar could help fuel the economy in December.
“I made a decision on Christmas Eve of 2018. I was like, ‘We’re open next year on December 1st and I’ve got 11 months to find decorations and just try to figure out how to do this,’ ” Ballog said.
With that plan in mind, Dec. 1, 2019, saw “Jingle 12” begin. Ballog found many vintage Christmas decorations and changed up the traditional menu to have something fun and festive for both children and adults.
Three years went by with that being the main attraction, but Ballog knew he could do more. He decided to create something with three other restaurant owners who were friends. That’s how Bonzer Shack, Goombays and Mama Kwans joined Jingle 12 for what would be called “Christmas Island.”
“Two weeks after doing that, I was like, ‘There’s enough to do 12 of us, and Lucky 12 and ‘12 Days of Christmas’ goes together, so let’s do ‘12 Bars of Christmas,’ ” Ballog explained.
In 2023, the 12 Bars of Christmas began with each having their own local charity where proceeds would go thanks to the sale of “passports.” Any adult or child could buy one for $10, with 100% of the profits going to the charities. Then, while visiting the restaurants, your passport got a stamp. Once you completed the trip to all 12, you were entered into a raffle to win prizes from the sponsors.
To participate, each restaurant had to come up with a new festive name and logo for the event. Goombays became Goombrrrs, Two Roads Tavern turned into McCallister’s Corner, and Mama Kwans became Mama Klaus. You can learn more about each participant at the new website https://12barsofchristmas.com/ .
People who work at holiday-themed restaurants have enjoyed the fun, unique atmosphere as well as welcoming new visitors who are trying to complete the challenge.
“It helps the economy out, definitely helps the workers during a normally slow time of year where they’re not making money,” Goombays Grille and Raw Bar owner Chris Miller said.
In a new twist this year, some local restaurants that aren’t part of the “12 Bars of Christmas” have taken to calling themselves the “Misfits” – in reference to “Misfit Island” from the movie “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” They, too, have gone out all out with Christmas lights, decorations and special menu items to bring as much holiday spirit as they can.
No matter the restaurant, the goal of spreading some holiday cheer on the beach during what sometimes can be a quiet time is the same.
“A lot of people here are transient and don’t have a lot of family, so this kind of fills the void,” Ballog said. “It’s spreading Christmas cheer, whether they’re 5-year-old kids walking in to see a bunch of Santa Clauses and their eyes light up, or 70-year-old folks who want to see our vintage Christmas decor that reminds them of being a child.”
With the 12 Bars of Christmas lighting up the holiday season, it has shown how the community and local businesses can create something special to come together to spread cheer to one and all. The event ends Dec. 31, so there’s still plenty of time to take part.
“Making people really happy for the month is the most rewarding thing,” Ballog says. “Christmas is really kind of powerful for a lot of people, young and old.”
Sophomore Isla Molton can be reached at [email protected].
