Why is Mariah Carey the Queen of Christmas? Her Holiday Bar says it all

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If you’re looking for a festive experience with a touch of pop music glamour, Mariah Carey’s Holiday Bar is now open at the Mondrian Hotel’s Skybar.

The temporary Los Angeles exhibit is full of Mariah Carey’s classic style, especially for the holidays. The space is decorated with bright signs featuring her song lyrics and large photos of the singer. Plus, you’ll only hear Mariah Carey’s music – even outside of the Christmas season! (Just a heads-up: her hit song “All I Want For Christmas Is You” plays every half hour.)

Cathy Kwon, while posing for a photo with a Christmas sleigh, explained that Mariah Carey’s music has always been a part of her Christmas experience. ‘It instantly brings back the joy and excitement I felt as a child,’ she said. She also noted how amazing it is that Mariah’s song, ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You,’ remains so popular year after year.

Since Mariah Carey released her Christmas album, “Merry Christmas,” in 1994, she’s become a beloved tradition of the holiday season. Each year, the 56-year-old singer continues to delight her fans with new festive treats.

Mariah Carey spent last year touring with her ‘Christmas Time’ show, celebrating 30 years of the album. This year, she’s performing a residency in Las Vegas called ‘Christmastime in Las Vegas.’ She’s also hosted multiple holiday specials on Apple TV and CBS. Plus, her song ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ consistently becomes a chart-topping hit every holiday season.

I’m so excited about Mariah Carey’s holiday pop-up bars! She teamed up with Bucket Listers to bring them to four cities – Los Angeles, New York, Miami, and Las Vegas. The one in West Hollywood is seriously Instagrammable, with life-size cutouts of Mariah and amazing holiday portraits everywhere. And get this – they’re serving cocktails made with her own Black Irish liqueur! The whole place is decked out – the pool has candy cane floats, there are twinkling Christmas trees everywhere you look, and they even have machines blowing soapy snow! It’s magical, though sometimes a little snow ends up in your drink, haha!

Andy Lederman, founder of Bucket Listers, says the popularity of this experience has been far greater than they ever anticipated.

As a huge film buff, I totally get the hype around this actress – she’s become the absolute queen of Christmas movies! Honestly, besides Santa and the Grinch, I can’t think of a more recognizable figure during the holidays. There’s just nothing quite like watching her films this time of year; it’s such a warm, joyful experience, and it’s even better when you share it with family and friends. It really feels like stepping into a magical wonderland!

Mariah Carey’s holiday music has become incredibly popular over the years, but many people still fondly remember her 1994 album. That album features ten songs – both classic holiday tunes reimagined and original tracks – and includes everything from romantic ballads and traditional Christmas songs to updated versions of religious hymns.

Shannon Armah was chatting with friends at a bar when she started reminiscing about the Mariah Carey Christmas album. Growing up in Miracle Mile, she remembers listening to it constantly as a child, often while riding in the car. For Shannon, the album perfectly captures both the joyful spirit of the holidays and the deeper, religious meaning of Christmas.

Growing up, my family went to a Baptist church, so when I listened to the album, I immediately connected with the gospel influences – it honestly reminded me of being there every Sunday! It’s super relatable, and it also gave me this amazing wave of ’90s nostalgia, bringing back a really comforting feeling of simpler times.

The incredibly popular holiday song continues to break records, recently tying for the longest run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Even though it came out 31 years ago, it’s currently number one, alongside Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” and Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus. This also marks the 19th time Mariah Carey has reached the top spot on the chart, more than any other solo artist.

Anthony Escalante, who works in both real estate and retail management, arrived at the Christmas bar looking festive in a sharp white suit vest and pants. He explained that he appreciates Mariah Carey’s holiday songs because they go beyond just celebrating the season – they actually tell stories.

According to Escalante, this artist revolutionized how we think about Christmas music. Her songs go beyond typical holiday themes; for example, ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ captures the feeling of being alone during the holidays. She creates a mood that makes her songs stand out from the usual Christmas tune.

What sets this song apart is its enduring popularity, making it a rare modern holiday classic. Fans Sara Rushton and Benji Flowers, sporting their Mariah Carey-themed outfits, say she’s one of the few pop artists who’s managed to refresh the sound of Christmas for today’s listeners.

Rushton remembers Christmases growing up as very traditional, with classic movies and a lack of modern updates for younger generations. She explains that while Christmas always felt the same, Mariah Carey brought a fresh and unique energy to the holiday celebration. Rushton fondly recalls receiving a Carey record as a childhood Christmas gift.

Yoga instructor Flowers sees pop star Mariah Carey as a bright spot in an otherwise dull time of year. He believes her music shouldn’t be limited to just the holidays, suggesting her extensive catalog could be enjoyed year-round.

Flowers suggested the attraction could operate year-round, changing with the seasons. She noted the artist has a song for every mood and genre – everything from slow, romantic ballads to upbeat hip-hop and disco. She believes there’s a lot of potential, suggesting they could even feature EDM remixes of the artist’s songs at night. It’s a concept she feels would be successful.

Mariah Carey’s Holiday Bar will be open until Dec. 28.

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2025-12-11 14:37