NAGS HEAD, N.C. — The Outer Banks will soon be spilling out with holiday spirt when a dozen restaurants and bars transform into a winter wonderland as part of the "12 Bars of Christmas."
What started out as a way to beat the monotony of the winter season has grown into an "even more extensive and exciting" festivity that 12 North Carolina businesses will participate in this year.
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"Our community is one built on hard work and camaraderie," said Mark Ballog, owner of Luck 12 and representative of the Dare County Tourism Board for restaurants. "We wanted to bring joy and vibrancy to the off-season months when the Outer Banks can be long and mundane. The increased activities and business for December are great for everyone, from lifelong locals to newcomers and visitors."
The festivity began in 2019 when the Lucky 12 restaurant and bar in Nags Head was temporarily renamed "Jingle 12" and decked out with vintage, plastic lighted Santas, reindeers and other classic Christmas memorabilia.
Tourists and locals loved it so much that organizers shared the fun with other establishments in the following holiday seasons. In 2022, four Outer Banks restaurants transformed into winter wonderlands offering holiday-themed food and drink selections.
Last year's success has prompted organizers to expand the event from Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head to the towns of Manteo and Colington Island, where eight establishments will boast holiday decorations.
Here's the list of the 12 participating local businesses:
Nags Head
- Lucky 12 Tavern as "Jingle 12"
Kill Devil Hills
- Jolly Roger Restaurant as "Holly Jolly Christmas"
- Bonzer Shack as "The Broken Candy Cane"
- Goombays Grille & Raw Bar as "Goombrrrs"
- Outer Banks Brewing as "Christmas Vacation Station"
- Two Roads Tavern as "McCallister’s Corner"
- Jack Brown’s as "Jack Frost’s Cheer & Burger Joint"
- Mama Kwan’s Tiki Bar & Grill as "Mama Klaus’s"
Manteo
- Outer Banks Distilling as "Deck the Hulls"
- Poor Richard's Sandwich Shop as "Poor Rudolph’s"
- Blue Water Grill & Raw Bar as "Aww Shucks"
Colington Island
- Blue Crab Tavern as "Sandy Claws"
The holiday fun all kicks off on Thursday, Nov. 30.
