stacks
With its academia-themed décor and locally loved balcony, Stacks feels like its shelves have been waiting for elves all year. Giant ornaments hang from the high ceilings giving the place an old-world vibe that contrasts with its modernist sensibilities in a good way. Their rooftop seating is an attraction year-round, but it’s even more compelling with Valparaiso’s downtown decorated for the holidays in massive displays of colored lights with the skating ring next door at the height of its season.
- Chris Zervos
Website: https://stacksvalpo.com
tavern on main
If you like Christmas then you're in for a treat heading into Tavern On Main in Crown Point. Like Stacks, Tavern has decoration from wall to wall to floor to ceiling and provides the perfect backdrop for a dinner date or a spot to drink a ton of craft beer and cocktails.
There are no reservations so make sure to show up at a traffic friendly time to ensure a spot.
Website: https://tavernonmaincp.com
the lighthouse
Normally a date night destination, the Lighthouse's Christmas decoration makes it a must date night this holiday season.
They will be having Santa come on the patio on December 12th and 19th for the kids, and if you've ever been, then you know it makes a lot of sense to make a reservation before attempting to walk-in.
Website: https://cedarlakelighthouse.com
gamba ristorante
Nothing sums up Gamba’s take on Christmas like their Santa Claus: I’m pretty sure he’s in as good of shape as I am. Nothing overdone or excessive, they’re all decked out in pointsettas and simple additions to their already-festive giant chandeliers and light-strewn courtyard. If your idea of holiday spirit is a liqueur served in a snifter this what it’s like to surround yourself in it.
- Chris Zervos
Website: https://www.gambaristorante.com
TRUE BBQ
Most of the people who go to TRUE enjoy the high end barbeque menu and extensive whiskey and bourbon options, but this time of year it's all about the decorations in addition to their staples.
Not only is the interior completely decked out in Christmas decor, but the exterior of the building has a wall of LED lights to give you those Xmas feels from the very beginning of your experience.
Website: https://truebbqandwhiskey.com
TEIBEL'S RESTAURANT
Where classic Christmas decorations and holiday gatherings that have been annual since your parents were children are concerned, you’re not going to outdo Tiebel’s in the Region. Multiple generations have toasted the season there, and their Christmas décor is fit for a department store window of the 20th century or a theme park. Model trains, animated Ferris wheels, life size snow men, and small, furry creatures that you’ve never seen anyplace before adorn the whole place. You’re likely already visiting this season, but if you hadn’t planned on it and classic Christmas is what you’re looking for, chances are that’s where you’ll find it.
- Chris Zervos
Website: https://www.teibels.com
RICOCHET TACOS
Once Tavern On Main was the first to decorate their interior for this Christmas season, the bar seems to continue to get set higher and higher for adjoining restaurants on the Crown Point square.
With one of the most impressive exterior presentations, the entire top of the building has a video and light presentation that shuffles throughout the night that includes color cycling similar to a Pink Floyd light show to reindeer hopping across the screen.
While the exterior is innovative for this holiday season, the interior has lights strung about and accent lighting that offers a new feel for an already beautifully designed spot.
Website: https://ricochettacos.com/
SQUARE ROOTS
The square has become a destination this holiday season, and Square Roots did an amazing job of adding to the mix of decor happening on corner to corner.
While often a place where people love the menu and extensive beer list (at least for me), Roots added a LED screen at the top of the building--as well as--a mixture of christmas trees, garland and strung lights to create an even better atmosphere than it already has daily.
Website: https://squarerootscp.com/
PROVECHO LATIN PROVISIONS
Normally a destination patio on the square, Chef/Owner Chris Pappas brought in four outside structures to revamp their patio while maintaining the ambiance of the courthouse looming in the background.
There are two "cabins" that seat four and two "igloos" that seat five to eight people. Prices range from $100 to $150 for a maximum of a two hour reservation.
To make a reservation: exploretock.com/provechocp
HYDAD'S MODERN AMERICAN PUB
The nights are long this time of year, and colored lighting is something the rest of the world borrows from bars and taverns for the holidays. With its glowing red sign the same as it was when your uncle picked your aunt up there in 1976, glass ashtrays that probably used to be larger and heavier that are still there none the less, and iconic wood-grain carpeted walls, you probably know some regulars at Hydad’s if you aren’t one already.
- Chris Zervos
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Hydads.Pub/