It’s Christmas in New York, which means it’s time to hit up the hotel bars, the Kosher steakhouses, and the Asian restaurants—in other words, all the places that stay open on this most momentous holiday. Additionally, if you want to go to a British pub or an oyster bar this December 25, you’re in luck! 

See where else you can drink this coming Christmas in the city and hope you walk away from that place with a steady buzz and—why not?—a belly full of dumplings.
 

This bar gets dressed up for Christmas each year so it can show off. Open all day on the 25th, The Churchill gives you that British pub feel, which for some reason (The Nutcracker?) oozes Christmas. Since it will be packed, you’d better make a reservation if you want to sit anywhere other than at the bar. (45 E 28th St;646-476-8419)

Wholeheartedly open for the holidays, this lively restaurant/bar boasts a long list of expensive cocktails (don’t forget to ask for the “extended menu”) and oyster shooters (includes tequila or gin along with celery and pickled pepper juice). (1196 Broadway; 212-792-9000)

Naturally a Kosher steakhouse is going to be open on Christmas. With an upscale menu and attention paid to plating, this steakhouse stands out in plenty of other ways than just being a place to gather and drink nice wine together on Jesus’s birthday. (550 Madison Ave.; 212-692-9292)

You can also generally count on Asian fusion restaurants to stay open on December 25. With inside-warming ramen, lots of sake drinks, and an Asian pear flavored margarita, you can’t really go wrong holing up in this dark, charmingly decorated spot for the holiday. (21 W 21st St.; 212-388-5736)

Serving up some excellent Korean fried chicken, WA Bar also has a surprisingly diverse selection of shooters, including flavors like “nuts and berries” and “strawberry cheesecake,” both of which sound...interesting...(we haven’t dared try them). Beers are reasonably priced, and soju abounds. (28 W 32nd St.; 212-967-2228)

If you decide to venture out to Rockefeller Center for some Christmas Day skating (which you probably had to reserve months ago), you can decompress afterwards at the ritzy bar at the Algonquin Hotel. This progression will definitely amount to an out-of-the-box day. (Algonquin Hotel, 59 W 44th St.; 212-840-6800)

M Shanghai
Of course, you can’t forget the classic Christmas Day outing—going to eat Chinese food. M Shanghai has particularly good pork dumplings and a weekday happy hour special that will serve you well all Friday, December 25 ($5 for beer and wine from noon to 7 PM, but note the restaurant closes from 4–5 PM). Also on offer are tasty lychee martinis—Merry Christmas! (292 Grand St., Brooklyn; 718-384-9300)

Photo via Flickr user Jose Elias DLC