17 Nov 27th-Dec 3rD, 2025 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | Questions? Feedback? Email me at [email protected] • Follow me on RATING (out of 5 McFly’s) 2026 VOLVO XC90 T8: THE SCANDINAVIAN DAD ROCKET 2026 VOLVO XC90 T8 Volvo didn’t just refresh Volvo didn’t just refresh the XC90 - they juiced it. the XC90 - they juiced it. The 2026 XC90 T8 plug-in The 2026 XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid packs a ridiculous hybrid packs a ridiculous 455 horsepower and 455 horsepower and over 500 lb-ft of torque, over 500 lb-ft of torque, which is hilarious when which is hilarious when you remember this thing you remember this thing also has cupholders for also has cupholders for juice boxes. It’ll do 0 to 60 juice boxes. It’ll do 0 to 60 in about five seconds, all in about five seconds, all while giving you around 30+ while giving you around 30+ miles of silent EV driving miles of silent EV driving when you’re creeping out when you’re creeping out of the neighborhood at of the neighborhood at 6 a.m. like a responsible 6 a.m. like a responsible adult. On the inside, it’s the adult. On the inside, it’s the usual Volvo flex: minimalist usual Volvo flex: minimalist Scandinavian cabin, calm Scandinavian cabin, calm materials, massive screen, materials, massive screen, and seats that hug you like and seats that hug you like a therapist who bills hourly. a therapist who bills hourly. On the road, it’s buttery, On the road, it’s buttery, confident, and shockingly confident, and shockingly quick for something that quick for something that can haul seven humans can haul seven humans and their snack inventory. and their snack inventory. The hybrid system is The hybrid system is smooth, the ride is plush, smooth, the ride is plush, and the handling says and the handling says “dad’s still got it.” At around “dad’s still got it.” At around $75K+, you’re paying for $75K+, you’re paying for safety, serenity, and secret safety, serenity, and secret speed… a combo only speed… a combo only Volvo could make sexy. In Volvo could make sexy. In short: the 2026 XC90 T8 is short: the 2026 XC90 T8 is the family SUV for people the family SUV for people who still want to have fun, who still want to have fun, still want to feel something, still want to feel something, and still enjoy obliterating and still enjoy obliterating unsuspecting sports unsuspecting sports sedans between stoplights. sedans between stoplights. Comfort: Value: Fuel Economy: Looks: The Drive: Safety & Security: Overall: Sound System: Bells & Whistles: Journey to the North Pole at Carry On 2 N. Central Ave., #101 The immersive, retro jet cocktail lounge from the same team behind Trophy Room has been one of the hottest destinations for drinks since it arrived downtown a year ago. Carry On’s fictional flights are now bound for the North Pole. Your cocktail flight crew, outfitted in red velvet dresses lined with faux white fur, will shake up holiday cheer on your nonstop to Santa’s workshop. In addition to Carry On’s 1970s-inspired drink selections, guests can sip on the gin-based Sugar & Spice & Everything Nice, made with apple, ginger, lemon and cava, or opt for the Ho-Ho- Holoma. This spirited sip starts with mezcal and tequila and gets desert holiday flavor from citrus, cinnamon, hibiscus, chiltepin and bitters. Reservations are released online weekly and are a must to visit Carry On. The Journey to the North Pole concludes on Dec. 24. Miracle at Floor 13 and BLVD 15 E. Monroe St.7324 E. Indian School Road, Scottsdale Miracle is the originator of the holiday pop-up bar craze. New York bar owner Greg Boehm launched the first Miracle pop-up in 2014. Valley host bars Floor 13 Rooftop Bar and BLVD Kitchen & Bar will transform into winter wonderlands deco- rated with nostalgic tinsel, twinkling string lights and garland. Drinks are infused with holiday flavors and presented in unique custom glassware. The Miracle bar menu will include the return of fan-favorite sips, including the spiced cranberry sauce and rosemary- spiked Christmapolitan and Snowball Old Fashioned, which is finished with a snowball of ice. New sips include the Blitzen Barrel, a honey-sesame cocktail made with two kinds of sherry, scotch and mead. Get cozy in the ski lodge-themed Miracle at Floor 13 from Nov. 22 to Dec. 30, and meet the Grinch on Dec. 12, 18, 19 or 22. Visit BLVD’s Miracle bar from Nov. 28 to Dec. 24. Special entertainment includes a magician each Tuesday and live music on Fridays and Saturdays. Santa’s Love Shack at Sunny’s Lounge 2701 E. Indian School Road Santa’s Love Shack at Sunny’s Lounge is a naughty holiday pop-up at the refined dive. Inside the tiny Phoenix bar, there’s plenty of traditional holiday lights and a Christmas tree, but you may also notice some elves around the bar in compro- mising positions. Sunny’s decadent holiday drink menu includes cocquito, frozen Irish coffee and Feliz! Feliz!, a chai-spiced tequila sipper served with a Biscoff cookie. With no reservations needed to visit Sunny’s, it’s a rare holiday bar that can accommodate procrastinators and the spontaneous alike. Visit Santa’s Love Shack through New Year’s Eve. Sippin’ Santa at Bitter & Twisted 1 W. Jefferson St. Sippin’ Santa is the tropical sibling of Miracle Bar, featuring tiki drinks and a Santa-on-vacation vibe. Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour is again hosting this vibrant pop-up. The bar’s team goes all out with inflatable holiday decor, lights and even a Santa hat and beard on the bikini- clad lead in its “Attack of the 50 Foot Woman” mural. Sippin’ Santa’s menu features new sips, including Coco Ho Ho, made with Jamaican rum, lime, coconut, pineapple, pandan syrup and banana liqueur. Returning drinks include the original Sippin’ Santa, a mix of aged Demerara rum, amaro, citrus and ginger- bread mix. Sippin’ Santa pops up at Bitter & Twisted through Dec. 30, and reserva- tions are suggested. Cheers to the Season from p 16 The Sippin’ Santa pop-up bar puts a tiki twist on the holidays. (Bitter & Twisted) Miracle is a kitschy Christmas- themed bar that hosts annual pop-ups around the world, including in Phoenix. (Melissa Hom)
