*Updated for 2026*
It’s Christmas in New York City, and time to review another one of my favorite holiday spots in the city: Lillie’s Victorian Establishment! Lillie’s is one of those over-the-top Christmassy bars and restaurants, where everyone wants an Instagram picture. I have been to the Times Square location numerous times at both Christmas and otherwise (it is one block from my office), and I want to the Union Square location last November (2025) to see the Christmas decor first hand. This post details a visit to Lillie’s Victorian around the holidays and how to get inside, even without a reservation!
Lillie’s Victorian Union Square.
Very fun decorations at the Union Square location starting mid-November.
Lillie’s Victorian Establishment
With two locations, Lillie’s Victorian Establishment is a year-round Victorian-era British Pub in New York City named for late British actress Lillie Langtry. The restaurant’s namesake arrived in New York in 1882. Her American debut was set for New York’s Park Theatre, which burned down on October 30, 1882, the day she was due to open. According to Lillie’s, only a charred sign with her name survived. For your purposes, Lillie’s is most famous for its elaborate Christmas decorations, which go up year in mid-November.
Dan and I at Lillie’s Victorian in Union Square in mid-November.
Lillie’s Victorian Establishment, Union Square in November 2025.