Owners of holiday pop-up bar go all out to make people feel ‘seen, heard, appreciated’

For almost four decades, the Faulkner family has hosted special events and created memories — first at south Kansas City’s Benjamin Ranch in the late 1900s and early 2000s and more recently at Faulkner’s Ranch, on the edge of western Lee’s Summit.

Well known for its annual Pumpkin Festival, the Faulkner family took their event expertise and leaped into the Christmas season in 2022, opening Jolly, a Country Christmas Pop Up Bar on the ranch property. Faulkner’s Jolly — billed as “where your favorite Hallmark Christmas movie meets Nashville Honky Tonk” — will be open Thursdays through Sundays, Nov. 29 to Dec. 22, as well as Tuesday, Dec. 17, and Wednesday, Dec. 18.

Faulkner’s Ranch — owned by Bob, Christine and Matt Faulkner — dates back to the 1960s, when Bob and Marilyn, who passed away in 2022, opened Faulkner’s Western Wear. In the 1980s, the couple — along with their children, Matt and Christine — launched Ranch Entertainment at Benjamin Ranch in south Kansas City, where they hosted thousands of events over the next 30 years.

“What’s unique about Jolly is that it’s a Western theme, and we play up our Western heritage,” Christine Faulkner said.

Jolly, located in an event barn on Faulkner’s Ranch, features Western-themed craft cocktails and “Merry Mocktails” as well as small bites and shareable menu items. Reservations for guests 21 and older are required and run for two hours.

In addition to numerous Christmas trees, such as a Dolly Parton tree and a Taylor Swift tree, Jolly’s decor includes twinkle lights, large ornaments, plaids, brass and ribbons along with Western ropes, boots and spurs.

“We pulled from our family history,” Christine Faulkner said.

Incorporating an I Spy game emphasizes items related to the family such as a unique version of Elf on a Shelf, Pickle in a Tree, Christmas skirts Christine’s grandmother created and ornaments made from her aunt’s horse show ribbons.

“We’ve really had fun making it unique and authentically ours by adding special touches to make people feel seen, heard, appreciated, special — all of those things that are involved with hospitality,” she said.

In addition to the bar’s popular Christmas photo locations, guests have access to the ranch’s petting barn as they exit. They’ll be able to interact with baby goats, llamas and specialty miniature cattle.

“Last year we added a snow machine and it was a huge hit,” Christine Faulker said. “We push the button and we make it snow and it snows on guests as they leave. It’s just a nice icing on the cake.”

To continue the holiday experience, pop-up bar guests may also purchase s’mores and warm up by the outdoor fire.

Developing Jolly has been rewarding for the Faulkner’s Ranch owners and staff members.

“It brings a lot of people together,” Christine Faulkner added. “So it’s a unique perspective that we have, and bearing witness to such occasions all the time is really special.”

Although known as a pop-up bar, Faulkner said that label can be deceiving.

“Like my brother (Matt Faulkner) says — it’s one of the funniest things — he said they don’t just pop up,” Christine Faulkner added. “They are a ton of work.”

In addition to the two-hour seatings for the general public, Jolly is available for holiday parties with reservations required for groups. During the 2023 Jolly season, around 3,500 people visited the Country Christmas Pop-Up Bar. Several days sold out.

Jolly’s owners are also hoping for a visit from a well-known couple. With a Christmas tree and a holiday cocktail, End Game, created in honor of Taylor Swift, Christine said Faulkner’s Ranch has invited the pop music superstar and her boyfriend, Chiefs player Travis Kelce, to drop by.

“We think they would love it,” she said, noting that Swift grew up on a Christmas tree farm in Pennsylvania.

Faulkner’s Ranch, at 10600 Raytown Road, also hosts corporate events, weddings, school field trips, meetings and team building sessions throughout the year, as well as events such as class reunions and milestone occasions. Community family-theme activities include the Spring Round Up, Pumpkin Festival and Jolly. For more information, go here.