Now through January 12, Ember Lounge, a District Dome Experience at Desert Ridge Marketplace offers a 21-and-over holiday lounge experience that is a perfect spot for a date night, girls’ night out or just a beautiful holiday experience with exquisitely unique holiday cocktails and elevated noshes. This season, the addition of the all new “District Dome After Dark” experience will give you every reason to be merry and bright!

Ember Lounge musts:

• Order the Flame-seared Wild Shrimp with chargrilled tiger shrimp, charred scallion chimichurri, duxelles, brick oven crouton crumbles, white wine garlic pan sauce and aji Amarillo puree.
• Try the Fall Harvest Bread Boule served in a Capistrano’s bread bowl filled with aged-cheddar fondue, cranberry orange bacon relish, fresh sage and rosemary, toasted Marcona almonds, picked fennel and apples, prosciutto florets.
• Round off the evening with Smoked Campfire S’mores, complete with marshmallow fluff custard, espresso dark chocolate ganache, smoked salted caramel, graham cracker crumb toffee brittle, torched meringue, edible chocolate crumbles.

Inside the snowglobe: An unforgettable festive experience

Snugly tucked in between Copper Blues Desert Ridge and Barnes & Noble, guests find the winter wonderland inside the large white dome. Once inside, they discover cozy themed seating nooks with tables designed to provide an intimate experience that still feels like part of all the holiday action!

“Following the success of Ember Lounge last year, we are excited to bring back another District Dome experience this holiday season,” says Jenny Cushing, vice president of leasing for Vestar. “Last year’s Ember Lounge sold out for the entire season, and due to the demand, we’ve extended the runtime, opening earlier in November and continuing through mid-January. We’ve also added a late-night bar experience and resident DJs providing entertainment on the weekends.”

The cocktails are hyper-focused on holiday themes and ingredients, with whimsical presentations featuring adorably appropriate names. The stand-out cocktail is the Poisonous Mushroom. The beautiful cocktail cleverly disguised as an unassuming pale pink mushroom, boasts Absolut Vanilla Vodka, white chocolate, coconut, lime and strawberry foam.

The Northern Lights is another beautifully constructed cocktail that includes Codigo Tequila, a yellow Starburst, apple, chili, lime and a sprinkling of galaxy glitter. The Ice Hotel is also quite clever, including Absolut Wild Berri Vodka, lingonberry concentrate, cardamom, vanilla and lemon, with a smattering of shaved ice.

Mocktails made in spectacular fashion

If you are the designated driver or steering clear of alcohol, Ember Lounge has you covered with the Ember Cocao with a chocolate trio and marshmallow duo. Or try the Cranberry Relish with cranberry, marmalade, blood orange and black walnut.

Ember Lounge details

“The District Dome After Dark” is a ticketed late-night experience only available on Friday and Saturday nights, through January 18. A gorgeous selection of seasonal signature drinks is available, accompanied by a live DJ and a 360-degree projection of art, light and color.

Guests can choose from private nook seating or standing-room-only tickets. Either way, you’ll enjoy a captivating experience, and the occasional surprise guest performance. Tickets for Ember Lounge and The District Dome After Dark are available at DistrictDome.com. Get your tickets soon, the season sold out quickly in 2023.