Downtown Kirkwood is getting into the holiday spirit. 4 Hands Brewing Co.’s first ever holiday pop-up, Cocktails and Claws, is now open in the 4 Hands + Peacemaker Lobster & Crab Co. space at 150 W. Argonne Drive in Kirkwood, where customers can pair local brews with lobster, poorboys and more.
The two businesses have been planning their collaborative event since June, and the effort shows in their specialty menus created for the pop-up. The cocktail list from 4 Hands focuses on showing off their portfolio of spirits as well as guest experience. The Resting Grinch Face is one of owner Kevin Lemp’s favorites, made up of 1220 Spirits’ Encrypted Vodka, plus white cranberry, triple sec, simple syrup and lime juice. Upon ordering, a server comes to the table with the drink in one hand and green cotton candy in the other. Guests watch as the cotton candy dissolves in the cocktail, transforming it into something perfect for the Mean One himself. Withered Oak’s rye is a substantial component of the cocktail menu, making appearances in Max on the Rocks (a One Antler Old-Fashioned), the caramel apple-inspired Sugar & Spice and the Midnight Noel, which also features amaro, plus chocolate and toasted almond bitters.
“We like to stay in our lane and really just focus on beverage,” Lemp said. “We really just trust our partner.” That partner is the team at Kevin Nashan’s Peacemaker, which designed the appetizer menu for Cocktails and Claws. While the regular Peacemaker menu is also available, the unique appetizer choices offer elevated comfort. First on the list is an order of crab claws, delivered to the table on ice with lemon and house-made Dijonnaise. The deviled eggs come topped with caviar, and the pigs in a blanket are swaddled in a garlic-Parmesan buttered bao bun. Crab cakes and Swedish meatballs round out the menu, along with a turtle brownie sundae for dessert.
Of all the 4 Hands’ locations, Lemp felt Kirkwood was the perfect spot for their first holiday pop-up. “We’re really a part of the neighborhood of Kirkwood,” he said. “We just felt like the community would get a kick out of a big pop-up, and so we decided to just roll the dice and try it this year and see how it went.” The encroaching wintertime gives the team a chance to show off what the inside of the property can deliver. While the location has plenty of outdoor seating, popular in the warmer months, Cocktails and Claws takes place purely inside. The dining area is decked out in red and white, and guests have a perfect view of a City Wide holiday tree. “As soon as the customers walk in, we just wanted it to be explosive for them.”
For the rest of the pop-up, which runs through Dec. 31, guests can expect eventual additions to the menu, including NA cocktails. Mr. and Mrs. Claus will join the fun on Dec. 7 for a free event full of photo opportunities, games and treats meant for the whole family. A portion of sales on Kirkwood Lager will go to Kirkwood Firefighters Community Outreach. “We just want people to come in here and be reminded of the giving season,” Lemp said. “At the end of the day, everything we do is about connection.” Cocktails and Claws is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, no reservations or tickets required.
This article appears in December 2025.