In the heart of Austin, Frances Lala founded Lala’s Little Nugget in 1972, making it a beacon of Christmas cheer year-round. The bar, known for its perpetual holiday decorations, has become a beloved local icon. Its cozy interior features vintage string lights, tinsel, and a fully decorated Christmas tree, creating an atmosphere of festive nostalgia.
Stories behind the year-round décor have circulated for decades. Some say Frances kept the decorations up after her husband left her on Christmas, finding comfort in the festive atmosphere. Others claim the bar felt bare without the holiday trimmings, leading her to keep them up after the season.
The most touching tale, and the one I heard first, is that Frances’s son went to fight in Vietnam and never returned, and she left the decorations up, hoping for his safe return.
Regardless of which story resonates, one thing remains clear: Frances Lala’s legacy ensures the spirit of Christmas always has a home in Austin.
Who Was Frances Lala?
Catherine “Frances” Lala was born in Tampa Bay, Florida, in 1931. She received a Business Education degree from Patterson, New Jersey, in 1969 before moving to Austin. She opened LaLa’s in October 1972 and worked there for 43 years until her retirement on September 2, 2015. Her hobbies included pro football, gambling, and friends.
In speaking to long-time customers of the establishment, Frances is always described as a “firecracker” with a sharp wit and a sharp tongue, usually cracking an inappropriate joke.
Unfortunately, she took the origins of why she kept the decorations up year-round with her to the grave in 2017, and the staff will never divulge the secret. That’s if they even know the truth.
A Christmas Bar Suspended in Time
The first time I stepped inside this time capsule wasn’t long after I moved to Austin in December 2001. My roommates and I were seeking a festive atmosphere that hummed with the Christmas spirit. We didn’t want something polished but rather a place that was divey, smoky, and full of good cheer. This neighborhood gem met those requirements.
As we opened the door, my eyes were immediately drawn to the tiny, plush toy elves meticulously strung up on a line, suspended from the ceiling, and swaying each time the front door opened and closed. My pleasure at seeing this delight increased when the first songs of vintage Christmas classics hit my ears.
I vividly recall the sounds of Elvis Presley’s deep baritone belting out A Blue Christmas coming from the speakers and immediately embracing the holiday spirit. The bar was bustling with groups of friends laughing, imbibing on spiked egg nog and other delicious, aptly-themed cocktails, and yes, even lighting up the occasional cigarette. It was 2001, after all.
The oversized, plush green velvet throne, where countless holiday pictures have been taken, still sits against the same wall as a vintage velvet Elvis art piece, evoking memories of a bygone era. There’s no better hipster watering hole in town to get a cold Lonestar beer or a festive holiday-inspired drink. You’ll rub elbows with regulars who are as old as the bar itself, those who fancy themselves rock stars, and everyone in between.
Festive Holiday-Inspired Drinks
Although the cocktail menu has changed over the years, classics like the Love Child—a combination of strawberry-infused Reyka vodka, St. Elder, lemon, and champagne topped with champagne—are still featured. As the holidays approach each year, bartenders add additional yummy cocktails to the menu. Patrons can choose from peppermint schnapps, hot chocolate, and spiced hot toddies to sip.
Where the infamous Stubb’s BBQ food truck was once parked is now an outdoor seating area for crowd overflow. Red metal stools line the bar, decorated with tinsel, mistletoe, and twinkling multi-colored lights, while Santa’s reindeer perch on the roof.
However, if you have a craving for a slice of ‘za or need to sober up, Lala’s partner, Pedroso’s Pizza, is right next door. Can I say nothing complements a Christmas beverage like the “Texas Chainsaw” topped with salami, meatball, capicola, pepperoni, and sausage?
Lala’s South Pole
Earlier this year, Lala’s management, FBR Management, decided to open a second location of the infamous year-round Christmas-themed bar. Dubbed Lala’s South Pole, the new spot is in South Austin on Davis Lane.
Patrons will encounter much of the same decor as the original Justin Lane location, such as the countdown to Christmas clock behind the bar and the classic tin ceiling tiles. Something tells me it will never be quite the same since Frances Lala never graced this new location with her presence.