Best drinks in cities (list yours):

I generally prefer to stay away from wine when out at bars/clubs. There are two bars in two different cities that I always try to spend a night, great crowds and better cocktails:

Cleveland:

The Velvet Tango Room
2095 Columbus Rd
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 241-8869
http://www.velvettangoroom.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

San Francisco:

Beretta (Mission District)
1199 Valencia Street
(between 22nd St & 23rd St)
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 695-1199
http://www.berettasf.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The food is pretty solid here too.

Drinks at Beretta are pretty good. Food is decent. I do like the place, but for whatever reason don’t find myself going there that frequently. The drinks at Foreign Cinema are actually pretty good and it’s not always quite as nutso crazy as Beretta. But I think the best drinks I’ve found yet in the Mission are at Range. Swig on Geary is pretty good too in my experience.

But I’m far from a true mixed drink connoisseur, much more of a wine and beer guy 95% of the time.

For authentic and creative tequila drinks: Colibri in SF (off Union Square on Geary).

Negroni’s at Biba in Sacramento.

Pimm’s Cups at Napolean House in New Orleans

In Healdsburg- The bar at Cyrus turns out mad mixology

In Atlanta- Holeman & Finch and Restaurant Eugene

I just discovered Pimm’s Cup. I’m in love.

Not a big mixed drinks person either but Adesso and Cesar, both on Piedmont Ave in Oakland, make pretty darn good cocktails.

Adesso makes really good drinks…and the house made/cured meats and pates are really good too…do you ever go for the free food happy hour Tony?

Si Senor!!!

Anvil in Houston is a serious drinking establishment.

Holeman & Finch in Atlanta
Foundation in Raleigh is a small spot downtown with some killer drinks.

Zig Zag in Seattle has the best cocktails in town.

Zig Zags?

Figures.

Great drinks, but I feel transported back to the 80’s with that place. Tavern Law is great too, pretty sweet speak-easy feel to it.

Back in January I made a trip to Old Town (Alexandria Va) and a few of us got reservations to PX http://www.restauranteve.com/eamonns/PX/index.html. It is a speakeasy focusing on custom cocktails. Highly delectable and recommended; not inexpensive but far from ordinary.


I don’t smoke but absolutely LOVED the Smoker’s Delight which included Virginia tobacco and bourbon they served.

Completely agree on H&F in ATL.

Artisanal cocktails are all the rage in LA with even more new bars popping up all the time; especially down town.

Here’s a short list:

The Edison - the 20s vibe is kinda of over-produced, but the cocktails are solid
http://www.edisondowntown.com/main.htm

Varnish - grab a Cole’s french dip sandwich in the front before making your way back to the hidden bar
http://www.thevarnishbar.com/

Seven Grand - whisky / whiskey galore
http://sevengrand.la/info.html

Rivera Restaurant - exceptional Latin inspired cocktails

Trader Vic’s - still the best mai tais in the city; recent pool-side location is very LA, but I I miss the dingy red booths
http://www.tradervicsla.com/

Copa d’Oro - very well crafted cocktails utilizing farmer’s market fresh ingredients

Tar Pit Bar - Mark Peel’s venture into the uber cool cocktail scene with a moderately priced food menu.
http://www.tarpitbar.com/

If your ever in Vegas and want to leave the whole high dollar casino thing and like Rum I suggest you go here

http://www.frankiestikiroom.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Nice list, Brett.

I’d add Comme Ca; they are serious about cocktails. Food is good, too.

I grew up at Trader Vic’s. Your post put me in the mood for Crab Rangoon and Navy Grog (old style).

Good call on Comme Ca! They are serious about cocktails!