The craft cocktail revival has swept across the United States, transforming the way
we think about mixed drinks. From classic speakeasies to innovative molecular
gastronomy bars, mixologists are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in a
glass.
So, grab your shaker, and let’s embark on a spirited journey through America’s top
destinations for craft cocktails and mixology.
New York City, New York
The Big Apple is the undisputed heavyweight champion of the cocktail world. From
the inventive concoctions at Death & Co. to the classic martinis at Bemelmans Bar,
NYC has something for every palate.
Don’t miss PDT (Please Don’t Tell), accessed through a phone booth in a hot dog joint. Who knew a secret entrance could make a drink taste even better?
New Orleans, Louisiana
The birthplace of the Sazerac and the Hurricane, NOLA takes its cocktails seriously.
Sip a French 75 at Arnaud’s French 75 Bar, or explore the extensive menu at Cure, a
James Beard Award winner.
For a true taste of history, belly up to the bar at the Hotel Monteleone’s rotating Carousel Bar.
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San Francisco, California
The City by the Bay boasts a cocktail scene as diverse as its neighborhoods. Trick
Dog in the Mission changes its entire menu concept twice a year, while Smuggler’s
Cove offers over 500 rums in a tiki wonderland.
For a uniquely SF experience, try the pisco punch at Comstock Saloon, a drink born during the Gold Rush era.
Chicago, Illinois
The Windy City blows away the competition with its innovative cocktail scene. The
Aviary treats cocktails like culinary art, often using molecular gastronomy techniques.
For a more classic experience, try the perfectly executed Old Fashioned at The Violet Hour. Don’t leave without visiting Three Dots and a Dash, a tiki bar that’ll transport you straight to the tropics.
Portland, Oregon
Known for its craft beer, Portland’s cocktail scene is equally impressive. Clyde
Common popularized barrel-aged cocktails, while Multnomah Whiskey Library
boasts over 1,700 spirits.
For a uniquely Portland experience, try the farm-to-glass cocktails at Expatriate, where even the bitters are homemade.
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Los Angeles, California
LA’s cocktail scene is as star-studded as its sidewalks. The Walker Inn in Koreatown
offers an omakase-style cocktail tasting menu, while The Varnish downtown slings
perfect classic cocktails in a hidden bar.
For a touch of Old Hollywood glamour, sip a martini at Musso & Frank Grill, where the likes of Charlie Chaplin and F. Scott Fitzgerald once imbibed.
Austin, Texas
Keep Austin weird – and well-lubricated. The Roosevelt Room offers a cocktail menu
that’s a journey through history, while Half Step crafts bespoke drinks tailored to your
tastes.
For a true Austin experience, enjoy locally-made spirits on the porch at Whisler’s. Don’t forget to pair your drink with some live music – it’s the Austin way,
y’all.
Seattle, Washington
The Emerald City’s cocktail scene shines as bright as its namesake. Canon boasts
one of the world’s largest spirit collections, while Zig Zag Café is a must-visit for
serious cocktail enthusiasts.
For a uniquely Seattle twist, try the coffee cocktails at Damn the Weather.
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Miami, Florida
Miami’s cocktail scene is as hot as its beaches. Broken Shaker at the Freehand
Hotel offers tropical drinks in a lush courtyard, while Sweet Liberty serves up award-
winning cocktails alongside late-night bites.
For a taste of old Cuba, sip a mojito at Ball & Chain in Little Havana.
Washington D.C.
The nation’s capital takes its cocktails as seriously as its politics. Barmini by José
Andrés offers a liquid cuisine experience, while Columbia Room provides an
education in mixology with its tasting menu.
For a touch of intrigue, try the spy- themed cocktails at Quill in The Jefferson Hotel. Who knows, you might overhear the next Watergate!
Boston, Massachusetts
Beantown’s cocktail scene is anything but puritanical. Drink in Fort Point lets you skip
the menu and put your fate in the bartender’s hands, while Backbar in Somerville
offers creative cocktails in a laid-back setting.
For a true taste of Boston, try the Ward 8 at Locke-Ober, a cocktail invented in the city over a century ago.
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Denver, Colorado
The Mile High City’s cocktail scene is reaching new heights. Death & Co. (yes, the
NYC icon) opened an outpost here, while Williams & Graham offers speakeasy vibes
behind a hidden bookstore entrance.
For a taste of the Rockies, try the alpine-inspired cocktails at The Tatarian.
Nashville, Tennessee
Music City is hitting all the right notes with its cocktail scene. Patterson House offers
pre-prohibition style drinks in a speakeasy setting, while Attaboy (another NYC
transplant) slings bespoke cocktails tailored to your mood.
For a true Nashville experience, pair your bourbon cocktail with some hot chicken at Hemingway’s Bar & Hideaway.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The City of Brotherly Love extends that affection to its cocktails. Hop Sing
Laundromat (if you can find it) offers an extensive menu in a secretive setting, while
The Franklin Bar serves up innovative drinks in a cozy underground space.
For a Philly twist, try the Broad Street Bullies at The Olde Bar, a gin punch that packs as
much of a wallop as the ’70s Flyers team it’s named after.
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San Diego, California
America’s Finest City has a cocktail scene to match. False Idol brings tiki to new
heights with its immersive decor and flaming drinks, while Polite Provisions offers a
pharmacy-themed menu of ‘cures’ for whatever ails you.
For a taste of old San Diego, sip a Margarita at La Puerta – legend has it the drink was invented just south of the border in Tijuana.
Las Vegas, Nevada
What happens in Vegas… is probably a craft cocktail. The Chandelier at The
Cosmopolitan is a multi-story cocktail experience, while Ghost Donkey offers high-
end mezcal cocktails in a hidden speakeasy.
For a uniquely Vegas experience, try the tableside mixology at Electra Cocktail Club in The Venetian.
Kansas City, Missouri
KC is serving up more than just barbecue these days. Manifesto, hidden in the
basement of The Rieger, offers pre-Prohibition style cocktails, while Swordfish Tom’s
brings a bit of 1920s Paris to the Midwest.
For a local twist, try the Missouri Mule at Tom’s Town Distilling Co., made with locally distilled spirits.
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Houston, Texas
Everything’s bigger in Texas, including the cocktail scene. Anvil Bar & Refuge boasts
a list of 100 classic cocktails you should try before you die, while Better Luck
Tomorrow offers innovative drinks in a laid-back setting.
For a taste of Houston’s diversity, try the globally inspired cocktails at Tongue-Cut Sparrow. H-Town.
Detroit, Michigan
The Motor City’s cocktail scene is firing on all cylinders. Sugar House in Corktown
offers an extensive menu of classic and original cocktails, while Bad Luck Bar serves
up high-concept drinks in a moody, intimate setting.
For a uniquely Detroit experience, sip on a Last Word at The Apparatus Room – the drink was invented in the city during Prohibition.
Phoenix, Arizona
The Valley of the Sun is heating the cocktail scene. Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour
offers a comic book-style menu of innovative drinks, while Century Grand takes you
on a transcontinental railroad journey with its immersive decor and cocktail experience.
For a taste of the desert, try the prickly pear margarita at The Breadfruit & Rum Bar.
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Baltimore, Maryland
Charm City’s cocktail scene lives up to its nickname. Rye in Fells Point offers a
constantly rotating menu of creative cocktails, while The Elk Room provides a
speakeasy experience complete with live jazz.
For a taste of Baltimore history, sip on a Diamondback at Ida B’s Table, a rye whiskey cocktail invented at the city’s Lord Baltimore Hotel in the 1950s.
St. Louis, Missouri
The Gateway to the West is your gateway to great cocktails. Planter’s House, owned
by cocktail historian Ted Kilgore, offers a journey through mixology’s past and
present.
Taste by Niche serves up perfectly executed classics alongside innovative new creations. For a uniquely St. Louis experience, try the Gin Rickey at Olio – legend has it the drink was a favorite of St. Louis native T.S. Eliot.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
The Twin Cities are doubling down on craft cocktails. Marvel Bar’s minimalist menu
belies the complexity of its drinks, while Tattersall Distilling offers cocktails made with
their house-made spirits.
For a taste of Minnesota nice, try the Scandinavian-inspired aquavit cocktails at Norseman Distillery.
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Charleston, South Carolina
The Holy City’s cocktail scene is nothing short of divine. The Gin Joint offers a
‘dealer’s choice’ option where you pick two adjectives and let the bartender work
their magic, while Proof crafts perfectly balanced classics and originals.
For a taste of Charleston history, sip on a plantation punch at Husk Bar, made with locally sourced ingredients.
The Next Great Drink is Out there!
From coast to coast, north to south, America’s cities are shaking, stirring, and
muddling their way to cocktail greatness. Whether you prefer your drinks classic or
cutting-edge, there’s a barstool waiting for you somewhere in this spirited nation.
So raise a glass to the mixologists, bartenders, and mad scientists pushing the
boundaries of what’s possible in a cocktail.
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