Best Bar Food in the U.S.

By Food & Wine
June 16, 2016
These stellar bars across the country pair fantastic drinks with delicious food.
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The Woodsman Tavern; Portland, OR

In addition to the list of smoked charcuterie, the menu at Duane Sorenson's tavern includes 14 rotating taps and specialty cocktails. The Cut Tooth is made with rum, Heering cherry liqueur, Ramazzotti amaro and lime juice. woodsmantavern.com

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Radar; Portland, OR

This European futbol-centric sports bar serves small plates like pork and cotija grits from an open kitchen along with cocktails like the Radar Standard, mixed with gin and house-made tonic water. radarpdx.com

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Goose & Gander; Napa Valley

Scott Beatie pairs elegant libations like the Bali spice–infused old-fashioned with chef Kelly McCown's rustic bar food. goosegander.com

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The Alembic; San Francisco, CA

Daniel Hyatt runs the bar at this gastropub. He offers a terrific list of "After-Dinner Libations" like brandies and Scotches and "Daytime" drinks like mint juleps. alembicbar.com

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The Lion's Share; San Diego, CA

At this gastropub, game-focused bar food like port-glazed antelope ribs accompanies drinks like Monks Gone Wild: strawberry-infused Pimm's and green Chartreuse. lionssharesd.com

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Craft & Commerce; San Diego, CA

Philip Ward of New York City’s Mayahuel helped with the drink menu at this rustic-industrial Little Italy spot. Don’t miss the Mother's Ruin punch for four (gin, spiced black tea, sweet vermouth, citrus juices and Champagne) and beer cocktails like Up in Smoke (barrel-aged Tripel ale, Islay Scotch and apple and lime juices). craft-commerce.com

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The Parish; Los Angeles, CA

Mixologist John Coltharp whips up inventive drinks like the Disco Nap—grappa, Aperol, lemon and mint—at chef Casey Lane's tribute to the English gastropub. theparishla.com

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Sable Kitchen & Bar; Chicago, IL

Master mixologist Jacques Bezuidenhout co-created the drink list for this elegant gastro-lounge. Behind the 40-foot bar, head bartender Mike Ryan serves his own creations, too, like the rhubarb-infused Bridal Shower. sablechicago.com

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The Drawing Room; Chicago, IL

At this subterranean restaurant and lounge, visitors can have their drinks prepared from a custom-made bar cart, accompanied by a cocktail history lesson. thedrchicago.com

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Bramble & Hare; Boulder, CO

From the restaurateurs behind Black Cat Farm Table Bistro, this farmhouse kitchen and pub serves homey late-night snacks with their simple, rustic cocktails. After 11 p.m., all listed cocktails are $5. brambleandhare.com

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Basso; St. Louis, MO

Located below the Restaurant at The Cheshire, this subterranean gastropub serves wood-oven pizzas and Italian spirit–based cocktails like the Fernet Abouddit: Fernet-Branca, maple rye, sweet vermouth, lemon juice and cherry bitters. basso-stl.com

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The Pass & Provisions; Houston, TX

Provisions, a casual bar and dining area housed in the same historic warehouse as The Pass restaurant, offers drinks like Edison's Lighthouse (rum, genever, Pineau des Charentes and rosemary) alongside small plates and pizzas. passandprovisions.com

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Drink.Well.; Austin, TX

This pub in the city's North Loop offers craft beers, wines and drinks arranged into categories like "Sour Patch Kids," tart, citrus-forward, shaken cocktails; and "Dark & Lovely," drinks that are boozy, bitter and bracing. drinkwellaustin.com

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Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails; Phoenix, AZ

The friendly gastropub menu here includes shareable plates to accompany Blue Hound's classic and reinvented cocktails and thoughtful mocktails. There's also a special vermouth program headed by main barkeep Shel Bourdon. bluehoundkitchen.com

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Holeman & Finch Public House; Atlanta

From the team behind Restaurant Eugene, this gastropub serves Southern-inspired cocktails such as the Spice Bandit by mixologist Greg Best. 2277 Peachtree Rd.; 404-948-1175; holeman-finch.com.

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Paper Plane; Decatur, GA

Mixologist Paul Calvert (formerly of Pura Vida and the Sound Table) is behind this smart, sexy restaurant-bar on the outskirts of Atlanta. http://www.the-paper-plane.com

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Leon's Full Service; Decatur, GA

Not only does this restaurant in a former filling station make its own liqueurs and cocktail syrups, it has bar snacks worth traveling for, like Homemade Peanut Butter with a Side of Bacon. leonsfullservice.com

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Vernick Food & Drink; Philadelphia, PA

Chef Greg Vernick's neighborhood restaurant features a small but comprehensive dinner menu and food-friendly cocktails like the Red Charlotte (vodka, Pinot Noir reduction, allspice, citrus juices and sparkling wine). vernickphilly.com

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