Skip to content

Top Navigation

Food & Wine Food & Wine
  • Recipes & Cooking
  • Drinks
  • Travel
  • Holidays + Events
  • News
  • F&W Classic
  • Video
  • Lifestyle
  • F&W Pro
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Your Profile

Your Profile

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • F&W Classic Insiders this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Wine Club
  • Podcast
  • Food & Wine Books this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout
Login
Subscribe Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Food & Wine

Food & Wine Food & Wine
  • Explore

    Explore

    • F&W Cooks

      F&W Cooks

      Food and Wine presents a new network of food pros delivering the most cookable recipes and delicious ideas online. Read More
    • Our 22 Best Crock Pot and Slow-Cooker Recipes

      Our 22 Best Crock Pot and Slow-Cooker Recipes

      Looking to amp up your beef stew but unsure where to start? A slow cooker can can take your comfort food to the next level. Read More
    • 50 Affordable Wines You Can Always Trust

      50 Affordable Wines You Can Always Trust

      We’ve assembled a list of 50 of the world’s most reliable, inexpensive wines – bottles that offer amazing quality for their price year in and year out. Read More
  • Recipes & Cooking

    Recipes & Cooking

    See All Recipes & Cooking
    • Chicken
    • Comfort Food
    • Breakfast + Brunch
    • Salads
    • Desserts
    • Vegetables
    • Pasta + Noodles
    • Chefs
    • Meat + Poultry
    • Soup
    • Appetizers
    • Side Dishes
    • Fruits
    • Seafood
    • Special Diets
    • Cooking Techniques
    • Steal This Trick
  • Drinks

    Drinks

    See All Drinks
    • Wine
    • Spirits
    • Coffee
    • Juices
    • Beer
    • Champagne + Sparkling Wine
    • Tea
  • Travel

    Travel

    See All Travel
    • Wine Regions
    • Restaurants
  • Holidays + Events

    Holidays + Events

    See All Holidays + Events
    • Valentine's Day
    • Halloween
    • Passover
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • Gifts
    • Super Bowl
    • Easter
    • Thanksgiving
    • New Year's Eve
    • Holiday Entertaining
  • News
  • F&W Classic

    F&W Classic

    See All F&W Classic
    • F&W Classic Insider
    • Food & Wine Classic in Aspen
  • Video
  • Lifestyle
  • F&W Pro
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Profile

Your Profile

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • F&W Classic Insiders this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Wine Club
  • Podcast
  • Food & Wine Books this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Travel
  3. Best Cocktail Bars in the U.S.

Best Cocktail Bars in the U.S.

By Food & Wine Editors Updated March 26, 2019
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Skip gallery slides
FB Tweet
Cocktail Bars: Nitecap
Credit: © Eric Medsker

Here, beautiful destination cocktail bars from the country's best mixologists.

Start Slideshow

1 of 35

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Harlowe, Los Angeles

Cocktail Bars: Harlowe
Credit: © Danielle Bernabe

The vintage fixtures and classic cocktails here are reminiscent of bars from Hollywood's golden age. Star mixologist Dushan Zaric of Employees Only in New York City designed the cocktail program, which includes drinks like the vodka-based Clementine, with Aperol, lemon and mandarin puree. 

1 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 35

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Good Bar
, Seattle

Cocktail Bars: Good Bar
Credit: © Suzi Pratt

The menu at this smart, stylish bar in the former Japanese Commercial Bank ranges from classic riffs (like the Darker Stormy, tweaked with a ginger-stout reduction) to the unexpected (the Axl Brose, with Scotch, Drambuie, honey, oatmeal cream, nutmed and egg yolk).

2 of 35

3 of 35

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Coup d'Etat, Minneapolis

Cocktail Bars: Coup d’Etat
Credit: © Coup d'etat

This vast, 9,000-square-foot restaurant and bar consists of several dining rooms and upper- and lower-level patios. The cocktail menu features original creations as well as reinvented classics like the Smoked Manhattan. 

3 of 35

Advertisement

4 of 35

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Culinary Dropout, Las Vegas

Cocktail Bars: Culinary Dropout
Credit: © Fox Restaurant Concepts

The cocktails at this bar with a laid-back vibe and live music are described as Light and Easy, Two-Handed Shandies, Classic Dropouts and Copper-less Mules. Pistols at Dawn (bourbon, ancho chile liqueur, ginger agave and Cabernet) is a creative addition to the last category.

4 of 35

5 of 35

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

The Chestnut Club, Los Angeles 


Cocktail Bars: The Chestnut Club
Credit: © Raul Yrastorza

The elaborate drinks at this dimly lit, industrial-chic lounge are supplemented by Spanish-style gin-and-tonic variations. One such iteration is the Café Paloma, with tequila, Aperol, grapefruit and lime.

5 of 35

6 of 35

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Clover Club, New York City

Cocktail Bars: Clover Club, New York City
Credit: Photo Courtesy of The Clover Club

Named after a pre-Prohibition men's club, this stylish classic-cocktails spot is co-owned by Julie Reiner of Manhattan's renowned Flatiron Lounge.

  • Julie Reiner's Tips for Crafting Perfect Cocktails

6 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 35

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Teardrop Cocktail Lounge, Portland, OR

Cocktail Bars: Teardrop Cocktail Lounge
Credit: Photo Courtesy of Teardrop Lounge

The bartenders at Teardrop's circular bar make their own tonic water and specialty liqueurs for drinks like the Devil You Know (green Chartreuse, Amaro Nonino, Dolin Blanc vermouth and lime juice shaken with an egg white).

7 of 35

8 of 35

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Pegu Club, New York City

Cocktail Bars: Pegu Club
Credit: Photo © Andie Diemer

Audrey Saunders, a leader of the vintage cocktail movement, co-owns this mixologists' hangout, which serves its drinks with dropper bottles of fresh juices, bitters and simple syrup.

8 of 35

9 of 35

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Rob Roy, Seattle

Aster Family Sour

You can order Anu Apte's Ginger Persuasion or Zane Harris's Aster Family Sour at this cool, 1970s-inspired cocktail den.

9 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 35

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Tavern Law, Seattle

Cocktail Bars: Tavern Law
Credit: Photo © Kristin Zwiers for McCracken Tough

From the duo behind the gastropub Spur, Tavern Law has classic cocktails, lots of whiskeys and fancy bar snacks like foie gras terrine. Through a heavy vault door is Needle & Thread, an upstairs bar where drinks are custom-made.

  • Seattle Travel

10 of 35

11 of 35

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Taste, St. Louis

Cocktail Bars: Taste
Credit: Photo © Tuan Lee

Local hero Ted Kilgore mans the bar at this newly relocated small-plates spot, where Adam Altnether offers house-made pickles, deviled eggs and Carrot Bruschetta.

11 of 35

12 of 35

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Cure, New Orleans

Cocktail Bars: Cure
Credit: Randy Schmidt

Bartenders at Cure use droppers to add house-made tinctures to their cocktails, which are served alongside tasty dishes like a cotija crusted confit chicken.

  • Duck and Sweet Potato Hash Recipe

12 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 35

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Comstock Saloon, San Francisco

Cocktail Bars: Comstock Saloon
Credit: Photo © Tina Rupp

Star bartenders Jonny Raglin and Jeff Hollinger run this 1900s-style bar, where they serve period-appropriate cocktails and snacks like whiskey-cured gravlax on rye toast with dill sour cream.

13 of 35

14 of 35

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Copa d'Oro, Santa Monica

Cocktail Bars: Copa d'Oro
Credit: Photo Courtesy of Copa d'Oro

Headed by Vincenzo Marianella, Copa d'Oro has a "be your own mixologist" option. This allows guests to concoct their own drinks with seasonal ingredients (kumquats or sage, for instance) and a choice of top-notch spirits.

14 of 35

15 of 35

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Anvil Bar & Refuge, Houston

Cocktail Bars: Anvil Bar & Refuge
Credit: Photo Courtesy of Anvil Bar

Two devotees of old-school cocktails serve flips, brambles, bucks and sours and host monthly themed cocktail classes at this bar in an old Bridgestone-Firestone tire shop.

  • Houston Travel

15 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 35

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Downtown Cocktail Room, Las Vegas

Cocktail Bars: Downtown Cocktail Room
Credit: Photo Courtesy of Downtown Cocktail Room

This spacious and subdued lounge in a renovated wedding chapel is marked by a tiny sign; inside are cool drinks like the Cat's Pajamas: gin, Campari, orange juice, Chartreuse and maple syrup.

  • Las Vegas Travel

16 of 35

17 of 35

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Parasol Down, Las Vegas

Cocktail Bars: Parasol Down
Credit: Photo Courtesy of Parasol Down

Dozens of colorful upside-down parasols and a terrace-side lake and waterfall are the draw at this Wynn Las Vegas indoor/outdoor lounge. Mixologist Patricia Richards is behind the drink list.

17 of 35

18 of 35

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

The Patterson House, Nashville

Cocktail Bars: The Patterson House
Credit: Photo Courtesy of The Patterson House

Toby Maloney designed the drink menu at this bar named for the Tennessee governor who vetoed the return of statewide Prohibition in 1909.

  • Nashville Travel

18 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 35

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

The Barrelhouse Flat, Chicago

Cocktail Bars: The Barrelhouse Flat
Credit: Photo © Jesse LiRola Photography

The Violet Hour alum Stephen Cole creates classics-inspired cocktails and books live ragtime acts on weekends.

  • Chicago Travel

19 of 35

20 of 35

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Pour Vous, Los Angeles

Cocktail Bars: Pour Vous
Credit: Photo © Manufactur Concept

The sumptuous drinks menu at this Parisian-themed lounge is divided into sections such as Parfum, Potion and Santé. The dress code encourages "cocktail attire," i.e., no baseball caps or flip-flops.

  • Los Angeles Travel

20 of 35

21 of 35

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

The Broken Shaker, Miami

Cocktail Bars: The Broken Shaker
Credit: Photo © Adrian Gaut

This poolside lounge at the newly renovated Freehand Miami hostel serves refreshing cocktails made with homemade syrups and garden herbs from the creative mixology duo Gabriel Orta and Elad Zvi.

  • Miami Travel

21 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 35

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

The Rose, Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Cocktail Bars: The Rose
Credit: Photo © Rich Goodwin

This plush, old-fashioned lounge in the Pink Garter Theatre features elegant cocktails like the Ten Cent Claude, made with bourbon, Darjeeling tea syrup and muddled citrus.

22 of 35

23 of 35

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Eat Street Social, Minneapolis

Cocktail Bars: Eat Street Social
Credit: Photo © Todd Andrew Gross

Ira Koplowitz and Nicholas Kosevich, founders of Bittercube artisanal bitters, create drinks like Of the Older Fashioned using a trio of their own bitters: Cherry Bark Vanilla, Orange and Bolivar.

  • Minneapolis Travel

23 of 35

24 of 35

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Arnaud's French 75 Bar, New Orleans

Cocktail Bars: Arnaud's French 75 Bar
Credit: Photo © Wendell T. Webber

Chris Hannah mans the bar at this dapper, cigar-friendly spot inside Arnaud's, one of New Orleans's oldest and most venerated restaurants.

  • Chris Hannah's Accoutrement Cocktail Recipe

24 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 35

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

The Baldwin Bar
, Boston

Cocktail Bars: The Baldwin Bar
Credit: © Raul Zelaya

Ran Duan serves singular cocktails at his bar in the Sichuan Garden II restaurant inside the 17th-century Baldwin Mansion. Upstairs at the mansion is a new library-style lounge where Duan mixes stiff drinks like Rock Beats Scissors, with rye, Cynar, China-China liqueur and clove bitters. 

25 of 35

26 of 35

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Goto
, New York City

Cocktail Bars: Goto
Credit: © Daniel Krieger

At his tiny, refined izakaya, Kenta Goto (p. 219) gives cocktails a Japanese spin, such as the elegant Sakura Martini, garnished with a cherry blossom. The complex drinks are excellent with the bar's thoughtful small plates, among them pan-sized okonomiyaki (savory pancakes).

26 of 35

27 of 35

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Minero
, Charleston

Cocktail Bars: Minero
Credit: © Andrew Celbulka

The decidedly Mexican-inspired cocktail menu has the requisite margarita and sangria, but also less expected creations like El Espectro: rum, chile, pineapple and lemon oleo-saccharum. All drinks pair well with the restaurant's stellar tacos. 

27 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 35

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Constantine
, Minneapolis

Cocktail Bars: Constantine
Credit: © James Kruger Landmark Photography

Stained glass and 160 candles give this subterranean bar a dramatic look, and its cocktails embrace the theatrical, too. Barman Jesse Held (p. 220) focuses on novelty in his drinks, experimenting with infusions and even creating an "ice program" with different styles and flavors. 

28 of 35

29 of 35

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

The Roosevelt Room, Austin

Cocktail Bar: The Roosevelt Room
Credit: Marc Swendner

The drinks at this sleek yet relaxed lounge are impressive, with a touch of whimsy. Do You Even Lift?, reminiscent of a root beer float, is a complex, nostalgic mix of rum, coffee liqueur, orgeat, cream, root beer, cayenne and cinnamon. 

29 of 35

30 of 35

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Julep, Houston

Cocktail Bars: Julep
Credit: © Julie Soefer

Celebrating the cocktail culture of the South, mixologist Alba Huerta specializes in classics as well as thoughtful riffs, such as the namesake mint julep and a gin-based Oregano Cobbler with sherry gum syrup. The food menu includes oysters, smoked fish deviled eggs and an opulent seafood tower.

30 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

31 of 35

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Wright & Co., Detroit

Cocktail Bars: Wright & Co.
Credit: © Sal Rodriguez

The centerpiece of this restaurant, built in a ballroom–turned–jewelry shop, is the endless white marble bar top. Craft cocktails include the tequila-based Pear Trap, with pear brandy, salted pear syrup and Zucca amaro.

31 of 35

32 of 35

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Le Sel
, Nashville

Cocktail Bars: Le Sel
Credit: © Danielle Atkins

The downstairs lounge of this sophisticated restaurant serves drinks that are as refined as the New French menu. Cocktails lean toward French spirits, like the green Chartreuse–based Mad Priest and Le Sazerac, made with Cognac as well as the traditional rye whiskey.

32 of 35

33 of 35

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Victoria Bar
, Portland

Cocktail Bars: Victoria Bar
Credit: © Dylan Long

There's a healthy dose of kitsch on the menu at this polished cocktail joint. Princess Bride—themed cocktails include The Six Fingered Man (a mix of rum, orange curaçao, orgeat, IPA, lemon) and Inigo Montoya (tequila, cardamaro, ginger, lime, cardamom bitters).

33 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

34 of 35

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Bar Sardine, New York City

Cocktail Bars: Bar Sardine
Credit: © Henry Hargreaves

This compact neighborhood bar in the West Village serves inspired drinks by Brian Bartels. These include a playful selection of Bloody Mary riffs (featuring ingredients like ramen broth, dill-infused vodka and shishito) and barrel-aged cocktails. 

34 of 35

35 of 35

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Nitecap
, New York City

Cocktail Bars: Nitecap
Credit: © Eric Medsker

At this dark, moody cocktail lounge downstairs from Schapiro's restaurant, co-owner Natasha David serves a variety of drinks with cheeky style, from refreshing spritzes to boozy punches. 

35 of 35

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Food & Wine Editors

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 35 Harlowe, Los Angeles
    2 of 35 Good Bar
, Seattle
    3 of 35 Coup d'Etat, Minneapolis
    4 of 35 Culinary Dropout, Las Vegas
    5 of 35 The Chestnut Club, Los Angeles 

    6 of 35 Clover Club, New York City
    7 of 35 Teardrop Cocktail Lounge, Portland, OR
    8 of 35 Pegu Club, New York City
    9 of 35 Rob Roy, Seattle
    10 of 35 Tavern Law, Seattle
    11 of 35 Taste, St. Louis
    12 of 35 Cure, New Orleans
    13 of 35 Comstock Saloon, San Francisco
    14 of 35 Copa d'Oro, Santa Monica
    15 of 35 Anvil Bar & Refuge, Houston
    16 of 35 Downtown Cocktail Room, Las Vegas
    17 of 35 Parasol Down, Las Vegas
    18 of 35 The Patterson House, Nashville
    19 of 35 The Barrelhouse Flat, Chicago
    20 of 35 Pour Vous, Los Angeles
    21 of 35 The Broken Shaker, Miami
    22 of 35 The Rose, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
    23 of 35 Eat Street Social, Minneapolis
    24 of 35 Arnaud's French 75 Bar, New Orleans
    25 of 35 The Baldwin Bar
, Boston
    26 of 35 Goto
, New York City
    27 of 35 Minero
, Charleston
    28 of 35 Constantine
, Minneapolis
    29 of 35 The Roosevelt Room, Austin
    30 of 35 Julep, Houston
    31 of 35 Wright & Co., Detroit
    32 of 35 Le Sel
, Nashville
    33 of 35 Victoria Bar
, Portland
    34 of 35 Bar Sardine, New York City
    35 of 35 Nitecap
, New York City

    Share & More

    Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print
    Food & Wine

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Books from Food & Wine
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithFood & Wine is part of the Meredith Corporation Allrecipes Food Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Food & Wine. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.foodandwine.com

    Sign in

    View image

    Best Cocktail Bars in the U.S.
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.