The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America
Anvil Bar & Refuge is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

1. Anvil Bar & Refuge

9.0
1424 Westheimer Rd (at Windsor St.), Houston, TX
Bar de cócteles · 184 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: Emma Janzen writes, “Anvil was one of the first bars to put Texas on the map for craft cocktails, and since then, the standards have yet to dip.” Founder Bobby Heugel is the one to thank for that. Leer más.

Arnaud's French 75 Bar is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

2. Arnaud's French 75 Bar

8.9
813 Bienville St, Nueva Orleans, LA
Bar de cócteles · French Quarter - CBD · 76 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: The drinks here are among the best in the city, & show how to build on a classic,” says Wayne Curtis. Bartender Chris Hannah is a “gentleman & a true master of the form” according to Jordana Rothman. Leer más.

The Aviary is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

3. The Aviary

8.8
955 W Fulton Market (at Morgan St.), Chicago, IL
Bar de cócteles · Fulton Market · 174 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: Leslie Pariseau calls the drinks here "really beautiful, mindfuck cocktails." Not surprising considering Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas are behind the place, alongside beverage director Charles Joly. Leer más.

Bar Agricole is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

4. Bar Agricole

355 11th St (at Folsom St), San Francisco, CA
Bar de cócteles · SoMa · 213 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: The restaurant and bar is known for using local, seasonable, and sustainable ingredients in both the food from chef Melissa Reitz and cocktails created by Thad Vogler and Eric Johnson. Leer más.

Bar Congress is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

5. Bar Congress

200 Congress Ave (2nd Street), Austin, TX
Bar de cócteles · Downtown Austin · 27 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: "Well-executed classics and innovative combinations” are keys to this David Bull-owned cocktail lounge's success, according to Austin writer Melody Fury. Leer más.

The Broken Shaker is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

6. The Broken Shaker

9.3
2727 Indian Creek Dr, Miami Beach, FL
Bar de cócteles · Ocean Front · 239 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: Nothing broken about this James Beard-nominated bar. Talia Baiocchi says, “It's one of those craft cocktail bars that is the modern imagination of what Miami must've been like in the deco days.” Leer más.

Bryant's Cocktail Lounge is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

7. Bryant's Cocktail Lounge

9.2
1579 S 9th St (W Lapham Blvd), Milwaukee, WI
Bar de cócteles · Historic Mitchell Street · 70 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: Cocktail expert David Wondrich is a fan of this Milwaukee bar, which is the city’s (and possibly the state’s) oldest—established in 1938. Wondrich says it was “cool before there were hipsters.”

Canon is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

8. Canon

9.1
928 12th Ave (btwn E Spring & Marion St), Seattle, WA
Bar de cócteles · 151 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: Allecia Vermillion calls this the “brown liquor juggernaut of Seattle cocktail bars” with a massive (in the thousands) whiskey collection and back-to-back James Beard noms for outstanding bar program. Leer más.

Clover Club is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

9. Clover Club

9.2
210 Smith St (btwn Baltic & Butler St), Brooklyn, NY
Bar de cócteles · Boerum Hill · 369 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: Momofuku bar director John deBary credits it as a place “responsible for the current [cocktail] renaissance we’re enjoying” that’s also an incubator for some of the city’s best bartending talent. Leer más.

Clyde Common is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

10. Clyde Common

1014 SW Stark St (btw SW 10th & 11th Ave.), Portland, OR
Restaurante americano · 220 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: The self-proclaimed “European-style tavern” is also a great place for food to accompany those JBFA-nominated cocktails. Leer más.

Columbia Room is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

11. Columbia Room

1021 7th St NW (Between New York Ave. & L Street NW), Washington, D.C.
Bar de cócteles · Mount Vernon Square · 24 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: Columbia Room gives guests one of the most intimate cocktail experiences in the nation with a bar that seats only 10. According to Jessica Voelker “the staff here is never pretentious.” Leer más.

Cure is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

12. Cure

8.8
4905 Freret St (Upperline St.), Nueva Orleans, LA
Bar de cócteles · Freret · 95 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: “It’s modern but it also honors the city’s amazing cocktail culture,” says writer Jessica Voelker of this off-the-beaten-path craft cocktail bar from Neal Bodenheimer, Kirk Estopinal & Matthew Kohnke. Leer más.

Drink is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

13. Drink

8.2
348 Congress St (at A St), Boston, MA
Bar de cócteles · Seaport District · 235 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: “The grandaddy of Boston’s modern cocktail bars, Drink has seen an era of incredible bartenders behinds its three-counter bar,” says Punch's Leslie Pariseau. Leer más.

The Esquire Tavern is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

14. The Esquire Tavern

8.7
155 E Commerce St (at St. Marys), San Antonio, TX
Bar de cócteles · 182 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: “This place is magic,” says Feast Portland’s Mike Thelin of this 1933-established bar on the San Antonio River Walk that feels like walking into an old saloon. Leer más.

Fox Liquor Bar is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

15. Fox Liquor Bar

8.0
237 S Wilmington St (at E Martin St), Raleigh, NC
Bar de cócteles · 61 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: The James Beard award winning chef is also serious about cocktails here with an extensive list of classic and original concoctions that are some of the best in NC, all priced at $11 including tax. Leer más.

The Franklin Bar is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

16. The Franklin Bar

112 S 18th St (btwn Chestnut & Sansom St), Filadelfia, PA
Bar de cócteles · Center City West · 141 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: While the feeling is speakeasy-esque, the drinks are all over the map with classics, punches and adventurous selections that include ingredients like Arbequina olive oil-washed mescal and cardamaro. Leer más.

The Gin Joint is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

17. The Gin Joint

8.0
182 E Bay St, Charleston, SC
Bar de cócteles · French Quarter · 96 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: The cocktails here are legit with a dedication to make everything just so, including a special ice machine, locally sourced ingredients and housemade syrups. Leer más.

Kimball House is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

18. Kimball House

9.2
303 E Howard Ave (at N Candler St), Decatur, GA
Gastropub · 65 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: Kimball House's devotion to the way dining (and drinking) used to be shines through in its craft cocktail menu, oyster offerings, and three-course steak dinner. [Eater 38 Member] Leer más.

Manifesto is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

19. Manifesto

1924 Main St (btwn W 19th & 20th St), Kansas City, MO
Bar clandestino · 74 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: It’s 5 years old and still going strong, thanks to Ryan Maybee’s solid cocktail program and intimate speakeasy atmosphere. This treasure is just downstairs from the Rieger Hotel Grill & Exchange. Leer más.

Marvel Bar is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

20. Marvel Bar

50 2nd Ave N (btwn 1st St N & Azine Way), Mineápolis, MN
Bar de cócteles · Warehouse District · 115 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: It’s gotten plenty of notice from national media along with a James Beard nomination for Outstanding Bar Program this year. Being Minneapolis, there's usually a decent selection of hot cocktails. Leer más.

Midnight Cowboy is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

21. Midnight Cowboy

8.5
313 E 6th St, Austin, TX
Bar clandestino · Downtown Austin · 76 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: What once was a seedy massage parlor is now a cocktail haven for Austin, brought to life and transformed by the founder of the movie theater/restaurant/bar chain known as Alamo Drafthouse. Leer más.

The NoMad Restaurant is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

22. The NoMad Restaurant

1170 Broadway (inside NoMad Hotel), New York, NY
Restaurante americano · NoMad · 392 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: The food is always fresh and exciting, but the service is what you'll remember most once your meal is finished. [Eater 38 Member]

Paper Plane is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

23. Paper Plane

340 Church St, Decatur, GA
Bar de cócteles · 32 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: The drinks get plenty of attention, but the food at this secluded Decatur Square spot is just as worthy. The hanger steak makes for the perfect complement to a Paul Calvert cocktail. [Eater 38 Member] Leer más.

The Pastry War is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

24. The Pastry War

310 Main St (Congress and Preston), Houston, TX
Bar de cócteles · 60 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: Though it’s young, the mezcaleria — featuring handpicked, thoroughly researched booze from small-batch producers — is making some of the best margaritas in the country. Leer más.

Patterson House is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

25. Patterson House

8.9
1711 Division St (at 18th Ave S), Nashville, TN
Bar clandestino · 179 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: This softly lit, chandelier-bedecked gem attracts many an in-town celebrity looking to booze it up in a mellow atmosphere. There is an Old Fashioned here made with bacon-infused bourbon. Leer más.

PDT (Please Don't Tell) is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

26. PDT (Please Don't Tell)

8.4
113 Saint Marks Pl (btwn 1st Ave & Avenue A), New York, NY
Bar clandestino · East Village · 439 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: Even though the acronym means “Please Don’t Tell,” word’s been out about modern speakeasy PDT for quite some time now. Momofuku bar director John deBary got his bartending start here. Leer más.

Polite Provisions is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

27. Polite Provisions

9.1
4696 30th St (at Adams Ave), San Diego, CA
Bar de cócteles · North Park · 100 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: The ambitious cocktail menu here uses lots of housemade mixers like tonic and grapefruit soda, bitters and more; plus spirits, already-mixed cocktails, beer and wine on draft. Leer más.

Proof on Main is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

28. Proof on Main

8.4
702 W Main St (at S 7th St), Louisville, KY
Bar · Central Business District · 142 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: While the reviews of the 30-foot-tall golden naked David in front of its entrance are mixed, new executive chef Levon Wallace's menu has drawn near universal praise. [Eater 18 Member]

Rob Roy is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

29. Rob Roy

8.4
2332 2nd Ave (at Battery St), Seattle, WA
Bar de cócteles · Belltown · 97 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: Food and drink writer Jessica Voelker thinks that since then, it “seems to have transformed from the unofficial clubhouse for the serious cocktail kids to a high-volume bar with professional polish." Leer más.

Smuggler's Cove is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

30. Smuggler's Cove

8.7
650 Gough St (at McAllister St), San Francisco, CA
Bar tiki · Civic Center · 330 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: Bet you never thought a crazy kitschy den of all things tiki could actually serve high-fructose-corn-syrup-free, all-natural drinks. This one can, and the cocktails hold up to the best in town.

The Sugar House is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

31. The Sugar House

9.2
2130 Michigan Ave (btw 14th St & Wabash St), Detroit, MI
Bar de cócteles · Corktown · 103 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: Its star spirit is rum and its cocktails are self-described as “traditional drinks of the Caribbean islands, classic libations of Prohibition-era Havana and exotic cocktails from legendary tiki bars." Leer más.

Three Dots and a Dash is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

32. Three Dots and a Dash

8.4
435 N Clark St (btwn Illinois & Hubbard St), Chicago, IL
Bar tiki · Near North Side · 223 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: Emma Janzen says, "Modern tiki drinks featuring mezcal, genever and Scotch hold court against classics, which all taste fresh, balanced and totally on-point every time." Leer más.

The Varnish is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

33. The Varnish

8.6
118 E 6th St (at Main St), Los Ángeles, CA
Bar clandestino · Fashion District · 124 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: LA Mag blogger Caroline Pardilla says, "Your phone won't work here, so give yourself over to this bar from another era and enjoy live jazz and a simple but straightforward classic cocktail list." Leer más.

The Velvet Tango Room is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

34. The Velvet Tango Room

8.8
2095 Columbus Rd, Cleveland, OH
Bar de cócteles · Tremont · 59 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: In addition to the upscale atmosphere, the cocktail cred here includes specialty ice cubes that are frozen at -30-degrees Farenheit, cherries imported from Italy and housemade bitters. Leer más.

Vesper is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

35. Vesper

8.0
3708 Las Vegas Blvd S (in The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas), Las Vegas, NV
Bar de cócteles · 105 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: Ask for Roger Gillespie to shake up your drinks. Let him go off the menu with cocktails such as the Cross Stitch with a 12-year rum, whiskey, Benedictine and set on fire at the end.

The Violet Hour is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

36. The Violet Hour

8.9
1520 N Damen Ave (at Pierce Ave), Chicago, IL
Bar clandestino · Wicker Park · 255 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: Step inside the intimate space and peruse through an extensive handcrafted drink menu that includes vodka, tequila, rum, brandy and portable bitters creations. Try the Juliet & Romeo or the Sazerac.

Williams & Graham is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

37. Williams & Graham

9.0
3160 Tejon St (at 32nd Ave), Denver, CO
Bar de cócteles · Highland · 96 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: Sean Kenyon's speakeasy joint is hidden behind a bookshelf. Between Kenyon's cocktails and food from former Squeaky Bean chef Max MacKissock, this remains the hottest place to go for drinks and food.

Windmill Lounge is one of The 38 Essential Cocktail Bars Across America.

38. Windmill Lounge

5320 Maple Ave (at Hudnall St.), Dallas, TX
Antro · 28 tips y reseñas

EaterEater: Feast Portland's Mike Thelin thinks "this place combines everything you love about classic cocktails and still manages to feel like the coolest dive bar you've ever been to." Leer más.