🍸 A Cocktail Adventure in Slovenia’s Capital 🍸

It’s very possible you’ve never heard of the country of Slovenia. It’s only been a sovereign nation since 1991 – formerly part of Yugoslavia. But more Americans are discovering it because of its history, natural beauty, and wonderful culture. So we’re going to take you to the capital city of Ljubljana to share our #tipsypicks for fantastic cocktails and wine.

First, the city is very walkable, with most of the spots we’ll mention all within walking distance of each other … which is a good thing since most of the historic city center is pedestrian-only! Second, most Slovenians speak English as a second language, especially in major cities. We had no trouble getting around and ordering what we wanted!

Local bartenders in Ljubljana will admit there are only a few “true” cocktail bars in the city. Silk and Fizz is one of them and probably the one that is most like something we find in New York or Miami. They have an upscale vibe and some of the most creative cocktails around, including one that’s a tribute to Elvis (think PB and Banana) with a banana-flavored garnish that completes the package. Their classic cocktails are also delicious. We visited three times during our stay! It’s our #tipsypick!

The other true classic cocktail bar is Kolibri, an intimate spot down a side street from the riverfront with lovely patio seating outside and warm retro spaces inside. We enjoyed both. They have an apothecary-style counter that fits with their creative cocktail ingredients. But they can also do classic cocktails on request!

Slovenia has a vibrant “patio culture” with sidewalk seating at most places. But we found one spot that takes it to another level. Normally we wouldn’t recommend drinking under a bridge … unless it’s at Klub Recnih Kapitanov (KRK). That’s right, this bar is actually under a bridge, with seating right along the Ljubljanica River and plenty of shade because … it’s under a bridge! They have great beer selections and some perfect patio cocktails like spritzes. Definitely worth the stroll along the river to get here!

On the way back toward the city center from our bridge adventure we wandered into a lovely corner bistro bar that turned out to be a wonderful discovery. Ferdinand is very much a locals spot but close enough to the tourist spots with a great food menu, cocktails and wine/beer selection as well as a lively patio space. It’s a very relaxing #tipsypick!

Have you ever been to a bar or restaurant that makes you feel like you’re somewhere else?  That’s the vibe we got at Captain’s Cabin. It’s a basement bar with a pirate/nautical theme straight out of the Caribbean … or maybe our favorite Pirate Tavern back home!  We especially enjoyed the 2-for-1 cocktail special, meaning we had to order two per person, although that could be dangerous in the wrong hands! Great spot for a drink (or two) or a fun night out with friends!

Speaking of places where you feel like you’re somewhere else … Ljubljana does indeed have a medieval castle overlooking the city! How about drinking wine at sunset with such a view? Grajska Vinoteka is a winery, cellar, and wine bar within the walls of the Ljubljana Castle. They host sunset parties with a view straight out of a fairytale! You can choose from glasses or bottles with nibbles and wander the grounds of the castle as well.

You can also ride the funicular cable car to the castle and back for some extra views. After your visit (or on the way up) you can stop at the base of the funicular for a drink at several spots. We chose Daktari after our sunset wine experience. They have a fantastic selection of cocktails, including a solid Old Fashioned, that you can enjoy on the patio or inside. The indoor space reminded us of a library speakeasy with some “old world” charm.

Ljubljana also seems to be a college town, with lots of students out on the streets and squares both day and night. One of four favorite spots we found close to the main university was Tozd. It was a delightful mix of coffee bar and drink stop, perfect for relaxing and/or pulling out your laptop. We really enjoyed the vibe, the service, and an opportunity to try one of the local brews.

There are lots of great restaurants in Ljubljana … in fact a surprising number!  Here are a few we enjoyed: Tabar – tapas and drinks along the river; Julija – a modern dining experience with expansive patio on a busy street; and Pop’s Aperitivo, which was probably the most crowded one we visited, but they had great food and drinks in a lovely courtyard setting. All of these options had great cocktails and natural wines.

Overall, we think Ljubljana and all of Slovenia is worth a look for your next European adventure!

🍷 Thankful for Happy Holler 🍷

 

If you’ve been following our adventures, you know we love spotlighting local businesses in cities around the globe. But we also believe in showing some love to our favorite spots right here in our own neighborhood.

When we began house hunting in 2021, we told our realtor we wanted to be within walking distance of the Corner Lounge. It’s been our go-to for great food and cocktails since before the pandemic, and it also happens to be the oldest bar in Knoxville.

Our realtor nailed it. We’re within walking distance of the Corner Lounge and lucky to be so close to all the great spots in Happy Holler—an area in north Knoxville that’s been a hub for fun and mischief for over a century. Now, with the addition of a locally owned movie theater, Central Cinema, it’s the perfect all-in-one date night destination right on the same block!

Here are some favorite #tipsypicks in our neighborhood:

Corner Lounge (see above) – Come for the food (best chili dogs around) and stay for the cocktails! Not exactly in the “Holler,” but the reason we’re here!

The Marlowe – We’re so excited about this spot in the neighborhood. The delicious food, creative cocktails, half-priced wine bottles on Mondays, and live jazz on Tuesdays make it a standout. It’s ideal for a date night or a classy dinner out.

Oak Room by Abridged – Shh, we don’t want to share that this barrel room for Abridged brewery has one of the best bourbon programs in town!  And the food is fabulous!

Zero/Zero – This natural wine bar offers an amazing selection by the glass or bottle, along with beer and tasty food! They host pop-up dinners, dance nights with live DJs, and more. It feels like our home away from home, with owners who have thoughtfully created a cozy spot to relax, reconnect with friends, or enjoy a date night. Choose your own adventure!

The Pirate Tavern –Who wouldn’t love a pirate-themed bar in the neighborhood? They boast an amazing rum selection (of course), an extensive beer list with drafts and cans, and a food menu sure to please even the grumpiest old salt. To top it off, they host nightly events and welcome everyone with open arms!

XYZ – Again, who wouldn’t want a show bar with live entertainment in your neighborhood? They also have some of the best drinks at the best prices around. 

Central Flats & Taps – These folks were doing it right long before the Holler was cool. (or maybe long before the last time…) Great drinks, great food, great patio.

Central Bottle Shop – Though not a food or drink venue, this corner bottle shop has become our favorite spot for wine and spirits. They host tastings every Friday, and their Back Label Bottle Club is a must-join—we’re proud members ourselves!

And, not that we’re trying to sway you … OK, we are … There is plenty of free parking along the streets and a large free lot down the hill on Anderson. 

We’ll be back out on the highways and airways soon enough bringing you all the #tipsypicks … but sometimes it’s good to show some love to those spaces closest to home! What's your favorite place in the Holler?

🎨🎭 Get outta (down)town and drink in the artsy side of Asheville 🎨🎭

We mentioned in our last post that we found downtown Asheville, North Carolina to be recovering from flooding and damage after Hurricane Helene. But our last trip also took us to a few places outside of downtown proper – and we think they’re worth mentioning!

In particular, West Asheville is home to lots of funky eclectic spots for food and drink. It’s not necessarily walkable from downtown, but worth the short drive (or rideshare). 

As fans of natural wine, our first stop in this area was Leo’s House of Thirst. A literal “house,” this cool space has as much room outdoors as it does inside. They have a great list of wines by the bottle and by the glass, and their small kitchen space puts out some big flavors! We will definitely visit here again.

Just down the street we found some amazing cocktails at Character Study. We could have spent all day here, as it’s also a place to browse, buy, and read books cleverly placed all over the room. They have daily drink specials and we were fortunate enough to find their Old Fashioned as the special that day. We pulled up some comfy chairs and settled in! Absolutely a #tipsypick for anytime we’re in town. 

Another neighborhood that’s still recovering and worth your time (and money) is the River Arts District. This former industrial area is now home to dozens of art galleries, studios, restaurants, bars, and breweries. Many of them are just getting back on their feet after Helene. We stopped in (after a bit of a search – it’s unmarked) for a drink at a cool little spot called the Crucible. The inside space is small and moody, with actual crucibles on the tables (ceramic containers used for melting or heating things like metal). We had their riff on an Old Fashioned called Gather Your Flowers, which featured toasted pecan-infused bourbon. There’s also a nice patio space outside. Business has picked up lately after Esquire Magazine named it one of the “Best Bars in America” for 2025. You’ll see why.

This neighborhood is also home to a number of breweries, which we will get to at some point!  For this visit, while we were in the area, we chose to go #offthetipsypath to two of the largest production breweries in the region. That may sound a bit off brand, until you realize that they are among the largest employers of local staff and have contributed to the recovery of the community since Hurricane Helene. 

New Belgium Brewing is based in Colorado but opened its second production hub in Asheville just west of downtown in 2016. They have a scenic 18-acre spot along the river with plenty of space to relax and enjoy the scenery along with some of their award-winning beer. It’s worth a visit just for the tasting room and patio!

And if you go just a bit farther south of Asheville you come to what you might call the Disney World of beer… Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. This campus in Mills River is a destination in itself. Along with brewery tours daily, they also have a fantastic restaurant and taproom where you can indulge in all the beer offerings on tap. Sierra Nevada is still owned by the same family that started it and they are very active at the NC facility as well as collaborating with other local breweries. Big and successful can still mean #shoplocal and #drinklocal.

And yes, we realize we left off the most obvious local brewery, Highland. Saving that for next time!

We’ll end with the same message we started with – go visit these amazing Asheville spots that need your support and your business!

Let us know which ones were your #tipsypicks!

Asheville’s Local Hotspots are Open for Business

 

In September 2024, Asheville North Carolina and the surrounding mountains faced the unthinkable when a hurricane (or what was left of it) brought flooding and devastation to the region. More than a year after Hurricane Helene, local businesses in Asheville want people to know one thing… they’re open for you. Unfortunately, there are some exceptions – locations that were too heavily damaged and will never reopen. But here’s our attempt to highlight those that we found on a recent visit that are open and serving again!

First, we can report that long-time favorite downtown spots like Top of the Monk and Imperial did in fact survive both the pandemic and Hurricane Helene. Top of the Monk in particular is worth the wait for seats, even if you have to stand out in the cold for a bit. Their cocktails are top notch and where else can you pick your own snacks from an apothecary cabinet?

Speaking of apothecary… we’ll go with that theme for our first few highlights. How about a fantastic cocktail bar that also makes its own liquor? Antidote is a relatively new spot in the South Slope area – new construction that looks like it’s right out of the 1920s. They have creative cocktails and a wonderful Black Manhattan on the menu as well as tasty charcuterie and other bites. They’re part of the Chemist Spirits distillery, which offers their own gin, vodka, and whiskey. This is a #tipsypick!

There’s also a place downtown that makes their own natural wines and cider! Botanist and Barrel is a cool little spot where you can get wine and cider by the glass or by the bottle. The staff is excellent at helping you navigate and taste the options… and there are lots! They also have guest bottles for purchase and a cool atmosphere perfect for hanging out. This is an ideal mix of bottle shop and wine bar!

And one more with the theme – Sovereign Remedies is an eclectic cocktail spot with lots of dark wood but also great natural lighting through their huge windows. They have a fantastic Old Fashioned among other cocktails and a nice wine selection.

Changing tracks, you know we love a good speakeasy! The Crow & Quill fits that with an unmarked door down a side street. But it’s worth the hunt because this place always delivers great cocktails and some live music along with a very cool vibe that fits the theme. Their Smoked Old Fashioned is one of the best around and you have to see for yourself how they add the smoke! This place is less of a secret now that they were named one of the best in the country by USA Today. Find out for yourself why this is a #tipsypick! 

We also love great historic buildings that find new life as places for great drinks. That would include The Times Bar and Coffee. This eclectic spot used to be the S&W Cafeteria back in the day – as in 1929. It was also home to the Asheville Times newspaper for many years. Now it’s home to a coffee shop in the morning that turns into a beautiful cocktail spot at night, complete with high ceilings and chandeliers. The drinks are top notch, with their takes on classic cocktails including the Rob Roy, Rusty Nail, Sazerac, Daiquiri, and too many others to mention… even barrel aged and smoked if you prefer!

For creative cocktails in an underground vibe – literally – Farmese Cocktail Lounge is a great spot!  This basement space has lots of great areas to relax for a drink – think wood and leather furniture. Customer service is a winner – the bartender even apologized for running out of “big rock” ice before he made our drinks, which were still very tasty. 

Some others worth mentioning – 5 Walnut Wine Bar is a welcoming space with a great wine list and food options. They often have live music!  Rankin Vault is billed as a cocktail lounge, but they are very popular for their burgers, which we can agree are fantastic! There is even a room that was a bank vault… the door is still intact. And Curate’ has a wonderful food menu with tapas, wine and cocktails. 

Do yourself (and these businesses) a favor and make the trip to Asheville and give them some love!  Stay tuned because next time we’ll share some cool places we found in a couple of neighborhoods just outside of downtown in our next Off the Tipsy Path post.