So Many Bars in St. Pete – Challenge Accepted

 

One of the ways we measure a city worth visiting is by looking at the strength and diversity of its bar and restaurant scene. Of course, we prefer to see local owners succeed! Based on that, we think St. Pete, Florida is a great spot for a vacation or just a weekend. There are so many great spots that it’s hard for us to keep up! But here are some more #tipsypicks from our latest visit.

First, we love a good speakeasy … and there are a few in St. Pete we’ve explored before ... (Dirty Laundry, Bar Chica) But how often do you find one in the back of a liquor store? That’s the genius of 1st Avenue Liquors. From the outside, it looks just like a normal liquor store on (you guessed it) 1st Avenue in the Edge District. Even when you walk inside, you see shelves of bottles. But if you peek behind one of the walls, you see the hidden cocktail bar ... the Clubhouse Bourbon Bar! We almost hate to share too much, because this is a not-so-well-kept secret spot. The drinks are fabulous, and we very much appreciate their prices, even on allocated bourbon. They say the secret is making money on the retail side so they can pass on the savings in the back. We approve! Definitely a #tipsypick.

Speaking of speakeasies, we say farewell to one of our favorites, The Saint. The Grand Central District spot has changed concepts from a themed cocktail speakeasy to more of a dance club with live performers, including burlesque. The cocktails are still well done at the new spot, named The Ball. When we visited, we did in fact have a ball! Just be prepared for “the show.”

Just down the street from the Ball is a step back into the 70’s with a spot called Lost & Found. This is a fun space with retro furniture, wood paneling, and plenty of great cocktails! We enjoyed a fantastic Manhattan, among other things. The living room area looks like it belongs on the set of “That 70’s Show." It’s a fun way to hang out for a drink!

Hanging out on a porch, patio, or rooftop is easy when you have scenery like downtown St. Pete. We’ve been to a number of rooftop bars in the area … now we’ll add The Sparrow to the list! The Sparrow is on the rooftop of the new Moxy hotel on Central, an ideal location to visit all our favorite spots. The bar and restaurant itself are full of Instagram moments, as is the patio area. We sat at a table outside and had some creative and refreshing cocktails with some lite bites. Definitely worth a visit. 

The Moxy itself has a wonderful bar space on the ground floor, aptly named Bar Moxy. This hotel chain is one of our preferred spots when we travel, and this one is now on our preferred list! Bar Moxy is a great hangout space with live music in the evenings, and you can choose to sit inside or outside. We had one of the best cocktails of the trip here – a smoked pineapple Old Fashioned! It seems this hotel bar is also popular with the locals, for good reason.

Just down the street from the Moxy, Bar Mezzo is a lively cocktail spot with rollup garage doors to enjoy the fresh air. They were very busy the evening we were there, so we suggest going early before the crowds arrive if you want a seat or room to spread out. Try the Old Fashioned!

Did we mention fresh air? If you like a good cocktail on the porch, we highly recommend Perry’s Porch! This relatively new spot at the foot of the Pier in downtown St. Pete has some excellent outdoor spaces including bar seating and chairs along the canal. Their house Old Fashioned hit the spot and they have a nice wine selection as well. 

And finally, we can’t resist a good historic hotel. The Scott is the lobby bar inside the Cordova Inn, which has been welcoming guests since 1921.  The Scott is an intimate space with a small bar offering fantastic cocktails including a Boulevardier and Sazerac. And yes, you can enjoy them on the porch in a rocking chair.

Now if you’ll excuse us, we’re taking our cocktails outside. Let us know if you have any St. Pete favorites we should know about!

Hidden Hotel Bars and Other Gems on South Beach

 

After a couple of rocky visits during the pandemic, we decided to give South Beach in Miami another chance. We’re glad we did! The street parties are gone, and Ocean Drive is back to the lively and fun vibe that brought us there.  We have lots of favorite spots here already, but there’s always room for more…

South Beach is a destination that puts hotel bars in the spotlight. We’ve been to others like New York, Nashville, and Las Vegas, but we found some real hidden gems on our most recent visit to South Beach!

If you think the scene is all about Latin music and tropical drinks, let us introduce you to Medium Cool! This is an underground speakeasy in the Gale Hotel with amazing cocktails and live jazz most nights. Yes, live jazz on South Beach! Their food menu is also worth a try. Check their website for schedules, as the program often changes to live DJs later in the evening. But this is one spot we will return to again! #Tipsypick

Hotel bars in Miami often cater to the festive crowd. But Water Lion is a wine lovers’ dream! An intimate space inside the Sagamore Hotel, it’s not hidden by any means. But the owners seem to like to keep it low key so you can take your time with their extensive wine selection, including tasting flights. The bartender (and wine expert) was very friendly, knowledgeable and attentive during our visit. This is a great spot for a date or to just escape the hustle of Ocean Drive!

Speaking of escape … how about a hidden getaway to the South Pacific? The Bamboo Room is a tiki room by Trader Vic’s tucked behind the Esme’ Hotel that feels like it’s an ocean away! It’s the first location of the group’s upscale concept. The drinks are creative and strong… perfect for sipping in a lattice chair below a tribal mask. Their version of the classic Mai Tai aka the “Miami Tai” is notable. It’s a fun stop for a drink or two!

For a break from the shopping on Lincoln Road, Privilege is an upscale cocktail spot in the Albion Hotel just off the main shopping avenue. They have a great happy hour and a solid Old Fashioned. It’s a bit #offthetipsypath so be sure to keep your eyes peeled when you enter the hotel lobby!

What would you call a lovely natural wine bar tucked on the “backside” of a French Bistro? Bar Derriere of course! Despite the cheeky name (see what we did there?) Bar Derriere is a great place for a glass or bottle of wine and bites of food under the stars. They have an impressive list of natural wines from around the world. Those are wines made without additives or preservatives. It’s like kicking back by your garden shed with wine that won’t give you a hangover (but we make no guarantees).

And finally, there’s a new game in town for craft beer at the beach!  While not in a hotel, South Beach Brewing Company is located in the heart of South Beach just steps from Ocean Drive! They have a shaded patio where you can try all their brews along with wine and fantastic food options. Welcome aboard!

And don’t forget, our previous trips (link) include some details on other South Beach hotel bars including The Betsy, MiniBar, and Swizzle!

Our #tipsypicks for this trip… Medium Cool and Water Lion! Though you can’t go wrong with any of these options.

🤐 🌸 🍸 Secrets and Superb Cocktails in our Nation’s Capital 🤐 🌸🍸

As our nation’s capital, Washington D.C. is full of history – politicians and businesspeople mix with tourists all day long! But at night, there are some fun and creative places to get some good cocktails - It is a big city, after all!

Here are a few things we note if you’re planning a night out in DC:

·       The district is very walkable and the Metro makes it even easier to get around.

·       Those city blocks look much smaller on a map, and you’ll spend half your time waiting for lights at crosswalks.

·       You can grab a taxi or ride share pretty easily if you don’t want to walk off your drinks.

 We’ll start with what we think are the two spots at the top of our #tipsypicks from our recent visit.

Allegory is labeled as a speakeasy inside the Eaton Hotel library. But the secret is definitely out!  We tried one evening to get in and were put on a wait list just so we could get a table to wait in the library to get in!  We came back the next night before dinner and managed to get in after a short wait (and a small welcome cocktail) in the library. And was it worth the wait for sure! This is one of the most creative spaces we’ve seen… and the menus take it to another level. We won’t spoil it all for you… but let’s say the menu is a storybook featuring Ruby Bridges, the courageous six-year-old who helped integrate New Orleans public schools, but with illustrations set in Alice in Wonderland. We were having so much fun reading the menu we almost forgot to order drinks! The menu changes often but the two we ordered were creative and delicious. A #tipsypick for sure! 

We should also note that the Eaton rooftop bar Wild Days is another great option if you want a cocktail while you are waiting to get on the wait list for Allegory, or just as a night out. It’s more of a club atmosphere, but the drinks are good and so is the view. We would consider staying at the Eaton for these options!

Our other #tipsypick is Off the Record – another hotel bar! This one is in the basement of the Hay Adams Hotel across the street from the White House. It has a reputation for being a “tourist bar” but we found mostly locals on a date night during our visit. The atmosphere is classy with lots of red leather seating and a classic menu. Don’t miss the political caricature drawings on both the walls and the coasters! The Maple Bacon Old Fashioned aka “Smoking Mirrors” was quite tasty!

There are a few other speakeasies worth mentioning before we move on to other spaces. The Gibson has been around for nearly a decade, even before speakeasies were suddenly everywhere. And they’ve lasted this long by doing it right – solid drinks behind an unmarked black door near the bustling U Street Corridor. We were able to make reservations, which was helpful! The Black Manhattan we ordered off menu was spot on! It’s definitely a #tipsypick for any visit to D.C.

And for a completely different experience, The Mirror is an underground bar with more of a club vibe hidden behind… (wait for it) a mirror. The music was loud with lots of heavy bass when we were there, but it was fun and the drinks were better than we expected - the Old Fashioned and Sazerac in particular! Very cool!

On our way to the Gibson, we took at walk up 14^th Street in Northwest DC to make a few other stops. 14^th reminds us of a walk up 1^st Avenue in the Lower East Side NYC. Lots of options. We tried to get into Jane Jane, which is known as an intimate cocktail bar, but there was a two hour wait. It must be good. So we went up the street to Left Door, which turned out to be a fantastic move! Our good friend Natalie, who lives in D.C., described it as “drinking in my grandmother’s attic”… with a live music venue (yes, the music was fairly loud rock from speakers above our heads). It’s a “cozy” space, very eclectic, literally in the upstairs of an old house. The drinks were fantastic and the staff was upbeat and friendly! It’s #offthetipsypath for sure.

And finally (but not least) if you are anywhere near the convention center or Chinatown, we highly recommend checking out Morris American Bar! It could easily be called Morris “Neighborhood” bar because it’s definitely full of locals, despite being around the corner from, and on the footprint of, the convention center. The décor is classic art deco and retro, with lots of cool spaces. The drinks are tasty and the staff can definitely make you something you’ll enjoy.

A couple of honorable mentions – the coconut Old Fashioned at Farmers & Distillers and the Old Fashioned flights at Immigrant Food +…  you can find those for yourself!

 

Our #tipsypicks for this trip (if we have to choose just 3):

1. Off the Record
2. Allegory
3. The Gibson

🍹 Cocktails and More in the Conch Republic 🍹

 

Key West, Florida is a popular destination, especially in the winter months when people are trying to escape to warmer weather, but not infernally hot weather like July and August.

First, we’ll set the scene by saying there is a party atmosphere in Key West all year long. And they sure love any excuse to have a parade! It’s no wonder folks like Ernest Hemingway and President Harry Truman felt drawn to this place. It’s easy to find a list of the “must do” bars for tourists in town, which includes Sloppy Joe’s, Captain Tony’s and the original Margaritaville location. And while tropical drinks are everywhere, there are also some places to get great craft beer and cocktails in the Conch Republic!

Tropical climates are great for sipping dark rum, especially if it’s locally made!  Key West has two main rum distilleries. Both are open for tours and tastings. Our favorite for both is Hemingway Rum Company, home of the Papa’s Pilar line (named for the author’s favorite boat, which was named for one of his favorite ex-wives). There is a small charge for a tour, well worth it for the experience and tasting at the end. They also offer cocktail classes separately for a small fee.

Key West First Legal Distillery is the other option in town. Yes, the name means they were the first to open once distilling became legal. They’ve been operating since 2013. They offer free tours and tastings and it’s definitely worth checking out!  They also have a bar onsite that makes tasty rum drinks like Mojitos that you can even take with you.

If you want to try lots of rum from different parts of the world, including the local brands, then the Rum Bar at the Speakeasy Inn is your place to go! They make just about every rum drink you can imagine, and you can do flights of rum and other spirits. It’s a great way to get a taste of the islands (along with wine, beer and a full bar, of course). Their front patio is a cool place to people watch on Duval Street.

And if you’re wandering up Duval Street, don’t blink or you might miss the Smallest Bar in Key West. That’s literally the name of this tiny watering hole that describes itself as “about the size of a jail cell.” But if you miss it, you’ll be missing a fun little spot for some good cocktails and lively conversation. 

As we mentioned, there are also places to get great bourbon, beer and wine in Key West.  Our “go to” spot has been The Roost. The bartenders make fantastic classic cocktails like Old Fashioneds and Manhattans but they also have a great wine selection. This is the one place we would suggest checking out for a great cocktail experience (once you’ve done the necessary stops we mentioned earlier). It’s a bit #offthetipsypath but definitely a #tipsypick!

Another excellent cocktail bar is Berlin’s. The atmosphere is about as far away from Duval Street as you can get, with lots of leather seating and jazz playing over the speakers. They have an excellent cocktail and wine selection. But in case you need reminders that you are in Key West, the bar overlooks the harbor and has a fantastic view at night.

If you prefer wine, there are several wine bars that fit the bill. Vinos on Duval Street is where we usually visit. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. They also have charcuterie boards and other nibbles for a reasonable price. Grand Vin Wine Bar is a combination bar and wine store with a wide selection. There’s even a winery – Key West Winery. We’ll check that one out on our next visit.

And not to be left out, there are a number of craft breweries on the island (and a few others if you want to make the drive up or down Highway 1). Since we like history, First Flight Island Restaurant and Brewery is our go to stop for a “flight” of craft beers. It’s located in the old Pan-Am airways office just a few blocks from both the Hemingway House and the Little Truman White House. They have an extensive food menu as well as a full bar. That pretty much covers everything for us! Waterfront Brewery is probably the largest brewery in the Florida Keys, with an expansive space near the harbor in Key West. Their beer menu is also extensive along with their food and other beverages. It’s hard to go wrong with either of these #tipsypicks!

Speaking of food (and the island’s largest Bloody Mary bar), we recommend Ram’s Head Southernmost for brunch or great food and a patio any time of the day – not to mention drinks in buckets for sharing. They also carry a full lineup of beers from Delaware-based Fordham & Dominion brewery.

And finally, if you just want to let someone else give you the grand tour so you don’t have to decide where to start and finish, there are some great pub crawls and food tours to choose from! You can even make your own by starting around Mallory Square and seeing how far down Duval you can get before your liver gives out (with a short detour to The Roost, for sure!)

As always, let us know what you think and watch for us on our Facebook and Instagram pages!

🎶 Tipsy Picks in the Bluff City 🎶

 

When you think of Memphis, you likely have images of Graceland, Beale Street, and Barbeque. Rightly so!  But if you look #offthetipsypath … you will also find some great places for creative cocktails.

First, the standard for all upscale cocktail bars in Memphis, and perhaps the south, is the Peabody Lobby Bar. The grand hotel is the home of the world-famous ducks in the fountain, and it’s our must-do cocktail place every time we are in Memphis. The Manhattan is one of the best we’ve had. (They make it with Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel – accept no substitutes!) The wine selection is excellent. And the people watching is superb! This is our #tipsypick for Memphis without a doubt.

That said, there are lots of other great cocktail options in the Bluff City!

For example, you only have to walk across the street from the Peabody and down the alley to find Belle Tavern. They were closed for most of the pandemic, but thankfully have opened back up again with new owners! Belle has a great laid-back atmosphere and some excellent bourbon drinks, along with an impressive bourbon list. Another #tipsypick for sure.

On Beale Street, most of the establishments are geared toward live music and big beers, as they should be!  Especially when you can grab one for take out and stroll along the street with it. But if you’re looking for something a little bit fancy with great cocktails, head #offthetipsypath and up a discreet staircase to Itta Bena! This fine dining restaurant is on the top floor above B.B. King’s Blues Club at the edge of the entertainment district. Their Sazerac is one of the best in the city. The views of Beale from above are worth it too.

If we’re talking about hidden and #offthetipsypath, there are in fact a couple of speakeasy type bars in downtown Memphis. The first is Tailor’s Union. If you’re walking past the storefront here, you’ll see what looks like a typical tailor’s shop complete with mirrors and mannequins. But if you enter and go behind the mirror, you find a swanky bar with seating and excellent cocktails. They even have a private jazz club downstairs (for members only).

The next closest thing to a speakeasy downtown is Blind Bear. It’s an unassuming storefront on Main Street that leads to a bar and restaurant we’d best describe as a tavern with a speakeasy vibe – think lots of dark wood and velvet. Their drinks are solid, including a Manhattan and Old Fashioned, and the food is good too!

Memphis has some pretty great hotel bars (you know we like those) aside from the Peabody. If you just want good cocktails in a historic hip space, then Eight and Sand is the place. This is basically the lobby bar for the Central Station hotel, and it is indeed inside the lobby of the old Grand Central train station. Among the updates is an entire wall of vinyl records, which are played by a live DJ most nights. There’s also a “listening room” off the lobby if you want some private time with your tunes. The cocktails are excellent – including one of the best Old Fashioned cocktails in town. If you like haunted dive bars, go next door and check out Earnestine and Hazel’s!

The best hotel newcomer #tipsypick probably goes to Talk Shop, which is the lobby bar inside the new Caption Hotel by Hyatt. Their specialty cocktail is called “Mix it up” – you pick the booze, the flavor and the mixer. They put it all in a cool glass with a metal straw!  Their Manhattan is no slouch either. Next door at the Hyatt Centric, they have a fantastic rooftop bar with a view of the river called Beck & Call. Don’t forget the Clover Club, which is the restaurant and bar at the Hotel Indigo. They have live music in the underground space. And if you head over to Midtown, the Memphian Hotel has a fantastic rooftop bar called the Tiger & Peacock.

Before we leave downtown, have you ever been someplace and felt like you need a reality check to make sure you’re still where you think you are? That’s what it’s like stepping into Loflin Yard. This outdoor oasis on the South Side is unlike anything else in Memphis. They took an old blacksmith shop and stables and turned it into one of the coolest spaces in town. Well, it’s not so “cool” in the Memphis heat, but they do have giant fans running most of the time!  They have excellent cocktails, including an Old Fashioned and Sazerac, and great food. The brisket tacos are life changing. For a similar vibe in midtown, check out Railgarten.

 

We would also be slacking if we didn’t mention a few others on our list. Café Pontotoc is on South Main. They have a cool vibe, great food and excellent cocktails. Barware is on South Front Street. They’re laid back and out of the way, but with great cocktails too. Just down the street is Gray Canary. They’re mainly a restaurant, but all we can say is share a punch bowl for date night. You’ll thank us. And if you’re in midtown, Alchemy is highly rated with solid drinks and food.

 

And finally, it doesn’t get much more #offthetipsypath than a cool cocktail bar tucked away in the middle of a giant complex that used to be a Sears Catalog warehouse. That’s Art Bar in a nutshell. But it’s absolutely worth seeking out if you’re in midtown. Art Bar is part of the Crosstown Arts section of the Crosstown Concourse complex. You can’t get a much cooler space to kick back in than that. The entire space is full of selfies waiting to happen! Grab a drink and settle into a corner.

 

 #tipsypicks for Memphis:

Best all around – Peabody Lobby Bar

Best tavern – Belle Tavern

Best outdoor space – Loflin Yard

Best indoor space – Art Bar

Best newcomer – Talk Shop

Best dive bar – Earnestine & Hazel’s