🌎✈️ Way off the Tipsy Path in Cape Town, South Africa 🌎✈️

 

Ready for a big adventure? How about yet another continent? We’ve spent the last few years sharing our adventures in North America and Europe, but now we’re going way off the tipsy path to the southern tip of Africa … the marvelous city of Cape Town, South Africa!

Cape Town is like any other big city in that there are hundreds of places to grab a beer, cocktail, or tasty glass of South African wine … so we’ll narrow it down to our #tipsypicks!

So, we’ll jump right in by saying yes, Cape Town has speakeasies! Our first was cleverly hidden in plain sight down a corridor behind a hot chocolate bar. Gin Bar at Honest Chocolate Café is an expansive space with lots of little hangout spots to enjoy the diverse menu of mainly gin cocktails. We love creative use of an old space … and this one used to be a funeral parlor!  Make sure to check out the Embalming Room, a small cozy side room with its own bar where (you guessed it) the embalming was performed.

Since we love a challenge, Art of Duplicity scratches that itch in a number of ways. First, it can be tricky to get a reservation. Second, it’s a whole adventure just to get inside! We won’t spoil the surprises, but we’ll say that our driver was concerned. Just trust the folks outside the coffee shop and you’ll be fine. But make sure you have a password. The space is a former supply room for the coffee shop we mentioned. The bartenders visit each table and learn what you like and you can order off the menu or trust them. It’s repeatedly on the World’s Best Bars list for a reason. This is a must see and our #tipsypick for sure!

On almost every trip we take, there’s at least one place we come back to more than once.  In Cape Town, it was Cause | Effect. Another one of the World’s Top 100 Bars, this intimate space is located in a historic structure on the V&A Waterfront. In the first round, we sat at the bar and watched the bartenders in action as they put together some amazing creations. Look for one served in a glass shaped like Table Mountain. Our second time, we sat at a table and it’s a good thing we did … we needed plenty of room for the punch bowl cocktail! Cause | Effect is pure eye candy if you want great photos for social media, not that we know about that 😊

While you’re on the waterfront and if a wide selection of whiskey from around the world is on your menu, Bascule Whiskey Bar at Cape Grace Hotel is the stop. Tucked beneath the hotel through a side door, this underground parlor has all the ambiance you’d expect from a classic whiskey bar. We developed a taste for one of the local products – Bain’s. 

A rooftop cocktail or glass of local wine is a great way to check out the views from the waterfront. Local at Red Roof was our choice and the views and cocktails did not disappoint. The entire area around this hotel is a hip new design called the Silo District, with bars, restaurants, and museums all in the safety and convenience of the waterfront.

Aside from the waterfront, the downtown central business district is home to dozens of great bars and restaurants. Cape Town is full of neighborhood spots and with a name like Aperitif, we had to try the Negroni/Boulevardier. We highly recommend happy hour at this intimate spot with sidewalk seating. It’s right along one of the main streets, but away from the crowds.

Another “repeat” stop for us on our Cape Town visit is Kloof Street House. This is literally a big Victorian house with all the colorful rooms and antique furniture you might expect, including a large patio space. The cocktails are perfect for hanging out or for a date night. You could come here every night and have a different experience depending on where you land.

We are fans of creative menus and cocktail presentations – Fable checks the boxes on both! Words don’t do justice to some of these beautiful creations… like the xxx   a xxx cocktail that arrived at our table inside a ceramic lion’s head. Service is excellent despite the relatively small space.

How about three bars in one space – a dive bar, cocktail lounge, and rum sports bar? Surfa Rosa is a funky ground floor space that’s a perfect combo of dive bar and surf bar… you have to see it for yourself. Drinks are strong and cheap, and the food is right with the theme. We had fun!  Then we headed upstairs to the sophisticated space - Harrington’s Cocktail Lounge. This is where you would bring your date for an evening out. We had great cocktails, including a well-made Manhattan. The third space is a side rum bar with a covered patio. Not much going on here but it was a great hangout space.

When we needed a dose of good old American nostalgia, we headed to Rick’s Café Americain.  Rick’s … as in the restaurant owned by Humphrey Bogart’s character in Casablanca. They go all in on the theme, complete with menu and drink items along with live jazz most nights. It was an enjoyable trip down memory lane!

One final note as a word of caution… unlike most cities we have visited, the downtown city center of Cape Town is NOT considered safe to walk. We used a car service for even short trips between our venues. V&A Waterfront, however, is safe and walkable at all hours. Make sure you factor that in if you decide to check out the stops we’ve mentioned!

Be safe and let us know what you think!

Tipsy Picks:

Cause Effect

Art of Duplicity

Kloof Street House

🍸 Bourbon Adventures in Bardstown 🍸

 

If you’ve ever planned to hit the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, it’s likely that your home base includes either Lexington or Louisville. But we would offer another alternative – Bardstown. This small community is located about the same distance in between the two larger cities, right in the heart of Bourbon Country … and it’s known as the “Bourbon Capital of the World!”

Along with small town charm and access to nearby distilleries, Bardstown also offers some delicious cocktail and bourbon options, most within walking distance from each other!

The one exception is one of the newest hotels in town - The Trail Hotel. This was our home base and except for having to take a taxi or vehicle to town, it was superb! They have an onsite restaurant and even have a speakeasy known as the Bourbon Vault. It’s hidden down one of the corridors of the hotel. The Vault features all the classics and an extensive bourbon collection (at prices you might expect for a tourist destination). They even have their own brand of rye made at nearby Bardstown Distilling. Very tasty! Note that there are other hotel options if you prefer to be able to walk downtown.

We’ll start our adventure with a true craft cocktail bar in the heart of downtown … Liam Ash Cocktail Emporium. As we said, there are quite a few places to get good bourbon and a drink in Bardstown. But the folks at Liam Ash are proud of their upscale cocktail menu, as they should be! They specialize in cocktails with flair – think smoke, bubbles, etc. but they also have some fantastic versions of classic drinks like a Manhattan and Sazerac. And yes, they have other spirits like gin, vodka, and a nice wine list along with nibbles. This one is a #tipsypick!

Most of our travels include at least one place we visit more than once. On this trip, it was Neat Bourbon Bar and Bottle Shop. This is a classic spot with all the exposed brick, hardwood, and leather furniture that you’d expect in a large city lounge. But the service is pure small town charm. The menu includes classics like a terrific Old Fashioned and bourbon flights. They also have some rare pours you won’t find elsewhere. Definitely a #tipsypick for a stop or a way to wind down toward last call.

For a more classic speakeasy feel, we ducked down an alley way and into The Volstead Bourbon Lounge! (For those “in the know” this used to be the Blind Pig speakeasy...) The bottle wall here is indeed impressive and the staff knows where to find each one. The overall space feels like your uncle’s living room mixed with his man cave. They even have classic B&W movies on the TV screens. It’s a great place to explore your bourbon palate or enjoy a classic cocktail from the menu!

If you want a little history along with your bourbon, it doesn’t get better than Old Talbott Tavern. The tavern itself dates back to 1779 and has hosted guests like Abraham Lincoln and Jesse James. There’s even a room upstairs dedicated to a famous shootout with the outlaw. But once you get a look around, make sure to stop in at the bourbon bar! It’s billed as the world’s oldest bourbon bar. They have an excellent selection of the “brown water” and you can even do flights to give your palate a workout. This one is worth it for the atmosphere alone!

And for even more history… Chicken Cock Distillery goes all the way back to 1856 and is one of America’s oldest bourbon brands. It was revived in 2012 and is housed in Bardstown in a historic mansion. Their tasting room is a step back in time. You can taste one or more of the house spirits individually or in a flight… but we chose a flight of Old Fashioneds! That’s four different versions of the cocktail with various expressions of bourbon. Definitely a #tipsypick.

Oak and Grape is a relatively new addition to the scene, but we found perhaps the best Old Fashioned of the weekend here. They used an electronic smoker to add just the right amount of smoky goodness. They have an extensive wine and beer selection. This spot is also a favorite of local service workers, so you know it is worth a visit!

And finally, when you just need a refreshing cold beer, Scout and Scholar Brewing is just off the main square. The brewery also has bourbon, cocktails, and outstanding food. They have a large patio space, perfect for relaxing in between bourbon stops.

One added attraction we’ll mention. It’s hard to beat sipping bourbon on a historic train ride through the countryside! My Old Kentucky Dinner Train offers that experience from downtown Bardstown, with dinner that includes a bourbon tasting. You also get a trackside look at some historic rickhouses on the journey.

Lots of #tipsypicks packed into one small town! What’s your favorite way to do the Bourbon Trail?

🌟 Our Favorite Sips and Tipsy Picks in Seattle 🌟

Seattle, Washington has a rich and diverse history – from a rough and swampy seaport to a tech and medical hub. We also hear they have a pretty good football team. So it should be no surprise that the city’s restaurant and bar scene is equally as diverse and interesting!

For our first time in Seattle, we knew we had to visit Pike Place Market. Yes, we saw a guy throw a fish. Yes, we saw the line outside the original Starbucks. There are dozens of fantastic local shops inside this shopping area. But did you know there are some excellent cocktail and beer options as well?

Radiator Whiskey makes the most out of a relatively compact space, which includes a wall of whiskey and cocktails on tap. You can’t miss the giant barrel on the wall! The bourbon selection from the tap is nice, but the batched cocktails from the tap are a wise choice! 

If a touch of Paris or a jazz club is your speed, Zig Zag Café is the answer. They’re a bit #offthetipsypath down the stairs on the side of a building at the market, but your reward is great food, drinks and atmosphere! We enjoyed our time here. Pro tip - check out their Happy Hour. It is where the locals gather.

Down the street from the market is another great classic cocktail spot with a taste of old Seattle, The Diller Room. It’s hard to miss this place with all the neon, which fits the history as a former hotel lobby from 1890. The cocktails are fantastic – think Black Manhattan and Espresso Martini - and they do have an impressive lineup of whiskey!

Just across the street, we felt compelled to do a local whiskey flight at Von’s 1000 Spirits … because why wouldn’t you with a menu that does indeed include that many? We also had a great classic Manhattan and Gin Martini. Just sitting at the bar and staring at the shelves is impressive! It’s popular with the tourists, but we saw plenty of locals here too enjoying their fantastic Happy Hour! That’s always a good sign.

And just down the street is Pioneer Square, Seattle’s “original” downtown. There are a couple of bars on the block that each claim to be the oldest in the city. Look them up and try them for yourself. 

If you’ve heard anything about the Seattle cocktail scene, you probably have heard of Canon. They literally wrote the book – as in a cocktail manual that is found at bars around the country. When you step in the door, it’s easy to see why – three sides of the room lined with bottles from bar to ceiling. Along with the fantastic cocktails, we couldn’t resist trying a flight of the local bourbon, featuring several distilleries in the Seattle area. We liked them all well enough that we will visit some on our next trip!

Tavern Law is an excellent place for cocktails on Capitol Hill. But if you know to ask, you should get on the list for their upstairs speakeasy, Needle and Thread. The name is a nod to the “sewing circles” that disguised brothels in the region over the years, likely in that very space. You get there by making a phone call – enough said. The atmosphere and décor is right out of the Prohibition era and the cocktails are top notch. Make sure to take time to have a drink at both venues – the Smoked Old Fashioned at Tavern Law is a great choice!

Another Capitol Hill spot we really enjoyed is The Doctor’s Office. It’s an intimate tasting room with creative cocktails and excellent service. We sat at the bar and watched the experts make their take on an Old Fashioned and a Black Manhattan. Their food also pairs well with the drinks. And if we could give extra points for a restroom, we would – don’t miss the paint job and space-age toilets WITH a remote control!

One of the more unusual and creative spots for a drink in Seattle is actually under an attraction called the Spheres. Deep Dive is like taking a tunnel to a cool underground theme park and finding excellent cocktails. The décor is a mix of elegant warm leather with a touch of steampunk. This one is worth the visit all the way around!

Speaking of unusual, how about some fantastic cocktails while being eyeballed by an elephant? Yep, that’s Unlisted in a nutshell. This intimate speakeasy just north of the Space Needle stands out for its eclectic décor – and they have an animatronic elephant in the middle of the bar. And yes, it will move its head from time to time. Her name is Ruby and she’s from the 1931 World’s Fair! The cocktails were worth the visit also! It’s a #tipsypick.

The folks at Bathtub Gin & Co lean into their menu with a surprising array of gin cocktails. The space is full of brick and leather, with the required bathtub references spread around. We even trusted our very friendly bartender when we said we like bourbon. She made a cocktail from a dark gin aged with cacao and mushrooms, among other things. It tastes better than it sounds! This is a speakeasy, meaning look for the wooden door.

And finally, if red lights and strong drinks are your vibe, Rich Rich would fit the bill! We ended one of our nights here and they treated us well! Check them out.

One note - the folks here do love their craft beers – there are too many breweries to list, so we decided to save those for another visit. We’ll have to include wineries and distilleries, because there are a number of those within a short drive! That’s our take on Seattle for our first visit! 

What did we miss? Any that excite you?