🍸 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?

🍸 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!