🐭🍾🌎 Drinking Around the World at EPCOT (And Live to Tell About It) 🐭🍾🌎

 

For those of us who spent decades thinking the EPCOT theme park at Disney World was just about culture and ecology with a few rides thrown in… there’s a “whole new world” out there! (See what we did there?) It’s called Drinking Around the World!

This adult game is fairly simple – there are 11 countries at EPCOT World Showcase. There are drinks in each country. The goal is to have at least one drink in each country without giving up, passing out or otherwise failing in some other less pleasant way.

Oh, and did we mention at some times of the year there are special “pavilions” with more drinks themed around the festivals? We’ve been there during the Food & Wine Festival and the International Flower & Garden Festival. The pavilion drinks are worth the extra effort and liver function.

So for those of you counting at home, how do you cram a dozen drinks into one day and remember it all at the end? Well, first – you need to make sure you start as early as you can and let your metabolism do the rest. Second, remember there’s no shame in sharing a drink or two (it still counts…) and make sure to nibble your way around as well. The food options are pretty spectacular too! Oh, and there is probably still time for rides. More on that later.

There are lots of debates on social media and park websites dedicated to the big burning question – Do you start in Canada or Mexico?  The main loop of the World Showcase starts in one of them and ends in the other. Do you start with the tequila flight and/or Avocado Margaritas… or end with them?

We think there’s another option! Both times we’ve gone, we came in at the International Gateway entrance. This last time, we made an immediate right and started IN FRANCE! Why?  Because there’s no better way to start the day than champagne and croissants! Then we circled back and started in Canada, which, if you think about it, seems to be a natural next move from France. And they have cider flights… mimosa flights… and beer. We also recommend taking a stroll toward the back of the pavilion for a quick photo at the mini-Niagara Falls. It’s even better when it’s hot outside, which is most of the year. Canada also has one of the best photo ops with Spaceship Earth as a backdrop. There’s also poutine – French fries with gravy – it’s never too early to start loading on some carbs.

We definitely have to mention the frozen boozy Dole Whip! This was a real treat on a hot day in June. It was at one of the special pavilions near Canada for the flower festival we mentioned earlier.

Moving into the United Kingdom pavilion… more beer! And fish and chips. Then we skipped France and went on into Morocco. Best sangria in the park! And it can be enjoyed in a covered market area to get out of the heat for a bit. That’s also a survival tip – take advantage of shade and indoor areas often!

The Japan Pavilion is also great for photo ops… and a frozen Kirin! That’s a Japanese draft beer topped with a float of frozen foam. Perfect for Florida weather! There is also a cool shopping area – more air conditioning.

While the American Pavilion is technically next around the world, on our most recent trip we skipped ahead to Italy for a high-carb lunch at Via Napoli Pizzeria! Oh, and of course Italian wine and aperitif cocktails. Bellisimo!

Regardless of whether you drink straight through or circle back, the American Pavilion is a great spot to sample beers from around the country. Beer is another great survival strategy – since you’re pretty much renting it, along with a casual buzz.  There’s also some Tennessee moonshine to be found here!

Speaking of beer… Germany Pavilion is next! By this point, it’s never a bad idea to enjoy a cold beer (or flight) here or some tasty German white wine. The pavilion itself is pretty festive (think Oktoberfest).

Another beautiful pavilion is next door – China. The Pagoda is a great spot for a photo along with one of the best values “in the world…” the Plum Wine. It’s potent and inexpensive and worth a try.

If you’re feeling the need to indulge your sweet tooth (why wouldn’t you) then the Norway Pavilion is for you. Also known as the home for the “Frozen” ride, the real treat here is at the Kringla Bakeri – School Bread. This is a sweet roll filled with custard and topped with toasted coconut. It’s as delicious as it sounds! You can wash it down with some Nordic beer or a Viking (alcoholic) Coffee.

If you chose to go the direction around the world that we have the last two visits, you’re ready for your final stop – the Mexico Pavilion. This one is actually more fun than you would think. Step inside the great temple and grab some nachos with fresh-made guacamole. Who doesn’t love drunk nachos? Then have a tequila flight at La Cava del Tequila or pair the guac with a fantastic avocado margarita! You can munch and drink while you stand in line for the Gran Fiesta Tour boat ride – imagine the Small World boat ride with a Mexican theme and Donald Ducks’ nephews! It’s indoors, relaxing and air conditioned.

By this point, it’s very possible you’ve consumed a dozen drinks, lots of great food, and you may have time to jump on a ride or two before the park closes. We did Test Track the first time, which may have been a bit much with a belly full of alcohol. The second time we visited the Living with the Land and The Seas with Nemo attractions. Both times we did the Soarin ride (before alcohol).

Another insider tip – we stayed at the Dolphin Hotel both times, which is on-property but owned by Marriott, as is the neighboring Swan Hotel. So you can use points! The Dolphin/Swan properties are an easy walk to and from Epcot across the Boardwalk area. There are some great bars and restaurants on the Boardwalk. Abracadabar has fantastic cocktails and bourbon. Trattoria al Forno is a fantastic Italian restaurant next to it.

EPCOT, like most of the parks, has something new every time we visit. I’d say we’ll be back to test our livers again in the near future!

As always, let us know what you think and we’ll see you #offthetipsypath!

 

🍾🍷🥃 Current Preferred Watering Holes in St. Pete Florida 🍾🍷🥃

 

It should be no surprise to anyone who keeps up with us that our new favorite vacation (or long weekend) spot is St. Petersburg Florida!  So, when our daughter said she’d like to visit for her college graduation trip, of course we said YES!

After a few relaxing days on St. Pete Beach (and lots of frozen rum drinks) we made our way to downtown St. Pete for three days of showing the kids around some of our favorite spots in the downtown area. And here they are . . . the list is certainly NOT exhaustive. We find new places we like every time we visit!

First, it might surprise you that there are now three speakeasy bars in St. Pete! That may be nothing compared to NYC, which has dozens or more, but it’s more than some cities that we’ve visited. Sounds like a recipe for a night of fun.

One of the best all around is The Saint – it’s way out on Central in the Grand Central District, but worth the trip any night of the week. We highly recommend going on Wednesday for the burlesque show! The theme is a bit irreverent so check your inner prude at the door . . . the servers are dressed as nuns and priests. The night starts with a weekly “sin” that you must confess at the door, and it goes from there. The specialty drinks are a show in themselves (think flames, smoke and bubbles) and very tasty. They also have a good selection of spirits and can whip up a great Manhattan if you ask.

From there, we worked our way back toward downtown with the next stop at one of the newest bars in town – Dirty Laundry. And yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like!  The bar up front is a standard coffee bar with some alcoholic drinks surrounded by a laundromat. Spoiler alert – you pick up the pay phone and dial the code aka “doing your laundry” and then enter through one of the washing machines to a fantastic tropical-themed bar complete with a patio, live music AND a great selection of mojitos and other drinks. This one wins the #tipsypick for best new bar for us!

Next, we went to one of our favorites that we visit every time – Bar Chica. Hidden behind a wall at Bodega St. Pete, this is a much quieter and more “speakeasy” vibe than the previous two we mentioned. The cocktail list is solid. You can grab a bite at Bodega, which has Cuban and other Latino foods, but you can’t bring it in to the back room. Most people walk right by this space without even noticing. It’s that cool. 

Now we’ll say that we have so many other places that we highly recommend, and it would take a lot of time and words to go through the full list. We love St. Pete! But here are a few additional spots outside the Speakeasy category.

If you like wine, our hands-down favorite is a kitschy place called Dracula’s Legacy. Yes, it is exactly like it sounds. The owner is from Romania, and she takes the theme to the next level. BUT don’t ignore the fact that they have an excellent wine selection, including multiple flights where you can taste a variety of pours without over committing. They also have a fantastic charcuterie board and other nibbles. It’s a bit #offthetipsypath, but totally worth looking for!

Another wine bar that you might have to look for is one we found on this latest trip called Bar Chinchilla. It’s literally a small storefront with no more than 14 or 15 seats. But they have a great wine selection, an AMAZING Happy Hour Special and they do things like wine tastings regularly to help them stand out.  We even met a couple of kindred spirits - another couple that blogs about drinks and things. Check them out at Let's Do Dranks. We’re glad we found this one!

Speaking of wine bars, we stumbled upon a very cool date night spot right in the middle of the madness that is the 200 block of Central Avenue. Sauvignon Wine Locker and American Trattoria is pretty well hidden on the second floor above some of the busiest bars on this block. We followed the sign on the street up a staircase and to a double door that led us to an Italian bistro setting with fantastic food and wine! Excellent stop and definitely #offthetipsypath!

As for cocktails, we have a few that we tend to visit, and we took our daughter to this time. One is Flute & Dram. Located right on Beach Drive, they have one of the top Happy Hours in town, including a great Old Fashioned and Manhattan.

Another excellent happy hour with an even better view is at Birchwood Canopy, a rooftop bar with some of the best views of the bay. Our daughter was also impressed.

You may know that we like a good bourbon cocktail, and Mandarin Hide never fails to deliver. They have a smoked Old Fashioned that we think is one of the best in the city. And who doesn’t love a bathtub photo op?

We are also pretty fond of the theme and the drink selection at No Vacancy. It’s owned by the same people who have Dirty Laundry, so they know a good theme when they see it. Insider tip – the Seafood Nachos are to die for! And Club 201 at the Detroit has an added bonus of live music most nights of the week, as does Ruby’s Elixer. If you just want creative shots, then Pour Judgment is your place!

Our hotel bar, HyBar, also turned out to have a very tasty Old Fashioned made with the bartender’s own recipe, which included bitters from New Orleans (another of our favorite places). Three cheers for #hotelbars!

Like we said, there are so many other places, and we find new ones on every visit. Did we mention there are about a dozen breweries on Central? We’ll save that for another time (and yes, there will be one).

Tipsy Picks:        Best new bar – Dirty Laundry

                    Best happy hour with a view – Canopy

                    Best Date Night spot – Sauvignon Wine Locker and American Trattoria 

🥂🥃 Hotel Bars - Scruffy City Unexpected Gems 🥂🥃

 

If you have traveled a bit, you may know that in some cities, the hotel bar is a destination and a part of the experience. That’s true in places like Las Vegas, Miami Beach, and as we discovered recently, even in Chattanooga. But Knoxville?  Yes - there are hotel bars here in the Scruffy City that we would recommend for a date night!

Now it’s also true that you can find a spot for a basic drink at many chain hotels these days. But we’ll focus here on the ones downtown that we think elevate the experience in one way or another.

And if we’re talking elevated experience, how about a rooftop at a historic downtown hotel to start with! Five Thirty Lounge is an indoor/outdoor bar and lounge at the top of the Hyatt Place, which used to be the Farragut Hotel back in the day. They have done an excellent job of creating a welcoming space that also features some of the best rooftop views around. And they have fantastic cocktails and small bites! Five Thirty has one of the best Old Fashioned cocktails in town, and a good wine selection. We even brought in 2022 here with their masquerade party. The only downside is the “Liquor By The Drink Tax” they tack on to each drink. That is a bit out of the ordinary since other hotel bars on the list do not charge the tax. But, it’s worth it for the experience!

The other “elevated” hotel bar downtown is across the street at the Embassy Suites. Radius Rooftop Lounge is going for that upscale experience as well … they have fantastic views in a cool space and solid cocktails, but it’s a bit more of a party atmosphere with loud music most of the time. Check it out for a drink and the views! It’s definitely not a typical hotel bar.

 

Speaking of not typical … did you know that Knoxville has an authentic speakeasy? Peter Kern Library is located in the Oliver Hotel just behind Market Square. (We’ll let you figure it out but look for the red light!) You’ll need the passcode to enter, but you can find it on their social media platforms. This has been one of our favorite cocktail spots for years. The space is a tribute to former Knoxville Mayor Peter Kern, as he used to own and operate the bakery in this space. They stay true to the library theme with drinks named after literary characters and books like the “Holly Golightly.” Their bourbon selection is extensive and their classic cocktails like the Old Fashioned and Manhattan are worth the visit alone.

Another hotel bar that’s been here a while before we visited (how did we wait so long?) is The Drawing Room in the Tennessean Hotel. Located next to the Sunsphere, it’s definitely a destination rather than a stop. But it is so worth it!  The Drawing Room occupies a space on the second floor of the luxury hotel and is furnished like (surprise) a parlor or drawing room in a grand mansion. The Smoked Old Fashioned is as good as we had heard and the small bites like the charcuterie board were a nice addition. Make this one a date night destination!

You have to look a little harder for the rest of the hotel bars downtown … maybe even #offthetipsypath 😊.

This next one would get the “best newcomer” award, if there was one. Tussie Mussie is in the lobby of the Cumberland House Hotel, which overlooks World’s Fair Park. The vibe is classic and retro – look for the shelves full of old Singer sewing machines!  And while it is laid out like a normal hotel bar, the cocktails are a step up for sure. Try the “Cold Fashioned,” a take on the classic with coffee-infused bourbon. The small plate bites are excellent as well. We will be back here.

 

We also visited the new lobby bar at the recently opened Marriott hotel downtown. The Maker Exchange is a concept to highlight local artists and vendors. The bar is fairly typical of what you’d expect at a large hotel. The drinks were good, especially the Baked Manhattan, which was a tasty twist on the classic. And it was one of the few places in town we’ve found blanc de blanc champagne. Better than average for a hotel bar. 

And finally, we couldn’t go without making a stop at the much-hyped hotel bar owned by Peyton Manning – Saloon 16. Located just off the strip in the Graduate Knoxville hotel, this is a must for Vol fans and anyone who wants to get a look at some of the Manning memorabilia that surrounds this watering hole. However, be warned that it is definitely a “saloon,” which for us would be great for game days and if you find yourself in the area otherwise. Go Vols!

 

And go get a great cocktail at one of these hotel bars in Knoxville!

Tipsy Picks:         Peter Kern Library is the standard for other hotel bars (and cocktail bars) in Knoxville

Five Thirty Lounge is a great spot for a date night

Best drink goes to The Drawing Room for the Smoked Old Fashioned

As always, let us know if we missed anything and where we should go next!

🎉🥃 Nashville - There are great cocktails in the land of Honky Tonks 🎉🥃

 

Yes Virginia, there are some great cocktail bars to be found in the land of Honky Tonks and the “Woo Hoo” crowd (that’s the name given to the endless stream of bachelorette parties on Lower Broadway)  - and in case you haven’t figured out, we’re talking about Nashville, aka “NashVegas!”

We’ve spent a considerable amount of time in the Music City over the last decade and there’s nothing wrong with a night on Lower Broadway. Lots of live music and beer flowing for everyone. But if you’re looking for some great cocktails and a different vibe, here are a few thoughts for you!

First, it is possible to find some great cocktails just a block or two away from the Honky Tonks on lower Broadway! There are so many new cocktail bars popping up in Nashville that we can’t cover them all in one post.

But we’ll start with our consistently favorite spot – the Patterson House. Located in a house on the West End, it’s not exactly hidden, but we did stand outside with a map on our first visit and missed the door entirely!  Luckily, we found our way in and have been coming back ever since. The drinks are some of the best in the city – Scott had his first Black Manhattan and Black Walnut Old Fashioned here. They have small bites for food as well. It is always a stop when we’re in Nashville!

Just a few blocks off Broadway is a red phone booth. It seems out of place, until you realize it’s the entrance to a clever speakeasy and cigar bar called  …  Red Phone Booth. They even have a special secret number you call from the booth to get in (Pro-Hint: Most of the local hotels will have it.) Once inside, you’ll find leather chairs and a bit of cigar smoke. But there are also some great cocktails!

A few blocks from Broadway close to the river is Printers Alley, historically home to some “seedy” establishments. But this festive alley has a number of cool spots that you might not see just walking by. Both Snitch and Dirty Little Secret are accessible from the Alley and have a variety of live entertainment in a “speakeasy” setting. Alley Taps is also located in a former speakeasy basement space.

One place that is well marked and worth the effort to get a table is Skull’s Rainbow Room. A Printers Alley original, this is a restaurant with some amazing prime rib and great drinks. Most evenings they have a cabaret show after 9:30 p.m. if you want some live entertainment! We try to visit when we are in town.

And one block from the Alley is the Black Rabbit, home to some fantastic cocktails and a solid bourbon selection along with an inventive kitchen.

Nashville is a lot like New York City in that there are lots of neighborhoods outside of the city center and each has their own hotspots for great drinks, food and music. For example, SoBro has Bar Sovereign, Edgehill has Old Glory – both are worth checking out for their history and great use of space as well as the cocktails!

One of our favorite areas is East Nashville. Just a decade ago this was a neighborhood “in transition” but we’d say now that it’s well on its way! It’s always been home to some funky spots that are #offthetipsypath. If you look up “best cocktails in Nashville,” there are always at least a few here on the list. Unfortunately, it’s not the most walkable neighborhood between our favorite watering holes. Maybe someone should start a cocktail bus tour 🤔

Anyway, one of our favorite spots in East Nash is a bit #offthetipsypath in that it’s a basement bar behind a building on Gallatin Pike. The Fox Club has some of the best cocktails in the city, including some excellent variations on a Manhattan. Unlike some bars, you can make a reservation here too.

Down the street a bit is Attaboy. This is described as an “outpost” for the famous speakeasy of the same name in NYC. The space is very cool and the drinks are solid, but we think they’re still working on the “tell us what you like and we’ll make something unique” concept that makes the NYC mothership work so well. Would definitely recommend giving it a try!

Also along Gallatin Pike is a cool new wine bar called The Authentique. While it’s located in a strip mall, don’t let the outside fool you. The interior space reminded us of something in Europe. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable about the wine and the charcuterie is excellent. We’ll be back here!

There are other places nearby as well that are on our list to check out, but we couldn’t pack in too many and still be able to drive lol.

Like we said, too many Nashville spots to cover in just one entry … we haven’t even started on the breweries! More on all that next time.

As always, if you have thoughts or suggestions … we’d love to hear from you!

A Weekend in Chattanooga is Not Enough

 

As it turns out, this blog is a great excuse for weekend getaways … and to drink. So based on some requests from friends, we spent a recent weekend in Chattanooga to check out the cocktail scene. While Chattanooga is known for its outdoor adventures, we found plenty to do indoors at the many bars and restaurants, including a few speakeasies! And to be fair, we did walk across the pedestrian bridge to the north shore and back … totally worth the walk.

First, if you are staying in a hotel in downtown Chattanooga, you may find some pretty great cocktails in your own hotel bar. Chattanooga has a surprising number of great hotel bars. We stayed at the Moxy downtown on this trip. It’s hard to beat a hotel where you check in AT the bar and get a free cocktail before you ever go to your room. The signature cocktail is definitely the way to go! While the outdoor bar – the Railyard – wasn’t open yet for the season, we did enjoy our time at Bar Moxy including the patio. Unfortunately, the operating hours have been seriously reduced due to pandemic staffing shortages, so get your drink on before 11:30 p.m.

 

Just up the street, the Kinley Hotel has one of our favorite bars in town. Company is a speakeasy behind the bookcase in the lobby. They actually knock before letting you in (no password required.) The atmosphere is classic, with a great selection of food and drinks – including classics like an Old Fashioned and a Flamed Sazerac that was one of Scott’s favorite drinks of the weekend. They had Christy’s favorite champagne - a blanc de blanc. Company is a must for anyone wanting a classy evening or a step back in time!

 Another excellent choice is Whiskey Thief, the rooftop bar at the Edwin Hotel. It’s worth a visit just for the view of the riverfront. The drinks and food are an added bonus. (Fried Green Tomatoes, yes please!) Reservations are accepted and recommended here also.

And as for classic lobby bars, you can’t go wrong with Bar & Billiards at the Read House. Billed as a “speakeasy,” it’s pretty easy to spot off the main lobby. But the vibe is definitely 1920’s with a modern twist, as is the rest of the hotel. Scott had one of the best Manhattans of the trip here, and Christy got her one of her favorite drinks - prosecco.

One of our favorite spots has a new life at the Dwell Hotel. Formerly Matilda Midnight, Night Pearl is a tiki concept in the same dark and jazzy space off the lobby. The signature cocktails are creative and tasty. We also enjoyed some small plates here that you don’t find often – like fish dip and pot stickers.

The Chattanooga Choo Choo seems to have their own eating and drinking experience on one property. Food and great cocktails at Stir, Nic & Normans and Frothy Monkey … their own distillery with a cocktail bar at Gate 11, and a historic train car turned beer bar at American Draft. You could spend all weekend here! We also recommend a tasting experience at Chattanooga Experimental Distillery across the street.

Other worthy choices include the rooftop at the Westin Hotel, where they make a mean Manhattan with some of the best views in the city, and the new rooftop at the Chattanoogan Hotel. They actually replaced the indoor pool with a bar!

Of course, there are other options for great food and drink downtown. Another “speakeasy” bar hiding in plain sight is Wiseguy Lounge. It’s basically the basement section of Goodfellas Pizza, right behind the Moxy. We were expecting a secret door but it’s a staircase behind the bar. This building has some very cool stories. One of the rooms at Wiseguy was actually a secret gambling hall hidden behind a wall. You can now hang out in the same room with some of the same restored gaming tables. Oh, and did we mention that the drinks are excellent? The Old Fashioned made Christy happy, and Scott had a flaming bourbon drink called the Broken Hatchet - perhaps the best drink of the weekend. What is it with drinks and fire on this trip?

We love local businesses with great stories. No Hard Feelings is definitely one of those. This bar started out as a popup in Nashville and settled along Broad Street. The name comes from parting words the owner had with a previous employer. Good name for a bar indeed. It’s a great hangout space with a disco ball or two and lots of leather seating. The menu is simple, but the drinks are delicious. This would probably be our hangout space if we lived here.

 

After midnight, the list of available options gets shorter. We’re happy to share that we found an excellent spot for your a.m. needs! Exile off Main is basically a backyard bar just south of Main Street. The indoor bar space is pretty small, but as long as the weather is nice, this is a great spot to hang outside! Lots of chairs, a patio, cold beer and some good cocktails. This was a great way to finish the night.

Main Street has no shortage of great places for food and drink. On past visits, we’ve enjoyed Flying Squirrel’s cocktails and small plates. This time, we tried State of Confusion. Great space, great food and creative Latin / Peruvian food. 

To end the weekend, we enjoyed brunch at Proof, an incubator space that also appears to have a great drink menu. We’ll be back another time for that!

So to summarize our Chattanooga experience / detail our Tipsy Picks:

Favorite Hotel Bar – Company

Favorite Hangout Spot – Wiseguy Lounge OR No Hard Feelings

Favorite Late Night – Exile off Main

We realize that we missed an entirely separate category here – the breweries. We’ll have to save that one for another trip! But feel free to hit us up for ideas in the meantime … we’ve been to most of them.