The Best Cocktail Bars, Part 1 of 2

Where to Sample Cocktail Trends from A-D

By Alison J. Stein, About.com Guide

See More About:cocktail trendscocktailscocktail bars The best way to sample the latest cocktail trends? Pay a visit to a cocktail bar where mixologists combine creativity, intuition and classic cocktail know-how to create what's next in the world of fine drinking. Here are the best cocktail bars in the country for advanced drinkers in the United States. There are so many that one list can't contain them all, so in alphabetical order, here is A-D. Click here for part 2, bars from E-Z. Anvil Bar & Refuge, Houston Anvil Bar & Refuge pours serious cocktail creativity along with well-made classics, and takes inspiration from all over the world and from every corner of the kitchen...and the garden. You might find a cocktail made with mustard, dehydrated pineapple, or chrysanthemums. Read more about Anvil, and download the latest cocktail menu here. (PDF) 1424 Westheimer Road, Houston. (713)523-1622 Ads Americano to Zombie american-zombies.blogspot.com Follow along as we drink our way through classic cocktails! Hotels in Manhattan Booking.com/Manhattan-Hotels Best price guarantee! Book your Hotel in Manhattan online Wine Importing www.AmericanSpiritsLtd.com US Wine and Spirits Importer. You Sell, Let Us Do The Rest. Aviary in Chicago The Aviary is a cocktail bar owned by Greg Achatz, arguably Chicago's most celebrated chef. Drinks at Aviary are more than just a prelude to an evening -- they can be your entire night. Expect whimsical oddities, such as a glass arriving entirely encased in a plastic bag filled with smoke, alcoholic cotton candy, "deconstructed" cocktails served in several different drinking vessels, cocktails you consume with a spoon. There's an equally complex advance reservation process, but if you arrive early enough you might be able to score a seat without one. Reservations are by email: reservations@theaviary.com 955 W Fulton Market, Chicago. Follow Aviary on Twitter. Read more about Aviary. Bar Agricole, San Francisco Bar Agricole received a 2012 James Beard Award nomination for its cocktail program, which is well deserved. The cocktail menu is more

curated than extensive, with a focus on classic and slightly obscure sips, like, for example the Monkey Gland, with gin, citrus, absinthe and grenadine, or a Brown Derby, bourbon, grapefruit, lemon, honey and bitters. Brunch cocktails are not a mere Mimosa afterthought here, with a soothing selection of morning adult beverages, including the Sleepyhead, with brandy, ginger, mint, lime and sparkling wine. 355 Eleventh Street, San Francisco. 415-355-9400. ChoLon, Denver ChoLon is a modern Asian restaurant whose food is rightfully generating buzz in Denver, but don't overlook the artisan cocktails, from the Full Moon margarita, finished with a red pepper rim, to The Royal Garden, made with beets. Check out the menu, scroll down for the cocktails. Click the little camera icon at the far right to see photos of each drink. 1555 Blake Street, Denver. 303-353-5223 Clyde Common, Portland, Oregon Clyde Common, a restaurant attached to the Ace Hotel, has a national reputation for its innovative cocktail program -- the bar here is credited with reviving the trend towards bottled and barrel-aged cocktails. Browse the cocktail menu, but don't overlook the food -- the restaurant's menu is perfectly suited for snacking -- it even has a section labeled "snacks". 1014 SW Stark Street, Portland, Oregon. (503) 228-3333 Death + Company, NYC Death + Company has become the standard setter on the cocktail scene, both in New York City and in the nation. The extensive menu has something for everyone, whether you're into pre-Prohibition classics, cocktails made with whimsy -- try Pearls Before Swine, made with Martin Millers Westbourne Strength Gin, Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice, Orgeat, Greek Yogurt, Lemon Curd == cocktails made from beer, unusual infusions, syrups, bitters...if you can't find something you like here, you probably should give up drinking. 433 East 6th Street, New York City (212)388-0822. No reservations. 1. The Edison, Los Angeles The Edison is pure Los Angeles theater -- located in the city's first private power plant, and you'll never forget it, there's a vintage/industrial/fabulous vibe happening and yes, there is a dress code. (Men, wear collared shirts.) The cocktail menu is long, and the tone is set by the signature drink, The Edison, made with a Woodford Reserve limited edition bourbon, pear brandy, clover honey syrup and lemon juice. So this a place for some serious drinking, but bear in mind that there's also a thoughtful selection of non-alcoholic cocktails. The Edison's website is serious fun. 108 W 2nd St, Los Angeles (213) 613-0000

There are food and beverage minimums per table, $25 on Wednesdays and Thursdays and $50 on Saturdays and Sundays. Drinks run around $14, so plan accordingly. Ads Belgian Beer Importers www.notjustwine.com.au Buy Belgian beers Online Lowest Price Guarantee Americano to Zombie american-zombies.blogspot.com Follow along as we drink our way through classic cocktails! Hotels in Manhattan Booking.com/Manhattan-Hotels Best price guarantee! Book your Hotel in Manhattan online 2. Husk, Charleston Husk is a highly celebrated restaurant in Charleston, so you can either sip a cocktail at the start of a meal, or just hit the bar. The focus at Husk is on modern updates of historic cocktails, and cocktails that nod to regional traditions. The cocktail menu is here. 76 Queen Street, Charleston Reservations: (843) 577-2500 3. PDT, New York City PDT, which stands for Please Don't Tell, takes the speakeasy concept to a different level -- either incredibly fun or ridiculous, depending on your point of view. You access the bar through a vintage phone booth in a hot dog shop. Whatever your thoughts on that, there's really nothing ridiculous about bacon-infused bourbon. 113 Saint Marks Place, otherwise known as 8th Street, New York (212) 614-0386 4. Pegu Club in New York City Located on Houston Street, which divides Soho from the Village, this second floor club offers twists on classic cocktails. The menu doesn't change that often, so if you come to enjoy, for instance, the Gin Gin Mule, chances are high that you'll be able to order it again on your next visit. For the peckish, small plates are satisfying, especially the smoked trout deviled eggs. Note: The bar is far less annoying than its highly stylized website. About.com's New York City Guide has all the info on Pegu Club without the soundtrack. 77 W. Houston St., New York City. 212-473-7348. No reservations taken for parties of less than eight. 5. Thistle, McMinnville, Oregon Thistle is well-known as a Willamette Valley farm-to-table restaurant, but the very small bar in the back is a gem. The specialty is pre-Prohibition cocktails, but just tell the bartender what you like and you'll get your very own creation. 228 NE Evans Street, McMinnville, Oregon Reservations: 503-472-9623 6. The Violet Hour, Chicago

The Violet Hour has a speakeasy conceit -- which means it's really hard to find the unmarked door -- but once inside, the vibe is sophisticated, intimate and sexy. The bar is part of the restaurant family that includes celebrated venues like Blackbird, Avec and The Publican, so there are some interesting small bites available. On the cocktail front, the menu is divided by spirit and is reasonably creative without straying into the territory of avant garde. Expect drinks made with unusual bitters, like one made from root beer, and a variety of flat out delicious syrups, like one made from orange marmalade. 1520 North Damen, Chicago. Phone (773)252-1500. No reservations.