As you probably know, I am a huge fan of cocktail bars. Where ever you find me in the world, It’s likely you will find me searching foursquare for the local spot to rehydrate 😉
There are no rules to this list other than I will only list one bar per city,
and that bar must produce both amazing citrus and spirit forward cocktails that left me wanting more. I am focusing on mostly the cocktail, though service and ambiance come into play somewhat.
If you find yourself in any of these cities, you should absolutely make it a priority to visit the Cocktail listed.
Countries Listed
Denmark
Copenhagen: Curfew
I know this is going to sound strange, but I consider Curfew my “home” bar. From the first time I walked into Curfew, I felt at ease and taken care of. This dynamic comes from what I coined the “Power Portuguese Duo”: Antonio and his charm, guaranteed to make you feel relaxed, and the logistical mastermind of Humberto, with his meticulous attention to detail. The staff in general have all been very generous to me, and they really do care about their clientele – something I feel that is missing with the traditional “hipster” bars popping up everywhere.
Their menu changes seasonally based on the ingredients available, so there are always new drinks to try. Don’t let that dissuade you from trying the year-round cocktail though – all drinks are equal opportunity and I’ve had friends fall in love with some of the classics there. Their citrus cocktail selection seems to have a stronger focus, but I think this is common for Scandinavia.
Everyone and their Mom is probably going to recommend Ruby as the bar to try, but it’s only because Ruby was on top for so long in Copenhagen. Ruby is good, but I wouldn’t prefer it to any bar on this list. Skip it. Join us at Curfew.
United Kingdom
London: Oriole
This bar had an amazing cocktail selection. They had a worldly, somewhat tropical theme going that was very interesting. Oriole places a lot of effort into the presentation of the cocktail, most having their specific glass or serving style. I thought it was a bit gimmicky at first, but as soon as I took a drink, I was focused on one thing: how delicious it was. Both their citrus and spirit forward cocktails were great, so you can’t really go wrong.
The bar is in somewhat of a strange area to get to (we thought we were lost), but once in, the atmosphere was energetic with live music. Definitely more of a date bar and attracts a little bit of an older crowd, but again – I’m there to drink delicious cocktails.
There are a lot of good cocktail bars in London, so choosing a “best” one is hard. I would say that Oriole is a solid choice regardless. You will need reservations, so make sure to book in advance.
United States
Birmingham, Alabama: Collin’s Bar
I walked in and first thing on my mind was “WTF, why are there paper airplanes… and a periodic table… I don’t get this theme at all”. I am guessing you are surprised to see a bar on this list from Birmingham, Alabama of all places. Yeah, I was extremely surprised too at the quality of drinks and service of this bar. Maybe there is a bit of costal elite-ism coming through there, but I want to pay tribute to a great bar where due.
I’ve never experienced service quite on the level of Collin’s Bar – it is in a whole other league. Bartenders came to me from behind the bar and asked “Is there anything we can do for you Mr. Robles? Are you ready for your next cocktail?”. Why yes… yes I am. And this bar was PACKED. Ok, maybe wearing a suit helped a bit, but still, the bar was fairly large for this type of bar, and fairly popular. Unlike most bars on this list, expect more of a higher energy atmosphere with the younger crowd rather than a lounge feel.
What makes it even more impressive is that they make all cocktails from tasting notes you give them – no menu (as far as I know). To put out the quality cocktails we were getting just using tasting notes and the speed and service we were getting on top of that… there are no words beyond impressive.
If you are in Birmingham – this bar is a must. Don’t argue. Just go.
New York City, New York: Death & Co.
It’s been awhile since I’ve been to this bar, but looking back on my notes, journals, and fond memories, this bar is a cool little speakeasy in East Village. At this point, Death & Co. has probably achieved equivalent fame as Bourbon and Branch in San Francisco. You’ll find their cocktail books in various stores and even find some of their cocktails being made at bars around the US.
Being true to the speakeasy nature, they specialize in whiskey cocktails, but branching out to some of their others did not disappoint. I’d say definitely lean spirit forward here, but this is not a hard recommendation if you prefer going citrus.
New York is also one of those cocktail meccas. You are going to be hard pressed to find “the best bar”. It gets more heated as you dive into neighborhoods! This bar gets crowded quickly, so make sure to go early or late. During prime time, you may be waiting around a while to get a seat. Don’t worry though, East Village has a ton of watering holes nearby while you wait.
San Francisco, California: Benjamin Cooper
For those from San Francisco, you may be surprised you don’t see a common favorite on here like Bourbon and Branch or Tradition. While those are great bars, I’ve been following the guys running Benjamin Cooper since the Big days and I’ve always been impressed with their cocktails. So I may be a little bias.
While Benjamin Cooper doesn’t have the same style as Big did, they still keep the experiment spirit alive, often changing up their menu and trying new recipes. Don’t fall in love with any particular drink because it may be gone next week! The nature of a changing menu is it makes it a bit hard to decide. If you don’t have a general idea of what tasting notes you enjoy, just consult with one of the bartenders and they can always point you in the right direction.
San Francisco, like New York, is a cocktail mecca. If you enjoy gin, try Whitechapel. Whiskey – Bourbon and Branch or Tradition. Rum – Smuggler’s Cove. The list goes on. Benjamin Cooper is a nice balance of experimentation with all liquors and flavors, which is why I recommend it above the more specialized cocktail bars.