Best bars for a drink, anywhere and everywhere

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Been around the world and I, I, I... love my frou-frou cocktails

 1. Rye

688 Geary St
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 474-4448

Category: Lounges

Neighbourhood: Civic Center/Tenderloin

5.0 star rating
  1/25/2010

This place is pretty sweet. I had my first-ever sazerac here and enjoyed it immensely. I normally don't drink bourbon or whiskey - it burns. But this went down so smooth. While I was sitting at the bar the bartender was very accomadating and refilled…More »

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 2. est. 1986 Wine Bar/Lounge

43 W 32nd St
New York, NY 10001
(212) 563-1500

Categories: Wine Bars, Lounges

Neighbourhoods: Midtown West, Koreatown

5.0 star rating
  6/6/2011

A romantic, chill spot amid the hustle and bustle of K-town. Perfect for a first, second, or third date or a quiet girls' night. Was here on a Friday around 9 or 10 pm, and the bar was only a quarter full, so don't come here expecting to meet anyone…More »

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 3. Wisdom

1432 Pennsylvania Ave SE
Washington, DC 20003
(202) 543-2323

Category: Lounges

Neighbourhoods: Capitol Hill/Southeast, Barney Circle

5.0 star rating
  6/15/2011

Mixologist's paradise. If I still lived in DC I would be a regular here, fo' sure. They know how to get creative with their cocktail menu, but they know how to keep it simple too. Just give me the Lavender Vodka Soda, and I'm happy.

Hip yet…More »

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 4. SideBar

1514 N 7th Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 254-1646

Category: Lounges

5.0 star rating
  4/8/2010

This is pretty much the perfect bar for me. Hip but not pretentious crowd; cute guys; friendly, down-to-earth bartenders; perfect lighting; good DJs (the live bouzouki on top of recorded tracks was a bit weird, but I give them props for trying);…More »

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 5. Chambar

562 Beatty St
Vancouver, BC V6B 2L3
Canada
(604) 879-7119

Category: Belgian

Neighbourhood: Downtown

5.0 star rating
  9/17/2008

I only had drinks here, no food. My brother and I got a table by the front window around 8 on a Thursday and enjoyed some amazing Belgian beers. They were reasonably priced and the service was stellar! Ambiance is hip and sophisticated but not at all…More »

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 6. The Hidden Vine

408 Merchant St
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 674-3567

Category: Wine Bars

Neighbourhood: Financial District

5.0 star rating
  12/24/2009

This wine bar is more homey than trendy and was a very pleasant surprise on my recent trip to San Fran. I felt completely comfortable here as a solo female customer. I had the Riesling flight ($11 for 3 amazing glasses of wine!!) paired with 2…More »

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 7. Caffe Phoenix

35 N Front St
Wilmington, NC 28411
(910) 343-1395

Category: American (New)

4.0 star rating
  Update - 9/18/2010

Much improved since my last visit. Tried the pear and fennel salad again, and it was just right. Also had the appetizer on special, which was phenomenal: sweet potato and goat cheese ravioli made in house. The flavor and texture were perfect. I hope…More »

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 2.0 star rating
    7/1/2010

    My mom and I ate here this past weekend and had a strange experience. The waitress seemed… Read more »

 8. Rodan

1530 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 276-7036

Categories: Asian Fusion, Bars

Neighbourhood: Wicker Park

4.0 star rating
  6/15/2011

When in town I come here for the drinks and for the ambiance. Food is just OK. On both visits I've sat at the bar, which is a good spot for meeting interesting people, especially if you are traveling solo. The bartenders took good care of me.

When…More »

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 9. Eclipse Restaurant

6177 Delmar Blvd
St Louis, MO 63112
(314) 726-2222

Categories: American (New), Lounges

Neighbourhoods: West End, The Loop

4.0 star rating
  7/5/2010 ROTD 8/7/2010

I was nervous to try this restaurant after reading and hearing many negative reviews, but I had a good experience here late last night. Nothing else in the area was open and serving food after 11 pm on a Sunday. We were starving and very happy to…More »

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 10. The Royale Food & Spirits

3132 S Kingshighway Blvd
St. Louis, MO 63139
(314) 772-3600

Categories: Lounges, American (New)

Neighbourhood: Tower Grove South

4.0 star rating
  6/15/2011

The Royale never disappoints. Well, OK, sometimes it does, but I love it anyway. I used to live in the neighborhood and really miss this place now: especially the retro theme parties (e.g., the Cuban Missile Crisis party aka Mad Men Party), the vinyl…More »

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 11. Brennan's

4659 Maryland Ave
St. Louis, MO 63108
(314) 361-9444

Categories: Tobacco Shops, Wine Bars

Neighbourhood: Central West End

3.0 star rating
  3/21/2009

This review is for the upstairs lounge only (Maryland House). Went on a Friday night. Crowd started out a little thin but definitely picked up around 10. Nice ambiance and good music playing on the speakers (Thievery Corporation, etc.). I would say…More »

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 12. Urban

3216 S Grand Blvd
Saint Louis, MO 63118
(314) 772-3308

Category: Lounges

Neighbourhood: Tower Grove East

3.0 star rating
  Update - 1/31/2010

I'm downgrading Urban a bit because it seemed rough around the edges on a recent visit. It was early in the evening (9:30) and I was looking for something chill and romantic-ish. But they were playing music too loudly for talking and conversation.…More »

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 5.0 star rating
    8/20/2008

    If this place were in Chicago or DC, people would be all over it. Many St. Louisians don't "get"… Read more »


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Review votes:
379 Useful, 124 Funny, and 151 Cool

Location

Wilmington, NC

Yelping Since

March 2008

Things I Love

travel, belly dance, Latin dance, farmers markets, fresh produce, tea, cocktails, photography, psychology

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I have superb taste in everything

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10,000 Maniacs at "Riverport Amphitheatre"

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The Graduate, The Apartment, West Side Story, Dirty Dancing

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ratatouille, crusty bread, red wine, pistachio ice cream

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I like fake bacon bits much better than real ones

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radishes in brown butter

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a Shih Tzu named Max