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Foursquare, the city-guide app for discovering new places, has compiled a list of the 25 top-rated cocktail bars across the US. The data takes into account likes, saves, tips, and more from Foursquare users.
From hidden Manhattan speakeasies to a menu-free Milwaukee cocktail lounge, there's a spot in every city worth the visit, whether you're a whiskey connoisseur or a gin drinker.
Read on for the best of the country's mixology offerings, below.
25. Péché (Austin, Texas)
208 West 4th Street, Austin
Péché has the kind of rustic-means-classy vibe that both Texans and visitors can appreciate, with top-notch cocktails matched with a relaxed scene lit by crystal chandeliers.
24. barmini by José Andrés (Washington, DC)
855 East Street NW, Washington, DC
A chic watering hole in DC, barmini serves up well-liked, upscale takes on classic bar foods (think uni panini and buffalo chicken skins) along with specialty cocktails in a bright, vibrant space.
23. Hodge's Bend (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
823 East 3rd Street, Tulsa
Sip on a custom-crafted cocktail at this Tulsa favorite, where the ambience feels a bit like an early-20th-century jazz club and the bartenders are happy to whip up a beverage or put on a record from the extensive vinyl collection.
22. Eleanor's (Smyrna, Georgia)
1675 Cumberland Parkway SE, Smyrna
A deli in an unassuming suburban shopping center actually gives way to Eleanor's, a speakeasy accessed through a refrigerator door in the back. A small place great for a conversation and a craft cocktail, you can even order off the deli's food menu if you need a bite while you imbibe.
21. Dutch Kills (Long Island City, New York)
24-27 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City
An old-fashioned craft cocktail hangout, Long Island City's Dutch Kills is good enough to even get Manhattanites out to the up-and-coming neighborhood. The speakeasy has a drinks menu that changes seasonally, and the ice is handmade and cut specially for the different kinds of drinks.
20. Good Times at Davey Wayne's (Los Angeles, California)
1611 North El Centro Avenue, Hollywood
Unlike most of the sceney Hollywood spots, Good Times is a '70s-style throwback bar where anything goes. The entrance is a gimmicky refrigerator door, and after that the quirks continue: a grilled cheese food truck keeps hungry patrons happy, retro posters abound, and a casual garden offers space for smokers (and a hammock to lounge on). Later at night, a DJ turns the bar into a dance party.
19. Hotel Delmano (Brooklyn, New York)
128 North 9th Street, Brooklyn
Perhaps best known for its appearance in the Netflix show "Masters of None", Hotel Delmano is one of those cozy, tarnished-mirror cocktail bars with quirky drink names, a low-key clientele camped out in a beautiful space, and lighting that makes everyone look that much better.
18. Three Muses (New Orleans, Louisiana)
536 Frenchmen Street, New Orleans
A no-frills gastropub with live music, Three Muses serves up things like tuna tacos and lamb burgers along with the entertainment. But good, strong drinks also get top billing.
17. Taste by Niche (St. Louis, Missouri)
4584 Laclede Avenue, St. Louis
Quality small plates and classic cocktails (with a $6 happy hour) make this classy bar a no-brainer for those seeking a pleasant night out in St. Louis.
16. The Whistler (Chicago, Illinois)
2421 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago
A tiny, unpretentious venue, the Whistler prioritizes hand-crafted cocktails and good music, whether it's from a DJ or a live band. In the summer, a back patio opens up and adds space to enjoy the drinks.
15. Apothéke (New York, New York)
9 Doyers Street, New York
Hidden behind an apothecary sign in a winding alley in the thick of downtown Manhattan's Chinatown, Apothéke is a top-rated cocktail lounge featuring some of the finest mixology in the city. Drinks won't come cheap, but in keeping with the apothecary theme, the unique concoctions — which seem more like potions than drinks — are sure to cure what ails you.
14. Montanya Distillers (Crested Butte, Colorado)
130 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte
Quality rum-based drinks in a picturesque mountain setting are what set Montanya Distillery apart from the other places on this list. They even have a rum tasting, for those who'd like to learn a bit more about their tipples before diving in.
13. The Alembic (San Francisco, California)
1725 Haight Street, San Francisco
Food and drink are both popular at the Alembic, where you can get an order of jerk-spiced duck hearts or a well-balanced whiskey cocktail. It's a small bar for serious foodies; not too fancy, but simple and chic, with a crowd that picks up on the weekends.
12. Multnomah Whisk{e}y Library (Portland, Oregon)
1124 Southwest Alder Street, Portland
The "library" part of the name of this bar is not a misnomer: the walls are lined with a seriously extensive selection of whiskeys, while the tables are lit by green-shaded reading lamps like you'd find in an old-school reference library.
11. Clover Club (Brooklyn, New York)
210 Smith Street, Brooklyn
A fireplace on cool nights and weekly live jazz keep patrons cozy, while classy drinks like the Royal Tenenbaum will bring you back to another era.
10. Black Swan Saloon (Dallas, Texas)
2708 Elm Street, Dallas
The Black Swan Saloon is an unassuming, drinks-first establishment with expert bartenders, a laid-back attitude, and an extensive selection of infused liquors. Vintage arcade games and an open-air back patio with picnic tables complete the vibe.
9. Dear Irving (New York, New York)
55 Irving Place, New York
From the beaded crystal curtains to the gilded walls — and equally swanky cocktails — Dear Irving is the kind of bar that will make you feel like Jay Gatsby might walk in the door at any second. Book a table, bring some friends, and let the upscale ambience whisk you away into a Jazz Age dream.
8. Canon (Seattle, Washington)
928 12th Avenue, Seattle
Calling itself a "whiskey and bitters emporium", Canon is a tiny bar with a huge selection of spirits and creative takes on all the classic cocktails. Reservations are recommended.
7. Anvil Bar & Refuge (Houston, Texas)
1424 Westheimer Road, Houston
Experienced bartenders and a wide selection of craft liquors make this Houston bar a destination for cocktail connoisseurs. It gets busy later at night (and has limited parking), but specials like at-cost whiskey shots keep customers happy.
6. St. Mazie (Brooklyn, New York)
345 Grand Street, Brooklyn
Step into St. Mazie and you'll feel like you're in a whole other world, especially on a Friday night when talented flamenco dancers take over a corner of the unassuming bar for an impassioned performance. Spanish-style tapas and just-right cocktails, along with a cellar drinking space and weekly live jazz, round out the charms of the Williamsburg hideaway.
5. Curio (Columbus, Ohio)
491 South 4th Street, Columbus
When you crave both pizza and quality cocktails in Columbus, Curio is the go-to. Gourmet goat cheese pizza gets top marks, as do handcrafted drinks served in the intimate setting.
4. Bryant's Cocktail Lounge (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
1579 South 9th Street, Milwaukee
When you're seeking something beyond beer in Milwaukee, consider Bryant's Cocktail Lounge, the oldest in town (with the Rat Pack ambience to match). There's no menu: simply tell the bartenders what you like and they'll whip something up. Specialties include ice cream drinks and ones that are served on fire.
3. The Dead Rabbit (New York, New York)
30 Water Street, New York
A multi-level "Old New York" establishment, the Dead Rabbit throws it back to the early 20th century, when the Irish ruled lower Manhattan. The main-floor taproom has sawdust floors and beers and whiskeys to satisfy any palate, while other levels offer fine dining.
2. Scofflaw (Chicago, Illinois)
3201 West Armitage Avenue, Chicago
This gin-focused bar in Chicago serves fresh chocolate-chip cookies at midnight — but the drinks get great reviews, too. An industrial-chic environment and indoor fireplace keep things cozy.
1. The Broken Shaker (Miami, Florida)
2727 Indian Creek Drive, Miami
Tucked into Miami's exclusive Indian Creek neighborhood, the Broken Shaker is a laid-back cocktail den with a fairy-lit patio and top-rated drinks. A James Beard Award semi-finalist bar, expect hand-crafted cocktails mixed with fresh-pressed produce and exotic elixirs in a low-key, romantic environment.
