The American cocktail renaissance has led to an increased number of cocktail bars across the US. In no particular order, here is CraveOnline’s list of the best cocktail bars (and one signature drink from each) in America for 2014.
What do you think of this list? What are your favorite cocktail bars. Let us know in the comments below.
The Ten Best Cocktail Bars in America
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Canon: Whiskey and Bitters Emporium (Seattle)
The name says it all. Canon is an all encompassing cocktail experience. The emphasis is on classic cocktails made with contemporary ingredients for a modern drinking experience.
Signature drink - “Vintage Brandy Crusta”. This extremely fancy cocktail includes J G Monnet cognac 1875, Cointreau 1930, Maraschino 1960, fresh lemon, Peychaud’s bitters and an $1100 price tag.
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The Aviary (Chicago)
The Windy City is home to The Aviary, owned and operated by Chef Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas. They take such pride in their cocktails that the bartenders are trained similarly to chefs in order to utilize fresh herbs and produce.
Signature drink - “In The Rocks” featuring Benedictine, vermouth, cognac and rye.
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The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog (New York)
Based on the Irish American tradition of New York City, The Dead Rabbit pays homage to the gang that called the area home in the 1850’s. It was recently named Best American Cocktail Bar at Tales of the Cocktail.
Signature drink - “Contender”, featuring Powers Gold Label Irish Whiskey, Braulio Amaro, chocolate, allspice, coffee and Dead Rabbit Orinoco Bitters.
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Trick Dog (San Francisco)
This popular, San-Fran space was built inside a former warehouse. Trick Dog is known for its large selection of artisanal cocktails and delicious small plates of food.
Signature drink - “Fugazi Bank”, featuring Bulleit rye, Tariquet armagnac, Punt e Mes, Tempus Fugit crème de noyeaux and smoked cherry.
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Prizefighter (Emeryville, California)
This California bar was founded with a goal of taking the bar industry from a places full of drunk hooligans into livelt, social environments where customers can imbibe world class cocktails in a casual setting. The bartenders at Prizefighter have over thirty years of bar experience and pride themselves on creating fresh, satisfying cocktail creations.
Signature drink - “Cobble Hill”, featuring rye, French vermouth and Amaro Montenegro.
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Anvil Bar & Refuge (Houston)
Houston’s Anvil Bar & Refuge is a casual spot that prides itself on crafting creative cocktails using the highest quality ingredients available. The first cocktail-centric bar in the area, Anvil’s drink list is one-hundred deep and growing.
Signature drink - “Heckle & Jeckle” featuring Pine Nut-Infused Mellow, Corn Whiskey, Key Lime, St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram, Fuji Apple and Thyme.
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Smuggler’s Cove (San Francisco)
This kitschy, pirate-themed bar is known just as much for its swashbuckling nature as its cocktails. The drinks are in the style of traditional Caribbean, classic Cuban and myriad Tiki cocktails.
Signature drink - “Straights Sling”, featuring Benedictine, cherry heering, gin, lemon juice, Demerara syrup, orange bitters, angostura bitters and club soda.
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William & Graham (Denver)
This Rocky Mountain space mixes a full service bar with high-quality home-style cuisine. Pair a steak burger, featuring Western Daughters ground beer, port salut, carmelized onions, a fresh bun and fries, with one of their hand-crafted cocktails.
Signature drink - “Curious George”, featuring Glenfiddich 12, Smith & Cross navy strength rum, lemon, orgeat, banana and Angostura bitters.
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Cure (New Orleans)
Situated in a former firehouse in New Orleans, Cure is built on the idea that cocktail bars are meant to be places where sophisticated, thirsty people meet. Their goal is not to get you drunk. Their goal is to build you a drink that adds to the social environment of the bar while using recipes that sometimes originated as medicinal remedies.
Signature drink - “Written Warning”, a medicinal based cocktail consisting of whiskey, citrus, salted licorice, cucumber and mint.
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Noble Experiment (San Diego)
The Noble Experiment is more than just an experiment, it’s a drinking experience. The bar is a speakeasy that is hidden behind a secret door in The Trails Neighborhood Eatery restaurant.
Signature drink - “The Dealer’s Choice”, which consists of the bartender crafting a drink for guests based on their appearance and personal tastes.
