October’s Where to Drink Now in 2012

October 04, 2012

From a team of industry luminaries (including Tales of the Cocktail 2012 American Bartender of the Year, Joaquin Simo) comes this hotly anticipated East Village cocktail bar. Two sliding scales rank drinks from “refreshing” to “spirituous” and “comforting” to “adventurous” and help guide the choice between cocktails like the Eleventh Hour with rum, and chocolate bitters; Dueling Banjos with bourbon, Curaçao and corn milk; and the Fort Julep with Lillet Rose, green Chartreuse and mint.

225 Avenue B, Second Floor, New York City; 917-656-6788; pouringribbons.com

Fort Julep

2 oz. Lillet Rosé

1/2 oz. green Chartreuse

2-3 fresh mint leaves

Tools: swizzle stick

Glass: julep

Garnish: sprig of fresh mint

Rub the mint leaves inside a julep cup, then discard. Add Chartreuse and Lillet Rosé, fill midway with crushed ice and swizzle. Top with additional crushed ice and garnish with a sprig of mint that you’ve smacked in the palm of your hand to release the oils.

Pouring Ribbons, New York City

Dancing Goats Coffee Bar

With an expansive patio complete with comfy padded swings and rocking Adirondack chairs, this new café in Atlanta’s up Ponce City Market is the perfect place to sip in cups of Batdorf & Bronson Coffee Roasters deliciousness.

650 North Ave. NE, Atlanta; 404-874-0370; batdorfcoffee.com

Rumba Rhum & Food

Seattleites needn’t pack a passport for a taste of Cuba—simply pop by this Capitol Hill lounge for sips of rum-fueled Daiquiris, tiki drinks and ‘Ti Punch and bites of buttery empanadas, fresh ceviche and crispy tacos.

1112 Pike St., Seattle; 206-583-7177; rhumbaonpike.com

Photo: John Valls

Imperial

James Beard Award-winning chef Vitaly Paley recently teamed up with Beaker & Flask kitchen and bar alums Ben Bettinger and Brandon Wise to launch this downtown eatery and bar housed in the Hotel Lucia. Open from early morning to late at night, menus rotate from semolina corn cakes, eggs and espresso in the a.m. to Oregon Dungeness crab, fried rabbit, local wine and draught cocktails for lunch and dinner.

410 SW Broadway, Portland, Oregon; 503-228-7222; imperialpdx.com

Barefoot Coffee Roll-Up Bar

Get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of coffee roasting in action while sipping super-fresh espresso at this pop-up café in Barefoot’s San Jose roastery. They’re currently in preview mode but will launch into a full grand opening this weekend with coffee specials from Friday through Sunday.

76 Sunol St., San Jose, California; 408-293-7200; barefootcoffee.com