This spring and summer catch a fresh batch of new bars opening from coast to coast. Whether, it's a place to grab beer and whiskey in Boston (Hops N Scotch) or the Denver bar helmed by Tales of the Cocktail's American bartender of the year Sean Kenyon(The Occidental), below, the hottest bars to visit in the upcoming months.
Location: Inman Quarter, 280 Elizabeth Street Key Players: Brian Lewis, David Durnell Projected Opening: Spring Bocado vets Brian Lewis and David Durnell are opening an amaro-focused cocktail bar in Inman quarter. The atmosphere will mimic what the duo has going on at their popular New American, and the drinks will pair with the kitchen's lighter bar fare.
Location: 108 E. 7th Key Players: Josh Loving, Brian Stubbs Projected Opening: Summer Cocktail expert and ice aficionado Josh Loving has partnered with another pro, Brian Stubbs, to open Austin's most anticipated bar. The minuscule, 800-square-foot space will be a hub for cocktail geeks, as well as fans of sherry, wine, and bar snacks.
Location: Inman Square, 1248 Cambridge Street Key Players: The team behind Coolidge Corner Wine and Spirits Projected Opening: End of March Beer and whiskey hot spot Hops N Scotch has an Inman Square location in the works that could open any day now. Cocktail-wise, expect playful riffs on classics like the tamarind whiskey sour, which is on the menu at the bar's original location.
Location: Logan Square Key Players: The teams behind Scofflaw and Slippery Slope Projected Opening: Later this year Chicago's most anticipated bar opening is also the one we know the least about. A yet unnamed tiki bar from the people behind Scofflaw and Slippery Slope will debut in the Logan Square area sometime in 2015. More to come.
Location: LoHi, 1950 West 32nd Avenue Key Players: Sean Kenyon, Todd Colehour Projected Opening: May The more casual offshoot of adjacent sister establishment Williams & Graham is the bar to watch in Denver. Head mixologist Sean Kenyonwon best American bartender at Tales of the Cocktail last year, so his drinks will be well worth what will likely be a long wait.
Location: RiNo, 3126 Larimer Street Key Players: Jonathan Power, Koan Goedman Projected Opening: Spring Chef Jonathan Power (Populist and Crema Coffee House) and Koan Goedman (Huckleberry Roasters) will helm Bar Fausto, which specializes in craft cocktails and charcuterie. The massive 2,000-square-foot space was designed by FinArt and will hold about 100 imbibers.
Location: Midtown, 2416 Brazos St Key Players: Chris Frankel Projected Opening: Spring Mad scientist Chris Frankel, of Anvil Bar & Refuge is a cocktail bar called Spare Key inside popular midtown eatery Cook & Collins. The upstairs cocktail den will offer classic cocktails with some experimental ingredient combos. The Chroniclenotes that the bartender will make special use of "fortified wines, exotic spirits and house-made ingredients."
Location: West Hollywood, 603 N. La Cienega Blvd. Key Players: David Combes, Grant Smilie, and Axwell of Swedish House Mafia Projected Opening: April E.P. & L.P. the Asian restaurant and bar partially funded by Swedish House Mafia's Axwel boasts a rooftop lounge called L.P. with sweeping views of the city and whimsical drinks like adult boba cocktails and shareable punch bowls.
Location: 7 Wallingford Square, Unit 101 Key Players: Gary Kim, Julian Armstrong, Michael Pazdon Projected Opening: Spring The yet unnamed bar from the Anju team is going to be late 1800s to early 1900s-themed with a lighter menu of New American food (not a ton of deep-fried stuff). The drinks, courtesy of Michael Pazdon, will be made in the farm-to-table style with an emphasis on pickling and fermentation.
Location: Boerum Hill,336 State Street Key Players: Noah Bernamoff, Damon Boelte, Julian Brizzi, Daniel Krieger Projected Opening: Late March Mile End's Noah Bernamoff and expert bartender Damon Boelte, Ruccola's Julian Brizzi, and Eater photographer Daniel Krieger are behind this highly anticipated neighborhood spot for cocktails, beer, and oysters. Construction is almost complete on the bar's wood burning fireplace and separate oyster bar.
Location: Alphabet City, 649 E 9th St. Key Players: Greg Boehm, Zach Sharaga, Nico de Soto Projected Opening: Late March/Early April This 40-seat bar in the renovated Louis 649 space features a concise of menu drinks, each inspired by spices like smokey paprika, fiery Thai chilis, earthy cardamom, and of course, mace—there will be 12 in total. A menu of bar food will be provided courtesy of Jeepney's Miguel Trinidad.
Location: Buckman, 930 SE Sandy Blvd. Key Players: John Janulis, Liam Duffy, Ben Hufford, Ian David, Clyde Wooten, Jacob Carey Projected Opening: Summer The team that brought you Jackknife, the Sweet Hereafter and the Bye and By has decided to open a sports bar. The layout will resemble a basketball court (complete with stadium-like rooftop seating) and for those that dislike the omnipresent TV screens in sports bars—you're in luck—Century will play games on retractable screens that will be hidden when not in use.
Location: West End, 1200 SW Morrison St. Key Players: Anthony Garcia, Alise Moffatt Projected Opening: May The huge, 90-seat bar called Shift Drinks decided it would be fitting to turn an old office space into a lounge, but with fresh, sprit-forward cocktails created by Alise Moffatt. The bar will have an art deco interior, a food menu of fast, healthy snacks, and a geeky wine list, curated by Anthony Garcia, formerly of Multnomah Whiskey Library.
Location: Castro; 2170 Market St. Key Players: Ryan Pollnow, The Bon Vivants Projected Opening: Late March The former Cafe du Nord/Swedish-American Hall space will house the latest project from Central Kitchen vet Ryan Pollnow. It's going to be a 50-seat Basque restaurant with cocktails from The Bon Vivants (Trick Dog). Expect Spanish-inspired booze, like a G&T on tap, cocktails made with sherry and plenty of Iberian wines.
Location: Tenderloin, 600 Polk St Key Players: Martin Cate, Alex Smith, John Park Projected Opening: June The team behind Smuggler's Cove, arguably the nation's best rum bar, is opening a similarly single spirit focused spot, this time for gin. The large 100 seat bar Whitechapel will be a good deal larger than Smuggler's Cove and instead of a pirate theme, will feautre Victorian-era decor with a few steampunk flourishes.
Location: Chophouse Row project on 11th Avenue Key Players: Matt Dillon, Marc Papineau Projected Opening: Spring A new outpost of the popular Melrose Market wine bar will feature a wood-fired oven pus a more extensive menu, cider, and booze. This bar is part of the series of eateries coming to Chophouse Row.