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The 30 Hottest Cocktail Bars in America Right Now

by Amy McKeever
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by Amy McKeever
3 comments / new

Eater's second-annual Cocktail Week starts right now with the 30 hottest new cocktail bars across America:

cocktailheatmap2013.jpg

Here are 30 of the hottest cocktail bars in the United States right now. It's been nearly a year since the last update of the national cocktail heatmap, but now it's time once again to hone in on the new and the most buzzed about bars. This selection includes everything from New York City's award-winning best new bar (The Dead Rabbit), José Andrés' innovative new cocktail bar in Washington, DC (barmini), several restaurants with excellent bar programs (Atlanta's Kimball House, Denver's Acorn), and a couple of new distilleries that are shaking up cocktails with their very own liquor (Chicago's CH Distillery, Detroit's Two James Spirits). There's also a big emphasis on tiki drinks at cocktail bars across the country, including a tiki bar within a bar in Minneapolis (The Torpedo Room), Chicago's Hollywood-like tiki room (Three Dots and a Dash), and a New Orleans venture that has been described as "proto-tiki" (Cane & Table).

As always, the bars listed below opened within the past year (or so) and are listed in alphabetical order. Here now, the Eater Heatmap to the United States' new cocktail bars.

Tried any of the places on the list or feel there are any glaring omissions? You know what to do.

· All Cocktail Week Coverage on Eater [-E-]
· All Eater Heatmap Coverage on Eater [-E-]

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2 Birds 1 Stone

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With this Fall's much-anticipated opening of street food restaurant Doi Moi, so also came the opening of one of the city's most highly anticipated cocktail bars. 2 Birds 1 Stone is the playground of Adam Bernbach, who has designed the beverage programs for Doi Moi and its sister restaurants Estadio and Proof. This sleek space is located just underneath Doi Moi and has a hidden entrance around the corner.

[Photo]
1800 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

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Acabar

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Set in a pretty wildly stunning Moroccan-inspired space, Acabar has captured LA's attention with its cocktail program since it opened this past Summer. Eater LA explains that the drinks at this new Hollywood restaurant and bar are organized by era, such as the Archaic Era and the Modern Era, so expect anything and everything.

[Photo: Elizabeth Daniels]
7651 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 876-1400
(323) 876-1400

Acorn at The Source

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Cocktails were among the many reasons Denver denizens anticipated the opening of Acorn, a new project from the team behind Boulder restaurant Oak at Fourteenth. Acorn swung open in September 2013 with a cocktail menu that includes a whiskey soda on tap and a variety of craft cocktails from beverage director Bryan Dayton.

[Photo: Adam Larkey/Eater Denver]
3350 Brighton Boulevard, Denver, CO 80216

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Atomic Liquors

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The legendary Atomic Liquors reopened in June, three years after its original owners passed away. Eater Vegas reports that this is the city's oldest freestanding bar — opened in 1945 — that served as " a hangout for the Rat Pack and the Smothers Brothers as well as Barbra Streisand, who had her own seat that was been restored and is on display."

[Photo: Chelsea McManus]
917 Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101
(702) 384-7371
(702) 384-7371

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barmini

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José Andrés' flagship restaurant minibar reopened earlier this year in a brand new space and with it came the surprise opening of barmini. This is the José Andrés take on a bar, meaning the cocktails and snacks here are inventive, the space is playful, and it's so popular it's hard to get a reservation.

[Photo]
855 E St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 393-4451
(202) 393-4451

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Bergerac

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One of San Francisco's most anticipated bar openings this Fall, Bergerac opened back in September near the wildly popular Bar Agricole. Bartenders Russell David and Yael Vengroff are mixing up unexpected cocktails (such as red wine, Coke, and cinnamon syrup) and even drop shots.

[Photo: Patricia Chang]
316 11th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 255-9440
(415) 255-9440

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Cane & Table

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Cane & Table opened its doors in New Orleans this past July, just in time for the boozy madness that is Tales of the Cocktail. This rum bar is what cocktail man Neal Bodenheimer calls "proto-tiki," in a style that Eater NOLA describes as the "classical-meets-modern ideal." Food offerings include jerk chicken, ribs, and more.

[Photo: Daniel Krieger]
1113 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 581-1112
(504) 581-1112

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Capt. Foxheart's Bad News Bar & Spirit Lodge

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Earlier this year, Houston got a new and exciting cocktail destination in Captain Foxheart's Bad News Bar & Spirit Lounge. Justin Burrow, previously seen at the likes of Anvil and Haven, is a co-owner in the bar that was predicted upon opening to become a Houston classic

[Photo: Gary R Wise]
308 1/2 Main St., Houston, TX 77002

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CH Distillery & Cocktail Bar

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CH Distillery got a lot of press recently when forced to change the name of its Oxycontin cocktail over a trademark infringement dispute, but the cocktail bar within a distillery has also won the attention of Chicago locals. Beverage director Krissy Schutte and consulting mixologist Kyle Davidson are mixing up all kinds of creative drinks using the house-made vodka, gin, rum, and whiskey. There's also a small menu of bar snacks.

[Photo: Marc Much/Eater Chicago]
564 W. Randolph St, Chicago, IL
(312) 707-8780
(312) 707-8780

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Expatriate

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Bartender Kyle Webster teamed up with chef Naomi Pomeroy earlier this year to open Expatriate just across the street from Pomeroy's Portland restaurant Beast. According to Eater PDX, Expatriate is "an internationally inclined cocktail lounge where both food and drink show off a Southeast Asian influence."

[Photo: Dina Avila]
5424 NE 30th Ave, Portland, OR 97211
(503) 805-3750
(503) 805-3750

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Kimball House

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Kimball House opened its doors in Decatur in late September, one of Eater Atlanta's most anticipated Fall openings. Along with an inspired food menu, cocktails here have gained enormous buzz over the past month thanks to the involvement of Leon's Full Service's Miles Macquarrie. Kimball House has already gotten great early feedback from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and snagged a new bartender over from Atlanta's Holeman & Finch.

[Photo: Blake Burton/Square Feet Studio]
303 E Howard Ave, Decatur, GA 30030
(404) 378-3502
(404) 378-3502

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Multnomah Whiskey Library

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Multnomah Whiskey Library is Portland's brand new offering to the world of insane liquor libraries. Carrying more than 1,500 bottles of liquor — the largest section being whiskey — this bar from Alan Davis, featuring a list curated by Tommy Klus, opened in October. True to its name, the design mimics a library, complete with ladders and large study tables. There's also table service here and a cocktail list that tends toward the classics.

[Photo: Dina Avila]
1124 SW Alder St, Portland, OR 97205
(503) 764-9374
(503) 764-9374

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Music City Tippler

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The Music City Tippler — a Nashville expansion of the New York City bar Tippler — opened in late Summer to much fanfare. From the 100-year-old cherry mahogany bar, order an impressive array of craft cocktails including the city's only cocktails on tap. And, already in its short lifespan, Music City Tippler has become a celebrity hangout.

[Photo: Will Vastine Photography]
1922 Adelicia Street, Nashville, TN 37212
(615) 457-3406
(615) 457-3406

Patpong Road

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Patpong Road is the first bar from 50 Eggs Restaurant Group owner John Kunkel, who is also behind Yardbird, Khong River House, and Swine. And, much like those restaurants, Patpong Road has been quite the hotspot since its August opening. Located just above the Khong River House, this bar is inspired by Thailands's Red Light District and is known for serving bagged cocktails like you might find in Southeast Asia.

[Photo: Cortney Cates]
1661 Meridian Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 763-8147
(305) 763-8147

Percy's & Co.

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Percy's, an "apothecary-inspired" bar from two big-time local restaurateurs, finally opened in Seattle back in August after much anticipation. Creative infusions abound on this cocktail list, such as basil-infused tequila, sage-infused bourbon, dill-infused vodka, and more. They'll also add herbal tinctures that boost things like brain power, libido, and energy. A small plates menu here includes dishes such as potted pork rillettes and confit chicken leg.

[Photo: S. Pratt]
5233 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107
(206) 420-3750
(206) 420-3750

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Polite Provisions

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Though it has been open since February, Polite Provisions is still the hottest spot for cocktails in all of San Diego. The cocktail menu here — courtesy of Erick Castro and Consortium Holdings — includes punch bowls, cocktails on tap, beer cocktails, and more.

[Photo]
4693 30th St, San Diego, CA 92116
(619) 677-3784
(619) 677-3784

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School House Pub

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From the team behind Mi Madre's and Zanduga, the much-anticipated School House Pub opened in Austin in late August with a school-themed cocktail menu. Drinks include the College Drop Out (Scotch, ginger, lemon, honey) and Intro to Spanish (Mezcal, St. Germain, mango, Jamaica marmalade), alongside burgers, sandwiches, wings, poutine, and more.

[Photo: Patrick Michels/EATX]
2207 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722
(512) 469-7630
(512) 469-7630

Smyth

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Open since March, Smyth is still the hottest thing in Dallas right now when it comes to cocktails. Owner Michael Martensen — who Eater Dallas calls a "cocktail wizard" — continues to live up to a reputation earned with the likes of Cedars Social. This speakeasy-like bar is reservations only and doesn't have a cocktail menu. Bartenders instead make your drink according to your taste preferences.

[Photo]
4513 Travis St., Dallas, TX 75205
(214) 520-0900
(214) 520-0900

The Broken Shaker

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Still just under a year old, The Broken Shaker remains one of Miami's hottest cocktail bars, and for good reason. The James Beard Award-nominated bar — from the team behind the also-popular Bar Lab — offers crafted cocktails infused with herbs and spices from their own garden.

[Photo: Cortney Cates/Eater Miami]
2727 Indian Creek Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33140
(305) 531-2727
(305) 531-2727

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The Dead Rabbit

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The Dead Rabbit isn't just New York City's hottest cocktail bar, it's also one of the hottest cocktail bars in the world. Co-owner Jack McGarry won International Bartender of the Year at this year's Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards, while the bar itself took the title for World's Best New Cocktail Bar. McGarry is an alum of Milk & Honey and has cultivated a drinks list that includes punches, sours, slings, and so much more.

[Photo: Daniel Krieger]
30 Water St, New York, NY 10004
(646) 422-7906
(646) 422-7906

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The Portland Hunt + Alpine Club

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The Scandinavian-influenced Portland Hunt & Alpine Club opened in early September of this year. Eater Maine describes it as "a stylish Old Port craft cocktail bar," with food options that include open-faced sandwiches and meat boards. Beyond the bar, there's also a members-only Lodge.

[Photo: Tom Minervino]
75 Market Street, Portland, ME 04101
207-747-4754
207-747-4754

The Torpedo Room

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The Torpedo Room is a small bar within a bar that is gaining a huge following in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Housed in a small room at the also-popular Eat Street Social, The Torpedo Room is a tribute to tiki cocktails; Eater Minneapolis describes the drinks here as "Minnesota Exotic," featuring ingredients like sweet corn cream rather than coconut cream.

[Photo: Katie Cannon]
2600 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55408
612 767 6850
612 767 6850

Three Dots and a Dash

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Three Dots and a Dash is a tiki bar that is serious about being a tiki bar. Open in Chicago's River North since late July, the bar from bartender Paul McGee and the Lettuce Entertain You restaurant group is what Eater Chicago describes as "a forties-esque island-themed tiki bar straight out of a Hollywood set." There are shrunken heads as decor, straw-roofed bars, tiki drinks, and "Polynesian-inspired" snacks. The lines here are justifiably insane.

[Photo: Marc Much/Eater Chicago]
435 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 610-4220
(312) 610-4220

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Tiki Iniki

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Tiki Iniki opened just last week on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. As the name might suggest, this is a tiki bar that Honolulu Magazine writes is "serving both classic Donn Beach and Trader Vic tiki drinks and modern interpretations." Names attached to the project include rocker Todd Rundgren.

[Photo]
5-4280 Kuhio Hwy, Princeville, HI 96722
(323) 272-3128
(323) 272-3128

Trick Dog

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Opened in January, Trick Dog has been heating up San Francisco's cocktail scene throughout the year. Whereas the cocktail menu started off printed on Pantone color swatches, now the menu has changed into a record album. So, for example, the "Eye of the Tiger" cocktail involves mezcal, honey, mustard, apple, and lime.

[Photo: Blair Sneddon]
3010 20th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 471-2999
(415) 471-2999

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Two James Distillery

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Two James Spirits is the first distillery to hit Detroit in nearly 100 years, which means the buzz is as high as can be. They're producing vodka, gin, bourbon, rye, and single malt whiskey. Cocktails are available in the tasting room, including a 28 Island Punch.

[Photo]
2445 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216
(313) 964-4800
(313) 964-4800

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Velveteen Rabbit

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One of Vegas' most anticipated nightlife openings of 2013, Velveteen Rabbit opened up in the Arts District back in May. It has since proven itself as a laid-back hangout where locals can grab a classic cocktail and lounge on the bar's vintage couches.

[Photo: Chelsea McManus/Eater Vegas]
1218 S Main St, Las Vegas, NV 89104
(702) 685-9645
(702) 685-9645

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Warehouse

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There was some serious anticipation in Charleston for the opening of Warehouse, a new downtown bar with a seasonally changing cocktail menu and a twist on pub food from chef Eva Keilty. Cocktails include things like a caper berry-studded martini in this 3,000-square-foot bar.

[Photo: Rémy Thurston/Eater Charleston]
45 1/2 Spring Street, Charleston, SC
(843) 202-0712
(843) 202-0712

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Whiskey Soda Lounge Ny

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Pok Pok's Andy Ricker opened Whiskey Soda Lounge Ny — the Brooklyn outpost of his Portland, Oregon bar — back in August amid much excitement from the New Yorkers who have come to know and love Ricker's food and dining aesthetic.

[Photo: Daniel Krieger]
115 Columbia St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 797-4120
(718) 797-4120

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ZZ's Clam Bar

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One of the hottest places to get into in New York City right now, period, this seafood counter from the Torrisi crew is also getting a lot of buzz for its cocktail menu from Death & Company's Thomas Waugh. Fitting in with the ornate ambiance, drinks here run at $20 but the early reports indicate that it seems to be living up to the hype.

[Photo]
169 Thompson St, New York, NY 1000
(212) 254-3000
(212) 254-3000

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2 Birds 1 Stone

1800 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

With this Fall's much-anticipated opening of street food restaurant Doi Moi, so also came the opening of one of the city's most highly anticipated cocktail bars. 2 Birds 1 Stone is the playground of Adam Bernbach, who has designed the beverage programs for Doi Moi and its sister restaurants Estadio and Proof. This sleek space is located just underneath Doi Moi and has a hidden entrance around the corner.

[Photo]
1800 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Acabar

7651 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Set in a pretty wildly stunning Moroccan-inspired space, Acabar has captured LA's attention with its cocktail program since it opened this past Summer. Eater LA explains that the drinks at this new Hollywood restaurant and bar are organized by era, such as the Archaic Era and the Modern Era, so expect anything and everything.

[Photo: Elizabeth Daniels]
7651 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 876-1400
(323) 876-1400

Acorn at The Source

3350 Brighton Boulevard, Denver, CO 80216

Cocktails were among the many reasons Denver denizens anticipated the opening of Acorn, a new project from the team behind Boulder restaurant Oak at Fourteenth. Acorn swung open in September 2013 with a cocktail menu that includes a whiskey soda on tap and a variety of craft cocktails from beverage director Bryan Dayton.

[Photo: Adam Larkey/Eater Denver]
3350 Brighton Boulevard, Denver, CO 80216