2017 Best of the West: Readers’ Choice Drinks

Overall Bar

(EC) 24 Carrot
This is the place to reach out of your comfort zone and mix up your libations as well. Try “The Swillin’ Swine,” a bacon-fat-washed bourbon with angostura bitters and a house-made peach black tea syrup.

(B) West End Tavern
The bar makes the tavern a popular Happy Hour spot, the beer bottle selection is full of hard-to-find lust list items. The bourbon list is damn near maniacal in its devotion.

Brewery

(EC) The Post
At this brewery, which pairs GABF medal-winning beer with gluten-free fried chicken and remarkable side dishes, you really can taste victory.

(B) Avery
With a boozy brewery tour, delicious comfort food, and a dog-friendly patio to boot, a trip to Avery is kind of like a day at the amusement park, but for adults.  

Bloody Mary

(EC) The Post
The brunch menu includes two variants: one with vodka, one with tequila. Both mix in a seasonal dark beer. Sounds like a taste-off! Try them both and you’re the winner.

(B) Snooze
The bloody mix here is so popular, you’ll find it creeping into other cocktails on the menu. Spicer versions include jalapeno-infused vodka or ingredients like Sriracha and fish sauce, but there’s one with beets and apples if you want add more nutrients to your breakfast.

Happy Hour

(EC) The Post
Weekdays, from 4-6 p.m. is a great time to get to sample the menu, and indulge in some cocktails. The porch bar or patio games add to the fun. The call of a special release in the adjoined taproom has been known to extend a stay.

(B) Centro
The margaritas and appetizers like avocado salsa are a big draw, but the service and atmosphere are what keeps the place busy during the longest hour.

Margarita

(EC) (tie) Lunada + CyclHOPS

Lunada
Lunada knows a thing or two about flavored margaritas. But if jalapeno pineapple or cinna orange don’t strike your fancy, go all in and throw down a Hamilton for an atlas-sized house marg.

CyclHOPS
This Oskar Blues-owned cantina boasts a tiki bar, in-house bike repairs and all the tequilas a reposado connoisseur desires. Just when you thought it couldn’t get better: there  are $3.50 house margaritas at happy hour, every day of the week.

(B) The Rio
Rio first-timers may be disappointed by the 3 per person limit on margaritas, but it’ll all make sense about halfway through the first one. It doesn’t matter if you take it frozen or on the rocks — nothing bad can happen with a Rio margarita by your side.