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The Alleycat Lounge

In Bars by Lee StangLeave a Comment

When you hear a bartender say “This is a place I go to for good drinks,” you listen. On a recent trip to Savannah, GA we heard these words while sitting in a scotch bar (they had a relatively nice bourbon selection as well) near City Market. That is why at ten minutes to five, the next evening we were standing outside the doors to The Alley Cat Lounge, waiting for it to open. We were not the only ones.

Photo of The Alleycat Lounge EntranceYes, the entrance is actually in an alley. Go down the stairs, and it opens into a nice, small, cozy space with bar, booths and tables and a room for larger parties. It doesn’t hold a lot of people, about 70 or 80, I believe, and it didn’t take long to fill up. The term “speakeasy” gets used too much these days, and The Alleycat Lounge has been referred as such. Maybe because of the old brick walls and basement location. But what a great atmosphere.

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DRY 85 Bourbon Bar: Like the Bourbon? Take it Home!

In Bars by Lee StangLeave a Comment

Suppose you are in one of the highest rated bourbon bars in the country tasting one of their bourbon selections. If you really like, it wouldn’t you want to buy a bottle and take it home.

That would be Dry 85, Annapolis, MD.

Dry 85, touted as a modern speakeasy, is the idea of owner Brian Bolter, a former Washington, DC newscaster and his wife, Lisa. Open since Jan 1, 2014, Dry 85 was named by The Bourbon Review Magazine as one of the top bourbon bars in the United States in July 2015. I have to second that award.

Prohibition ended on December 5, 1933. At least for everywhere in the U.S. but Washington, D.C. The District had to wait until the repeal of the Sheppard Act and remained dry for 85 more days, thus the name Dry 85.

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The Century Bar Or Bust – A Bourbon Road Trip

In Bars by Patrick "Pops" GarrettLeave a Comment

Next weekend I’ll be traveling to Richmond, IN for my 20th college reunion. While I’m excited to be going back and seeing the changes to my former campus and connecting with old friends–many who I haven’t seen since graduation–what I’m really looking forward to is going up a day early to pay a visit to my good friends at The Century bourbon bar in downtown Dayton, OH. I first met the folks from The Century back in 2012 on our Bourbon Pilgrimage and immediately knew that I had found some truly kindred bourbon spirits. (sorry, no pun intended) I then made a …

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Exploring Ruth’s Chris Sizzle, Swizzle & Swirl Happy Hour

In Bars by Patrick "Pops" GarrettLeave a Comment

As hard as I’ve tried ,I just can’t seem to live on bourbon alone. I always wind up craving something a little more solid to fuel my days, while bourbon fuels my nights. And through rigorous testing, as well as trial and error, I’ve found that steak is by the far the best addition to a bourbon diet. It’s as if they were made to go together – like peanut butter and jelly, a Moon pie and RC cola, bacon and…well, everything! You get what I mean. When ALIVE Magazine and Ruth’s Chris invited me to try out Ruth’s Chris new Sizzle, …

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Julep Cocktail Club in Kansas City

In Bars by Patrick "Pops" Garrett1 Comment

I took a short trip to Kansas City last week for work. Typically when I’m traveling for work, I try to find a good place to enjoy some bourbon in the evening. This trip however, my colleagues were eager to explore a place better known for their burgers and beer. Being a good sport I acquiesced and agreed to join them safe in my knowledge that any decent bar these days would have a few solid bourbons on the bar. We headed to the trendy Westport area of KC and wound up having to park our cars several blocks from …