25 Best Bars

Stories from behind the counter and in the thick of it all.

The theater/bar Hollywood Bar & Filmworks on South Meridian Street passed away in 2006, and we’re still in denial. With huge vintage movie posters on the wall and high-top tables, the place had the grimy charm of a comedy club.

Champions were chosen based on the following criteria, with each bar rated on a scale from 1 to 10: visual appeal, creativity/originality, inventiveness of ingredients, and the balance of flavors and taste.

The Aristocrat presented “a refreshing cocktail that reminded us fondly of limoncello and summer evenings on the front porch swing.” Congrats to the victor, and to all of the mix-off’s participating bars.

Three simple ingredients—vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice—go into the Moscow Mule, yet every bar makes this trendy cocktail its own. Our stubborn Mule aficionados found the best.

Step 1: a successful background check. If you’re not a felon, you’ve aced the first requirement.