Top five fancy drinks in HRM
I used to love going out for cocktails on the fly, after a day's work in downtown Halifax. Sipping on expertly-crafted libations, while early evening November windows became steamy inside cozy spaces, was once a favourite weekly activity.
Here are five picks for you to enjoy your own cool weather, weeknight tipples in the downtown area of Halifax.
1. HIGHWAYMAN RESTAURANT & BAR
The vibe at Highwayman is a mix of modern and vintage, with a focus on Spanish-style tapas and pintxos. Play it safe with a Perfect Manhattan, or take a (small) risk and order the Buck Hunter with Bourbon, Jagermeister, ginger, pineapple, lime, and soda. Regardless of what you choose, it will be exquisite.
Highwayman Restaurant & Bar, 1673 Barrington Street
2. FIELD GUIDE
The cocktail menu at Field
Guide is sorted into categories: stirred, bold and sour, fortified wines and amari, bright and floral, and bartender's initiative. The bartenders take care to ensure you get exactly what you want, even if that means creating a drink off-menu just for you.
Field Guide, 2076 Gottingen Street
3. LOT SIX
In a recent conversation, a colleague referred to Lot Six as a “breeding ground for the city's best bartenders.” Razor sharp attention is paid to creating drinks with complexity and layers. Cocktail quality and excellence is the everyday standard at Lot Six.
Lot Six, 1685 Argyle Street
4. THE DRAWING ROOM
Housed inside the Henry House, The Drawing Room is only open Friday and Saturday nights. That being said, Halifax blogger Lindsay Nelson says, “The smoked old fashioned is quite the experience!” The vibe is dark, moody, and loaded with character, while the bartenders are highly skilled and fastidious. It's worth the wait for the weekend.
The Drawing Room, 1222 Barrington Street
5. EL CHINO SNACK BAR
With close to 20 tequilas, it comes as no surprise it features heavily on the El Chino cocktail menu. A wide range of flavours on the drink list gives plenty of choices for any palate, however, the Agua de Jamaica, with espolon blanco tequila, triple sec, housemade hibiscus-ginger punch, lemon, lime, and orange comes highly recommended.
El Chino Snack Bar, 2398 Robie Street.