South Carolina Bar Named One Of The Best In America

Author Phil Harris

April 21st, 2023 10:34 AM

Detail view of a bartender crafting refreshments during The Glenlivet Happy Hour at NYFW: The Shows during New York Fashion Week: The Shows - Day 2 at Spring Studios on February 07, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows)

Food & Wine magazine has just announced their first-ever reader’s choice awards, called Global Tastemakers. Their readers voted based on their travels within the last three years in various categories, including restaurants, hotels, airlines, airports, cruises, and bars.

In the bar category, there are some surprises. While New York City is home to half of the top 10 bars, it didn’t nab the number one spot. That honor goes to The Fox in Nashville, Tennessee. The Fox gets great reviews for the staff, which reportedly makes you feel right at home. Their back bar holds more than 400 bottles and the cocktails on the menu are “complex,” but also “playful and inviting.”

Maybe it’s not so surprising. Nashville is definitely having a moment as America’s “it” city right now. The Global Tastemakers list of the 10 Best Bars in the U.S. also includes a couple in New Orleans, one in Chicago, as well as one in Charleston, South Carolina. Expert mixologists, a 1920s vibe, and monthly live jazz make the Speakeasy Bar at The Spectator Hotel one that I’m putting on my list.

2023 Global Tastemakers Top 10 Bars in the U.S. (Food & Wine)

The Fox – Nashville, Tennessee
Chez Zou – New York, New York
Chandelier Bar – New Orleans, Louisiana
Pebble Bar – New York, New York
Overstory – New York, New York
Bar Marilou – New Orleans, Louisiana
Speakeasy Bar at The Spectator Hotel – Charleston, South Carolina
Bemelmans Bar – New York, New York
Dead Rabbit -New York, New York
The Violet Hour – Chicago, Illinois

Editor’s Pick: Katana Kitten – New York, New York

Phil Harris is 50% of "Phil & Mel in the Afternoon" on K104.7. He has been with the station since 2013 and on the air in Charlotte since 2000. Before coming to the Queen City, Phil worked for radio stations in Pittsburgh, Austin, and Seattle. In addition to the weekly "Throwback Threesome" music video feature, Phil writes about things that matter to Charlotte sports fans and pet owners. He happens to be both.

9 Simple 3-Ingredient Cocktails Sure To Impress Your Guests

It can be so easy to host a party (or come home after a long day) and just open some wine or a beer. Or maybe you want some liquor but take the easy route with a vodka soda or Jack and Coke. But what if you could up your cocktail game with minimal extra effort? And in doing so feel and seem a whole lot fancier. That’s right, there are plenty of simple 3-ingredient cocktails that won’t take you any time to make. But they will take your drinks to the next level. Many of these can be made with the bar supplies you already have at home, though a couple may require a trip to the liquor store. But you probably needed to restock anyway.

One of the drinks on my list, is actually what I think will end up being my drink of summer 2023- the Aperol Spritz. You’ll also find recipes for some classics, as well as some drinks you’ve probably ever ordered from a bar. No need to wait for date night or girls’ night out to enjoy a drink. No matter what kind of liquor you prefer one of these simple cocktails is sure to be your new go-to!

Manhattan
Ingredients

2 ounces rye whiskey

1 ounce sweet vermouth

2 dashes Angostura bitters

Simply mix the three ingredients, stir, and pour into a glass. If you’d like to be a little more fancy add a brandied cherry or lemon twist.
Aperol Spritz
Ingredients

3 ounces Prosecco

2 ounces Aperol

1 ounce club soda

Add the prosecco, Aperol, and club soda to wine glass with ice and stir. Serve with a garnish of orange if desired.
Gimlet
Ingredients

2 1/2 ounces gin

1/2 ounce lime juice

1/2 ounce simple syrup

Add the three ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice, shake well, then strain into a chilled glass. If desired garnish with a lime.
Dry Martini
Ingredients

2 1/2 ounces gin

1/2 ounce dry vermouth

1 dash orange bitters

Add the ingredients to a mixing glass, stir with ice then strain into a glass and garnish with a lemon.
Negroni
Ingredients

1 ounce gin

1 ounce Campari

1 ounce sweet vermouth

Add the ingredients to a mixing glass, mix with ice until chilled and pour into a serving glass. Garnish with an orange peel.
Amaretto Sour
Ingredients:

2 ounces amaretto

2 ounces simple syrup

1 ounce lemon juice

Combine the ingredients, shake with ice, and strain into a drinking glass. Garnish with an orange or cherries.
Moscow Mule
Ingredients

2 ounces vodka

1/2 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed

3 ounces ginger beer, chilled

Fill a copper mug with ice, then pour in vodka and lime juice. Top with ginger beer.
Paloma
Ingredients

2 ounces tequila

1/2 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed

Grapefruit soda, chilled, to top

Add tequila and lime juice to a glass, top with grapefruit soda, and stir gently. Garnish with a salted rim and a lime wedge if desired.
Dark N Stormy
Ingredients

2 ounces Gosling’s rum

1/2 ounce lime juice

Ginger beer, to top

Combine rum and lime juice in a tall glass with ice, then top with ginger beer and garnish with lime.