It’s a Party in Leicester Square
Recently we featured one of my top London hotspots, Covent Garden. But let’s not overlook its hip and trendy next door neighbor, Leicester Square (map). Pronounced “lester” (not lie-chester or lick-ster, both of which I have heard on occasion), the square is the cinema and entertainment hub of London and you’ll always find one event or another going on here. It is probably the one spot in London that most resembles New York, at least in terms of vibe and atmosphere.
Leicester...
February 9th, 2011 | Andy Hayes | Read More | Comments: 2Filed under: bars, neighborhood, Restaurants, theater, top-feature
Cocktails at Sydney’s Cockatoo Island
Ordinarily visitors flock to Cockatoo Island to admire the views of the surrounding Sydney Harbour and soak up the history. The island has been home to an imperial prison, one of Australia’s biggest shipyards, and until mid-April a cocktail bar!
Signature cocktails are the Island Bar’s specialty, but you can also find beer, wine, and soft drinks. The bar doesn’t serve the sort of substantial meals you’ll find at most pubs on the mainland, but the bruschetta, cured meats, and...
January 30th, 2011 | Lauren Katulka | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: bars
New Year’s Eve Celebrations
Looking for something last-minute to do this New Year’s Eve? Several Chicago establishments are throwing their own bashes with food buffets and midnight champagne toasts.
Here’s a sampling of some fun New Year’s Eve party options in Chicago to ring in 2011 in style. Because costs can change, please check with the establishment for their New Year’s Eve party prices.
The festivities at Joe’s Bar (940 W. Weed Street; map) starts at 9 p.m. and includes live music by Wedding Banned,...
December 28th, 2010 | Lisa Davis | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: bars, New Year's Eve, Restaurants
Top Chicago Bars for Holiday Decor and Cocktails
If you are looking to toast a cup of glögg with friends and family this holiday season. or simply enjoy holiday decorations, check out these bars in Chicago known for their holiday decor and festive cocktails.
And don’t forget that before or after enjoying a holiday drink, you can check out some of Chicago’s best Christmas events, including the Christkindlmarket, which runs through this Friday, December 24, and the Lincoln Park Zoo’s ZooLights that stay bright through January 2, 2011.
Butch...
December 21st, 2010 | Lisa Davis | Read More | Comments: 1Filed under: bars, christmas, holidays
Where to Eat: London
Once upon a time, England was seen as a culinary wasteland. A place where bangers and mash were considered fine dining, and the epitome of London cuisine was a bit of roast beef with Yorkshire pudding.
The occasional foreign restaurant (remnants of the Empire) provided the only exotica.
My, how things have changed.
There are many really good places to eat in London these days. Many of the celebrated restaurants have famous chefs (for example, Gordon Ramsay and his 10 restaurants in the English...
December 10th, 2010 | Susan McKee | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: bars, England, food, Restaurants, top-feature
Shop Til’ You Drop on Rodeo Drive
Shopping on Rodeo Drive is an adventure like no other. We’re talking high-energy, leave-no-stone-unturned, powerhouse shopping. Anyone worth her Manolos will tell you that Versace is the final word in edgy designer fashion, Jimmy Choo is the only place for pumps and Tiffany’s has just the right bling for any occasion. They’re all here with even more fabulous boutiques, so get your plastic ready!
Pronounced roh-DAY-oh, you won’t find any cowboys here. This famous street in Beverly...
September 15th, 2010 | Heather Wright Schlichting | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: bars, celebrities, fashion, Restaurants, Shopping, top-feature
Sunset Moments at Cascais
... a drink by sunset and even to take it on into the night. Arola is set in Sintra, amid the luxurious green mountain, while 38º41’ is one of the bars to go to these days, around Belém Tower, at the majestic Altis Belém Hotel&Spa.
Still, if you’re around Cascais you shouldn’t think you didn’t get lucky in this matter. On the contrary. Farol Design Hotel is one of the nicest hotels you can find in Lisbon area and they too have a bar with a terrace overlooking the sea. They even created...
July 31st, 2010 | Alexandre Kühl Oliveira | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: bars, drink, sunset
Celebrate American Craft Beer Week
Beer lovers, craft brewers — it’s time to rejoice! This week (May 17-23) it’s American Craft Beer Week. So, go ahead, crack open another beer — it’s all in celebration for American Craft Beer Week. In cities across the country, beer tastings, brewery tours and toasting is taking place. Will you be clinking glasses to join in the celebration?
If you are craving some out of the norm, you may want to check out these venues:
The Office, 201 E Atlantic Ave, Delray Beach
The...
May 21st, 2010 | klynch | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: bars, beer, featuredarticle, Restaurants
Cocktails Served Ice Cold at Sydney’s Minus 5 Bar
Pubs are a dime a dozen in Sydney, but there’s none quite like Minus 5.
Sure, it looks like your average watering hole at first glance. It’s got the obligatory restaurant, some fantastic harbour views, but what about the bar? Try and buy a drink and that’s when things get interesting.
Firstly you’ll visit an air-locked “warming room.” Here you’ll rug up in a parka, ugg boots, and gloves before receiving a 20-minute timer. The reason for this will soon become apparent.
Because, you see,...
May 17th, 2010 | Lauren Katulka | Read More | Comments: 1Filed under: bars, cocktails, featuredarticle, Just a Bit Weird - Fun & Quirky Places
Chicago Gets Ready for the Cubs’ Baseball Opener on April 12
In honor of Opening Day at Wrigley Field on April 12, here’s an insider guide on the best spots in Wrigleyville to toast a beer to the Cubs or enjoy an authentic Chicago-style hotdog. Regardless if you have a ticket to the game or not, hanging out in Wrigleyville can be just as much fun as being inside the famous ballpark. You won’t be short on places for pre- and post-game drinks and grub.
Pre-game, head to Murphy’s Bleachers (3655 North Sheffield; map it) appropriately named for being located...
March 31st, 2010 | Lisa Davis | Read More | Comments: 2Filed under: bars, baseball, featuredarticle, Restaurants
Rio Bars for Budget Travelers
Sadly for budget travelers, the days when Rio offered a bargain break in the sun are long gone.
Local 'corner bars' are fun and budget-friendly places to drink in Rio
While your tourist dollar, Euro or pound would have stretched a long way just a couple of years ago, current exhange rates and increasingly high prices in the city mean that you’ll need to be careful to avoid blowing the budget in Rio. ioBut cutting back on spending doesn’t mean cutting back on fun in Rio, and nightowls...
March 19th, 2010 | therioguide | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: bars, featuredarticle
A Watering Hole Downsized – Sydney’s Original Small Bar
Small bars seem to be popping up everywhere in Sydney, but Small Bar in Erskine Street was there before the rest.
This converted tri-level terrace house has been doing the small bar thing longer than any of the others, and it shows. The atmosphere is warm and relaxed, making the bar a great place for catching up with friends and socialising with co-workers once the final whistle blows. The drinks flow freely, and many of the wines are available by the glass. The wine list features a solid mix of...
March 3rd, 2010 | Lauren Katulka | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: bars, featuredarticle, nightlife
Enjoy the Last Days of the Games with These Olympics Dishes and Drinks
With the Olympics wrapping up this weekend, there’s still time to partake in Vancouver’s best Olympics-inspired dishes and spirits.
Some places to add to your Olympics itinerary this weekend should include:
The Opus Bar in Yaletown has an Olympics-themed “O Bites” menu with the Susan – Salty Salchow (crispy squid with cracked pepper and sea salt and nuoc cham); the Billy – Moguls Mole (empanadas de mole, corn tortilla stuffed with chicken, corn and mole sauce, and guacamole...
February 26th, 2010 | Lisa Davis | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: 2010 Winter Olympics, bars, featuredarticle, Restaurants
Artsy Drinks at Darlinghurst’s Pocket Bar
From the antique Paris metro tickets and old tobacco boxes displayed under the bar’s glass top to the edgy indoor graffiti, Pocket is a bar that offers something different to its clientele.
Once a narrow garage with a roller door, Pocket has now been rebirthed as part watering hole, part art installation. Sipping on tequilas and vodka is made infinitely more satisfying when you’re lounging on the wing-back armchairs and opulent sofas.
The hard stuff is in abundance, but there is a small selection...
February 18th, 2010 | Lauren Katulka | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: bars, featuredarticle, nightlife
Singles Fun For Valentine’s Weekend
Whether your single by choice or circumstance, Valentine’s Day can often drive the sanest of singles over the edge. Everywhere you turn it’s all hearts and flowers and other sappy couple nonsense. Rather than lock yourself in your house, or alienate all your dear coupled friends, head off to STIR Martini + Raw Bar for a Dare to be Dateless Weekend. Come with friends, or come alone, there’s tons of fun planned for Seattle singles.
Here’s the line up for the weekend:
Friday, February...
January 25th, 2010 | Mary Jo Manzanares | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: bars, Restaurants, singles events
Review: Bramble Bar
... decadence into a dreary winter. And once of the best places in Edinburgh to do just that is at Bramble Bar.
The Atmosphere
Bramble is one of those bars that defies description – you need to go there to see it for yourself. It reminds me sort of I would imagine an old-fashioned gentleman’s club in New York City – nice, comfortable leather furniture, very very low lighting (it’s almost dark, hence the lack of photos in this review!), ambient music that is exciting but also...
January 21st, 2010 | Andy Hayes | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: bars, featuredarticle
New Year’s Eve Parties in Chicago
If your idea of a fun New Year’s Eve is being out at bar party with all your friends toasting champagne at midnight with party hats on and live music, then check out this list of some of Chicago’s best New Year’s Eve celebrations (listed in no particular order). Act fast because some of these bashes are starting to sell out.
New Year’s Eve at Old Town Social (312-266-2277; 455 W. North Ave.; map it) -Open bar, dessert buffet, party favors, and a champagne toast. 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Chicago’s...
December 17th, 2009 | Lisa Davis | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: bars, Chicago, New Year's Eve, parties
REVIEW: Shelter Lounge in Ballard
... comments about it being hard to read. HINT: fix this issue! Having a menu this hard to read is a big fail in my book, and when restaurants and bars learn to think about making decisions easy for guests, rather than arty or cutesy, I’ll be a whole lot happier.
As we were trying to figure out the menu, we decided to start with an appetizer of Avocado Fries ($4 happy hour price, $5 regular price). These were slices of avocado, coated with a spicy breading, deep fried, and served with a spicy...
December 8th, 2009 | Mary Jo Manzanares | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: Ballard, bars, restaurant reviews, Restaurants, top-feature
Cocktails with Mr. Claus at Tini Bigs
... goodness, you can select an old favorite or try something new. After all, Tini Bigs was honored by Food & Wine Magazine as one of the Top 100 bars in America for 2009. You know it will be a tasty evening of fun!
Location: 100 Denny Way, Seattle (map)
Date & Time: Friday, December 11th, 2009, 9 pm
Cost: $10 (cash only) for a 5×7 photo
NOTE: 21 and over only.
Here’s a recipe for a Tini Bigs favorite, the Dirty Girl Scout Tini (from Tini Bigs Big Martinis):
Ingredients:
3...
December 7th, 2009 | Mary Jo Manzanares | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: bars, Holiday events
Bottoms Up at These San Francisco Hotel Happy Hours
As Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffet sang, “It’s five o’clock somewhere.” If you’re in San Francisco, which is on Pacific Time, you can take advantage of some great Happy Hours going on around the city.
Hotel happy hours offer good savings for San Francisco visitors
This list of happy hours make it easy for visitor to find some specially priced beverages and snacks at their hotel. A perfect solution after a tough day in business meetings or a refreshing pick me up after a day of touring...
November 13th, 2009 | Mary Jo Manzanares | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: bars, cocktails, featuredarticle, happy hour, Restaurants
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