Nashville is blessed to have a great selection of cocktail spots where one can find a proper drink featuring fresh ingredients mixed by expert bartenders. But fancy bars aren't the only places in town whipping up legit concoctionsthese unlikely venues offer up a well-made Manhattan and much more.
Franklin Theatre
The Franklin Theatre has been entertaining locals with movies, live theater, and music since 1937. During plays and films, you can enjoy a nice selection of craft beersbut it's during the live music shows when the bartenders break out the spirits, pouring signature cocktails for their patrons. Our pick is The Franklin, a simple sweet and sour drink that is almost always on the menu. franklintheatre.com
The Crying Wolf
Dive bars and pool halls are the sorts of places where you'd expect to find a cold domestic beer in a can and maybe a shot of cheap whiskey. At The Crying Wolf in East Nashville, you can certainly get both of those, but there's a lot more to this convivial hangout. The bar staff is a no-nonsense crew dedicated to creating great drinks fast instead of showing off with a pretentious shaker show. In addition to classic cocktailslike a damn fine Old FashionedThe Crying Wolf comes up with new takes on old standards. Try The Business, a twist on the whiskey sour made with Four Roses Bourbon and agave syrup. Among their top-shelf spirits are a few bottles of the elusive Pappy Van Winkle bourbon, available for a splurge occasion. thecryingwolf.com
Edley's Bar-B-Que
With multiple locations, Edley's is certainly a step above your average smoke shack. A wide selection of expertly smoked meats, accompanied by side dishes that exhibit more of an artisanal touch than the typical baked beans and 'nanner puddin',” sets Edley's apart from other pig joints. The bar is unexpected, too, with a full complement of liquors to mix up any number of beverages. Particularly lethal are the potent Bushwackerswhich are mercifully available in abbreviated Halfwacker sizesbut the cocktails at Edley's are also clever and affordable, featuring high-end spirits and fresh, local ingredients. Pair one with an order of smoked chicken wings and some of Edley's signature Alabama white barbecue sauce for a perfect happy hour meal. edleysbbq.com
Flip Burger
Flip calls itself a burger boutiquetheir sophisticated creations feature high-end ingredients such as angus beef, farm-raised lamb, and tuna tartare, while their gourmet milkshakes are made with over-the-top additions like Nutella, Cap'n Crunch cereal, and Krispy Kreme donuts frozen with a shot of supercooled liquid nitrogen. So it's no surprise that the bar at Flip Burger pays special attention to creating ingenious mixed drinks that combine premium spirits with fresh juices, fruits, and mixers. The whole atmosphere at Flip is sleek and hip, but the bar area is the coolest part of the entire restaurant. flipburgerboutique.com
>>> Watch the Making Of flip burger's Basil Ginger Caipirinha
Shot and edited by Katie Kauss.
>>> Don't miss the cocktail recipes from each restaurant, click through the gallery!