America's Greatest Craft Cocktail Destinations
The American craft cocktail revival started in the early 2000s and now spans dozens of cities. This passport tracks 21 of the best — the bars where the cocktails are made from scratch, the ice is hand-cut, and the bartenders know how to build the classics.
| Site | Location | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Death & Co | New York, NY | East Village · pioneer of modern revival |
| Attaboy | New York, NY | LES · bartender's choice |
| Employees Only | New York, NY | West Village · 1920s feel |
| Dante | New York, NY | Greenwich Village · Negroni temple |
| Please Don't Tell (PDT) | New York, NY | Phone-booth entrance hidden bar |
| Site | Location | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Bourbon & Branch | San Francisco, CA | Tenderloin · prohibition-era speakeasy |
| Trick Dog | San Francisco, CA | Mission · always-changing menu |
| Smuggler's Cove | San Francisco, CA | Tiki temple · 600+ rums |
| ABV | San Francisco, CA | Mission · craft + casual |
| Site | Location | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Las Perlas (Los Angeles) | Los Angeles, CA | Downtown LA · agave & mezcal cantina |
| Tower Bar (Sunset Tower Hotel) | Los Angeles, CA | West Hollywood · legendary hotel bar |
| Death & Co (LA) | Los Angeles, CA | Arts District |
| Polo Lounge (Beverly Hills Hotel) | Beverly Hills, CA | Classic Hollywood power bar |
| Site | Location | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| The Aviary (Chicago) | Chicago, IL | Grant Achatz · molecular cocktails |
| The Office (Chicago) | Chicago, IL | Hidden bar under Aviary |
| Three Dots and a Dash (Chicago) | Chicago, IL | Tiki |
| Cure (New Orleans) | New Orleans, LA | Magazine St · pre-Prohibition focus |
| Carousel Bar (Hotel Monteleone) | New Orleans, LA | New Orleans · revolving bar · Faulkner sat here |
| Patterson House (Nashville) | Nashville, TN | Hidden cocktail bar |
| Multnomah Whiskey Library (Portland) | Portland, OR | Highest-end U.S. whiskey list |
| Canon (Seattle) | Seattle, WA | Capitol Hill · 4,000+ spirits |
Turn this list into a keepsake. The Triptyka Cocktail Bars Passport is a printable PDF with a curated checklist, a detail page for each stop, suggested routes, and achievement badges to earn.
Get the Printable Passport — $9.99 on Etsy →Book Ahead: The best craft cocktail bars fill up on weekend nights — reserve where you can, and note that several are reservation-only now. Go Early: The first hour after opening is the calmest — the bartender has time to build you their best drink before the rush. Order Off Menu: Bartender's choice is usually the best drink — tell them spirit + flavor profile, let them build. Reservations Now Matter: Pre-pandemic many craft cocktail bars were walk-in only; most now take reservations.
This checklist spans the country. Standouts include Death & Co, Attaboy, Employees Only, Dante, among others — each chosen as a memorable stop worth the trip.
Yes. The Triptyka Cocktail Bars Passport is an instant printable PDF — a curated checklist grouped by region, a detail page for each stop, suggested routes, and achievement badges to earn.
It depends on the site and the season. Many are best in spring or fall, and hours change through the year — always confirm opening times and admission before you go.
A printable cocktail bars passport makes it easy — check off each one as you visit, log the date and your notes, and watch your progress add up.