VinePair

MARCH 18, 2025

Nobody knows these differences better than bartenders committed to whipping up the best drinks possible for guests, even if that drink is a humble Vodka Soda. Lance Bowman, bar manager, UMMO , Chicago There is no other vodka I could be more excited to mention than Good Vodka. Which vodkas do they consider best for mixing drinks?

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Vodka Bartender Bartending Bar Manager 105

VinePair

FEBRUARY 18, 2025

Whether youre talking about bourbon , Irish whiskey , or single malt Scotch , you can probably name a bottle that makes you utter meh, even though the public loves it or the taters doggedly chase it down. Plenty of bartenders and bar professionals have at least one whiskey they feel is overrated. If you do, youre not alone.

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Bartender Bartending Whiskey Bar 105

VinePair

NOVEMBER 3, 2024

Come fall and winter, though, when much of America’s greenery is frosted over, it can take a little more creativity — especially for the at-home bartender. To help you seize the seasons, we chatted with three NYC bartenders and got their secrets on how to get the most out of fall and winter produce. Add sugar and stir.

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Bartender Bartending Infusions Tiki 108

VinePair

APRIL 23, 2024

Which bottles are truly delicious? That’s where the whiskey world’s most underrated bottles come in. In general, underrated bottles tend to over-perform in their price points, and several of the bottles recommended are easy to find at most liquor stores. It’s the most perfectly versatile bottle I know.

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Bartender Bartending Bar Manager Bar Management 119

VinePair

NOVEMBER 11, 2024

A cursory glance of various Reddit subs like r/bartenders and r/Chicago reveal some solid attempts: Notes of Fresca, paint thinner, and sadness; Week-old grapefruit rinds soaked in floodwater and shame; Gasoline filtered through a week-old garbage bag; Imagine if your parents’ divorce had a flavor. They’re still not playing arenas.”

Digestif 105

Digestif Liqueur Bitters Bartender 105

VinePair

NOVEMBER 20, 2024

When producers deem them ready, they remove the bourbon from the barrel and bottle it without dilution, preserving the intensity of the whiskey. We asked 12 bartenders to recommend their favorite underrated barrel-proof bourbons, to help you cut through the noise and find out which bottles are worth the hunt.

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Bartender Bartending Stout Whiskey 116

VinePair

FEBRUARY 15, 2024

To get the chatter going, we asked 10 bartenders their thoughts on the most overrated whiskeys out there. Fionna Gemzon, bar manager, None of the Above , St. Instead of buying Blanton’s, find a good whiskey bar and ask what they’re drinking right now. Such subjectivity can spark an interesting conversation.

Bartender 116

Bartender Bartending Whiskey Bar Manager 116

VinePair

JANUARY 18, 2024

That’s why we asked bartenders around the country for their picks for the unsung heroes of the category. Melissa Romanos, general manager and beverage director, Atlántico , Boston “A few that come to mind immediately are Old Grand Dad 114 Bourbon, Old Forester 100 Rye, Redbreast 12 Year, and Glenfarclas 12 Year. Bottled at a hefty 57.15

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Bartender Bartending Whiskey Head Bartender 126

VinePair

MAY 7, 2024

The primary reason to pick up any bottle of tequila is taste. It may be tempting to plunk down gobs of cash for these offerings, especially since they may turn heads when displayed on a home bar, but they will likely transform into dust magnets if they hold lousy juice. Fionna Gemzon, bar manager, None of the Above , St.

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Tequila Bartender Bartending Speed Rack 111

Imbibe Magazine

JULY 10, 2024

The global wine list leans toward minimal-intervention bottles, and the beer selection features several Pennsylvania breweries. Their new Fishtown digs include an airy bar, a bottle shop, and a fully functional urban winery where Ducos, MCC’s winemaker, vinifies and bottles those grapes. “We

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Zero-Proof Beer Club Live Music 266

VinePair

JUNE 11, 2024

The Kentucky whiskey can conjure up images of distillery tours, afternoon cocktails on the porch, or even just some eventful ragers — the last of which usually calls for more affordable bottles. Who better to consult than a bartender? That’s why we asked 12 bartenders to share their picks for the best bourbon that won’t break the bank.

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Bartender Bartending Head Bartender Whiskey 116

VinePair

FEBRUARY 8, 2024

Thanks to young distilleries making their debuts to fresh and innovative expressions from legendary brands, each trip to the neighborhood bottle shop carries the potential to deliver a new delight. Bartenders can simplify this process, which makes perfect sense. Great for shaken and stirred drinks, it’s 115.1

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Bartender Bartending Bar Head Bartender 116

VinePair

FEBRUARY 29, 2024

Here, we asked 10 bartenders which shots are capturing the most attention in their bars. The trendiest shots right now, according to bartenders: Fernet Branca Hard Start Mezcal and Amaro Angelino Rye-Nar Forghetti Dickel whiskey and shot of au jus Vermouth Green Tea Bourbon Tequila Amortized wine Bottled-in-bond rye St.

Bartender 105

Bartender Bartending Head Bartender Bar Manager 105

VinePair

AUGUST 14, 2024

For a little inspiration, we asked bartenders to recommend their favorite underrated summer cocktail. Albert Beltran, bar manager, Wayfare Tavern , San Francisco “Whenever you’re at a loss for what to drink and just want something light and refreshing, look no further than a white vermouth and soda. .”

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Bartender Bartending Bar Manager Bar Management 104

VinePair

AUGUST 27, 2024

For a brief spell in the late ‘90s I was a lunch bartender at a neighborhood seafood restaurant in New York City. I’d been brought on as a waiter, but the seasoned bar staff, mostly primadonnas who conscientiously objected to daytime bartending, refused to work lunch. Ten or 15 years ago, dive bars were beer-and-a-shot spots.

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Bartender Bartending Bar Mixology 116

VinePair

AUGUST 22, 2024

Everyone has to start somewhere, and wanting to get more into brown spirits doesn’t have to mean dropping hundreds of dollars on hard-to-find bottles. To bridge the gap, we asked bartenders to recommend their favorite bottles for bourbon beginners. This is my personal go-to and I use it as the well at both bars I manage.

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Bartender Bartending Whiskey Head Bartender 105

VinePair

SEPTEMBER 24, 2024

Their guidance included distinctive yet approachable mezcals for newbies, a few smoke bombs for the adventurous, and plenty of bottles in between that will make your Margarita shine. Suzy Critchlow, bar manager, Pascual , Washington, D.C. Juan Salgado, bartender, El Jardin , San Jose, Calif. “A Who is the mezcalero?

Bartender 105

Bartender Bartending Tequila Bar Manager 105

VinePair

JULY 9, 2024

But as exciting as a fresh, shiny expression of tequila can be, there’s nothing as reliable as the familiar standby that always has a spot on your bar. That’s why we asked 14 bartenders to share their own go-to tequilas, both behind the stick and on their home bar carts. Here’s what they said. It’s worth every penny.”

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Tequila Bartender Bartending Head Bartender 105

VinePair

OCTOBER 15, 2024

Sometimes, choosing to spend a modest amount on a more affordable bottle after years of passing it by can lead to finding a brand-new favorite. Bartenders are familiar with this concept. With that in mind, we asked 25 bartenders to name their favorite bang-for-your-buck bourbon.

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Bartender Bartending Lead Bartender Whiskey 105

VinePair

MAY 16, 2024

As the market for the spirit has grown, large beverage companies have bought up tequila brands and celebrities have cashed in, splashing their names across labels and using their influence to promote their bottles. That’s why we asked 12 bartenders what bottles we should reach for when we’re seeking the best bang for our buck.

Tequila 105

Tequila Bartender Bartending Bar Manager 105

VinePair

APRIL 4, 2024

Fortunately, bold bottles built on brine and Band-Aid notes don’t fully represent the peated Scotch category. To answer this question, we asked 11 bartenders their choice for the best peated Scotch for beginners. As a bartender, if you can read the room and set expectations, a Laphroaig could be a pour for some new daredevils.

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Bartender Bartending Bar Manager Bar Management 111

VinePair

MARCH 26, 2024

If your home bar shows a conspicuous absence of rum despite an affinity for Daiquiris, then you’ve come to the right place. Seeking the best rums for cocktails, we asked bartenders around the world for their go-to bottles behind the bar. Fionna Gemzon, bar manager, None of the Above , St. Volcanique.

Rum 105

Rum Bartender Bartending Head Bartender 105

VinePair

JULY 2, 2024

A big reason why Scotch shines with this aura is price: High-end bottles can famously fetch hundreds if not thousands of dollars, and this can color perception of the category as being too exclusive. To demonstrate this, we asked 15 bartenders to share their thoughts on the Scotch that provides them the most bang for their buck.

Bartender 98

Bartender Bartending Bar Manager Bar Management 98

VinePair

OCTOBER 7, 2024

To learn more about the importance of salting cocktails and which drinks can benefit from it, we tapped Trey Sanford, bar manager at Anchorage, Alaska’s South Restaurant + Coffeehouse. From there, you can expand your horizons by tossing some salt into your liquor bottles while fat-washing to add more dimension to your spirit.

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Bartender Bartending Gin Bar Management 98

VinePair

FEBRUARY 1, 2024

In some cases, a vodka imbued with a little flavoring can even be a bartender’s friend, whether that flavoring comes straight out of the bottle or through something fancy like an infusion. Skilled bartenders can identify these singular properties and use them to their advantage. But which brands are beloved behind the bar?

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Vodka Bartender Bartending Head Bartender 98

VinePair

APRIL 9, 2024

Tequila is a liquid goldmine for the curious drinker, and every month seemingly delivers a cavalcade of new options to try at bars and liquor stores. Drop by your neighborhood bottle shop, and you may see a new blanco from a spunky, fresh-faced label looking to penetrate the market with new juice.

Tequila 116

Tequila Bartender Bartending Bar 116

VinePair

NOVEMBER 30, 2023

Even at independent bottle shops, you’re likely to see bottles in the 10- to 25-year range soaring into the triple-digits locked inside glass cabinets. You’ll encounter plenty of delicious, cost-effective bottles from well-respected makers that land comfortably in the 10- to 12-year pocket. But don’t worry — we have you covered.

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Bartender Bartending Bottling Bar 98

VinePair

AUGUST 28, 2024

Mario Firmani, bar manager at an establishment that’s in the 50 Best Bars list, knows a thing or two about the aperitivo. A collective of eight wineries from the Veneto region, the signature La Marca Blue bottles are produced using the Glera grape. He started as a busser at 18 and worked his way up to bartending.

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Bartender Bartending Bitters Liqueur 98

VinePair

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Here, we asked a dozen bartenders to share their thoughts on the Cognacs that punch above their price tags — and punch a hole through its perceived stodginess. Matt Resler, bartender, Bar Goto , NYC “One of our go-to bottles of Cognac recently has been Cognac Frapin 1270. Pierre Ferrand 1840 Cognac.

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Bartender Bartending Lead Bartender Highball 98

Bevspot

JULY 29, 2015

Tips For Bar Managers The life of a bartender: getting home in the middle of the night after working a long Saturday night shift. Rolling out of bed early the next morning to start counting bottles. Bevspot’s tools allow users to gain back valuable time typically spent on counting bottles and inputting numbers into Excel.

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Bar Manager Bar Management Bar Inventory 52

Bevspot

JULY 29, 2015

The life of a bartender: getting home in the middle of the night after working a long Saturday night shift. Rolling out of bed early the next morning to start counting bottles. Bevspot’s tools allow users to gain back valuable time typically spent on counting bottles and inputting numbers into Excel. What if there was?

Bar Manager 52

Bar Manager Bar Management Bar Inventory 52

VinePair

AUGUST 1, 2024

With this in mind, bartenders and beverage directors have grown increasingly interested in the new and small-batch rums popping up on shelves. To get to know the category better, we asked bartenders from across the country to share with us the new (and new to them!) bottles that have recently earned a spot on their back bars.

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Rum Bar Bar Manager Bar Management 98

VinePair

MAY 21, 2024

That’s why we asked brewers, bartenders, and beverage experts which macro beers they consider as underrated. These are bottles and cans you’ll find almost anywhere, are usually affordably priced, and are easy to drink. And since they may not be the most popular option, you might have the cooler or bar’s selection mostly to yourself.

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Beer Pilsner Bartender Bartending 128

The Cocktail Lovers

JANUARY 25, 2024

We head over to New York to catch up with one of our absolute favourite bartenders/owners/humans, the one, the only Steve Schneider, talking about his latest venture, Sip & Guzzle. But before we hear from Steve, we’re doing the usual: opening up bottles, dipping into a book and heading off to a cocktail bar to sample its goodies.

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Aperitif Bar Manager Bar Management Bitters 115

A Bar Above

MARCH 1, 2024

As a new bar manager, there are certain terms and vocabulary that you need to be familiar with so you can communicate effectively with your team. We’ll quickly cover what the term par is and how it applies to the bar and restaurant world, and then we’ll discuss one of its most important applications: the par sheet.

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Inventory Bar Barback Barback 130

The Cocktail Lovers

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024

Personal growth, the growth of apples, the bartending community – how you interpret that is up to you. No problem, just email sam.haddon@showerings.co.uk , let him know that you want to enter and he’ll get bottles over to you pronto. So that’s the base sorted, what are the rules of the competition? And we can’t wait. Need inspiration?

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Bartender Bartending Bar Manager Bar Management 110

VinePair

MAY 17, 2024

Here’s what else is unique: the petate weaving on every bottle. They’re handwoven, and I’m a sucker for bottle design, so I wanted to point that out. The bottle looks great, the liquid tastes great, and it’s got a really unique story you can share with friends. But folks, that is Zacapa No. Unlike the Daiquiri.

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Rum Liqueur Bar Management Bar Manager 97