Taking the Femme show on the road, I found myself in Atlanta mixing up cocktails. Totally fun right?! The real question was where was I going to drink. I looked online and found some suggestions, I didn’t find anything with great descriptions besides Prohibition which looked to be a PDT-esk phone booth entrance speakeasy bar. We started the night at Southern Art, Art Smith’s restaurant in the Intercontinental Atlanta. Dinner was great, cheese plate, tartare, salmon, brussel sprouts, and finishing up with peach cobbler of course! There were three of us so not nearly as damaging to the waistline as that description may appear. So then we were off to drink, let the games begin. Off to Prohibition!

After being totally gypped on our cab ride, into the phone booth we went. You actually have to dial a phone number on an old rotary phone which I had gotten the number from the concierge at the St Regis in Buckhead where we were staying. The phone rings and finally the door swings open. We were surprised to find that it was also a cigar bar, none of us smoke and we have been spoiled by smoke free bars in Chicago and New York so I can’t say I was very fond of that since is was such a small place but we forged ahead and ordered cocktails. I ordered a Bramble (pictured above), Dominic ordered a Rum Swizzle, and Sarina ordered an Elderflower Margarita. I got my drink first, they had trouble locating the rum Dominic requested, but finally we toast. Drinks were ok but the smoke killed it for us. Back to the hotel we went. I had a little more energy so I decided to venture out on my own in search of a fabulous cocktail.

I begged the concierge to “find me a really good drink”. She insisted that I go to Holeman and Finch, it wasn’t far but they had a great mixologist, I have to be honest I was a bit skeptical after being promised that the previous venue would do just that but Ehhhhh I needed to get out so I hopped in the cab and off I went. I get to Holeman and Finch, the first think I see is Mezcal on the backbar along with a few stray aliens and meat hanging in the window. Alright this place has some real character. I sit down and start chatting with the bartenders, low and behold I find the vice president of the local USBG chapter. I knew I was in good hands after that.

I started off with the Rusty Spear Gun, a rum tiki style cocktail, deeeeeeelish! I got to talking to the bartender, Mr. VP himself, Andy, talking about my adventures in Atlanta, asking him where to drink, and the Atlanta cocktail scene as a whole. The sign of a good bartender is one who knows where to drink in the city and who to go to to get that drink. He gave me a list of four places to visit, although they were in Decatur which is a bit of a haul from Buckhead. It seemed as if for the most part everyone in Atlanta drives and most of the cab drivers I had really didn’t know where they were going. Frustrating to say the least.

On to the next cocktail, I just asked for a dealers choice gin, citrusy cocktail. It was a lovely gin, ginger, citrusy beverage. Continuing to sip and chat, being a girl alone at a bar I found myself in a conversation with a gentleman from Nashville who had just sold his business and was inquiring about what I did for a living. I needed another cocktail. This time around Andy said he’d take care of making the cocktail, I again said I’d like something with gin that was citrusy. He delivered. It actually tasted a touch like Chicago favorite Malort upon first sip, gin, Cynar, and grapefruit if I remember correctly were swimming in my glass at that point. At this point food was needed to soak up some of the nights intoxication, I ordered a pretzel. It came out with steam still rising off of it and mustard on the side. I watched the bartenders gracefully move behind the bar in the dance that is a mixologists calling, chatted a bit more with Andy as they not only have the restaurant they also own a liquor store as well, pretty brilliant idea.

I asked for the check, had the hostess call me a cab, and headed back to the hotel. The bill came to a little under $40 pre-tip, totally reasonable. I had every intention of heading out on Tuesday evening after the event but exhaustion got the better and I went to the bar at the St Regis for a bowl of soup and found it a more sound decision to stay in and visit all of the venues Andy recommended next time I make it to Atlanta. Moral of the story, go visit Andy at Holeman and Finch, you will be sorely disappointed if you don’t. Until the next adventure…

Les Bises,