We all want to visit a bar where everyone knows our name — but what if we went to one where everyone knew our favorite spirit?
Whiskey bars, which offer that luxury, are growing in popularity and have become a welcome alternative to neighborhood tippling spots and upscale wine lounges. Visitors can get a taste of classic Southern spirits in a laid-back environment, discovering unique pours that have been around since Prohibition.
Whether you're sipping a bourbon cocktail at Seattle's Rob Roy or enjoying a whiskey on the rocks at D.C.'s Jack Rose Dining Saloon, you’ll gain a greater appreciation for the classic American spirit.
Here are our picks for America's best whiskey bars.
Delilah's
Where: Chicago
Punk rock meets hipster hangout at Delilah's. The offbeat Chicago venue hosts DJs and heavy metal nights, and it displays work from local artists on the walls. Guests can sit back in green vinyl bar stools and sip a glass of rye, or browse an extensive menu of spirits. The bar features more than 600 whiskeys from 15 countries, as well as house-made bottles of bourbon, rye, and scotch.
Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Chicago Guide
Jack Rose Dining Saloon
Where: Washington, D.C.
Stepping into Jack Rose Dining Saloon is a whiskey lover's dream. Walls are lined with more than 1,500 bottles of spirits, and guests can enjoy a drink in multiple venues: The bar's main level boasts mahogany chairs and a polished wooden bar, while the upstairs area offers an outdoor terrace and laid-back atmosphere. Travel downstairs to the saloon’s whiskey cellar for private tastings of rare, antique whiskey.
Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Washington, D.C. Guide
Seven Grand
Where: Los Angeles
Los Angeles' Seven Grand takes its whiskey seriously: The bar features an "international wall of whiskey" with selections from North America to Asia, and a "Whiskey Society" meeting with tastings hosted by master distillers. True to its name, the bar also offers a sampling of rare, top-dollar spirits: Visitors can sip on a glass of Jameson Vintage 2009 for $55, or opt for a 55-year-old single malt Scotch for a cool $1,200.
Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Los Angeles Guide
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