nightlife

The moment you pry open the heavy wooden doors at 2520 Second Avenue in Seattle, you'll be struck by the magnitude of The Local Vine's Wine collection. An eternity of bottles soars to the ceiling, some accessible only by ladder. Selection is just one of the many reasons The Local Vine is a Luxist nominee in the best wine bar category.

Founded in 2007 by Harvard Business School graduates Allison Nelson and Sarah Munson, The Local Vine boasts both an air of sleek sophistication and a refreshing accessibility. Free wireless internet, down-to-earth advice on wine, and a casual atmosphere complete with a fully functional fireplace make it more like a coffee house than a strict wine bar.

And there's plenty of wine to go around. The Local Vine's list consists of over 100 wines by the glass, with a focus on wines from California, Oregon and Washington. Oenophiles with more exotic tastes won't be disappointed, as the menu is packed with vintages from all around the world, ranging in price from $5 to $485 per glass.

If this all sounds very appealing but you're thousands of miles away from Seattle, don't worry. The Local Vine ships its wares all around the world, and its monthly wine clubs offer an easy and customizable way for patrons to indulge in communal wine enjoyment. Memberships range from the Picks of the Month Club ($49/month), which includes two reds and a white delivered to your home, all the way up to the Collectors Club ($600/quarter), which brings six rare wines to your doorstep every three months. All of the clubs can be purchased in 1, 3, 6 or 12 month increments. (Contact: orders@thelocalvine.com or 206-441-6000).

Vote for the wine bar that you believe is the best of breed. The voting period runs through April 30 and winners will be announced on May 1.

A visit to the The Flatiron Lounge is like taking a step back in time with a modern twist. While it is designed to resemble a 1920's-ear speakeasy with art deco decor, the Manhattan-based cocktail lounge has a modern approach to cocktails that resembles the ideology followed by a three-star Michelin Restaurant. The Flatiron Lounge, which is like no other cocktail lounge in Manhattan, is nominated for a Luxist Awards Readers' Choice Award for Best Cocktail Lounge.

The Flatiron Lounge was founded back in 2003 by a team of partners, all of whom had extensive experience in managing and opening bars. Partners include Alex and Kristina Kossi (of the famed New York haunt Zinc Bar), Susan Fedroff, Kevin Kossi, Michelle Connolly (of The Red Room in San Francisco) and celebrated cocktail stylist, Julie Reiner. Together, this dream team created a true high-end and high style cocktail lounge. At the time of its opening, the Flatiron Lounge was one of the few bars in the country, if not the world, to offer high end cocktails.


The Flatiron Lounge boasts a menu of original and unique cocktail concoctions created by Julie Reiner and the exceptional bar staff, as well as classic drinks from a bygone era. Reiner developed a menu of cocktails with precise measurements using such ingredients as fresh squeezed juices, fresh fruits and herbs and homemade syrups from raspberry to jalapeno. "We take a culinary approach to cocktails," says Reiner.

Dallas is perhaps best known for barbeque, the Cowboys and Lee Harvey Oswald. But thanks to Mercy Wine Bar in nearby Addison, Texas, oenophiles can add another highlight to their list. And with a stunning selection and intimate ambiance, Mercy is an easy choice as a Luxist nominee in the best wine bar category.

On April 15th 1964, Roy Orbison recorded the song "Pretty Woman." He probably had no idea that a few decades later his line, "No one could looks as good as you – mercy," would inspire the name of a Dallas wine bar. Sure enough, Orbison fan Glen Agritelley chose the name Mercy as a tribute to the singer. After a stint at Microsoft in the late 1980s, Agritelley cashed out and invested in a racquet club, a clothier, and finally, a wine bar.

Agritelley's vision for Mercy Wine Bar was drawn from his globetrotting observations. Italian mosaics and styling give the bar a European feel, while modern flourishes inspired by bars in Miami and other U.S. cities add a distinct American flair. Different rooms give guests an array of options: up front are classic dining tables with cloth linen, followed by a scalloped bar perfect for small groups. The lounge area behind the bar makes for a more casual place to relax with a glass of wine.

Unlike most establishments where wine is chosen as an accompaniment to food, Mercy's clients are encouraged to select wine first and food as a complement. With 100 different wines available by the glass and another 50 by the bottle, there are plenty options from which to choose.

Vote for the wine bar that you believe is the best of breed. The voting period runs through April 30 and winners will be announced on May 1.

In a city known for excellent cuisine and fine wine, eking out a great reputation isn't an easy thing for a bar to do. That's why the success of San Francisco's Bar Bambino is all the more incredible, and it's one of the many reasons that the trendy watering hole is a Luxist nominee in the best wine bar category.

Founded in 2007, Bar Bambino became a fast favorite for residents of San Francisco's Mission district and beyond. With a 63-seat main room that features a heavy dose of warm wood along with clean modern metal and glass, the atmosphere is both inviting and chic. A back patio makes for a great dining and drinking experience during the city's few warm months.

Bar Bambino's wine list includes over 160 different varieties, including more than 35 available from the glass. Per bottle prices range from $32 to $333; most are uncommon wines from the Italian peninsula. For those interested in yeastier brews, Bambino offers a small selection of beers from the U.S., Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.

In addition to a spectacular list of beverages, Bar Bambino offers a range of delectable eats. There's light fare for snackers – cheese plates, olive oil flights, breads and cured meats, to name a few – as well as full meal options including braised lamb shank and twice-cooked chicken. And if the dessert menu doesn't float your boat, there's always another glass of wine waiting for you.

Vote for the wine bar that you believe is the best of breed. The voting period runs through April 30 and winners will be announced on May 1.

For travelers looking to receive the royal treatment in London, there are few options better than Claridge's, a five-star hotel whose history dates back to the middle of the 19^th Century. Small wonder Claridge's Bar is among Luxist's nominees in the best hotel bar category.

The Claridge's first incarnation, a small hotel at 51 Brook Street, was founded in 1854 by William and Marianna Claridge. The pair purchased the neighboring Mivart hotel, rechristening their new establishment Claridge's, and Europe's most influential citizens began to take note. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert made their first visit in 1890; the hotel served as a haven for exiled monarchs during World War II. In 1945, Suite 212 was declared part of Yugoslavia so that Crown Prince Alexander could be born on home turf.

Today, Claridge's Bar is an expression of the hotel's grand heritage. Designed by David Collins, the Art Deco-style bar – more old-fashioned than the swank Coburg Bar – is among London's most elegant places to grab a drink. Each table is adorned with a single red rose; green glass chandeliers hang from a silver-leafed ceiling. Don't bother making a reservation – the bar's policy is first come, first served. For those who prefer privacy, a 20-seat back area called The Snuggery can be reserved.

Claridge's Bar boasts one of the largest champagne selections in London. Classic and contemporary cocktails can be had as well. For those with an appetite for solid sustenance, the bar offers a selection of sushi, truffles, fish and chips, and other snacks.

Vote for the hotel bar that you believe is the best of breed. The voting period runs through April 30 and winners will be announced on May 1.

Le Bar is a simple name for a truly decadent bar in the George V (a Four Seasons Hotel in Paris), and a nominee for a Readers' Choice Award for Best Hotel Bars.

The bar is elegant and decidedly dressy, with a distinct Parisian air of entitlement. The decor is very French with classic continental details like the rich mahogany wood, the plush and substantial chairs and the obligatory enormous, heavy draperies and chandeliers. If King Louis XIV were here today, this is where he would take his mistresses when away from Versailles.


Located on the ground floor of the George V with a large window facing the hotel's namesake Avenue (near the Champs-Elysées), the bar is popular with both hotel guests and Parisians -- a combination which is a must-have for weary travelers doing their best to be social while running on jet lag and espresso.

Sip a glass of 1999 Amarone della Valpolicella in Accademia di Vino's windowless bottle-lined dining room, and you might think you're in a Tuscan wine cellar – not midtown Manhattan. Its authentic atmosphere is one of the many reasons Accademia di Vino is a Luxist nominee in the best wine bar category.

Accademia di Vino was founded just last year by Anthony Mazzola, a Bronx-born entrepreneur who opened his first wine shop at the age of 25. After amassing eight wine and liquor stores in the tri-state area, he moved to Italy with the thought of starting his own winery, but realized within a few years that his heart was still in New York. Upon returning, he opened restaurants Ouest and 'Cesca before launching Accademia di Vino.

With a cellar packed with over 600 different bottles of wine and 50 served by the glass, Accademia di Vino is truly a place to learn about wine. Offerings can be paired with cheeses and meats, while those with heartier appetites can simply order from a full dinner and lunch menu of Italian cuisine dreamed up by chef Kevin Garcia.

Located on Third Avenue and 64^th Street in the shadow of the Bloomberg building, Accademia di Vino is close to a number of other major New York City attractions including the bright lights of Broadway and the sparkling greenery of Central Park.

Vote for the wine bar that you believe is the best of breed. The voting period runs through April 30 and winners will be announced on May 1.

Lost Society is a perfect hideaway for late night dining and especially drinking in Clapham, London, and has been nominated for a Readers' Choice Award for Best Cocktail Lounges.

The venue, which is a two-story barn dating back to 16th century England, has been redesigned as a dark, sexy country mansion reminiscent of movies like Clue or even Eyes Wide Shut. Six rooms provide completely different experiences, from dancing in the Crystal Ballroom to dining in the Black & White room, from classic cocktails in the Conservatory to "intelligent drinking" in the Library.

And what it is "intelligent drinking," exactly? Curl yourself in an ornate chair by the sky-high bookshelves and taste a fine wine or a Grape Expectations (White grapes and basil leaves with Zubrowka Bison Vodka, elderflower, lime juice, sugar and Chilean Sauvignon Blanc), and you will probably come up with the answer yourself.

Though Silverdale, Wa. is about 20 miles from downtown Seattle as the crow flies, the body of water that lies between the two towns makes the trip a bit more complicated than one might expect. The journey from Seattle takes you down around the southern boundary of Puget Sound – 70 miles by car – but it's worth the time if you're headed to Silver City Brewery, a Luxist nominee in the best brew pub category.

The Silver City story starts long before the brewpub's 1996 debut. Steve and Scott Houmes first went into business together in 1990, opening a restaurant called Top Notch Burger. Six years later, feeling squeezed by the big burger chains, they decided to regroup and try a new approach by entering the brew pub business. They remodeled their Silverdale location into its modern form, and the rest, as they say, was history.


Silver City brews its beers on premises. Some favorites include Clear Creek Pale Ale, a blend of three lightly roasted British malts and hints of caramel; Panther Lake Porter, a dark, chocolatey ale; and Fat Scotch Ale, a malty and whiskey-esque brew that clocks with a hefty 9.2% alcohol content. Silver City sells beer by the glass at its bar and restaurant, but for those who want to take home a larger quantity, the microbrewery sells kegs as well.

The food at Silver City's restaurant makes for a great accompaniment to the delicious brews. The menu includes a variety of salads, appetizers, main courses and desserts – and of course, the Houmes' specialty: a good, old-fashioned cheeseburger.

Vote for the brew pub that you believe is the best of breed. The voting period runs through April 30 and winners will be announced on May 1.

Felix at The Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong offers both spectacular service and a stupendous view of Hong Kong, and has been nominated for a Readers' Choice Award for Best Hotel Bars.

Fortuitously situated with an outlook facing Victoria Peak and Hong Kong Harbor, Felix boasts front row seats for a "galaxy of lights" in the evening which they describe as "the most magical show on earth." As you can see from the photos, the views inside the bar aren't too shabby, either.


The grand opulence of The Peninsula Hotel is the perfect setting for this luxurious bar experience. Guests of the highest caliber from all over the world can enjoy the beauty of Hong Kong from the uber-contemporary 28th-floor haven over an elegant bowl of Sunchoke and Lobster Soup with Meyer Lemons and Capers, or a Prawn Cracker-crusted Garoupa with a Shrimp Pillow, Scallions and Champagne Butter.

Late night dishes include small yet extravagant fusion offerings like Smoked Beef Tenderloin with Carmelized Onions and Brie on Toast, Salty Five Spices Pork Ribs and Salmon Nachos, and desserts like Rose Champagne Terrine with Seasonal Berries and Peach Reduction and a menu item entited "Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate" (really, who needs a further explanation?).

You'll find cocktails of both the avant-garde and classic varieties at Felix, and no children under 12. An additional bonus: as no "plastic footwear" is permitted, you won't see a single pair of Crocs.

Vote for the hotel bar that you believe is the best of breed. The voting period runs through April 30 and winners will be announced on May 1.

No matter what country they're from, everyone seems to love Harry's New York Bar, a Paris venue nominated for a Luxist Awards' Readers' Choice Award for Best Cocktail Lounge.

Since 1911, Harry's New York Bar has been mixing masterpieces for Parisians and international celebrities like Ernest Hemingway, FDR and the Duke of Windsor. The expatriate community is celebrated and encouraged there -- a somewhat atypical attitude in Paris -- and the bar is adoringly referred to as "Sank Roo Doe Noo," which is what the address sounds like if your French is terrible.

The bar is in the style of a proper classic cocktail venue; the main wooden bar is cozy and intimate, the walls are layered with college football pennants and black and white photos, the ceiling is dark and ornate, the downstairs piano bar is sultry and sophisticated and the lighting is warm and low. Be sure and take note of the Scottish crests on the walls; the original owner, American star jockey Tod Sloan, hired Scotsman Harry McElhone to run his "New York Bar," and he left his mark everywhere including the neon marquis out front.


Harry's New York Bar has the distinguished distinction of (and our eternal gratitude for) having invented the Bloody Mary, the Sidecar and many other cocktails during their 99 year history. Perhaps one of their current concoctions will one day be as successful. Our bets are placed on the "Web Spirit" (5 cl mezcal, 2 cl cranberry juice, 1 cl lemon juice and 2 cl peach liqeuer), which they created for the launch of their website -- simple, yet devastatingly effective.

Though it's a long way to travel, you're certain to be welcomed at Harry's New York Bar -- and if you find yourself in Paris on Thanksgiving or The Fourth of July, there's no better place to be for American splendor (and drink specials).

Vote for the cocktail lounge that you believe is the best of breed. The voting period runs through April 30 and winners will be announced on May 1.

One of London's defining traits is the ease and elegance with which it blends grand heritage and modern panache. The Connaught Hotel and its Coburg Bar are two shining examples of this phenomenon – making the latter an easy choice as a Luxist nominee in the best hotel bar category.

The hotel's history dates back to 1897, when it was founded as The Coburg Hotel. The original name was a tribute to Queen Victoria's late husband, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg. The hotel gained its modern moniker in 1917, renamed after Victoria's third son, Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught.

Since then, the hotel – which has had just six general managers in a century of existence – has maintained its old-world charm while adding flair more modern than other standbys like Claridge's hotel bar. The Coburg Bar is a perfect showcase, thanks to an interior recently redone by Parisian designer India Mahdavi. Burnt orange and purple velvet upholstery now adorns the bar's wingback chairs; black-and-white wall hangings complement the wood-paneled interior.

Then there are the drinks. Starting with rare ales from the Harviestoun Brewery in Scotland (8 pounds apiece), the selection soars to rare vintages of Krug champagne (a bottle of 1964 will set you back 8,000 pounds, plus VAT). In between are a range of cocktails Britishly listed as "Compounded Drinks," from the classic Bloody Mary (12 pounds) to the arcane Sazerac (12 pounds). Even a mundane Jack Daniels on the rocks (16 pounds) will feel sophisticated at The Coburg.

Vote for the hotel bar that you believe is the best of breed. The voting period runs through April 30 and winners will be announced on May 1.