Drink Your Way Round the States!
We’ve already offered a list of events and restaurants where you can celebrate July Fourth, but if some of those don’t quite make you feel at home, maybe an aptly named venue will do the trick. Americans, especially those from the South, may want to drop into one of these geographically-monikered bars.
Mississippi
This old-time haunt gives you the option of a sit-down restaurant or a dark bar. Sip some milk, the state’s official beverage, mixed with a bit of vodka and Kahlua.
Nashville
This Lucky Street bar is as no-frills as they come. Play it straight with some Jack or Jim or test your luck and pay homage to the state with a Tennessee cocktail.
Nola
Serving up Southern comfort on the plate and in the glass. Start the night with New Orleans’ official cocktail, the Sazerac – contentiously considered America's first cocktail.
Tim’s Texas Bar-B-Q
Don’t mess with this long-standing Yonganli joint. Wash down some slow-cooked barbecue with a cold beer.
The Little Easy
Beijing’s latest nod to The Big Easy doesn't go for subtlety as it brings Bourbon Street to Beijing with Mardi Gras beads and colorful drinking cups. Keep the theme alive and order a Hurricane.
Pete’s Tex-Mex
The Lone Star State is partially mentioned which is enough for us. This family-friendly restaurant has two locations in the city (Lido and Jianguomen), making it all that much easier to get your hands on some Americanized Mexican fare (6435 3509, 8532 2449).
Hold 'Em Stars
If you know your card games, you know "Texas" is missing from the front of that name. So let's chalk this up as another Texan destination. While there grab a drink and get a game going, maybe you'll become the next Doyle Brunson.
Pro Texas Hold 'Em
Taking over the old VS Lounge space is another Texas joint making it the most represented state in the city. Watch the blog for some more information on Beijing's latest (non-gambling) poker joint. (West side of Victoria Gardens, 15 Chaoyang Gongyuan Xili Nanqu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区朝阳公园西里南区15号维多利亚花园公寓西侧)
Sex and Da City
We can only assume that the "City" in reference here is New York City, and for this list we're willing to run with that. Both the Houhai and Solana lounge bars are as gaudy and worn-out as the sequel of the bar's inspiration, Sex and the City. Of course, we imagine that anyone heading in (by choice) will want to grab a Cosmopolitan. But if you consider that so last year, perhaps you'd like a Carrie.
Photo: nydailynews.com