Best Bars of 2012

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Ballroom du Beef Club in Paris.

Ballroom du Beef Club in Paris.

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Dec 21, 2012 —  2012 has seen a lot of trends take over the bar scene. Molecular gastronomy, resurgent speakeasies, mixology, craft brews, and others have all found their way into bars old and new, big and small. We've seen a lot of amazing places pop up and witnessed old favorites reinvent themselves.

So take a peek at some the coolest, hottest, newest, and most timeless bars in the US and Europe with our best bars list for 2012!

  • Experimental Cocktail Club

    Cocktail Bar / Speakeasy

    Experimental Cocktail Club - Cocktail Bar | Speakeasy in Paris.
    Created by three young Frenchmen with a dream to open a cocktail bar in Paris – somewhat of a rarity in this city – Experimental Cocktail Club is just that: a baroque-styled one-room bar that specializes in intricate classic cocktails bursting with basil, lemon grass, elderflower, and lord knows what else. Located on a small side street off the
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    Paris

    37 Rue Saint-Sauveur
    75002 Paris

    01 45 08 88 09

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  • La Descarga

    Cigar Bar / Lounge / Rum Bar

    La Descarga - Cigar Bar | Lounge | Rum Bar in Los Angeles.
    Patrons looking for a ticket to another reality should head straight to the Cuban rum and cigar bar La Descarga, a Latin-flavored Narnia for sophisticated adults who haven’t lost their imaginations. On most nights, the well-dressed crowd of international sophisticates, hipsters, and professionals waits with breathless anticipation to be led
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    Los Angeles

    1159 North Western Avenue
    Los Angeles, CA 90029

    323‑466‑1324

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  • The Blind Barber

    Bar / Barber Shop / Lounge / Speakeasy

    The Blind Barber - Bar | Barber Shop | Lounge | Speakeasy in New York.
    Hip patrons in need of a haircut and a drink should head to The Blind Barber, an old-school barbershop that transforms into an exclusive speakeasy by night. Although clients who opt for an afternoon straight-razor shave at the tiny whitewashed shop will be treated to a complimentary drink, the real scene happens once the barber puts down his
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    New York

    339 East 10th Street
    New York, NY 10009

    212‑228‑2123

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  • The Alembic

    Bar / Restaurant

    The Alembic - Bar | Restaurant in San Francisco.
    People don’t go to The Alembic for Jägermeister and Red Bull, DJs and dancing, or cheap beer and bar food. Nobody plays flip-cup on the suede stools that line the mustard-colored walls, gyrates on the rustic tables, or catches the game on the non-existent TVs. Instead, this cozy little slice of hipster heaven attracts its patrons with a wide
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    San Francisco

    1725 Haight Street
    San Francisco, CA 94117

    415‑666‑0822

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  • Dostrece

    Bar / Restaurant

    Dostrece - Bar | Restaurant in Barcelona.
    An upscale venue with a hip attitude, Dostrece is a restaurant by day and a relaxed cocktail bar by night. Elegantly set tables and a smart color scheme offer a comfortable yet sophisticated dining experience in the naturally-lit salon on the ground floor, where well-dressed patrons nibble on citrus salads or crispy salmon. By night, the dim red
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    Barcelona

    Carrer del Carme, 40
    08001 Barcelona

    93 301 73 06

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  • Laurel Hardware

    Bar / Restaurant

    Laurel Hardware - Bar | Restaurant in Los Angeles.
    At once communal and sceney, with a mod-industrial design up front and a rustic-chic bar in back, Laurel Hardware attracts both casual cool kids and stylish scenesters on the hunt for shareable seasonal fare and heady cocktails. The venue – which takes its name from the hardware store that formerly occupied the building – appears rather
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    Los Angeles

    7984 Santa Monica Boulevard
    Los Angeles, CA 90046

    323‑656‑6070

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  • El Jardí

    Bar / Restaurant

    El Jardí - Bar | Restaurant in Barcelona.
    Tucked away in a quiet courtyard in the gardens of El Antic Hospital Santa Creu, El Jardí is undoubtedly one of Barcelona’s best “undiscovered” treasures. In terms of décor, this al fresco terrace and tapas bar lets its idyllic environment speak for itself. Gothic stone walls loom on every side of the terrace and the trees reverberate with the
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    Barcelona

    Carrer de l'Hospital, 56
    08001 Barcelona

    93 329 15 50

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  • Dolce Vita

    Art Gallery / Bar / Wine Bar

    Guys showing off their dance moves at Dolce Vita in Florence.
    One of the most popular gathering spots in the city, Dolce Vita is a chic little bar whose buzz of activity draws a stylish and flirtatious crowd of young professionals and locals that often overflows into the piazza. Although a separate wine bar offers an impressive selection of wines, the centerpiece of the venue is the semi-circular bar with its
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    Florence

    Piazza del Carmine
    50124 Florence

    055 284 595

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  • Death & Co.

    Bar / Lounge / Restaurant

    Death & Co. - Bar | Lounge | Restaurant in New York.
    Although its first-come first-served door policy is deadly serious, Death & Co.’s mix of cocktail den class and warm personality makes this sleek lounge far more welcoming than its name suggests. A chic clientele of suited financiers and fashionable model types are ushered through large wooden doors and black drapes into a small but elegant single
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    New York

    433 East 6th Street
    New York, NY 10009

    212‑388‑0882

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  • Drink

    Cocktail Bar / Speakeasy

    Drink Cocktail Bar in Boston
    Situated in the basement of a building on Congress Street, Drink is a little bar with a big reputation. A no-nonsense sign stating “Welcome to Drink” greets the spirited creative young professionals, business types, and students waiting in line at this high-energy cocktail party, where a friendly door staff ensures that the crowd remains upscale
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    Boston

    348 Congress Street
    Boston, MA 02210

    617‑695‑1806

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  • Bourbon & Branch

    Bar / Speakeasy

    Bourbon & Branch - Bar | Speakeasy in San Francisco.
    The word “speakeasy” may be bantered about a lot, but Bourbon & Branch has the distinction of operating in a location that actually was one – in the form of JJ Russell's Cigar Shop – from 1921 to 1933. Much like in its heyday, the venue still sports an unmarked door, requires a password to enter, and leads guests through secret passageways
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    San Francisco

    501 Jones Street
    San Francisco, CA 94102

    415‑346‑1735

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  • La Bardemcilla

    Restaurant / Tapas Bar

    La Bardemcilla - Restaurant | Tapas Bar in Madrid.
    Iron-grated windows and a pair of simple round signs dress La Bardemcilla’s otherwise non-descript façade, giving little indication that the venue is the creation of one of Spain’s most famous thespians. Despite being owned by the renowned Bardem family – Oscar winner Javier, siblings Monica and Carlo, and their mother Pilar – this cozy tavern and
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    Madrid

    Calle de Augusto Figueroa, 47
    28004 Madrid

    91 521 42 56

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  • 35 Tours

    Wine Bar

    35 Tours - Wine Bar in Paris.
    Owned by a diehard street art and vinyl enthusiast, 35 Tours is an intimate venue that feels kind of like stepping into a minimalist New York apartment circa 1985. Large records strung in neat rows above the slick glass entrance highlight the retro feel of the place, transporting creative-minded regulars back in time as they gather for appetizers
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    Paris

    35 Rue Saint Sauveur
    75002 Paris

    01 45 08 09 94

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  • Birch & Barley

    Bar / Gastropub / Restaurant

    Birch & Barley - Bar | Gastropub | Restaurant in Washington, DC.
    A delectable menu of seasonal bites and a giant assortment of handcrafted ales lie behind the tall wood doors of Birch & Barley, a haven for sophisticated patrons on the hunt for good food and a lot of brew. With more than five hundred bottled beers, fifty drafts, and five casks at the ready, the venue is a veritable Shangri-La for the hops-loving
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    Washington, DC

    1337 14th Street NW
    Washington, DC 20005

    202–567–2576

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  • Fountainhead

    Gastropub

    Fountainhead - Gastropub in Chicago.
    Though the name evokes memories of a high school English assignment, Fountainhead’s moniker is actually a reference to a free-flowing source of craft booze rather than an homage to Ayn Rand. Located on an otherwise quiet corner, the gastropub draws in passersby with the warm light that illuminates its large windows, and keeps them inside with a
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    Chicago

    1970 West Montrose Avenue
    Chicago, IL 60640

    773‑697‑8204

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  • Ballroom du Beef Club

    Bar / Restaurant

    Ballroom du Beef Club - Bar | Restaurant in Paris.
    On the heels of the success of Prescription Cocktail Club and Curio Parlor, the team behind Experimental Cocktail Club added another hotspot to Paris’ nightlife in 2012, this time in the form of a hybrid steakhouse/underground bar collectively called Ballroom du Beef Club. The restaurant, which offers an intricate menu anchored by 100% Yorkshire
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    Paris

    58 Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau
    75001 Paris

    09 52 52 89 34

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  • The Barrelhouse Flat

    Cocktail Bar / Lounge

    The Barrelhouse Flat - Cocktail Bar | Lounge in Chicago.
    Helmed by a former bartender from The Violet Hour and a GM whose previous ventures include The Aviary, The Barrelhouse Flat is a temple to craft cocktails located in an area better known for rowdy packs of college kids. The first floor has a saloon feel, with weathered exposed brick and a vintage jukebox that plays this strange thing called
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    Chicago

    2624 North Lincoln Avenue
    Chicago, IL 60614

    773‑857‑0421

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  • Mohawk Bend

    Bar / Gastropub

    Mohawk Bend - Bar | Gastropub in Los Angeles.
    Housed inside a refurbished hundred-year-old vaudeville theater, Mohawk Bend is a trendy Echo Park eatery with a small menu of sustainable cuisine and a massive selection of craft beer. Once past the blindingly bright marquee out front, hops connoisseurs enter an enclosed patio, where sleek bamboo-topped tables, a low-set fire pit, and cozy
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    Los Angeles

    2141 West Sunset Boulevard
    Los Angeles, CA 90026

    213‑483‑2337

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  • Brouwerij 't Ij

    Brewery / Drinking Activity / Pub / Tour

    Brouwerij 't Ij - Brewery | Drinking Activity | Pub | Tour in Amsterdam.
    Set under a classic, centuries-old Dutch windmill, the Brouwerij 't Ij is a Belgian-style craft beer brewery that has been serving suds enthusiasts a freshly-tapped assortment of rich, micro-brewed beers since 1985. Just taking one step inside the door is enough to understand that it’s not just a simple windmill, but a brewery that’s steeped in its
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    Amsterdam

    Funenkade 7
    1018 Amsterdam

    020 6228325

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  • Longman & Eagle

    Gastropub / Hotel / Restaurant / Whiskey Bar

    Longman & Eagle - Gastropub | Hotel | Restaurant | Whiskey Bar in Chicago.
    Its motto is “Eat, Sleep, Whiskey,” which pretty much sums up the hipster and foodie paradise – and Michelin star-rated restaurant – that is Longman & Eagle. Unlike venues that normally get Michelin’s approval, however, L&E is devoid of white tablecloths and crystal glasses; instead, the vibe is casual, the décor minimal, and suit jackets are
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    Chicago

    2657 North Kedzie Avenue
    Chicago, IL 60647

    773‑276‑7110

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  • Sidrería La Creación

    Bar

    Sidrería La Creación - Bar in Madrid.
    The northern coast of Spain is famous for its love of sidra – a greenish-yellow apple cider served in large, wide-brimmed glasses – and La Creación, with its cool old-world feel and ideal location just off Plaza de Santa Ana, is the perfect setting in which to try some. The bar’s black-and-white checkered floor contrasts nicely with the warm
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    Madrid

    Calle de Núñez de Arce, 14
    28012 Madrid

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  • 69 Colebrooke Row

    Bar / Lounge / Speakeasy

    69 Colebrooke Row - Bar | Lounge | Speakeasy in London.
    It may be signless and nameless, but 69 Colebrooke Row is anything but anonymous, and offers a stylish speakeasy atmosphere steeped in Old Hollywood class. The brainchild of cocktail wizard Tony Canigliaro of Isola and Camille Hobby-Limon of the Charles Lamb Pub, this small cocktail bar prides itself on its inviting yet mysterious air, a vibe
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    London

    69 Colebrooke Row
    London N1 A88

    07540 528 593

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  • Miramelindo

    Cocktail Bar

    Miramelindo - Cocktail Bar in Barcelona.
    Full of class and character, Miramelindo is a dark rustic tavern where smooth jazz keeps the mood mellow during the week and chatty Spaniards keep it lively on the weekends. Hardwood floors, a piano by the fireplace, and soft lighting all contribute to a homey atmosphere downstairs, while wicker chairs on the carpeted mezzanine at the top of the
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    Barcelona

    Passeig del Born, 15
    Barcelona

    93 310 37 27

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  • Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar

    Lounge / Mexican Restaurant / Tequila Bar

    Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar - Lounge | Mexican Restaurant | Tequila Bar in Boston.
    A lair of Mexican spirits and Latin beats, Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar is a sultry sunken lounge with a drink list almost as long as Nabokov’s namesake novel – albeit much easier to read. Trendy young professionals fill the dimly lit space after work, settling in on the main bar’s scarlet chairs to choose from nearly two hundred tequilas,
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    Boston

    271 Dartmouth Street
    Boston, MA 02116

    617‑369‑5609

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  • Il Paradiso Perduto

    Bar / Restaurant

    Il Paradiso Perduto - Bar | Restaurant in Venice.
    A down-to-earth local hotspot, Il Paradiso Perduto is a genuine slice of Venice that draws a welcoming crowd of regulars. Owned by a philosopher and grassroots organizer, this community-oriented locale has been a meeting point for the socially conscious for over thirty years and has seen the beginnings of many social movements. Brightly
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    Venice

    Cannaregio 2540
    Fondamenta della Misericordia
    30121 Venice

    041 720581

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  • Strandbar Mitte

    Beach / Beach Bar / Outdoor Activity

    Strandbar Mitte - Beach | Beach Bar | Outdoor Activity in Berlin.
    A beach bar right in the middle of the city, Strandbar Mitte is located across from Museum Island on the banks of the Spree, Berlin’s main river. Warm summer days find the supremely relaxed patrons lying out on the sand, sipping Coronas under the palm trees, and soaking up the sun in one of the 200 beach chairs. Once the sun goes down,
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    Berlin

    Monbijoustrasse 3
    10117 Berlin

    030 28385588

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  • The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town

    Speakeasy

    The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town - Speakeasy in London.
    While it’s true that prohibition-style speakeasies are nothing new, The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town may be the only one that’s accessed through a refrigerator. A retro SMEG handcrafted in Italy, to be exact, that’s inauspiciously tucked in the corner of the cozy American-style diner The Breakfast Club. After asking staff to “see the Mayor,” patrons
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    London

    12-16 Artillery Lane
    London E1 7LS

    020 7078 9639

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  • Zu mir oder zu dir

    Bar / Lounge

    Zu mir oder zu dir - Bar | Lounge in Berlin.
    Zu mir oder zu dir sets a playful tone for a carefree evening in a chic lounge – after all, the name translates to “To my place or yours.” Low, comfy sofas and armchairs provide contrast to the bright wallpaper and colorful flower-filled vases, creating a distinct 70s flair with a low-key trendy vibe. The strategically positioned couches make it
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    Berlin

    Lychener Strasse 15
    10437 Berlin

    0176 24412940

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  • Cantinone Già Schiavi

    Bar / Café

    Cantinone Già Schiavi - Bar | Café in Venice.
    Although the name of this quaint cantina along Fondamenta Nani may be disputed – especially since it has one name on the sign and another on the awning – there is no doubt that Cantinone Già Schiavi is a simple slice of heaven. Situated on the wide and picturesque canal at Ponte San Trovaso, the bar draws a constant crowd of spirited wine drinkers
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    Venice

    Dorsoduro 992, Fondamenta Nani
    30123 Venice

    041 5320034

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  • Tommy Doyle's

    Club / Irish Pub / Sports Bar

    Tommy Doyle's - Club | Irish Pub | Sports Bar in Boston.
    A stone’s throw from Harvard University, Tommy Doyle’s is a multi-level pub popular with area students for its live Irish music and DJs, sports packages, and trivia nights. The ground floor, its walls lined with vintage beer signs and Gaelic knickknacks, is the cozy main area where hoodie-clad college kids and kickback Cambridge locals clink pints
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    Boston

    96 Winthrop Street
    Cambridge, MA 02138

    617‑864‑0655

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  • Jansen Bar

    Cocktail Bar

    Jansen Bar - Cocktail Bar in Berlin.
    Located in the heart of Schöneberg, Jansen Bar is a chic, somewhat upscale yet slightly bohemian cocktail bar divided into three distinct rooms, each bathed in warm lighting that’s low enough to create atmosphere but bright enough to show off the swanky décor. The front room, dominated by a wide granite-topped bar nicely set off by pastel
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    Berlin

    Gotenstrasse 71
    10829 Berlin

    0175 7123173

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  • Granville Moore's

    Beer Garden / Gastropub

    Granville Moore's - Beer Garden | Gastropub in Washington, DC.
    Hidden in an unassuming row house, Granville Moore’s is a rustic neighborhood gastropub that prepares a thousand pounds of mussels and potatoes every week – all from a kitchen not much bigger than a walk-in closet. The venue also serves an array of sandwiches and steaks to the hungry regulars who flood in every night, but the moules-frites is by
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    Washington, DC

    1238 H Street NE
    Washington, DC 20002

    202‑399‑2546

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  • Negroni

    Bar / Italian Restaurant

    Negroni - Bar | Italian Restaurant in Munich.
    “A cocktail a day keeps the doctor away,” or so says the sign at this cute bar with a distinct Italian flair. Small and incredibly cozy, Negroni buzzes with regulars, especially on the weekends, and offers some of the best cocktails in Munich – and it has the collection of Golden Shaker trophies to prove it. Owned by two Italians, Negroni offers an
    . . . read more
    Munich

    Sedanstrasse 9
    81667 Munich

    089 48950154

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  • Danger of Death

    Cocktail Bar / Lounge

    Danger of Death - Cocktail Bar | Lounge in London.
    Refined but with a touch of cheeky sophistication, Danger of Death is a favorite of hipster Hoxonites and moneyed artistic professionals looking for an exclusive night of cocktails and conversation. Tucked behind the façade of a former antique shop, the cozy escape retains its secretive underground vibe through its stringent members-only policy.
    . . . read more
    London

    202 Brick Lane
    London E1 6SA

    020 7065 6806

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  • Freni e Frizioni

    Bar

    Freni e Frizioni - Bar in Rome.
    Formerly an auto-body shop, Freni e Frizioni (Brakes and Clutch) is now a stylish bar that people deliberately seek out for its diverse patrons and the electrifying, interactive atmosphere they create. Once they walk through the wide garage doors, fashion-conscious Italians dressed to impress and artsy underground types have plenty of time to
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    Rome

    Via del Politeama, 4-6
    00153 Rome

    06 4549 7499

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  • Burritt Room

    Hotel Bar / Lounge

    Burritt Room - Hotel Bar | Lounge in San Francisco.
    Tucked above the lobby of the boutique Mystic Hotel, Burritt Room has only been part of Union Square’s nightlife since 2010 – but given that the building went up a hundred years prior, this watering hole has an old-time feel far beyond its years. Named after the adjoining alleyway – the site of a murder in the Humphrey Bogart classic, The Maltese
    . . . read more
    San Francisco

    Mystic Hotel
    417 Stockton Street
    San Francisco, CA 94102

    415‑400‑0500

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Tags
Bars, Food & Drink, Nightlife
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What are your favorite bars from 2012?

Danny M.
Danny M. Dec 21, 2012
The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town...awesome name for a bar. Haven't been there but if there were a list of "Best Bar Names in 2012" that's got to be on there.
Samantha L.
Samantha L. Dec 21, 2012
Just added checking more of these places out to my 2013 resolution list.
Paul F.
Paul F. Dec 21, 2012
Honorable mention to: The Churchill, Lobby Bar at Ace Hotel, Thirsty Crow, and Pour Vous...

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