Eater
The piece lists the 2025 Eater Award winners across restaurants, bars, pop-ups, and related dining projects in multiple U.S. cities.
John Cox
Blogs · @wyome
Tagged bars · everything
The 20 Best Tiki Bars In The US
Tiki bars represent a distinctly American form of escapism rooted in 19th-century fascination with the South Pacific, evolving from kitschy nautical themes at pioneer spots like Trader Vic's into dynamic contemporary establishments that blend classic cocktails with inventive riffs and immersive theming. The article profiles over 20 tiki bars across the U.S.—from Smuggler's Cove in San Francisco to Wusong Road in Boston—each offering unique interpretations of tropical escapism, from wine-based tiki cocktails in California wine country to robot-fueled tiki in Nashville. Modern tiki bars remain temples of rum and vacation fantasy while constantly adapting their aesthetics, menus, and experiences to contemporary tastes and local cultures.
Where to Drink in Asheville
Asheville, North Carolina has emerged as a premier drinking destination in the Blue Ridge Mountains, with venues ranging from craft cocktail bars to breweries to music venues. The article profiles specific establishments across the city—including Little Jumbo (famous for its old-fashioned), The Golden Pineapple (tiki-inspired cocktails and food), The Odd (dive bar and cultural hub), and several others—each offering distinct atmospheres and specialties. The piece is designed as a practical guide for visitors planning a trip during events like the Asheville Herb Festival or the city's year-round Friday evening gatherings.
The Truth About the Martini
The martini has experienced a remarkable cultural resurgence in recent years, partly due to social media appeal and meme culture, but more fundamentally because it remains the perfect antidote to modern life—a serious drinker's reward that doesn't mask its alcohol but instead delivers it cold and bracing to calm the mind after a difficult day. Ruck traces the drink's history through Esquire's archives, noting that it was deeply unfashionable in the 1970s and '80s when young people rejected it as a symbol of bourgeois decadence, before its gradual rehabilitation into a drink of timeless sophistication. The piece combines personal anecdotes about martinis consumed around the world with practical guidance on preparation (ice cold, straight up, gin or vodka) to argue that the cocktail's enduring appeal lies in its uncompromising nature and its essential role in the lives of serious, busy people.
Esquire’s Best Martinis in America: 2025 Edition
Esquire's guide celebrates martinis being creatively reimagined by bartenders across America rather than treated as a sacred, untouchable classic. The piece showcases over twenty exceptional martinis from restaurants nationwide—ranging from faithful traditional versions to inventive variations featuring ingredients like za'atar, pineapple amaro, pickled okra, matcha, and even anchovy-fat-washed vodka. Rather than prescribing one correct way to make a martini, the collection demonstrates that the drink's enduring appeal lies in its flexibility as a canvas for seasonal ingredients, local flavors, and bartender creativity.