One of the joys of travelling is finding a great bar. What's your favorite?
Mine is definitely Bar Berta in Taxco, Mexico. Been in business since 1930. World-class view of the Unesco nominated plaza and Santa Prisca Cathedral, it's just magical to sit on the 2nd floor balcony overlooking it all for an afternoon and drifting into evening. The plaza there takes on a life of its own every day. Exceedingly laid-back bar, they're famous for their Berta cocktail - tequila, lime, honey and topo chico in a tall glass with ice.
I've had cocktails there while watching couples dance to live bands in the plaza, hawkers sell balloons, vw taxis negotiate the narrow streets, worshipers enter/exit the cathedral.
They've been closed during covid, but have a Facebook livestream from the balcony

Berta's Facebook page

Buza Bar in Dubrovnik

The lobby bar in the Tokyo Ritz and The Rusty Knot on the west side highway in Manhattan

It's not necessarily that great of a bar but the view from the outside deck at the St. Regis bar in the main lobby in Kauai, HA is hard to beat.

Most interesting bar I may have been to (don't remember the name or if it even had/has one) is the one in Boquillas, MX. You've probably heard REK sing about it. We were able to go prior to 9/11 crossing the Rio Grande. I think I recall the border crossing there finally opened back up around a year ago.

You cross the Rio in a canoe and then walked or pay a dollar to a dude to ride a donkey up to the bar. We walked. Bar was partially open air and people from all over the world were in that place. Bought some moonshine (soto).

Coco Maya, Spanishtown, Virgin Gorda, BVI

The lobby bar at that St Regis in Kauai is awesome, sadly it's no longer a St Regis. Also the soggy dollar bar

My top 3:

Cafe no Se in Antigua, Guatemala
BocaNariz wine bar in Santiago
Harry's in Venice

YouBet said:

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Most interesting bar I may have been to (don't remember the name or if it even had/has one) is the one in Boquillas, MX. You've probably heard REK sing about it. We were able to go prior to 9/11 crossing the Rio Grande. I think I recall the border crossing there finally opened back up around a year ago.

You cross the Rio in a canoe and then walked or pay a dollar to a dude to ride a donkey up to the bar. We walked. Bar was partially open air and people from all over the world were in that place. Bought some moonshine (soto).

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Came here to post this one.

Yes, its open. It's been open for a number of years now, post 9-11. I go there as often as I can when I'm in big bend. They even have electricity for the refrigerator now, don't have to rely on gas. And one of the pool tables has been re-felted. Unfortunately, due to covid, the crossing is closed.

And it is Sotol.

Soggy Dollar Bar - Jost Van Dyke
Sunshine Shack - Anguilla

The Avenue Pub in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Keeper of The Spirits said:

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The lobby bar in the Tokyo Ritz and The Rusty Knot on the west side highway in Manhattan

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Haha I love The Rusty Knot! Some friends and I stumbled in there one night about 10 years when I was visiting the city and I think about that place all the time.

Head Ninja In Charge said:

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The Avenue Pub in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

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I've been there! A few years ago was staying at a B&B around the corner on Prytania. Went to that pub a few times to watch some world cup soccer and enjoy a cold beer.

AggieOO said:

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YouBet said:

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Most interesting bar I may have been to (don't remember the name or if it even had/has one) is the one in Boquillas, MX. You've probably heard REK sing about it. We were able to go prior to 9/11 crossing the Rio Grande. I think I recall the border crossing there finally opened back up around a year ago.

You cross the Rio in a canoe and then walked or pay a dollar to a dude to ride a donkey up to the bar. We walked. Bar was partially open air and people from all over the world were in that place. Bought some moonshine (soto).

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Came here to post this one.

Yes, its open. It's been open for a number of years now, post 9-11. I go there as often as I can when I'm in big bend. They even have electricity for the refrigerator now, don't have to rely on gas. And one of the pool tables has been re-felted. Unfortunately, due to covid, the crossing is closed.

And it is Sotol.

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Next time in that area, take the drive up to Ruidosa TX to the general store. They have a bar set-up (or did maybe 15 years ago). I had a Dos Equis after driving the bouncy dirt road direct from Marfa down to Ruidosa past the hot springs.
Seems like I had a beer at the bar in Boquillas back in the early 80's when I was hiking Big Bend over spring break one year. We rode the donkeys to the bar. Cool place.

AggieOO said:

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YouBet said:

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Most interesting bar I may have been to (don't remember the name or if it even had/has one) is the one in Boquillas, MX. You've probably heard REK sing about it. We were able to go prior to 9/11 crossing the Rio Grande. I think I recall the border crossing there finally opened back up around a year ago.

You cross the Rio in a canoe and then walked or pay a dollar to a dude to ride a donkey up to the bar. We walked. Bar was partially open air and people from all over the world were in that place. Bought some moonshine (soto).

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Came here to post this one.

Yes, its open. It's been open for a number of years now, post 9-11. I go there as often as I can when I'm in big bend. They even have electricity for the refrigerator now, don't have to rely on gas. And one of the pool tables has been re-felted. Unfortunately, due to covid, the crossing is closed.

And it is Sotol.

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Good to know!

Was also going to post the Soggy Dollar Bar in Jost Van Dyke. Fun place.

chico said:

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AggieOO said:

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YouBet said:

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Most interesting bar I may have been to (don't remember the name or if it even had/has one) is the one in Boquillas, MX. You've probably heard REK sing about it. We were able to go prior to 9/11 crossing the Rio Grande. I think I recall the border crossing there finally opened back up around a year ago.

You cross the Rio in a canoe and then walked or pay a dollar to a dude to ride a donkey up to the bar. We walked. Bar was partially open air and people from all over the world were in that place. Bought some moonshine (soto).

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Came here to post this one.

Yes, its open. It's been open for a number of years now, post 9-11. I go there as often as I can when I'm in big bend. They even have electricity for the refrigerator now, don't have to rely on gas. And one of the pool tables has been re-felted. Unfortunately, due to covid, the crossing is closed.

And it is Sotol.

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Next time in that area, take the drive up to Ruidosa TX to the general store. They have a bar set-up (or did maybe 15 years ago). I had a Dos Equis after driving the bouncy dirt road direct from Marfa down to Ruidosa past the hot springs.

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They still have the bar in the store. We stopped in there after leaving Chinati a few years ago. Super friendly folks.

YouBet said:

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AggieOO said:

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YouBet said:

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Most interesting bar I may have been to (don't remember the name or if it even had/has one) is the one in Boquillas, MX. You've probably heard REK sing about it. We were able to go prior to 9/11 crossing the Rio Grande. I think I recall the border crossing there finally opened back up around a year ago.

You cross the Rio in a canoe and then walked or pay a dollar to a dude to ride a donkey up to the bar. We walked. Bar was partially open air and people from all over the world were in that place. Bought some moonshine (soto).

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Came here to post this one.

Yes, its open. It's been open for a number of years now, post 9-11. I go there as often as I can when I'm in big bend. They even have electricity for the refrigerator now, don't have to rely on gas. And one of the pool tables has been re-felted. Unfortunately, due to covid, the crossing is closed.

And it is Sotol.

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Good to know!

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If you are interesting in Sotol, you can buy a few brands in Specs/Total Wine. It is near the tequila and mezcal. I prefer Sotol for margaritas.

And as an FYI the bar in Boquillas is called Park Bar.



not my picture, but you can see the "moonshine" Sotol bottle, hand written. I want to say they don't pour out of a plastic bottle anymore, but I could be wrong. Its been about a year since I've been over. My buddy forgot his passport last time I out there.

This was, by far, the best view I have ever had at a restaurant/bar. I remember the food being so/so, but the beer being great and the view nothing short of amazing. I absolutely love New Zealand.

Stratosfare Restaurant and Bar

There's a bar in Saint Martin that was on the beach as planes come in landing. The bar itself is nothing special, but for those that like seeing planes up close it was really fun. The screens in the bar show the incoming flights and what kind of plane it is so you can look forward to 747s and the like.

Also all the bars at Chicago Athletic Association are excellent

I was actually there in the mid-90s so I recall it being even more rundown then. Our sotol was served from a glass bottle with no label. You could see stuff just floating around in it.

And, no, I have no interest in drinking it again. It made a few of hallucinate and do some stupid sh^t. Lol.

AggieOO said:

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chico said:

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AggieOO said:

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YouBet said:

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Most interesting bar I may have been to (don't remember the name or if it even had/has one) is the one in Boquillas, MX. You've probably heard REK sing about it. We were able to go prior to 9/11 crossing the Rio Grande. I think I recall the border crossing there finally opened back up around a year ago.

You cross the Rio in a canoe and then walked or pay a dollar to a dude to ride a donkey up to the bar. We walked. Bar was partially open air and people from all over the world were in that place. Bought some moonshine (soto).

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Came here to post this one.

Yes, its open. It's been open for a number of years now, post 9-11. I go there as often as I can when I'm in big bend. They even have electricity for the refrigerator now, don't have to rely on gas. And one of the pool tables has been re-felted. Unfortunately, due to covid, the crossing is closed.

And it is Sotol.

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Next time in that area, take the drive up to Ruidosa TX to the general store. They have a bar set-up (or did maybe 15 years ago). I had a Dos Equis after driving the bouncy dirt road direct from Marfa down to Ruidosa past the hot springs.

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They still have the bar in the store. We stopped in there after leaving Chinati a few years ago. Super friendly folks.

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I remember it must have been 2003 or so when I was there. The owner told me they used to have a rope bridge across the river and people from Mexico would come to buy his supplies with cash or barter. However after 9/11 the US federal agents cut down the rope bridge in the name of security - so that owner lost much of his business.

"not my picture, but you can see the "moonshine" Sotol bottle, hand written. "

Lots of moonshine in Mexico. I've had moonshine tequila, mezcal and rum from hand-made "artisans". One time at the Bar Berta I saw an older gentleman with a big plastic jug labeled "Tuba Fresca" and he was selling shots on the square. Apparently this is some sort of palm tree sap fermented into something alcoholic. I didn't try it!

Another vote for the Soggy Dollar Bar in Jost Van Dyke BVI -- a very fun place and great views....

I loved the concierge lounge at the Renaissance New York Times Square --- we would go get happy hour cocktails and go sit up there and people watch over Times Square.

Lafitte's - New Orleans
Lala's Little Nugget - Austin
Floore's Country Store - Helotes
Howard's - Shiner

chico said:

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"not my picture, but you can see the "moonshine" Sotol bottle, hand written. "

Lots of moonshine in Mexico. I've had moonshine tequila, mezcal and rum from hand-made "artisans". One time at the Bar Berta I saw an older gentleman with a big plastic jug labeled "Tuba Fresca" and he was selling shots on the square. Apparently this is some sort of palm tree sap fermented into something alcoholic. I didn't try it!

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not saying it isn't actual moonshine. might be. I've had many a shots of sotol over the years from that bar.

mike_ags_fan12 said:

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Lafitte's - New Orleans

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The Reef, Waikiki.

top contenders: the beer wall in bruges



church brew works pittsburgh



gruene hall

hofbrauhaus or oktoberfest in munich

had a beer in hitler's eagle nest near berchtesgaden

or any of the places i went in positano that had views like this



green dragon pub/inn in hobbiton new zealand

Pretty sure The Rusty Knot shut down within the past few days due to Covid.

Ma Crosby's in Acuna, Mexico
The Bucksnort Saloon in Pine, Colorado
Polly's Kettle House in Itaewon, Seoul S. Korea
Ullrs in Breckenridge
Slopeside Grill, Steamboat Springs, CO
Airport bar in Shannon, Ireland (en route back home from deployment)
Andechs and Kreuzberg monasteries in Germany
O'Malley's Pub in Weston, MO
McSorley's Pub in NYC
The Rooftop Bar at Vendue, Charleston, SC
The airport lounge at Easterwood Airport (College Station.....early-mid '90's) because they would take Aggie Bucks to pay for beer and didn't card you.

Even the restroom at the Corona Club?

FancyKetchup14 said:

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My top 3:

Cafe no Se in Antigua, Guatemala
BocaNariz wine bar in Santiago
Harry's in Venice

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Been to 2 of those 3 (Harry's and Cafe no Se) and I agree - great memories at both!

oldag941 said:

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The airport lounge at Easterwood Airport (College Station.....early-mid '90's) because they would take Aggie Bucks to pay for beer and didn't card you.

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Sullys Landing. We hit it up for the same reasons. Plus they had good hot wings.