BAR 414 For a sultry, speakeasy vibe, take that special someone, whether it’s your partner or best friend to Bar 414, located in the century-old Sheraton Gunter Hotel along hoppin’ Houston Street. This bar, which is known for its prohibition-era cocktails and live blues and jazz music on the weekends, is steeped in history. The hotel’s bar is named after famed Delta Blue’s King, Robert Johnson, who, in 1936, set up a temporary recording studio in the hotel’s room 414.
While all of their craft cocktails are spiffy enough to whet your whistle, their classic Old Fashioned gets rave reviews. For something a little sweeter for your sweetheart, the bar recommends the Buttercup, a concoction of Jack Daniels, Howl at the Moon bitters, honey syrup, ginger ale, blackberries, and orange. The charcuterie and cheese board is the perfect accompaniment for a couple’s nibble or a couple of nibbles and comes with premium cured meats, cheeses, and pickled veggies. However, if you’re feeling spicy, the Prohibition Wings with a Creole dry-rub will light your fire. HOWL AT THE MOON Howl at the Moon, located downtown along W. Crockett and N. Presa, is celebrating a quarter of a century this year, and for a good reason.
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Bar 414
There’s nowhere else in town that offers such a raucous good time with dueling pianos. The music ranges from the ’90s to contemporary songs. Howl is the spot for folks looking for live, interactive entertainment, as well as dancing and Texas-sized concoctions with some served in an actual bucket. The drink menu offerings come in an array of rainbow colors and flavors and are served in 32 or 86 ounce buckets, intended for sharing – think couples and double-dates. Their most popular drink, Adios Mofo, is a fruity, boozy twist on a Long Island Iced Tea. Of course, Sex on the Moon, is a close second, with its bright, tropical flavors. MERKABA Located below Howl at the Moon, is an upscale, chic establishment along the River Walk with a yummy, shareable cocktail selection made for the stars. If these drinks could walk down the red carpet, they would. Rainbow Road comes in an exquisite 54-ounce handblown glass made locally by Garcia Art Glass. A virtual work of art, the drink arrives at your table with changing colored lights, sour rainbow belts, and straws and tastes like a watermelon Long Island Iced Tea that’s as exciting to look at as it is to drink. If you’re hoping to impress a new love, one sip and you won’t need Cupid’s arrows. Merkaba just rolled out their Elyx Mule, made with Absolut Elyx, ginger beer, and lime juice – akin to a standard mule, only better and, to top it off, served in a ginormous 64-ounce copper pineapple. If that doesn’t get you a second date, nothing will. RIO Magazine
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