Bar Openings: November 2014

The Delano Las Vegas debuts cocktail-focused Franklin, and Playa del Ray, California, welcomes the second location of Bacari wine bar.

Franklin lounge in the Delano Las Vegas aims for an intimate, upbeat atmosphere, with sparkling gold lighting, a deep blue and bronze interior, plush seating and a large bar.
Franklin lounge in the Delano Las Vegas aims for an intimate, upbeat atmosphere, with sparkling gold lighting, a deep blue and bronze interior, plush seating and a large bar.

Las Vegas Lobby Lounge Makes Spirited Debut

Featuring an upscale, cocktail-centric menu and a live performance space, Franklin in the new Delano Las Vegas hotel is upping the energy of the traditional lobby lounge. The venue opened in September, offering a sophisticated social gathering spot. The cocktail menu lists classics alongside new creations, barrel-aged drinks and a daily punch ($11 to $18). Standouts include the Mr. Hyde, made with Oxley gin, St-Germain elderflower liqueur, passion fruit, pineapple, lemon juice and kaffir lime leaves, and the Comfortably Numb, an aged drink that blends Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Bourbon, Giffard Vanille de Madagascar liqueur and coffee bean-infused Carpano Antica vermouth. Franklin also offers more than 80 whiskies, including Bourbons, ryes, Scotches, and whiskies from Australia and India (2-ounce pours start at $12 and reach $4,600 for the The Macallan “The Rarest” 1969). In addition, the lounge boasts a range of worldly wines ($14 to $29 a glass; $60 to $795 a 750-ml. bottle) and craft beers ($7 to $35 a bottle). Franklin also has a menu of small bites, appetizers and desserts ($3 to $16). Operated by Morgans Hotel Group and MGM Resorts International, Delano Las Vegas is adjacent to Mandalay Bay and has a sister hotel in Miami.

Bacari in Playa del Rey, California, features rustic décor, beach views and a patio.
Bacari in Playa del Rey, California, features rustic décor, beach views and a patio.

California Restaurateurs Open Beachside Wine Bar

Los Angeles restaurateurs Robert and Daniel Kronfli and chef Lior Hillel debuted a second location of the popular wine bar Bacari in August. The Playa del Rey, California, venue features esoteric international wines and a Mediterranean-inspired food menu. Bacari emphasizes lesser-known varietals and offers a rotating selection of small-production labels ($7 to $10 a glass; $28 to $40 a 750-ml. bottle). These offerings are joined by 12 to 15 craft brews ($5 to $7 a draft pour or bottle), a variety of signature drinks ($10), and cold and hot cicchetti plates ($8 each; $21 for three). A sister location to the original Bacari in Los Angeles, the Playa del Rey location has a rustic interior with a crescent-shaped cocktail bar and boasts an outdoor patio with beach views.

Bar Briefs

  • Kimpton’s Epic Hotel in Miami unveiled the sophisticated nightspot Lilt Lounge in August, providing a social alternative to the city’s traditional club scene. The bi-level lounge features live music and art installations, as well as cocktails, wine, Port, Champagne and small plates like caviar and oysters.
  • Atlanta mixologist Arianne Fielder opened Bellwoods Social House in the city’s Westside neighborhood in September. The dimly lit drinks den features a variety of updated classic cocktails and Bourbon-based drinks, as well as several shots inspired by Fielder’s favorite bars from around the country. The space also offers upscale bar fare and a large patio.
  • Serving classic drinks in a sophisticated but relaxed atmosphere, the neighborhood cocktail lounge Parliament debuted in Dallas’ Uptown area in August. The bar boasts an encyclopedic menu of more than 100 cocktails, with a heavy emphasis on brown spirits.
  • Vice District Brewing Co. opened in September in Chicago’s South Loop. The craft beer hall features five brews made by the owners, including a Cascadian dark ale, a porter and an English-style bitter beer, all of which can be taken home in growlers. The venue also offers small snacks.