The Hottest Bar Openings Across The Country

Chicago welcomes a gaming-oriented spot, and a Hollywood hotel bar features throwback cocktails.

Chicago’s For the Win arcade bar highlights craft beer, Victorian-inspired cocktails and comfort food in a steampunk setting. The venue offers over 130 arcade games and other activities.
Chicago’s For the Win arcade bar highlights craft beer, Victorian-inspired cocktails and comfort food in a steampunk setting. The venue offers over 130 arcade games and other activities. (Photo by Anthony Tahlier)

Lucky Strike Goes All In With New Chicago Arcade Bar

Having modernized and moved bowling upscale, Lucky Strike Entertainment branched out in June with the debut of For the Win, an arcade and gaming center in Chicago adjacent to its Lucky Strike bowling alley. The steampunk-themed venue spans 20,000 square feet and boasts more than 130 games, from traditional arcade games to miniature golf. The venue offers American comfort fare and boasts a dim sum–style cart that allows guests to order snacks while they’re playing. Menu highlights include mini sloppy Joes, ahi tuna poke, braised short rib and sour cream poutine, and a griddled meatloaf sandwich ($6 to $18). The 32-foot-long bar is the venue’s centerpiece. For the Win pours 32 craft beers on draft ($5 to $13), including local labels by Two Brothers Brewing Co. and 5 Rabbit Cervecería, as well as Bud Light, Coors Light and Pabst Blue Ribbon. The bar also has a variety of specialty and classic cocktails (all $13) inspired by the Victorian era. Signatures include a Hochstadter’s Slow & Low Rock and Rye whiskey–based Old Fashioned; the Blackberry Smash, mixed with Death’s Door gin, St-Germain elderflower liqueur, mint, lime and blackberries; and the Lobo Picante, a blend of Montelobos mezcal and Ancho Reyes chili liqueur served in a salt-rimmed glass. For the Win has an industrial interior with art from local artists and exposed ceilings, gears, clocks and pipes.

MiniBar in Hollywood, California, serves 1970s-era drinks and globally sourced beers.
MiniBar in Hollywood, California, serves 1970s-era drinks and globally sourced beers. (Photo by J. Pablo Garcia Bucio)

L.A. Restaurateurs Debut MiniBar In Hollywood

Chef Brandon Boudet, restaurateur Warner Ebbink and sommelier Jeremy Allen unveiled MiniBar, an intimate drinks den in the Best Western Hall in Hollywood, California, in June. The venue has a 1970s décor and a well-edited drinks list that includes specialty cocktails and a handful of wines, beers and rare whiskies. Signature drinks ($15) range from a City of London Dry gin–based Harvey Wallbanger to the Godfather 101, mixing Bank Note 5-year-old blended Scotch whisky, Angostura 7-year-old rum, Lazzaroni amaretto and Angostura bitters. MiniBar’s beer list includes domestic labels and imports from Austria, Iceland, Belgium, Canada and Japan ($5 to $14 a draft pour, can or bottle). The diverse wine menu features tasting notes with each selection ($10 a glass; $40 to $101 a 750-ml. bottle).

Bar Briefs

  • Dirty Water opened in San Francisco in June, paying homage to the best beer, Bourbon and wine offerings. The venue boasts 52 taps, hundreds of spirits and myriad wines by the glass, served from a 50-foot limestone bar. Charcuterie, cheese and small plates are also available.
  • Channeling Prohibition-era London, Libertine is a new late-night spot in Downtown Miami. The lounge opened in June with a 24-hour liquor license and a menu of fresh, creative cocktails, beers and shots. The interior features subway tiles, apothecary jars and illuminated shelving to show off its vast collection of whiskies.
  • The team behind The Standard Pour tavern and So & So’s restaurant in Dallas expanded in June with the opening of High Fives, an indoor-outdoor drinks den with two large bars. The space highlights signature cocktails and local beers to complement its seasonal menu of sandwiches and small plates.
  • Spanning 9,000 square feet, Chicago’s largest outdoor rooftop terrace, Streeterville Social, opened in June atop the Loews Chicago Hotel. The space has a lawn area with cabanas and two bars that offer classic drinks, sparkling wines, and still and sparkling rosés. The venue also serves refined street food.