Just Five Cool Bars…
“I drink to make other people more interesting.”
— Ernest Hemingway
The coolest bars aren’t defined by size or location — they’re places that reflect the spirit of their communities. Whether it’s a tiki hideaway in San Francisco or a tavern in Montana, these five spots prove that a truly great bar is about more than just what’s in the glass.
Smuggler’s Cove – San Francisco, California
Urban Escape with a Tropical Twist
Hidden behind an unassuming door in Hayes Valley, Smuggler’s Cove feels like stepping into another world. The rum collection — over 800 bottles — is legendary, making this one of the most celebrated tiki bars in the U.S. The space is layered with salvaged wood, glowing lanterns, and maritime relics, creating an atmosphere that’s part pirate hideaway, part Polynesian fantasy. It’s a must-stop for cocktail lovers looking for craft and spectacle in equal measure.
Why it’s cool: Boundary-pushing cocktails and an immersive design that makes every visit an adventure.
The Silver Dollar – Louisville, Kentucky
Honky-Tonk Soul in a Former Firehouse
Once a neighborhood firehouse, The Silver Dollar now hums with bourbon, live bluegrass, and Southern hospitality. It’s the kind of bar where vintage neon glows against exposed brick, and locals gather after work to sip whiskey flights while the jukebox plays classic country. Their bourbon selection rivals any in the state, and the menu features fried chicken and biscuits that keep the kitchen as busy as the bar.
Why it’s cool: It captures the heart of Kentucky’s bourbon culture while honoring the city’s roots in music and industry.
Chopper – Nashville, Tennessee
Retro-Futuristic Robot Bar
Nashville has no shortage of themed bars, but Chopper takes it to the next level. The vibe is mid-century sci-fi, complete with glowing robot heads, gold accents, and tiki-style cocktails served in custom mugs. It’s playful without being kitschy, making it a favorite for both locals and visitors who want something unexpected beyond Broadway’s honky-tonks.
Why it’s cool: A bold blend of tiki culture and retro design that feels fresh and original.
The Sip ’n Dip Lounge – Great Falls, Montana
Mermaids, Martinis, and Pure Americana
On the surface, it’s just a tiki bar tucked inside a mid-century motel in Great Falls. Step inside, though, and you’re greeted by something wonderfully unexpected: live mermaids swimming behind the bar in a glass-walled pool. The Sip ’n Dip has been a Montana legend since the 1960s, blending quirky nostalgia with stiff tropical drinks.
Locals crowd the vinyl booths while travelers detour off the highway just to experience its offbeat charm. The soundtrack? Piano music from “Piano Pat,” who played here for decades and became as iconic as the mermaids themselves. It’s playful, a little kitschy, and completely unforgettable — proof that even in landlocked Montana, you can sip a Mai Tai under a thatched roof and feel like you’ve stumbled onto a roadside fever dream.
Why it’s cool: A perfectly preserved slice of mid-century Americana where small-town Montana meets pure, eccentric fun.
The legendary Sip 'n Dip Tiki Lounge… Named the #1 bar on earth worth flying for by GQ Magazine!
Death & Co – New York, New York
The Bar That Defined Modern Craft Cocktails
