A new trend has been making its way to Mpls/St. Paul – upscale specialty drink bars. We saw the onslaught of wine bars a few years back, but this takes it to a whole new level. Take Barrio, for example, on Nicollet Mall. The full-service Tequila bar serves a variety of tapas in addition to over 100 types of tequila. Some of the reasons to check out Barrio include: Mixologist Johny Michaels, Western movies and dancing marionettes. Oh, and did I mention that Tim McKee is behind the food, so you can’t go wrong?
If Tequila’s not your thing, then perhaps a sake bar is just the thing? I-moto is the new sake brewery in Uptown. What makes this place unique is that it’s the first place outside of Japan to brew sake! Cool, huh? They also serve other drinks and a full menu as well. The sake bar is reminiscent of Japanese speakeasies and can be found at the intersection of Lyndale and Lake in the old Machu Picchu location. This place also has a solid owner behind it, Blake Richardson, owner/passionate brewer at the Herkimer Pub and Brewery a few doors away.  With Richardson as a certified sake sommelier (who knew there was such a thing??), you can’t go wrong!
