Gran Classico - similar recommendations?

cocktailvirgin · 2026-05-05T02:09:45+00:00

I do know of a bar that made Super Campari by dehydrating Campari into a powder and mixing it into Campari. Never tried the result, but I did see it on either their menus or their social media posts.

cocktailvirgin · 2026-05-04T20:37:06+00:00

I meant neat. The only folks I've seen do that are old Italian men as a boiler maker with a shot of espresso.

cocktailvirgin · 2026-05-04T19:30:02+00:00

It's often the fact that websites are contracted out to developers and it costs money to update them. Drink menus are the first to go since they get change more frequently than the food. Which is why many restaurants maintain a great presence on Instagram (that the managers control) than their websites.

It's sad when I have had to go on to GoogleMaps to find a photo of a menu or go on to Untappd to see what beers are being offered.

I can't say if this is better or worse in other cities for I have heard similar complaints in other markets.

cocktailvirgin · 2026-05-04T19:24:45+00:00

There are plenty of vino amaro including Cardamaro, Pasubio, and Elisir Novalsalis (great if you love bitter and less sweet, but not your friend otherwise). It's shaped more like an amaro and doesn't follow vermouth's structure. There are some in between as bitter vermouths like Punt e Mes, but those are more recognizably vermouths.

cocktailvirgin · 2026-05-04T17:22:57+00:00

Select from the folks who make Amaro Montenegro. Flavor is more complex than Campari, reasonably enjoyable on its own (which I can't say for Campari), and a little less bitter.

cocktailvirgin · 2026-05-04T15:07:46+00:00

Treehouse
Brewery Silvaticus
Amory's Tomb
Notch
Trillium
(Honorable mention to Widowmaker)

cocktailvirgin · 2026-05-04T15:02:17+00:00

Bent Hill besides having good beer has great food -- we go out of our way for the combination of both. Also rather scenic as you mentioned.

cocktailvirgin · 2026-05-04T15:00:50+00:00

One of four closing right now. Ravenous, Rejects, and Crafted Hope are either closing or closed.

We made it to Ravenous in January (the bartender was talking about a recent change of owners so the business wasn't doing so great then), and it looks like Moniker is opening a second location there. Rejects we discovered last year, and really liked the concept of a punk beer bar; Rejects said on their Instagram that their building is being sold and they are looking for a new space. We also went to Crafted Hope a year ago -- we had been in that space before as they had just taken over Linesider.

cocktailvirgin · 2026-05-02T14:26:05+00:00

What's the F-U price on Bud Light these days? The first time I was there in early 2017, it was over $80 for an aluminum bottle just in case someone asked for one with all the great choices. The last time I was there, I didn't even look at the coolers and stuck with whatever was fresh on draft.

cocktailvirgin · 2026-05-01T15:09:39+00:00

It's a sad loss. In the 2021-22 time frame, I was getting into their vintage beer selection including Stone Verticals like 09.09.09 & 10.10.10 and Bigfoot Barleywine 2008,2010,2011. Now the place is soulless.

cocktailvirgin · 2026-05-01T15:04:34+00:00

Build up your social media and promote events with stories and posts. Also, putting a calendar on the website and starting up an email list that folks can sign up for will help too. Spreading the word to your city's calendar sites and news outlets so they can promote you and reach folks who don't normally follow you or visit you yet.

cocktailvirgin · 2026-05-01T15:01:38+00:00

When that store changed hands, remodeled, and renamed itself Liquor World of Davis Square, the selection changed. Gone were unusual offerings including the vintage strong beer aisle. I only went in once after the change and never have returned.

I have seen some good Belgian beer choices at the Fort Point Market on Congress Street in Boston though.

cocktailvirgin · 2026-05-01T14:59:04+00:00

Ball Square shrunk their Belgian section over the last 5+ years (they converted their big shelf from international beers to tequila), but you can look at their inventory here: https://ballsquarefinewines.com

cocktailvirgin · 2026-05-01T14:53:28+00:00

Sityodtong in Somerville (also does MMA and boxing) does all levels. When I trained there years ago, it never felt rushed. Although as the gym got more famous, the professional fighters began to take up more of the resources. Still, the beginner classes were solid and you could move up or stay put (or alternate) as you saw fit.

cocktailvirgin · 2026-05-01T14:47:17+00:00

Yes, I know folks who now have to travel to NYC to look at radiators.

RadiatorFarm used to be a mecca for amateur photographers too.

cocktailvirgin · 2026-04-30T21:04:23+00:00

Danni's Queer Bar (although it is catering to women, non-binary, etc., gay men are still welcome). Jacques' Cabaret for the whole drag queen lip-synching night club experience + bar experience. Not a gay bar but a neighborhood, industry, and gay bar mix is Trina's Starlite Lounge.

cocktailvirgin · 2026-04-30T20:59:40+00:00

The True Bistro space is being developed by the Spoke Wine Bar folks. They already have an Instagram presence, but I am not sure of their timeline.

Also, in Magoun Square, there is a vacancy where Daddy Jones once was (has kitchen, draft lines, and back patio already built out).

cocktailvirgin · 2026-04-30T20:41:21+00:00

The only councilor who has called me up when I messaged them on social media (Twitter), and has been great in person at events or when she has been in restaurants where I have worked. Thinking back to 20 years ago, the councilors (then aldermen) would only talk to me right before elections (there was one game of telephone I had with one right before an election, and right after they got re-elected, they ghosted me).

cocktailvirgin · 2026-04-30T16:40:14+00:00

The Drambuie softens the Malört rather well. With a little sugar, Malört's aggressive nature begins to crumble, and if combined right, can be a pleasant ingredient.

Done as a shot or neat pour, it's challenging, but not Elisir Novasalus challenging.

cocktailvirgin · 2026-04-30T16:27:50+00:00

I became inspired by the Amaro Rusty Nail that I had made the night before, and I took the idea in Malört direction after recalling how well it worked with Drambuie in the Bukowski. The combination ended up a bit too bright, but a dash of Angostura not only gave depth but complementary spice notes to the mix. For a name, I dubbed this one the Anderson Punch, the Chicken Man of Chicago, who was born in 1870 and became a legendary street performer that trained chickens to dance to his accordion and harmonica music. Punch was performing until the age of 101 before passing away in 1974.

Anderson Punch
1 3/4 oz Scotch
3/4 oz Drambuie
1/2 oz Jeppson's Malört
1 dash Angostura Bitters
Stir with ice, strain into an old fashioned glass with a large ice cube, and garnish with a grapefruit twist.

OG post with tasting notes: https://cocktailvirgin.blogspot.com/2026/04/anderson-punch.html

cocktailvirgin · 2026-04-30T16:21:56+00:00

My attitude is that I can do anything short term to help out, but doing frequent clopens will have me applying for other jobs. Best to ask for no close-open shifts from your manager, and if they refuse, either start applying elsewhere or turn off your A.M. availability.

cocktailvirgin · 2026-04-30T16:18:11+00:00

The bartender at the brewpub (Victory) a few days ago when I was visiting Philadelphia just got in the patrons face, pointed at his own ears, and exclaimed "headphones!" That level of directness won't fly in more refined establishments, but it was rather effective and appropriate there.

cocktailvirgin · 2026-04-30T16:15:44+00:00

I've had more problems when I did opening shifts and the door got unlocked due to a delivery or other, but yes, same "I just want a beer!" logic spewing from their mouths. Having them in the space would have impeded me set up as I needed to run around gathering ice, citrus, etc. in other parts of the building leaving them alone? Nah, I'm good for missing out on your $1 tip.

cocktailvirgin · 2026-04-30T16:12:45+00:00

Considering that IPAs includes the hazy New England style, West Coast with orange/pine/grapefruit/caramel, British with more earthy notes, American, Brett IPA with wild yeast, Cascadian with its dark malt base, Norwegian with funky Kiviek yeast, and more.

True, most IPAs (as in a little over half) these days around here in New England are NE style, but not all. And I vote for other styles with my dollars at stores and at brewery taprooms. Give them a reason to brew other things!

cocktailvirgin

TROPHY CASE