I've been a beer geek ever since I was old enough to drink (okay, maybe even a little before then... ;)

I love places like TapWerks and McNellie's.

Anyway, I've been getting into spirits lately, especially gin. Unlike beer, it's a little to expensive to try each bottle at the liquor store (the primo ones going for $20-$30...or more).

What's a good bar to go to that has lots of gins and others spirits stocked? Kind of like a TapWerks for spirits?

The bars at higher end Restaurants such as any of the prime steakhouses, Vast, Paseo Grill, Deep Fork, Cheever's, Roccoco, West are generally going to have large selections of spirits.

Gin though is difficult...generally not a big drink in OK, and I don't know that anywhere really stocks up on a large variety of Gins. Now if you're down to try some different whiskys and scotches then there are several good bars to go to. Probably the bar with the most notable variety of spirits (currently) is Ludivine. I'd also highly suggest checking out Saint's. Outside of that, McNellie's and a couple other pubs/bars have good scotch selections (and maybe a few nice whiskeys) but not a whole lot to offer.

Whenever WSKY opens up in Deep Deuce, I'd definitely recommend trying there.

Keep in mind though, these spirits that sell for $30 to $50/bottle in liquor stores, are going to cost you about 25% of the bottle price for a single drink at a local bar. You might be able to get a sample of something, or do a flight to try multiple selections...but you'll likely pretty easily spend near the amount of the bottle price for 3 to 5 drinks in an establishment.

Ludivine is probably your best bet. Large selection. Inventive cocktails. Knowledgable staff. The higher end liquor stores can also steer you and give you information on the subtleties between brands. Broadway Wine Merchants and Gran Cru.

Barring that, you can go to Byron's and get maybe 3 or 4 different airline bottle sizes of gin.

Go to Ludivine and tell the bartender what you're working on - finding the right gin for you. Ask for his help. He'll probably set up a "flight" of gins and let you sample them. He'll undercharge so overtip, and come back. You've made two friends - the right gin and the right bartender.

There is no better drink, in the summertime, than a Gin and Tonic, made the way I make one. (We prefer Tanqueray.)

Put 2 full shots of gin (Tanqueray or equiv.) in a tall glass
Add the juice of one lime (if you don't like the pulp, can be juiced through a strainer then poured into the glass)
Add 1 pinch of sugar
Stir gently, then add tonic water to fill the glass about halfway
Add two or three thin slices of lime
Stir again, fill with ice, garnish the edge of the glass with a slice of lime,
Insert a straw or swizzle stick, stir and serve.

This is crisp and refreshing on a hot summer afternoon.
If we have some fresh mint around, I sometimes place a sprig on top.

Gin Purists may turn their nose up at all that, but NOBODY to whom I've served one of these has said "no" to having a second one. =)

I'm going to go to your receipe the first Saturday the temperture eclipses 80. i will try w/ Saphire though as my gin of preferance.

As I said, amigo, "Tanqueray or Equiv." (if you look closely at the label on Sapphire it says, "equiv. to tanqueray" =)
We used to like Bombay, but my wife decided we like Tanqueray better. =)
Either one of them is good on the rocks with a squeeze of lime.

So . . . wouldn't the "Best bar for spirits?" be . . . "Saint's"?

Gin is probably my favorite spirit and a gin and tonic is definitely my favorite cocktail. If you are looking for a quality gin for the home, Hendricks is considered to be one of the best. And if you make a gin and tonic with Hendricks, try garnishing with a cucumber slice instead of a lime. It can be a nice change of pace.

Gin is probably my favorite spirit and a gin and tonic is definitely my favorite cocktail. If you are looking for a quality gin for the home, Hendricks is considered to be one of the best. And if you make a gin and tonic with Hendricks, try garnishing with a cucumber slice instead of a lime. It can be a nice change of pace.

Thanks for the tip! (the main reason i would ever have a martini is on account of the olives.)

Since "gin" is essentially "flavored vodka" . . . have you ever tried akavit (aquavit)?
It's really popular in Scandinavia. And is an acquired taste. Like lutefisk. (just kidding)
Very strong, herbal, background. As I said: not for everyone, and needs to be served neat straight from the freezer.

Can also be used in a mixed drink, but that isn't what it was originally intended for.

Authentic Akavit was made by putting some "neutral spirits" into casks with some herbs and sailing the cask around the world. That probably isn't how "ScandiGin" is made now-a-days. But at least no bathtubs are involved. =)

hey find you a nice lady friend and stay home and get drunk...

God its been forever since ive been out, but first rule of going out is to make drinks at home and then drink beer when you go out. Why pay 8 bucks for a redbull and vodka when you could make one with better vodka for a fraction of the price at home.

I did have a good mixed drink at red prime about a year ago, but even then its about 12 bucks a drink.

God its been forever since ive been out, but first rule of going out is to make drinks at home and then drink beer when you go out. Why pay 8 bucks for a redbull and vodka when you could make one with better vodka for a fraction of the price at home.

I did have a good mixed drink at red prime about a year ago, but even then its about 12 bucks a drink.

Totally agree. It's almost a crime the amount they charge at the bars. I've really gotten fond of flavored vodka and tea, especially summer time.

God its been forever since ive been out, but first rule of going out is to make drinks at home and then drink beer when you go out. Why pay 8 bucks for a redbull and vodka when you could make one with better vodka for a fraction of the price at home.

I did have a good mixed drink at red prime about a year ago, but even then its about 12 bucks a drink.

The same could be said about the cost of beers when you go out, unless you're wanting something out of the tap. For red bull and vodka, jack and coke, et al, sure, make it at home. For a real cocktail made with seasonal ingredients, exotic flavors, often with house made bitters, crafted, it's hard to replicate at home. Go to ludivine or the lobby bar on Western.