The Bar Exam

The Bar Exam

Our resident party boy tested a few great places to get your drink on.
These earn the As.

by Matt Amis
research assistance by Caitlin Birch Published March 19, 2009 at 08:08 AM

(page 1 of 14)

Wilmington

From the twisted mind of Jen Daker, bartender extraordinaire at 1717 (1717 Delaware Ave., Wilmington, 655-5080), comes a martini list that would give James Bond conniptions. At 1717, specialty drink choices number in the dozens and change monthly, but they usually share one trait—the ability to knock you on your backside. Credit more premium spirits and fewer sugary extras. The bistro is famous for its espresso martini of coffee liqueur, hazelnut liqueur, Cruzan dark rum and fresh espresso. Daker’s is also the mind behind the Macaroon martini, the Tootsie Roll martini and the Seattle Stout, which pairs Starbuck’s coffee liqueur with a pint of Guinness. How do these creations make it from the drawing board to the blackboard? “Usually it’s the regulars,” Daker says. “They let me experiment on them.”

Rock on at Blue Parrot Bar and Grille (1934 W. Sixth St., Wilmington, 655-8990), where live music combines with classic hurricanes to create some, er, memorable occasions in the Voodoo Bar. Beads, anyone?

Owner Don Scalessa ensures that his cozy Café Scalessa’s (504 Greenhill Ave., Wilmington, 656-0955) is a nightspot where people actually dance on weekends. Maybe it’s the disco ball, but the place has been known to get pretty wild from time to time.

Catherine Rooney’s (1616 Delaware Ave., Wilmington, 654-9700) sort of typifies the Trolley Square crowd. These college grads are still out for a wild, beer-soaked time, but have graduated from Busch to Smithwick’s, Harp and Stella Artois. The free buffet on Fridays during happy hour is a huge draw. Pubby and comfortable, it may be as close to Ireland as you can get in Wilmington.

CR Hooligan’s (1616 Delaware Ave., Wilmington, 652-2255), the sporty sister of Catherine Rooney’s, is the best spot in Trolley Square to catch a game. It’s tough to compete with its two 92-inch projection screens.

Check Crimson Moon Tavern (909 W. Sixth St., Wilmington, 654-9099) in Little Italy for daily drink specials and original live music. Remember: You heard ’em here first.

C.W. Harborside’s (110 S. West St., Wilmington, 658-6626) new image came with a renovated bar that includes pool tables, a jukebox and plasma TVs. The wide open space and a great rotation of DJs—plus the vivacious Harborside Girls—have turned C.W. into a hot night spot.

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