Whether it’s old, cold beers, newfangled cocktails in alarming hues, or world-class sake coming to Hot Springs, people in Central Arkansas have strong opinions about their adult beverages. Our annual Toast of the Town survey captures those opinions and serves as a handy guide for thirsty readers hoping to see what Central Arkansas’s breweries, distilleries and various watering holes have to offer. Whether you’re looking for a friendly bartender, cheap drafts, mocktails, bar food or a fancy mimosa, raise a glass to our winners and finalists, and let these recommendations be your guide.
BARS
Best Bar
Four Quarter
Finalists: Ciao Baci, The Hillcrest Fountain, Town Pump, White Water Tavern
Best New Bar
Charlee’s Good Time Drinkery
Finalists: El Sur, Camp Taco, The Grumpy Rabbit (Lonoke)
Best Bartender
Hollee Russo (Four Quarter)
Finalists: Luke Hornberger (Allsopp & Chapple), David Burnette (Brood & Barley), Mary Katherine Peek (Flying Saucer), Mailyn Schneider (Ciao Baci)
Best Bar for Nondrinkers to Tag Along
Raduno
Finalists: Four Quarter Bar, Hill Station, The Hillcrest Fountain, Petit & Keet
Best Neighborhood Bar
Four Quarter
Finalists: The Hillcrest Fountain, The Pantry, Raduno, White Water Tavern
Best Bar to Bring Your Kids
The Rail Yard
Finalists: Flyway Brewing (North Little Rock), Hill Station, Lost Forty, Stickyz Rock ’N’ Roll Chicken Shack
Best Drinking Brunch
Raduno
Finalists: Charlee’s Good Time Drinkery, The Fold: Botanas & Bar, Hill Station, Lost Forty, U.S. Pizza
Best Patio or Deck for Drinking
Hill Station
Finalists: Brood & Barley (North Little Rock), Camp Taco, Ciao Baci, U.S. Pizza Hillcrest
Best Hotel Bar
Capital Hotel Bar & Grill
Finalists: AC Hotel and Lounge, The Lobby Bar at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort (Hot Springs), The Rooftop Bar at The Waters Hotel (Hot Springs), Table 28
Best Theater Bar
The Joint (North Little Rock)
Finalists: The Arkansas Rep, Movie Tavern, Murry’s Dinner Playhouse, The Studio Theatre (Lobby Bar)
Best Bar for Pool, Darts or Shuffleboard
Four Quarter
Finalists: The Hillcrest Fountain, Midtown Billiards, Pizza D’Action, Town Pump
Best Dive Bar
Four Quarter
Finalists: Grumpy’s Too Neighborhood Bar & Grill, Midtown Billiards, Town Pump, White Water Tavern
Best Pickup Bar
Four Quarter
Finalists: The Hillcrest Fountain, Khalil’s Pub & Grill, Lucky Lou’s, Midtown Billiards
Best Bar for Live Music
White Water Tavern
Finalists: Four Quarter, Revolution Music Room, Stickyz Rock ’N’ Roll Chicken Shack, Vino’s Brewpub
Best Gay Bar
610 Center
Finalists: Chaps (North Little Rock), Discovery, C4 nightclub and bar (Fayetteville), Triniti
Best Wine Bar
Crush Wine Bar
Finalists: By the Glass, The Pantry, Petit & Keet, Zin Wine Bar
Best Bar for Food
Four Quarter
Finalists: Brood & Barley, Capital Hotel Bar & Grill, Lost Forty, The Pantry
Best Happy Hour
Brood & Barley
Finalists: Charlee’s Good Time Drinkery, The Hillcrest Fountain, The Pantry, White Water Tavern
Best Sports Bar
Dugan’s Pub
Finalists: Brewski’s Pub & Grub, Buffalo Wild Wings, Lucky’s Sports Bar & Grill (Maumelle), Prospect Bar and Grill
Best Bar to Take Your Dog
Bark Bar
Finalists: Fassler Hall, The Fold: Botanas & Bar, Hill Station, The Rail Yard
BEERS
Best Arkansas beer
Flyway Bluewing
Finalists: Fossil Cove Orange Cream Ale, Lost Forty 2nd Rodeo, New Province Space Suit, Ozark Onyx Coffee Stout
Best Arkansas Pale Ale
Vino’s Firehouse Pale Ale
Finalists: Diamond Bear Pale Ale, Lost Forty Pale Ale, Ozark Beer Co. American Pale Ale, Preston Rose Heritage Pale Ale
Best Arkansas Seltzer
Lost Forty Punchy Bing Bing Black Cherry
Finalists: Core Scarlet Letter, Diamond Hard Sparkling Seltzer, Ozark Hard Water, Norfork Brewing
Best Arkansas Pilsner
Brood & Barley Proper Pils
Finalists: Gotahold Traditions, Lost Forty Bare Bones, Norfork Brewing Woodsman Pilsner
Best Arkansas IPA
Flyway Early Bird IPA
Finalists: Lost Forty Rock Hound, Lost Forty Trash Panda, Norfork Brewing Company Scurvy Dog Ale, Ozark Beer Co. IPA, Superior Bathhouse Brewery Space Force
Best Arkansas Lager
Lost Forty 2nd Rodeo
Finalists: Norfork Brewing Company EZ Ryder Lager, Ozark Beer Co. Lager, Stone’s Throw Amadeus Vienna Lager
Best Arkansas Seasonal Beer
Stone’s Throw Brewing Ich Bin Ein Berliner Weisse
Finalists: Flyway Imperial Red Velvet Ale, Lost Forty The Hunter Oktoberfest, Lost Forty Nighty Night, Ozark Beer Co. BDCS
BREWERIES AND DISTILLERIES
Best Arkansas Brewery
Flyway (North Little Rock)
Finalists: Diamond Bear (North Little Rock), Fossil Cove Brewing Co., Lost Forty, Ozark Brewery, Superior Bathhouse Brewery (Hot Springs)
Best National Brewery
Lagunitas
Finalists: Bell’s Brewery, New Belgium Brewing Co., SweetWater Brewing Co., Yuengling
Best Arkansas Distillery
Rock Town Distillery
Finalists: Crystal Ridge Distillery (Hot Springs), Delta Dirt Distillery (Helena-West Helena), Fox Trail Distillery (Rogers), Postmaster Spirits
Best National Distillery
Tito’s
Finalists: Buffalo Trace, Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Woodford Reserve
Best Brewpub
Vino’s Brewpub
Finalists: Diamond Bear (North Little Rock), Lost Forty, Preston Rose, Stone’s Throw Brewing
DRINKS
Best Martini
The Pantry
Finalists: Cache, Hill Station, Raduno, Sauced
Best Margarita
The Fold: Botanas & Bar
Finalists: Baja Grill, Casa Mañana, Heights Taco & Tamale Co., Local Lime
Best Cocktail List
Petit & Keet
Finalists: Ciao Baci, Copper Mule Table & Tap, Hill Station, The Pantry
Best Mocktail
Cypress Social (North Little Rock)
Finalists: Ciao Baci, Heights Taco & Tamale Co., Hill Station, Petit & Keet, Raduno
Coldest Beer
Four Quarter
Finalists: The Hillcrest Fountain, Oyster Bar, Pizza Cafe, Twin Peaks
Best Bloody Mary
Raduno
Finalists: Four Quarter, The Grumpy Rabbit (Lonoke), Oaklawn Casino & Racing Resort (Hot Springs), Red Door
Best Mimosa
Raduno
Finalists: @ the Corner, Best Cafe (Hot Springs), Red Door, Trio’s
Restaurants, Liquor Stores and Grocery Stores
Best Beer Selection (Liquor Store)
Colonial Wines & Spirits
Finalists: 107 Liquor (Sherwood), Grapevine Liquor, Legacy Wine and Spirits, O’Looney’s Wine & Liquor
Best Wine Selection (Liquor Store)
Colonial Wines & Spirits
Finalists: 107 Liquor (Sherwood), Heights Wine & Spirits, Legacy Wine and Spirits, O’Looney’s Wine & Liquor
Best Wine List (Bar or Restaurant)
Petit & Keet
Finalists: Allsopp & Chapple, Bruno’s Little Italy, Capital Hotel Bar & Grill, Table 28
Best Beer Selection (Grocery Store)
Kroger
Finalists: Edwards Food Giant, Fresh Market, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods
Best Wine Selection (Grocery Store)
Trader Joe’s
Finalists: Edwards Food Giant, Kroger, Sam’s Club, Whole Foods
Best Liquor Store Delivery
107 Liquor
Finalists: Colonial Wines & Spirits, Legacy Wine and Spirits, O’Looney’s Wine & Liquor, Springhill Wine & Spirits
Best Liquor Store
Colonial Wines & Spirits
Finalists: 107 Liquor (Sherwood), Hillcrest Liquor and Fine Wines, Legacy Wine and Spirits, O’Looney’s Wine & Liquor
Best Drive-Thru/Curbside
Firewater (North Little Rock)
Finalists: Colonial Wines & Spirits, Legacy Wine and Spirits, O’Looney’s Wine & Liquor, Sullivants
Best Beer Selection (Bar or Restaurant)
Flying Saucer
Finalists: Fassler Hall, The Hillcrest Fountain, The Pantry, Samantha’s Tap Room & Grill