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

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Four Quarter

Finalists: Ciao Baci, The Hillcrest Fountain, Town Pump, White Water Tavern

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Best New Bar

Charlee’s Good Time Drinkery

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Finalists: El Sur, Camp Taco, The Grumpy Rabbit (Lonoke)

Best Bartender

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Hollee Russo (Four Quarter)

Finalists: Luke Hornberger (Allsopp & Chapple), David Burnette (Brood & Barley), Mary Katherine Peek (Flying Saucer), Mailyn Schneider (Ciao Baci)

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Best Bar for Nondrinkers to Tag Along

Raduno

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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

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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

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