San Chez Bistro
The Café de San Chez starts with flaming high-proof rum to caramelize a sugared rim. A holy trinity of Spanish brandy, Kahlua and Crème de Cacao follow and are topped with rich coffee and whipped cream.
38 W Fulton St., Grand Rapids; sanchezbistro.com, (616) 774-8272
CitySen
Sweetly bridging the gap between the holiday season and the March observance of St. Patty's Day is CitySen's Nutty Leprechaun, a concoction of Bailey's Irish Cream, hazelnut liqueur, Goldschlager and coffee. As the gold settles in the glass, the spicy alcohol penetrates the brain to delicious effect.
61 East 7th St., Holland; cityflatshotel.com, (616) 796-2112
Rockwell's/Republic
If an icy boost is more appealing, try stopping by twin restaurants Rockwell's or Republic for a smooth and sweet Double Espresso martini. Van Gogh double espresso vodka is fortified with an electrifying dose of caffeine and the martini is balanced with Stoli Vanil, espresso liqueur and a rich splash of cream. Espresso beans finish off this decadent drink.
45 S. Division Ave. SE, Grand Rapids; rockwellsrepublic.com, (616) 551-3563
Meanwhile Bar
For the impatient man-child in all of us, there is the one, the eternal Jagerbomb. Though available almost anywhere, we suggest the one at the Meanwhile Bar. Five dollars and a quick sling of the wrist is all it takes to start the invigorating elixir on its way to the bloodstream - just where we want it.
1005 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids; meanwhilebar.com, (616) 233-1679
Pictured: Bartender Mike Lopez heats things up while making the signature ‘Cafe de San Chez.’ PHOTO: Lydia Clowney
Happy Hour of the Month: Tavern on the Square
The first thing you notice when entering Tavern on the Square is the sunlit bar. Huge windows face west and north, and the sun shines in to glance off the array of liquor bottles. But what sets this happy hour apart from all the others? Server and de facto bartender Matt Rzepka says it's because, "we have a great variety." True, Tavern's specials are much more wide ranging than the norm. Here, one can choose from house wines at $3 a glass and half-off the huge number of draught beers. Specialty martinis normally run at $7.95, but are half-off during happy hour. A handful of delightfully small plates are also $3, a boon not to be missed when the options include soft pretzels with two mustards and intriguingly cinnamon-spiced, house-made sweet potato chips with honey-yogurt dipping sauce. Or try the boneless Buffalo wings, which go with a frosty pint of Hoegaarden White Ale about as well as anything could. At less than $7 for the both, one can even afford to disagree.
With an almost conspiratorially helpful and friendly staff, spending time at Tavern can feel like you've been instantly welcomed into a secret club, especially given the camaraderie between customers at the bustling bar.
"[The crowd] varies from day to day because [happy hour] runs seven days a week," Rzepka said.
Happy hour at Tavern on the Square runs Monday through Saturday, 2-6 p.m.; 100 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids; tavernonthesq.com, (616) 456-7673
Libations Events
Wine School: Meritage Grapes, Separate and Together
Reds on the River, Rockford / Jan. 10, 7 p.m.
$30 / (616) 863-8181
Class includes interactive presentations and appropriately paired appetizer. Reservations required.
Bloody Mary Mix Off
Old Boys' Brewhouse, Spring Lake / Jan. 21, 12-5 p.m.
Five tickets to vote, $2 each or five for $5
Proceeds go to the Spring Lake Heritage Festival
Old Boys' is going bigger and better with its Bloody Mary Mix-Off. Not only will there be a heated tent and more room, but prizes will be awarded for the favorite Bloody Mary, Best Decorated Booth, Best Pajamas and Slippers. There's also a 50/50 raffle, a live auction, live music and $2 drinks.
Sampling Saturdays with Sense of Wine
Sense of Wine, Kentwood / Jan. 7, 2-5 p.m.
senseofwinegr.com, (616) 965-7308
Kentwood's Sense of Wine opens its doors to tasters every Saturday from 2-5 p.m. Different wines will be tasted every week.
