Dream Destinations For Whisky-loving Bookers

Long the drink of choice for cigar-smoking types, nowadays, you’re more likely to see whiskey being enjoyed by 20-somethings at a pop-up bar. But regardless of which kind of whiskey worshipping booker you are, it’s an outstanding pick for your next happy hour glass – and totally deserving of all the hype.

For anyone who’s looking to get in on this trend and discover unique whiskeys and whiskey-based cocktails worth writing home about, here are eight of the world’s best.

Highlands, NYC

The brick walls, tan-colored leather, hardwood floors, and low-lighting all blend together to create Highlands’ old distillery feel. The bar has over 250 bottles of whiskey and a cocktail menu with classic and signature cocktails to choose from – it’s a challenge deciding between ‘The Royal Mile’ (green tea-infused vodka, house rhubarb and white peach puree, St. Germain, lemon, and soda) and ‘The Krankie’ (rosemary-infused Bourbon, tamarind puree, organic agave, lemon, pinch of applewood, and smoked salt). The Marlton Hotel features luxury, boutique accommodation for bookers in Greenwich Village, just a couple of blocks from Highlands.

Flatiron Room, NYC

Even if you’re not sure about whiskey, this NYC bar is worth checking out even if you don’t have a single drink. The hundreds of whiskey bottles are stored in cases running all the way up the walls, with rolling library ladders for bar staff to reach the dustier bottles. The chandeliers and red velvet curtains give the place an old-timey warm feel, not to mention the live jazz. Describing itself as a ‘fine spirits parlor’, the Flatiron Room also offers an extra twist to their usual services – if you find a favorite whiskey and you’re planning to become a regular, you can buy a bottle and they’ll store it in a private locker for whenever you stop by. Bookers can check in to the 414 Hotel, a historic boutique hotel close to Flatiron Room in Midtown Manhattan.

The Palace Bar, Dublin

Whiskey is a big deal in Dublin, and the Palace Bar has been serving the city’s finest since it opened in 1823. An old Victorian pub off Dublin’s busy O’Connell Street, they even bottle their own whiskey in-house just like all pubs used to do back in the day. The selection of labels is endless and the passionate bar staff is happy to help you pick your poison. But if you ask us our favorite, it’s definitely ‘Writers Tears’ from the Walsh Distillery.

The Castle Hotel is a classic hotel in a renovated Georgian townhouse, with marble fireplaces and crystal chandeliers, just seconds from O’Connell Street.

The Pot Still, Glasgow

The Pot Still in Glasgow is generally considered Scotland’s finest whiskey bar. The majority of the 700 whiskies stocked here are made right in Scotland, but there’s also a curated selection of German and other international styles to choose from. Don’t be fooled – this family-run bar is all about the whiskey even though it might look like just another pub. Even better, they’ve been serving pies from the same butcher for over 15 years. It also hosts one of the UK’s few ladies-only whiskey clubs, The Pot Still’s Whisky Girls, who meet monthly and hold tasting events throughout the year. Bookers can stay at the modern Blythswood Square hotel, a couple streets over from The Pot Still.

Whiskey Café L & B, Amsterdam

This tiny whiskey bar is a nice little surprise on a side street of a touristy area in Amsterdam. Step inside and take in the wooden interior, deer antlers, and row after row of barrels and bottles of whiskey – you could easily be in Scotland. If you can’t decide between the 1,400 whiskey brands they offer, the bar staff is happy to share their expertise. As an added bonus, they’ll usually offer you some smoked sausage or warm bread and butter with your drink. Decorated with trinkets, gorgeous fabrics and Persian rugs, De Hoedenmaker features spacious and unique accommodation for bookers, just a short walk from Whiskey Café L & B.

Whisky + Alement, Melbourne, Australia

This mellow, dimly-lit bar doubles as a whiskey school. Hosting monthly educational tasting sessions with international brand ambassadors and top distillers, Whisky + Alement is a club that welcomes even the most amateur whiskey enthusiasts. Thanks to a collaboration with the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, this bar has an impressive selection including very rare whiskies, and a friendly staff that’s always excited to share their knowledge about each bottle. Right in Melbourne’s Central Business District, the QT Melbourne showcases impeccable modern design and is within easy walking distance of Whisky + Alement.

Zoetrope, Tokyo

Hidden off a side street in the neon Shinjuku district, Zoetrope is a whiskey bar where they’re constantly screening silent black and white movies in the background. And this isn’t just a gimmick – talk to the owner, Atsushi Horigami, and you’ll see he’s really a passionate old-school movie buff. He even commissioned the revered, late Japanese director, Takeo Kimura, to design the bar’s interior. Over 250 bottles in-house gives patrons a fantastic selection representing a range of up-and-coming distilleries, as well as rare vintages. Bookers can stay at Capsule Hotel Anshin Oyado Shinjuku, a top-rated, luxury capsule hotel in the middle of the Shinjuku district.

The Athenaeum Hotel, London

This is one of the swankiest whiskey experiences there is, with oversized comfy velvet armchairs and incredibly rare bottles on display in mirror-backed cabinets. Located in the 5-star Athenaeum Hotel in Piccadilly, this bar is exclusive and unpretentious, featuring over 300 whiskies and excellent service. The resident whiskey sommelier will talk you through the many options – we recommend the ‘Almond Cigar’ (Athenaeum Single Malt, Bacardi Gold, Amaretto, lime juice, and almond syrup). Book a room at The Athenaeum and you can easily sit back and relax in their whiskey bar until last call.

#BeABooker and book your trip today.