San Diego’s very own speakeasy, Noble Experiment, has landed a coveted spot on Esquire’s annual Best Bars list! For the eighth year, Esquire’s favorite drinking partner and the world’s foremost cocktail historian, David Wondrich, names the nation’s best places to have a drink. The ever-growing directory of the Best Bars in America is featured in the June/July issue is on newsstands now.
Esquire, the original men’s magazine and an authority on men’s style for more than 75 years, adds to its ever-growing roster of the Best Bars in America in the June/July issue, on newsstands now. As he lists the most-worthy venues, Wondrich also weaves in an assessment of the state of America’s dive bars, field reports on the best drinking spots in Washington D.C. and New York City. Elsewhere in Best Bars, the editor in chief of Esquire offers thoughts on what a bartender should actually be, and Esquire’s editors establish a set of guidelines delineated in the ultimate “Drinker’s Manifesto.”
There are no bright lights or signs marking the entrance to Noble Experiment. Finding the entrance to is a part of the bar’s appeal, and with only 32 seats, Noble Experiment is always busy. It is a bar, not a club, nor a restaurant, and no food is served. Cocktails are what they're known for. A limited selection of wine, and while there are 8 drinks on the menu, you can order most drinks as long as they aren't vodka cocktails. Reservations are made by text message only. You text to tell them when you want to come, and at 6 or so in the evening, you'll get a text response to let you know if there’s room. For weeknights, generally one day in advance is enough to secure a spot, but, on weekends a week’s notice is probably required to get in. The number to text is (619) 888-4713. Noble Experiment is located at 777 G Street in Downtown San Diego with the hidden entrance behind the Neighborhood.
The 2013 Best Bars in America are: (sorted alphabetically by city)
The Cloak Room
Austin, Texas
Drinking Fountain
Boston, Massachusetts
Brick and Mortar
Cambridge, Massachusetts
The Aviary
Chicago, Illinois
The Barrelhouse Flat
Chicago, Illinois
Arnold’s
Cincinnati, Ohio
Windmill Lounge
Dallas, Texas
Ship Tavern
Denver, Colorado
Williams & Graham
Denver, Colorado
The Libertine
Indianapolis, Indiana
Harry’s Country Club
Kansas City, Missouri
Manifesto
Kansas City, Missouri
Bellocq
New Orleans, Louisiana
Beagle
New York, New York
Booker and Dax
New York, New York
Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog
New York, New York
Pouring Ribbons
New York, New York
Tooker Alley
New York, New York
The Woodsman Tavern
Portland, Oregon
The Esquire Tavern
San Antonio, Texas
Noble Experiment
San Diego, California
Smuggler’s Cove
San Francisco, California
Columbia Room
Washington, DC
Jack Rose Dining Saloon
Washington, DC
Off the Record
Washington, DC
Raven Grill
Washington, DC
Round Robin Bar
Washington, DC
Tabard Inn
Washington, DC
Consortium Holdings, the company behind Noble Experiment (and Craft & Commerce, Neighborhood, UnderBelly, El Dorado, Polite Provisions, and Soda & Swine), is no stranger to national recognition, as Craft & Commerce was featured on the Food & Wine list of the 50 Best Bars in America last year.
For more on the Best Bars in America, please visit http://www.esquire.com/blogs/food-for-men/best-bars-in-america-0613?click=pp.
