"Sparrow has an impressive collection of rum from 22 different countries, so it’s no surprise that most of the drinks here use it as a base. Though the cocktail menu is short, it’s wide-ranging—from sweet and refreshing drinks like the fruity Floridita with grapefruit and lime to a very strong Á La Louisiane with rye, rum, and absinthe. The narrow space is charming, with Art Deco design and vintage touches like a phone booth and room numbers on the bathrooms to make them look like apartments (this was originally a lobby bar during the 1920s after all). And though the bartenders may be decked out in button-ups and ties, it’s refined without feeling stuffy." - adrian kane, john ringor