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5 minutes ago
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West Palm Beach retro chic bar with celebrity shine named among America's best
In what was formerly the nondescript Corner Store aka Bertos Bait and Tackle shop in a drab West Palm Beach commercial neighborhood, the new Mary Lou's has become Florida's buzziest spot for booze, bar bites and dancing, drawing lines of locals, visitors and celebrities alike with its unique blend of style, story and spirits. It's also making national news as a tastemaker of the highest order. According to USA Today's 2025 Bars of the Year list, this rising bar is one of the top 29 places to drink in America. Food writers across the country nominated bars that excited them, bars they would recommend to friends and family, bars they'd return to again and again. A big deal indeed for a space that accommodates only 125 yet feels larger than life. 'To be named one of USA Today's Bars of the Year, and the best in Florida, is deeply personal. It's a tribute to the vision, soul and community that brought Mary Lou's to life, and our muse — my incredible grandmother, Mary Lou Curtis — whose brilliant mind and vibrant spirit continue to inspire everything we do,' said co-founder Alex Melillo. The 29 best bars in America in 2025: See USA TODAY's top picks The buzz factor To be fair, while Mary Lou's neighbors are rather pedestrian, the establishment does sit within sight of the bridge that deposits Palm Beach-bound drivers next to Donald Trump's backyard. And without giving away too many surprises for those who want to go, Mary Lou's is more than just a luxe cocktail lounge. Blending history, hospitality and high design, it pays homage to a bygone era of glamour, nostalgia and the art of celebration that evokes a trip back in time yet feels very au courant. The concept was created by Melillo with business partners Joe Cervasio and Topher Grubb, who all spent time working in New York City. Their collective inspiration was sparked by that city's golden era of nightlife when iconic venues like Studio 54 and Peppermint Lounge shaped the social landscape — a pre-cellphone time defined by uninhibited fun. Grubb, a Palm Beach native, said the area "has always known how to party, we just gave it a new room to dance in.' Celebrities of every order Opening night's guest list with Bettina Anderson (widely known as Donald Trump Jr.'s girlfriend) and fashion designer Stacey Bendet of Alice + Olivia fame were early indications this tres chic gin joint would be different from other bars opening in town. It's played host to Michael Jordan twice: A TikTok video of him dancing with his wife Yvette Prieto went viral. Insiders spotted the GOAT a second time with Jalen Hurts, quarterback of the Super Bowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles. Other sightings of note include Venus Williams, Lorraine Bracco, Ramona Singer, pro-golfer Dustin Johnson and wife Paulina Gretsky, the daughter of another GOAT. Even some of its collaborating consultants are famous. Grammy Award winners The Chainsmokers and two-time nominee Sofi Tukker, an e-music duo comprising Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern, shape the venue's entertainment programming. More: The best bars in America in 2024: See USA TODAY's 27 favorite spots Tribute to a trailblazer Mary Lou's is named for Mary Lou Curtis, Palm Beach's fashion-forward entrepreneur, whose Le Shack boutique on Worth Avenue counted Jackie Onassis as a shopper. She was also known for her flair for entertaining. Her legacy lives on through the venue's eclectically chic design and playful energy. Melillo describes Mary Lou as a woman who lived by the mantra, 'always have a sense of ridiculousness.' From floor to ceiling, that ethos is woven into every tactile decor detail. Best sips, nibbles Drinking and dining at Mary Lou's is anything but traditional. In addition to the breathtaking bar, the space is peppered with sexy velvet booths that shimmer under seductive lighting in a room that feeds off the collective, almost communal, energy of other people. The first order of business was choosing between classic craft cocktails and designer drinks. We settled the matter by ordering a round of each. In a town where $28 cocktails abound, potent potables on Mary Lou's list average $20. Swellegant martinis and margaritas in fancy glasses felt very sophisticated. The 'Daddy's Girl' vodka concoction and tres playful 'Back Zip' with rum were almost too gorgeous to drink. The only thing missing was a grasshopper riff, Curtis's cocktail of choice, to get us in the mood for season two of 'Palm Royale' on Apple TV+. Wines by the glass are priced from $15 for prosecco to $24 for a Rioja selection. A coconut mocktail for the teetotaler in our group was a bit sweet for my pal but gently priced at $10. Not that Mary Lou's is a cheap date as you'll discover if feeling peckish and order from the elevated bar bites menu. Favorites included a delectable crispy octopus which was perfectly cooked (impressive because it's a dish that's hard to get right.) The $50 A5 waygu burger takes a few cues from McDonald's Big Mac. It's decadent and served inside an elegant emerald jewel box emblazoned with Mary Lou's motto outside; inside, a gorgeous palm motif. Earning oohs and aahs from my pals, we couldn't stop playing with the box in appreciation of its beauty. After decimating the fries, for the name alone we couldn't resist diving into a 'Millionaire's Baked Potato' topped with caviar for $32. The pièce de résistance: a luscious banana creme brulee brilliantly plated a la Art Basel's famous duct taped banana, whose official title is "Comedian" by absurdist artist Maurizio Cattelan. Instead of selling for $6.2 million at auction, dessert was $20. Ridiculous and genius. Mary Lou's: What to know if you go Address: 250 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach Web: Reservations email: gatorrides@ Hours: Wednesday to Sunday from 5 p.m. to the wee hours. The later it gets, the more fun you'll have. Etc.: Reservations are strongly advised; the intimate space has limited seating at the bar and surrounding tables. After 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, a mininum spend applies; pricing depends on the entertainment and party size. Complimentary valet parking. There is no official dress code but looking expensive is de rigueur with the see-and-be-seen crowd Mary Lou's attracts. Think smart casual and leave the sweats, shorts and flip flops at home. Coming soon: June marked the debut of a spinoff in Montauk, New York. On May 27, Shivana Vora for Forbes reported that Palm Tree Crew, co-founded by global DJ Kygo and longtime manager Myles Shear, is making a strategic investment in Mary Lou's. Diana Biederman is the Palm Beach Post's food & restaurant writer. Care to share news tips about the local dining scene? Please send them to dbiederman@ Help support our journalism. Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Mary Lou's in West Palm Beach named one of best in the US by USA TODAY Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
5 minutes ago
- Yahoo
USA TODAY named a Des Moines bar one of America's best. We wish these spots made the cut
The USA TODAY Bars of the Year 2025 list, released today, features bars from dive bars and LGBTQ-friendly places to speakeasies and chic cocktail lounges. USA TODAY Network food journalists across the country pooled their expertise and local dining experiences to select the bars, which includes the places they know, love and recommend. In Des Moines, The Bartender's Handshake with its midcentury modern style and refined list of cocktails on Ingersoll Avenue, was named one of best in the country. Last year, Hello, Marjorie made the USA TODAY list of Bars of the Year. But there are so many other bars serving exceptional cocktails and showcasing hospitality that deserve to be recognized. Here are six places from the Des Moines metro, in alphabetical order, that we wish had made the Bars of the Year list. If you need an excuse to grab a drink with a friend? Maybe you want to revisit the day in the office with co-workers with a night on the town. Or maybe you want to toast a new relationship, a birthday, or another big special occasion and want to perfectly executed cocktail to go along with the night. We also included a guide to speakeasies, restaurants with good cocktail programs, and wine bars. As always, our emails are open for your suggestions at sstapleton@ More: USA TODAY named its Bars of the Year. This Des Moines neighborhood favorite made the list Bellhop If the South Pacific vibe strikes your fancy, head to this tiki bar in the East Village. Bellhop specializes in the Painkiller and Mai Tai for tropical vibes, but consider ordering a punchbowl of drinks meant to share with friends. Cocktails such as the Funky Flamingo with strawberry-infused vodka and St Germain and the Polynesian Sling with Prairie Organic Gin and Creme De Cassis come in stunning glasses (a flamingo and a grinning fish) meant for selfies. Do ask about drinks made with hemp-derived THC. Location: 440 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines Contact: Hello, Marjorie 'The prettiest girls in the world live in Des Moines,' boasts a pink LED sign hanging over a fireplace. The quote from Jack Kerouac's 1957 novel 'On the Road' defines Hello, Marjorie, a step back in time to the 1950s when midcentury modern decor ruled. The retro cocktail lounge in the former Des Moines Register & Tribune building from owner Nick Tillinghast serves some of the most creative cocktails in the Midwest. Tillinghast carved out conversational seating areas outfitted with retro couches in golds and hunter greens, low-slung chairs and buffets decorated with old books, globes and lamps. Order the namesake Marjorie, made with elderberry and spiced pear in vodka. A separate speakeasy, Good News, Darling, sits in the back of the space with its own distinctive menu and vibe. Hello, Marjorie was named one of the 27 top bars in America by USA TODAY last week. Location: 717 Locust St., Des Moines Contact: More: The best bars in America in 2024: See USA TODAY's 27 favorite spots HoQtail Lounge This small cocktail lounge requires reservations next door to HoQ, the farm-to-table mainstay in the East Village of Des Moines. HoQtail Lounge opened in the spring with a small space hiding a rich collection of high-end liquors that form the basis of the specialty menu, only available at HoQtail. Each drink comes with a bite, which could be a meatball or a sweet, specifically paired with the drink. Look for drinks such as the Burnt Passion Fruit, a Casamigos mezcal drink that leans on Bauchant orange liqueur, and a Clarified Negroni with McQueen and the Violet Fog gin, Cappelletti vino aperitivo, Muz vermut natural, and grapefruit juice in a milk-washed glass. Location: 303 E. Fifth St., Des Moines Contact: More: Meet HoQtail, the new cocktail lounge in the East Village, where drinks come with a bite The New Northwestern Cocktail & Wine Bar On the southern side of the East Village, find The New Northwestern Cocktail & Wine Bar in the historic building from 1916. The décor here celebrates the railroad and rail travel. At one time, the hotel catered to the employees and passengers of the C&NW railroad, legislators, and state fairgoers, according to the cocktail lounge's website. Try a gin and tonic flight with three gins to discover a new favorite or order a martini such as the Northwestern Railway with a basil- and tomato-infused vodka with giardiniera and olive brine. Location: 321 E. Walnut St., Des Moines Contact: More: Hungry? Check out these 31 essential restaurants in the Des Moines metro for 2025 Secret Admirer This gem is known for its patio that looks north toward the Des Moines skyline. Secret Admirer, also from Tillinghast, offers drinks such as the Nice Rum Cocktail, blueberry version, as well as the Daydream with vodka and Earl Grey tea. Grab a seat on the patio and order at the window. Look for a pop-up bar for the holidays called The Nice List, when the bar gets decorated and offers specialty cocktails for the holidays. Location: 110 S.W. Fifth St., Des Moines Contact: Winchester Public House The cocktail game got serious in West Des Moines when the Winchester Public House opened in Valley Junction in 2016. Think of this as a 'Prohibition-style pub with a signature line of cocktails while focusing on a modern twist on the classics.' Try the Butterfly Effect with Revelton honey vodka and a butterfly pea flower syrup or a Mango en Fuego with mezcal, tequila and ancho reyes. Location: 224 Fifth St., West Des Moines Contact: Where to find speakeasies in the Des Moines metro Black Sheep; Dugan's Hideaway; Good News, Darling; In Confidence; Ken's — A Not So Secret Speakeasy; The Red Monk; Revival House; Shorty's Somewhat Fancy Bar Your guide to speakeasies: Want in on a secret? Here's where to find hidden speakeasy bars in Des Moines An incomplete list of local restaurants with great cocktail programs 801 Chophouse, Alba, Aura, Bar Nico, Bubba, Centro, Ceviche Bar, Cheese Bar, Clyde's Fine Diner, Continental, Cooper's on Fifth, Django, Fresko, Guesthouse Tavern + Oyster, Harbinger, Oak Park, Prime & Providence, Republic on Grand, RoCA, Stuffed Olive, Table 128, Trostel's Greenbriar More: He goes to Asia every year for inspiration. Now his restaurant was named tops in the US Excellent wine bars in the metro The Cave, The Cork 50131, The Purveyor, WineStyles (West Des Moines and Ankeny) More: This Des Moines restaurant with innovative dishes named one of the best by USA TODAY Sign up for our new dining newsletter, Table Talk, which comes out on Wednesday mornings with all the latest news on restaurants and bars in the metro. You can sign up for free at If you see a new restaurant opening or a beloved place closing, send me some details at sstapleton@ Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@ This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Where to find the best bars in the Des Moines metro, 2025 guide Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
5 minutes ago
- Yahoo
We think these 6 Delaware bars could have made USA TODAY's Bars of the Year 2025 list
We have no qualms with The Starboard being the lone Delaware bar named on USA TODAY's 2025 Bars of the Year list. In fact, it's pretty cool that any Delaware barroom made the cut when it came to the national list, just like when the Deer Park Tavern was included last year. But just like that historic Newark tavern, the Dewey Beach party bar is far from the only watering hole worthy of some national attention. Best Bars in America: How USA TODAY picked the 2025 finalists So we scanned our bar receipts and exhumed our alcohol-soaked memories of past bar nights out to come up with six other spots that could have landed on the list. northbeach 125 McKinley Ave., Dewey Beach; (302) 226-8673; Yes, northbeach is home to the coveted summer drink known as the Dewey Devil: a frozen pink drink made with light rum, 151-proof rum, blackberry brandy, orange juice, strawberries and cream. A perfect way to cool down under the sun. But the bar is more than super-tasty alcoholic brain freeze. Located right on Rehoboth Bay, the outdoor areas feel like the beach with sand on the ground and inside there's a beach club vibe with bands and DJs keeping the energy level high. The party spot has juiced its events calendar this year with a string of Bravo reality TV DJs coming in for special shows, including James Kennedy ("Vanderpump Rules," Kyle Cook ("Summer House") and Maddi Reese ("Southern Hospitality"). Be sure to try their Friday summertime happy hours when free pizza is served as part of their weekly "Pizza Toss" party. See last year's list: The best bars in America in 2024: See USA TODAY's 27 favorite spots Nomad Bar 905 Orange St., Wilmington; (302) 655-8800; If you're visiting from out of town, walk into a random downtown Wilmington bar and ask your bartender for a recommendation for your next stop, you'll likely hear about The Nomad. Word-of-mouth fuels this jazz bar, which hosts cover charge-free musical performances from local and regional jazz, rock, ska, reggae, soul, blues acts and more. There's no sign out front in lights that says "The Nomad" – instead there's just a standard neon "Open" sign. Once inside, the narrow space with brick walls has the feel of a downstairs Greenwich Village, especially on Friday and Saturday nights when it can be shoulder-to-shoulder with a diverse crowd at this community center of sorts. There is no kitchen on-site, so customers are welcome to bring their own food or order out and enjoy a snack or meal at the bar. It may have new owners, but they are keeping the impeccable vibes alive. Bottle & Cork 1807 Coastal Highway, Dewey Beach; (302) 227-7272; There's no feeling quite as electric as a packed Bottle & Cork crowd anticipating the kickoff of a concert, whether it's a national act or Saturday's traditional Jam Session, which features a rotating crop of cover bands from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Open only during the warm months, this historic indoor/outdoor venue just feels like summer to those who know its concrete floor well – usually littered with crushed beer cans. First opened in 1936, the Cork has been part of the fabric of Dewey Beach for nearly a century and remains a go-to beach experience, open to only those 21 and older. Simmer Down 519 N. Market St., Wilmington; (302) 446-5600; Simmer Down may not have made the USA TODAY list, but it has made a best bar list. Opened in 2023, the handsome basement cocktail lounge at the Quoin Hotel was crowned as a top drink-slingers by Esquire magazine last year, along with 40 other bars across the country. It first opened as a if-you-know-you-know speakeasy, but that eventually was abandoned and now anyone can make a quick left at the hotel lobby and head downstairs to take in the breathtaking barroom mixing its exposed barrel-vaulted brick ceiling with a marble bar, comfy couches and classy cocktails. It has recently expanded its hours from being only open 16 hours a week to now Wednesday and Thursday 6 to 11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to midnight. Wilmington bar distinguished: This Delaware bar, open only 16 hours a week, is one of Esquire's 'best bars in America' Paradise Grill 27344 Bay Road, Long Neck; (302) 945-4500; If you want a big beach bar experience, but don't want to fight Coastal Highway traffic to get to Dewey or Rehoboth beaches, Paradise Grill is yours. Located on the Indian River Bay in Pot-Nets Bayside, palm trees and sand greet diners and partiers alike, along with live music on two stages (Beach Stage and Lagoon Stage) and its raw bar. With a bay view and tropical theme, if you have enough of their Key West rumrunners, you just might think you're in Key West as you look around with maybe-blurry vision. The Paradise brand is ever-growing with four sister spots including Paradise Pub and Seaside Grill in Long Neck, along with Paradise Landing and Seaside Fish House in Millsboro. By day, Paradise Grill is a Jimmy Buffett fan's dream of chill tunes, cold drinks and a tasty menu. By night, the volume turns up on the music and more of a nightclub vibe takes over the popular spot, which first opened in 2012. Big Chill Beach Club 27099 Coastal Highway, near Bethany Beach; (302) 402-5300; What Delaware bar has the best view? There's really no competition for Big Chill Beach Club with a 360-degree view of the beach, Indian River Inlet and Charles W. Cullen Memorial Bridge at the Delaware Seashore State Park. Featuring an elevated circular main bar under a large yellow umbrella, you may be at a bar, but you feel like you're still on the sandy beach with an ocean breeze blowing and seagulls squawking. The La Vida Hospitality bar/restaurant offers a tropical-themed food menu dotted with shrimp, mahi, lobster, poke bowls, kabobs and more, along with a drink menu soaked in margaritas and summer cocktails including six trademark crushes. Big Chill also hosts ticketed concerts by national beach acts, movie nights in the sand and full moon parties. Delaware Bar of the Year: Dewey Beach party bar named one of best in U.S. Their signature drink is a must-have. More Bars of the Year: The 29 best bars in America in 2025: See USA TODAY's top picks Have a story idea? Contact Ryan Cormier of Delaware Online/The News Journal at rcormier@ or (302) 324-2863. Follow him on Facebook (@ryancormier) and X (@ryancormier). This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: 6 Delaware bars worthy of USA TODAY's 2025 best bars list Solve the daily Crossword
