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Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
USA TODAY named its Bars of the Year. This Knoxville favorite made the list
Brother Wolf in Knoxville made USA TODAY's list of best bars in the country. The USA TODAY Bars of the Year 2025 list, released July 30, features 29 bars from dives to high-end cocktail bars. Brother Wolf is an aperitivo cocktail bar in the heart of the Old City with nods to Italian culture and connections to the owners' family. Co-owners Aaron Thompson and Jessica "Rabbit" King want Brother Wolf to be an escape from everyday reality for their customers with each person who walks into the bar feeling like they were transported across the Atlantic Ocean. "We want it to not feel like a bar that's themed with Italian stuff, but more like a bar that would be in the middle of Italy," King told Knox News. USA TODAY Network food journalists live and work in states across the country. They know their communities, and they pooled their expertise to select the list, which includes the places they spend their time and recommend to readers and friends. How many have you been to? Check out USA TODAY's 2025 Bars of the Year Why Brother Wolf was named one of the best bars Brother Wolf, a popular cocktail bar in Knoxville's charming Old City neighborhood, was chosen because of its commitment to creating authentic cocktails and memorable experiences for the community. Raise a glass: This Knoxville bar named one of the best in the US. Everything to know before you go Raise a glass: This Knoxville bar named one of the best in the US. Everything to know before you go (link to local review) Find more about Brother Wolf and how the list came together. Joanna Hayes is the restaurant and retail reporter. Email: Support strong local journalism by subscribing at This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Popular Knoxville cocktail spot makes USA TODAY best bars list Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Asheville cocktail bar named one of best in US. Your guide to its menu, lively events
ASHEVILLE - Little Jumbo, a laid-back yet high-spirited cocktail bar where locals go to relax and play, has been a staple in the historic Montford and Five Points neighborhoods for eight years. The building was constructed in the Roaring 20s for a grocery store and has been preserved to serve the community with intricately crafted drinks and a good time any time of the week. On July 30, USA TODAY named Little Jumbo one of the 29 USA TODAY Bars of the Year for 2025. 'It's incredibly flattering,' said Chall Gray, who literally wrote the book on cocktail bars in 'The Cocktail Bar: Notes for an Owner & Operator.' He and Little Jumbo co-owner Jay Sanders also partner with the bar concept design and cocktail program revamp company, Slings and Arrows. More: Best Bars in America: How USA TODAY picked the 2025 finalists 'It's cool to see that the unique and offbeat way that we do things, and all of our peculiarities, resonate with people," Gray said. What makes Little Jumbo in Asheville, North Carolina stand out Little Jumbo maintains its low-key local feel on the cusp of two historic neighborhoods, less than a mile from downtown Asheville. In the tourist-driven mountain city, it's a hidden gem for visitors to discover and a jewel of the city for residents. Formerly the J.H. Jenkins grocery store in the 1920s, the storefront has transitioned over the decades to become a go-to destination for quality handcrafted cocktails and an unforgettable night, where the theme and experience change depending on the night. Dubbed the 'living room of Montford,' husband and wife Chall and Lucia Gray, along with Jay Sanders, opened Little Jumbo to be reminiscent of a 19th-century Irish pub, meets Western saloon, meets Victorian parlor. Little Jumbo's original structural bones, like its tin ceiling panels, exposed brick walls and wooden beams, set the backdrop. The design additions of vintage furniture, wallpaper, framed photos and lighting fixtures create a warmth and intimacy of a Victorian-style parlor. More: USA TODAY named an Asheville bar one of America's best. We wish these spots made the cut It presents a timeless scene where bourbon flows, Old Fashioneds reign, and Manhattan silver platter table service for two coexist with modern concoctions and classic cocktails with a twist. Contemporary, rotating art installations by local artist-in-residence Wade Asa's abstract creature hint at Little Jumbo's flair for quirk. The annual February "Tropilachia Club" bar flip transforms Little Jumbo into a tiki bar-style cocktail oasis, dispelling notions of it being a pretentious bar and instead affirming the visionaries' adeptness in creating a space that can transform from a lively neighborhood bar to a serene tropical escape. Sanders developed Ophelia's Cocktail Companion software, which stores nearly 1,000 cocktail recipes that the staff can study and use to make on- and off-menu cocktails on any given day. Monthly, on Saturdays, themed deejayed dance parties, such as the Halloween in July costume party, kick up the energy. It's juxtaposed by the Sunday afternoon "Authors in Conversation" series, a chat featuring literary artists. The Monday live jazz nights pack out the bar as local musicians take turns on the makeshift stage area. The popularity of the event series inspired the addition of Tuesday jazz nights, where Sanders, a seasoned musician, leads a four-piece jazz quartet weekly. Or stop in for a rousing game night on Wednesdays. Yahtzee or Backgammon, anyone? What to order at Little Jumbo Little Jumbo's booklet menu features cocktails, mocktails, beer, cider, wine and spirit neat-pours. Unsure about a cocktail ingredient or style? A glossary, illustrations of glassware and ice types, and light-hearted descriptions, along with the well-versed bartenders, will guide you through. Prefer not to imbibe in alcohol? Little Jumbo puts the same devotion to craft cocktail making into its mocktail line-up. Old Fashioned. The father of all cocktails gets a refreshing twist at Little Jumbo. Order it as a classic, or journey through the ageless varieties, like gin, 1870s and 1930s Old Fashioned. Hello Friday. Inspired by the Angostura Highball, Hello Friday is a low-ABV cocktail, and an original menu mainstay made with bonded bourbon, Angostura bitters and Maine root spicy ginger brew. It can be altered as a nonalcoholic Hello Monday or a boozier version, The Rodriguez. More: USA TODAY named its Bars of the Year. This Asheville favorite made the list Water Lily. Keep it classy with the petite and powerful Water Lily, made with gin, crème de violette, orange curaçao and lemon served in a coupe glass. Tequila spritz. The featured tequila spritz changes with the season. This summer, the Bandito ― a cross between an Aperol spritz and tequila sunrise ― is making a big splash with imbibers. It's made with blanco tequila, Bizarro aperitivo, grapefruit, orange, pineapple, lime, peach bitters, cava, soda and with Tajin Chamoy rim. A refreshing choice for lounging on the side patio. Insider tip: Love Little Jumbo? The cocktail bar connoisseurs behind the North Asheville bar opened a second watering hole last fall in West Asheville. Character Study, a literary-themed, bright, airy cocktail bar, allows patrons to add displayed books to their bar tab, offers cocktail-of-the-day specials, and is outfitted with carrels ― intimate library-style cubicle desks ― ideal for private conversations and study nights. Details: 241 Broadway St., Asheville; Instagram: @littlejumbobar. Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Tips, comments, questions? Email tkennell@ or follow @PrincessOfPage on Instagram/Bluesky. This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville neighborhood bar named one of best by USA TODAY Solve the daily Crossword
South China Morning Post
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Bar Leone's Lorenzo Antinori on the secret to his latest Asia's 50 Best Bars win
Bar Leone is drenched in Italian kitsch – portraits of famous (and not-so-famous) Serie A footballers, vintage movie posters of Al Pacino, even Vacanze di Natale '91. Now, after being crowned Asia's Best Bar for the second year running at this week's Asia's 50 Best Bars awards in Macau, perhaps it's time staff found room on the wall for one more poster – of Rocky. Bar Leone's story mirrors Sylvester Stallone's underdog tale. Like Rocky Balboa – the unknown brawler who shocked the world by going the distance with champion Apollo Creed – this Bridges Street cocktail bar burst onto the scene, barely a year old, and achieved a historic result, clinching the title of Asia's Best Bar before being announced runner-up at World's 50 Best Bars later in the year. In the sequel, Balboa cemented his legitimacy by defeating Creed. Similarly, Bar Leone topped the Asia rankings again this year, proving last year's result was no fluke. Lorenzo Antinori behind the counter at Bar Leone. Photo: SCMP/Jocelyn Tam 'When you get validated a second time by something like 50 Best, it's amazing,' says co-founder Lorenzo Antinori of his establishment's latest triumph, flashing a grin. 'But we've never really worked towards a number. We work towards creating good experiences,' he adds with perfect Italian charm. Antinori is no stranger to success. His bar programme at The Four Seasons' Argo earned widespread acclaim, and within the F&B industry, he's well-liked and respected for his work across continents. But Bar Leone's success feels different. The constant line outside is a clear sign of Bar Leone's new-found prominence, signalling a shift in Hong Kong's bar scene from (former number one) Coa and Shin Hing Street to Bridges Street. Yet inside, little has changed. The staff are still welcoming despite heightened customer expectations, and the food and drinks are of the same stand-out quality despite the surging number of guests and orders. 'Nothing changed but everything changed,' muses Antinori of the past 12 months. The Asia's 50 Best Bars winners celebrate after the ceremony in Macau. Photo: Handout Last time we spoke, Antinori asserted that Leone's success was 'not about the drinks' – a seemingly fanciful claim for a cocktail bar charging not insignificant sums. After all, why pay for vibes at Leone when cheaper options exist?
Malay Mail
16-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Four Malaysian bars named in Asia's 50 Best Bars 2025: Penrose remains the top bar in Malaysia at No. 10, while Three X Co leaps to No. 15
KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 — Last night, at a glitzy ceremony in the Wynn Palace, Macao, four Malaysian bars were recognised in the 2025 edition of Asia's 50 Best Bars. Penrose retained its title as The Best Bar in Malaysia for the second consecutive year, placing at No. 10 after previously soaring as high as No. 8 in 2024. Jon Lee's sleek operation in Petaling Street has rapidly become one of Kuala Lumpur's most popular bars over the past year, and its momentum continued with the May opening of his latest concept, Lavantha. The team behind Penrose, which retained its title as The Best Bar in Malaysia despite slipping to 10th on the list. — Picture courtesy of Penrose This new venture is located in a refurbished bank vault inside the recently launched Moxy Kuala Lumpur Chinatown. However, it was Three X Co's surge to No. 15 that garnered significant attention. Hidden away on the third floor of Bangsar Shopping Centre, the bar has been an integral part of the Klang Valley cocktail bar scene since it was founded in 2017. The team at Three X Co, which ranked No. 15 on the Asia's 50 Best Bars 2025 list. — Picture courtesy of Three X Co It first appeared on the Asia's 50 Best Bars list at No. 47 in 2021, and last year, it ranked 56th on the extended 51-100 list. Last year also marked a significant appointment for Three X Co, as Amanda Wan was named head bartender. A seasoned figure in Malaysian bartending, Wan previously served as beverage development manager for Hong Kong's Tastings Group, known for acclaimed establishments like Quinary, a regular on the 50 Best list famed for its inventive Earl Grey caviar martini. Amanda Wan, head bartender at Three X Co. — Picture courtesy of Three X Co She then worked in New York and Singapore before returning to Malaysia. At Three X Co, Wan's 'Indi V Duality' menu features a mixture of classic cocktails with a twist, like the Whimsy Wabbit, a riff on a lychee martini featuring a jelly rabbit, and original creations inspired by a taste of home, like the Ayu Ayumi, an aperitif made with sake, soda and clarified pandan inspired by the classic Chinese steamed white cake, bak tong gou. Reka Bar in Bukit Damansara, known for its lab-like setting and innovative, almost scientific approach to cocktails, placed at No. 47, marking the second time it has appeared on the list since debuting at No. 41 last year. The team behind Reka Bar. — Picture courtesy of Reka Bar A longtime Malaysian representative on the list, Bar Trigona continued its streak of making the list for a sixth consecutive year, placing at No. 39. Located in the Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur, it was the first Malaysian bar to place on the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2020, when it ranked 44th, and also previously won the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award in 2022. This year, Penang's Backdoor Bodega became just the second Malaysian bar to win the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award. The team behind Backdoor Bodega, who pulled off a massive surprise by winning the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award for 2025. — Picture courtesy of Backdoor Bodega The self-described 'overpriced pin shop' where guests purchase lapel pins at the bar to 'redeem' cocktails was founded in George Town, Penang, in 2016. It re-entered the extended 51-100 list at No. 64 this year after first making the list at No. 97 in 2022.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Chicago Venue Offers $5K ‘Shotgun Special' Wedding Package for Couples Who Don't Want to Spend Big on Their Big Day
Chicago bar Hoste is offering a $5,000 wedding package The "Shotgun Special" includes 7-hour access to a venue, 3-hour open bar, on-site staff and more The average cost of a wedding in Chicago in 2025 is $54,190, according to The KnotA Chicago bar is offering a budget-friendly wedding package — and it's a fraction of the cost of the average wedding! In 2025, the average cost of a wedding in the United States is $33,000, according to a study from The Knot. In Chicago, that figure is even higher, with the average nuptials ringing up at $54,190, per the wedding planning service. For those with a tighter budget, one Windy City venue is offering a frugal solution. Hoste, a cocktail bar situated in the city's Pilsen neighborhood, is now offering a $5,000 wedding package, affectionately dubbed the Shotgun Special. The limited-time deal is a 'modern take on the 'shotgun wedding' for couples who want to celebrate now — not next year – and do it without taking out a second mortgage,' according to the bar, which first opened its doors earlier this year. Couples can book a wedding at the bar's new cocktail production house, with the business billing the budget ceremony 'all the good stuff, none of the chaos' and 'a fast-track wedding that doesn't cut corners.' And while the package prides itself on its 'small bill,' the ceremony itself doesn't have to sacrifice size. According to Hoste's website, the $5,000 cost includes a 'ceremony and/or reception for up to 150 guests,' with access to the venue for seven hours, set-up included. An open cocktail bar is also included in the limited-time special, and can last up to three hours. The bar menu includes two signature drinks, plus house spirits and mixers. Hoste's special also takes away much of the hassle of organizing a reception, with a DJ stage, sound system, green room suite and furniture — lounge seating, plus tables and chairs — also included in the poster price. The special also boasts on-site staff — a manager, security personnel and a staffed coat check — and, to sweeten the deal, there is no clean-up required on the newlyweds' behalf. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. There is, however, 'fine print,' according to Hoste Cocktails, the cocktail brand that owns the flagship bar. Firstly, the wedding must be held within four months of the booking date. Secondly, it is a cocktail bar — beer and wine are BYOB, or the deal can be upgraded to add more offerings, per Hoste. Other available upgrades include an expanded capacity (with a limit of 250 guests), more bar time, and other drink offerings, such as coffee and tea. Though not included in the package, food 'can be brought in from your fave vendor or priced out from our preferred caterer list,' per Hoste. Lastly, the deal is subject to a service charge of 23%, plus applicable taxes. Hoste first announced the new, limited-time wedding package on Instagram in June, and the news was warmly received on the platform. 'Awesome venue, awesome people!' one person raved in the comments, while another wrote, 'If I was getting married in the next four months, this would absolutely be my plan!!' Read the original article on People
