Cocktails are an art form. If you love crafting them at home, finding professionals who make classic creations quite like you do can be challenging. Luckily, anyone living in or visiting the South doesn’t have to travel far to find the perfect hard beverage. 

Sample creative cocktails at these bars to plan a relaxing evening with the region’s best mixologists.

1. Flora-Bama

Address: 17401 Perdido Key Dr., Pensacola, FL 32507

Pensacola is a beach getaway for everyone from Tennessee to Texas. People spent over $2 billion on tourist activities there in 2024, including at beloved bars like Flora-Bama. The bartenders serve hard milkshakes and drinks called bra slingers, which might make you rethink how you might use blueberry vodka in the future. 

When you leave, you’ll find a Flora-Bama liquor store across the street so you can pick up everything you need to recreate your favorite beverage back at your hotel.

2. Sea Pines Beach Club

Address: 87 N Sea Pines Dr., Hilton Head Island, SC 29928

Escape to Hilton Head Island and treat yourself to a cocktail from the Sea Pines Beach Club. The resort’s bar opens to anyone strolling the beach and even has bike racks to store the locally beloved transportation option while you relax. 

Live music will envelop you as you sip a hibiscus-and-rum sparkling cocktail and snack on hush puppies.

3. Bon Ton Atlanta

Address: 674 Myrtle St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

You don’t have to leave Georgia to experience New Orleans. Bon Ton Atlanta has sips and snacks inspired by the French Quarter. You could enjoy an innovative cocktail combining Cajun and Vietnamese cultures in one glass. 

Don’t worry about finding the venue among the capital city’s busy downtown nightlife — Bon Ton has a bright lavender-covered exterior that’s both beautiful and inviting. 

4. Tujague’s

Address: 429 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Locals have loved Tujague’s since it opened more than 160 years ago. The New Orleans restaurant has an upscale bar you’ll want to dress up to visit. Order the Grasshopper once you find a seat — it’s an original cocktail created by the original owner. It’ll hit the spot if you’re in the mood for a creamy, sweet dessert beverage after dining on the brand’s authentic Creole food.

5. The Collins Bar

Address: 2125 2nd Ave. N., Birmingham, AL 35203

Get some inspiration for your next mixology adventure by visiting The Collins Bar. The Birmingham venue is famous because it doesn’t have a cocktail menu. Instead, you’ll chat with one of the bartenders when you arrive and describe what you want to drink. 

They’ll make you a unique creation on the spot, which might challenge you to try the same thing at your next dinner party. You could explore options like minty margaritas or CBD cocktails once you see how the experts freestyle it at The Collins Bar.

6. The Tipsy Alchemist

Address: 2101 Cedar Springs Rd., Dallas, TX 75201

People visit The Tipsy Alchemist for a fun time in a high-end bar with low-key vibes. If you fit the dress code, you can sit beneath neon lights and order creative cocktails like the Rosita. Your glass will arrive with a frozen rose ice cube made from flavorings and lemonade. 

Don’t miss out on the New Zealand-themed beverages or the dragon fruit cocktail that will make your lips pucker. You’ll have an unforgettable time if you stop by while you’re in Dallas.

7. Tortuga Jack’s

Address: 201 Beachview Dr. N., Jekyll Island, GA 31527

Jekyll Island is home to Tortuga Jack’s, one of the most beloved beach bars in the region. Listen to local musicians play beneath a thatched patio area while waves crash against the sand only feet away. The Mexican food and fresh seafood complement the seasonal margaritas and weekend mimosas. If you request an extra ingredient — like mixing some beer into your cocktail — the bartenders are known for getting as creative as their guests.

8. Bittersweet

Address: 16 E. Martin St., Raleigh, NC 27601

Sometimes, the best cocktail is one served with dessert. You can get both at Bittersweet if you’re in downtown Raleigh. The award-winning bar is the only place to order gummy bears in your champagne glass or floral beverages infused with local flowers. 

Visitors can also select their preferred gin, a housemade jam and order them mixed with fresh lemonade. Desserts like the Bittersweet Baller ice cream sundae are optional but could hit the spot if you’re among the 73% of people who eat ice cream once a week.

Explore the Best Southern Bars This Year 

The Southern U.S. is full of popular bars — keep an eye out for them the next time you crave an updated twist on an old classic or a completely new creation to tantalize your taste buds. 

Whether you’re in a coastal destination, downtown city streets or a small-town getaway, you’ll discover cocktails you couldn’t get anywhere else if you know where to look.

 

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