Staunton’s Craft Cocktails

---

March 24 is National Cocktail Day, and there’s definitely a delicious libation waiting for you in Staunton!  Staunton’s best craft cocktails are made using top-tier spirits and specialty ingredients like house-made syrups and hand-squeezed local fruits and herbs. Cocktail creators focus on the way the ingredients speak to one another and bring about unique and exciting flavors. After a full day exploring all of Staunton’s charms, connect with your favorite people and enjoy some of the Queen City’s signature cocktails.

Ciders From Mars

Did you know that Ciders From Mars creates cocktails from its ciders? In fact, March 22 is the Spring Cider Release Party with live music by Boxcar Speakeasy and a selection of new seasonal cocktails designed to welcome warmer weather. Look for the Island Wheels food truck to deepen the mood with Caribbean-inspired food.

Maude and the Bear

Everything about Maude and the Bear is enchanting, from the location, a story-book house from 1926 that has been re-envisioned into a restaurant and inn, to the creative and multi-course progressive menus dreamed up by award-winning Chef Ian Boden. Diners can also opt for the 3-course bar menu and enjoy a selection of classic and signature cocktails. Surprise and satisfy your taste buds with drinks like the Savory Sails with Brugal, Bacardi, brown butter, red miso, and lime, or the Ashen Alliums, which includes fermented leek, leek ash, and cipollini brine.

Chop House Tavern

Located in Staunton’s historic Wharf District, Chop House Tavern welcomes diners with seasonal menus that emphasize local ingredients. The elevated menu of steaks and specials like elk burgers and Steak & Mushroom Cassoulet is complemented by a bar menu with craft cocktails like the citrusy vodka and elderflower Spring Bounty or the California Splash, which features bourbon, apricot, and ginger. There’s also an elegant mocktail menu!

The Junction Bar & Lounge

The cozy lounge at The Junction serves “cans, corks,” and a mix of traditional and innovative craft cocktails, along with small bites to share. You’ll love the softly-lit and jewel-toned setting, which, like a stylish friend’s living room, has velvet couches and plush chairs gathered in conversational groupings around coffee tables rather than traditional restaurant tables and chairs. 

Zynodoa

Zynodoa serves food with a Southern twist and an emphasis on local ingredients. Tuck in at the stylish bar for a unique craft cocktail that incorporates locally sourced ingredients like herbs, honey, or vinegar. The Beverley Beau is a smokey and tangy blend of Knob Creek rye, vermouth, hickory syrup, and grapefruit juice set off perfectly by a garnish of dried sour cherries. The Let It Shine has ginger and thyme-infused moonshine and pear nectar.

Queen City Bistro

Queen City Bistro serves Italian and Southern inspired craft cocktails like Eternal Aperol Spritz with Primo Stellare and elderflower liqueur or the Beverley Garden, made with butterfly pea flower-infused New Amsterdam gin and rosemary-thyme simple syrup. The bar also specializes in mocktails like the Lavender Lemonade and Wintergreen Elixir Stick, made with house-made syrups. Stick around for a delicious dinner focusing on local ingredients. Try the mushroom ravioli or the caponata formaggio. 

Gloria’s Pupuseria

Gloria’s Pupuseria serves several different types of margarita along with several other cocktails designed to complement the pupusas and other Salvadoran foods. Try the strawberry daiquiri, which is made with strawberry-infused rum, or the dark and stormy made with spiced rum and ginger beer. The weather is getting warmer, so make plans to enjoy your meal on the patio! 

Marino’s Lunch

Marino’s Lunch boasts a full bar as well as a specialty drink menu. Why not try the Fefe Bloody Mary, which includes house-made Bloody Mary mix, pickle juice, olives, and bacon, of the Elvis Martini, made with banana liqueur, Jim Beam, peanut butter whiskey, and a chocolate swirl. Happy hour is Tuesday – Friday 3:30-5:30.

Baja Bean Co.

Baja Bean Co. is probably your go-to Staunton stop for Tex-Mex and craft beer, but the cocktail list is amazing, too. Try the Electric Lemonade, a tasty mix of Deep Eddy’s Lemon, blue curaçao, sours, and a splash of Sprite. We’re also intrigued by the Peanut Butter Trash Can, which has Rum Chata, Malibu, Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, and pineapple juice. Happy hour is 4-7 pm.

El Jimador

Along with serving all your favorite Mexican foods, El Jimador is known for stocking a dozen brands of tequila and serving a dozen distinct styles of margarita all made with house-made margarita mix. You can also order a range of other cocktails like Bahama Mamas, White Peach Sangrias, and Tequila Sunrises.

BLU Point Seafood Co.

Whether you visit BLU Point Seafood Co. for fresh seafood or a steak or burger, make sure you try a signature drink. The Key West Bev combines Flor de Cana, Malibu Rum, Falernum, key lime juice, and vanilla syrup. We also recommend the Bitters & Smoke, which has Bulleit Bourbon, black walnut bitters, orange bitters, and Virginia maple syrup. Oh, and how about a Bloody Mary?

The Green Room

The Green Room is a comfortable, hip place where you can relax and connect over snacks, beer, wine, cider, and sophisticated non-alcoholic drinks. Try something like the Negroni Imposter, made with Cappelletti vermouth rouge and bitter soda. Keep it company with a cheese board or a serving of loaded tots. The Clementine’s Margarita has quinaquina, lime, clementine soda, and a smoked salt rim. 

Byers Street Bistro

The bar at Byers Street Bistro can make you whatever cocktail your heart desires, but it ushers in each season with new specialty cocktails. Plan to share some jumbo chicken wings or mac and cheese bites. And when the weather’s warm, you can enjoy drinks on the patio while you watch the bustle of the historic Wharf District.

The 1924 Lounge

The 1924 Lounge at the historic Hotel 24 South is an elegant stop in close proximity to the American Shakespeare Center. Enjoy a cocktail or a glass of wine and some appetizers or a burger. Drinks are served from 5-10 pm.

The Depot Grille

Celebrate historic Staunton at The Depot Grille, which is flanked by cabooses and located at the train depot. Sit down at the 40-foot bar and order any cocktail you’d like, but we recommend coming for Sunday brunch and indulging in a Bloody Mary, Sunday screwdriver, or mimosa flight.

Mill Street Grill

The Mill Street Grill serves traditional American food in a casual atmosphere. Why not enjoy a cocktail at the bar before you head to a booth to enjoy your steak and blackened chicken fettuccini?

Accordia

Accordia bosts a full restaurant, wine shop and wine bar, featuring over 600 (mostly organic) wines, 40 beers and ciders, cocktails, mocktails and non-alcohol craft beverages.

Pro Re Nata+

Pro Re Nata+ is Staunton’s newest craft brewery, but along with beer, they also serve delicious cocktails! Look for the Toes in the Sand, which is a summary mix of Bombay Sapphire gin, lime and pineapple juice, fresh mint, fresh blackberries, and soda.

Thai Staunton Restaurant

Grab the gang and have some drinks at Thai Staunton Restaurant, which serves up any cocktail you can think of, including appletinis, pina coladas, B-52s, all which are guaranteed to compliment your Pad Thai!

Whether you’re catching a quick drink before a show or spending an entire evening socializing with friends, make sure you try out the Staunton craft cocktail scene!