Agave Lounge at the Eldorado Hotel
309 W San Francisco St., 995-4530
Swanky cocktails for summer nights. Try the Pomapolitan ($12).
Anasazi Lounge at the Inn of the Anasazi
113 Washington Ave., 988-3236
Get a spot on that patio and a flavorful mini couptail. "Gold Dust Woman" ($7) is the liquid tapa brainchild of bar manager James Reis. Delicate and citrusy, it contains 1/2 oz G'Vine Nouaison, 1/4 oz June Liqueur and 1/4 oz Solerno. The limoncello dust rim is made by reducing the liqueur to tasty candy crystals.
Backroad Pizza
1807 Second St., Ste. 1, 955-9055
Grab a pitcher of one of four local beers and a medium two-topping pizza for $15 on Wednesdays.
Bell Tower
100 E San Francisco St., 982-5511
Watch the sky from this fifth-floor perch and try bartender Chris Renaldo's "Santa Fe Sunset" ($10): prickly pear, orange, maraschino, club soda and Herradura Silver tequila. The agave and prickly pear flavors really steal the show, making this one of the subtlest (and pinkest) drinks around.
Blue Corn Café & Brewery
133 W Water St., 984-1800
Here's the deal to seal the deal: You can impress your date by grabbing a spot on the patio, order a margarita and a growler for later (you can get four pints of Atomic Blonde for $12).
Buffalo Wild Wings
3501 Zafarano Drive, 471-3353
Sports in every possible visual direction, beer (Santa Fe Brewing Co. pitchers for $6) and a full bar.
Coyote Cantina
132 W Water St., 983-1615
A refreshing rooftop atmosphere and a truly impressive selection of cocktails. Try the "Summer Thyme," made with citrus vodka, Granny Smith apples and thyme syrup ($12).
Cowgirl
319 S Guadalupe St., 982-2565
Pool, karaoke and some funky local variations of the margarita, like "Weed on the Mountain," made with Jeremiah Weed Sweet Tea Vodka ($7.50). Also check out their impressive Tap Room selection.
Anson Stevens-Bollen
Del Charro
101 W Alameda St., 954-0320
Bring your gossip to the local watering hole and grab a White House Sangria, made with Chardonnay, peach schnapps, pineapple and Sprite, to cool off ($6.50).
The Den at Coyote Cafe
132 W Water St., 983-1615
Get into that dark, European club-vibe for your restless summer nights. Flaming drinks and molecular mixing a plus.
Draft Station
60 E San Francisco St., Ste. 313, 983-6443
Try "A Slice of Hefen" by La Cumbre ($4.50) from this new, craft-beer-only joint. Light and wheaty with hints of fruit, the slice is a great beer for a sultry evening overlooking the Plaza.
The Dragon Room
406 Old Santa Fe Trail, 982-9762
Put on your turquoise and silver because it doesn't get much more Santa Fe than the bar in historic The Pink Adobe. The "Pink Dragon" ($12, pictured below) rocks some Corazón Silver tequila, Cointreau, fresh lime and prickly pear purée, because sometimes you want to drink something that looks like a flamingo.
El Farol
808 Canyon Road, 983-9912
Flamenco every Saturday is spicy enough, but you can turn up the heat with a "Cinn-ful Old Fashioned," made with Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey ($11).
El Mesón
213 Washington Ave., 983-6756
A glass of summery sangria is $7, but I also wouldn't pass up the "Tinto de Verano" ($8), a mix of red wine, lemon and soda with a splash of brandy.
El Paseo Bar & Grill
208 Galisteo St., 992-2848
Low on cash but high in spirits? Grab some delicious dollar tacos and the $5 happy hour margarita.
Evangelo's
200 W San Francisco St.
Chill out with a drink to some local live music.
facebook.com/Evangelos-Cocktail-Lounge
Five Star Burgers
604 N Guadalupe St., 983-8977
Grab a glass of sangria for $4 and wash down that pimento cheese bacon burger.
Georgia
225 Johnson St. 989-4367
A stocked tavern and full-service craft cocktail bar make this new kid on the restaurant block the place to see and be seen this summer.
Jinja
510 N Guadalupe St., 982-4321
Revive yourself with a "Zombie" ($9.25) made with Bacardi light rum, Mount Gay Eclipse gold rum, Myer's dark rum, apricot brandy and fresh fruit juices.
La Boca
72 W Marcy St., 982-3433
Their blood orange and ginger peach sangrías ($5) are a nice addition to half-price tapas from 3-5 pm.
La Casa Sena
125 E Palace Ave., 988-9232
The aptly named "Cool Summer" combines Effen cucumber vodka, Midori, lemon, lime, agave nectar and a chile-mix rim for a hint of spice ($10).
La Fiesta Lounge
100 E San Francisco St., 982-5511
Margaritas in just about every flavor ($7.25) and an intriguing blend of Cabo Wabo Tequila with Navan Vanilla Cognac for $10 called the "Villa Rita."
Low 'n Slow Lowrider Bar
125 Washington Ave., 988-4900
Let me tell you about the pear mojito ($9) because it is my favorite mojito yet: 1.5 oz of Bacardi Limón, three lime wedges and four large mint leaves mixed with half an ounce of perfect pear purée and topped with soda water. Refreshing, flavorful and downright decadent. Makes me wish I drank more.
Luminaria
211 Old Santa Fe Trail, 984-7915
Organic cocktails for the thirsty environmentalist in us all. Try the "Sage Brush," ($13) with Prairie vodka, fresh lime, simple syrup and muddled fresh sage.
Mangiamo Pronto!
228 Old Santa Fe Trail, 989-1904
Gelato is about as summery as it gets, and the wine flows.
Marble Brewery Tap Room
505 Cerrillos Road, 983-6259
Now located in the Luna Center, you can find your old favorites here ($3.50 for a regular ol' pint; $4.50 for an imperial).
Maria's
555 W Cordova Road, 983-7929
The classic spot for a genuine Santa Fe marg—try the house one for $7.
The Matador
116 W San Francisco St.
Usually the place I go if I want to be knocked on my ass and not sip something sweet, but I was surprised: The "Orange Blossom Special" ($7) is made with 2 oz of rye whiskey, 2 orange slices, some sugar and a couple drops of orange blossom juice. It's light, fresh and citrusy, and knocked me on my ass all the same.
The Palace Saloon
142 W Palace Ave., 428-0690
Try the French '75—a gin, lemon and sparkling wine cocktail for $11.
Puerto Peñasco
4681 Airport Road, Ste. 1, 438-6622
Killer fish chicharrón and some of the best micheladas in town? Sign us up!
The Ranch House
2571 Cristo's Road, 424-8900
Get your BBQ on and grab a "Smoked Pineapple Margarita" ($8) that combines smoked pineapple-infused Sauza Blue Reposado, Citrónge and fresh lime sour.
Santa Fe Brewing Co.
35 Fire Place, 424-3333
Great patios and even better beer from NM's oldest microbrewery. Try the clean, thirst-quenching "Freestyle Pilsner" while it's on tap this summer.
Anson Stevens-Bollen
Santa Fe Spirits
308 Read St., 780-5906
Their award-winning Silver Coyote pure malt whiskey features in the Maple Julep, muddled mint leaves and maple syrup with ice and Silver Coyote. A 375 milliliter bottle of Coyote goes for $20.
Second Street Brewery
1814 Second St., 982-3030
Live music, nice patio and great summer beers. Try the "Hallertau Pale Ale," refreshing and clean with hint of spice and citrus.
Second Street Brewery at the Railyard
1607 Paseo de Peralta, 989-3278
The "Boneshaker Bitter" is also great for a dry finish that quenches your thirst on a summer night. At both locations, you can get a pitcher on Wednesdays for $10.50.
Secreto
210 Don Gaspar Ave., 983-5700
This award-winning bar prides itself on its craft cocktails, garden-to-glass ingredients and house-made syrups. "Lemon on the Edge" ($10) combines American Harvest vodka, lemon-basil syrup, lemon juice and locally made Bitter End Thai bitters.
Staab House in La Posada
330 E Palace Ave., 986-0000
Kicking back in a 19th century mansion while being serenaded by local favorites is the way to have a cocktail. Accept no substitutes.
Terra Restaurant
198 Hwy. 592, 946-5700
This full bar at the Rancho Encantado Resort has a classy, quiet vibe and delicious cocktails. Try the "Enchanted Sunset"—a premium prickly pear margarita ($14)
TerraCotta Wine Bistro
304 Johnson St., 989-1166
Forty wines by the glass; swing by before 6 pm and you can get one for $6. Math is hard...and in this case, rewarding.
Thunderbird Bar & Grill
50 Lincoln Ave., 490-6550
A spacious deck overlooking the Plaza is the place to sample the handcrafted "Burro Borracho" ($10), which combines Stoli vodka, Crabbie's ginger beer, lime press and mint. Personally, I wish more cocktails featured ginger and mint—it's tasty and keeps the belly laid back too.
Tiny's
1005 S St. Francis Drive, 983-9817
Sing if you want to sing, dance if you feel like dancing and listen to some great local live music if you are the type to get your drink on performing arts-style. Tonight, you're the star, baby.
Tomasita's
500 S Guadalupe St., 983-5721
Margaritas and sopaipillas? Yes.
$7.50 frozen margaritas with shots of sangria or Grand Marnier.
Tune-Up Café
1115 Hickox St., 983-7060
Try out one of their refreshing and unique sake cocktails: One combines green tea, lemongrass, lime and sake for $6.
The Underground
200 W San Francisco St.
Below Evangelo’s. Sign the ceiling, grab a brew and get to dancing.
Zia Diner
326 S Guadalupe St., 988-7008
Zia has a beautiful patio and currently I'm coveting their "Brazilian Dream" made with Pitu Brazilian rum, fresh limes, cane sugar and coconut milk ($9).
Insider’s tip: Had one too many Pomapolitans? Capital City Cab offers $5 rides to your final destination on Friday and Saturday nights. Call 438-0000.
