Best Of Burque 2011: The High Life

Best Bar Staff

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The High Life
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409 Central NW

244-1820

Best Of Burque 2011:

It’s a low-key place to begin with. Add the kick-ass staff and you’ve really got something. If you’re on the wagon, they’re just as happy to bring you a rum-free Coke.

Best Of Burque 2011:

2) O’Niell’s Irish Pub

3) Gecko’s Bar & Tapas

Best Of Burque 2011: Best Dive Bar

313 Gold SW

247-2878

burtstikilounge.com

Best Of Burque 2011:

It makes sense, in an entirely irony-free way, that a beach-themed bar would be the best “dive” in town. Free live music, tattoo-covered drink menus and a total lack of cover charge put Burt’s in the highest class of low-class booze pits.

Best Of Burque 2011:

2) Tie: Anodyne, Joe’s Place (inside Carraro’s Pizza)

3) Low Spirits

Best Of Burque 2011: Best Swanky Bar

800 Rio Grande NW

222-8718

hhandr.com/qbar.php

Best Of Burque 2011:

Of course, if you wanna drink top-shelf liquor and rub elbows with people in suits, Hotel Albuquerque’s Q-Bar is the place to do it. It’s got a piano bar, a billiards lounge and a lot of very red decor. Trust us: You’ll look posh drinking there.

Best Of Burque 2011:

2) Apothecary Lounge (inside Hotel Parq Central)

3) imbibe Cigar Bar

Best Of Burque 2011: Best Gay Bar

100 Fifth Street SW

842-8870

effexnightclub.com

Best Of Burque 2011:

When Effex took home this very same prize at the 2011 OUTstanding Awards, the owners were gracious. In the spirit of community, they thanked the LGBT gathering spots that came before them, as well as the others open today. The more the merrier.

Best Of Burque 2011:

2) Albuquerque Social Club

3) Exhale Bar & Grill

Best Of Burque 2011: Best Rock Bar

618 Central SW

764-8887

launchpadrocks.com

Best Of Burque 2011:

Damn skippy! If you can’t find a band you like at Launchpad, you don’t love rock. Downtown’s premier live music spot has been putting bands on stage just about every night of the week for as long as we can remember. Local, national, international—doesn’t matter. Joe Anderson has given them all a spotlight and you’ve rocked out to ’em.

Best Of Burque 2011:

2) Burt’s Tiki Lounge

3) Low Spirits

Best Of Burque 2011: Best Cocktails

Apothecary Lounge

806 Central SE

242-0040

hotelparqcentral.com/apothecary-lounge

Nob Hill Bar & Grill

3128 Central SE

266-4455

upscalejoint.com

Best Of Burque 2011:

Two relative newcomers pour themselves into the top spot with their classic American cocktails. Are you craving an awesome Aviation Cocktail? A lip-smacking Sazerac? Can’t decide? Neither can we.

Best Of Burque 2011:

2) Zinc Cellar Bar

3) Seasons Rotisserie & Grill

Best Of Burque 2011: Best Beer Bar

111 Marble NW

243-2739

marblebrewery.com

Best Of Burque 2011:

Well, when you’ve been named Best Brewery, and you’re open to the public seven days a week, it’s hard not to be named Best Beer Bar as well. Who needs somebody else’s beer in a bottle when you can choose from freshly brewed Double White Ale, Belgian Ale, German Lager, IPA, Wildflower Wheat and others?

Best Of Burque 2011:

2) Anodyne

3) O’Niell’s Irish Pub

Best Of Burque 2011: Best Sports Bar

Eric Williams ericwphoto.com
1414 Central SE

242-7111

coachessportsgrill.net

Best Of Burque 2011:

Coaches has beer pong every week. And karaoke. And Geeks Who Drink. And, according to its website, goldfish racing. How can you not like a place that has goldfish racing?

Best Of Burque 2011:

2) Spectators Sports Bar & Grill

3) Uptown Sports Bar & Grill

Best Of Burque 2011: Best Bar For Dancing

100 Fifth Street SW

842-8870

effexnightclub.com

Best Of Burque 2011:

When our readers want to get down with their bad selves, they head directly to Effex. The Downtown club opened less than a year ago as the largest gay bar in Albuquerque. Thanks to its huge dance floor, hot sound system and sexy go-go dancers, it’s quickly become the best place to bust a groove, whether you’re gay, straight or none of the above.

Best Of Burque 2011:

2) The Dirty Bourbon Saloon & Dance Hall

3) Burt’s Tiki Lounge

Best Of Burque 2011: Best Happy Hour

2031 Mountain NW

766-5100

seasonsabq.com

Best Of Burque 2011:

At Seasons, happy hour runs from 4 to 6:30 p.m. and again from 9 to 10 p.m. By our calculations (and we were a little drunk when we wrote this), that’s three and a half hours’ worth of happiness a day! Plus, you get to sit on the rooftop and look out over historic Old Town while you’re drinking your cheap drinks. That, dear readers, is a win-win situation.

Best Of Burque 2011:

2) Zinc Cellar Bar

3) Gecko’s Bar & Tapas

Best Of Burque 2011: Best Karaoke

7400 Lomas NE

268-4371

Best Of Burque 2011:

You’ve been to a birthday party, ladies’ night or album release at this little nightspot. It’s hosted by some of the friendliest people you’re likely to meet in this town. Regardless of the caliber of singer, it’s always entertaining. There are the pros who bring in their own backup tracks, and there are the giggling fools tackling Stevie Nicks’ "Edge of Seventeen." But when all’s said and done, there is no difference between good and bad karaoke.

Best Of Burque 2011:

2) Retro’s Bar

3) Punky’s Place (inside Silva Lanes)

Best Of Burque 2011: Best Bar Decor

313 Gold SW

247-2878

burtstikilounge.com

Best Of Burque 2011:

Never before has so much disparate stuff looked so natural hanging out together. Personally, we think the koala plate is the best.

Best Of Burque 2011:

2) Anodyne

3) Two Fools Tavern

Best Of Burque 2011: Best Strip Club

TD’s North

6001 Brentwood NE

875-1625

TD’s Gold

2120 Eubank NE

291-8282

tdsalbuquerque.com

Best Of Burque 2011:

We’re sure a lot of research went into this category. We’re not ready to certify the winner ourselves. (More research may be necessary.) But we suspect it’s TD’s two locations and regular schedule of touring performers (Dakota Skye hits TD’s Gold April 20 through 23) that makes you love them so. Or maybe it’s just the $3 “cheddar bombs” at TD’s North.

Best Of Burque 2011:

2) Knockouts

3) Fantasy World

Best Of Burque 2011: Best Hookah Bar

506 Central SW

872-0046

myspace.com/starbuzzmouth

Best Of Burque 2011:

If there’s one thing you hate, Albuquerque, it’s having to walk more than a block to smoke hookah. Seriously, hookah lounges have sprouted up like … tattoo parlors around here lately. But your favorite is clearly Downtown’s Bubble Lounge. It’s got coffee/tea/espresso, DJs, the occasional belly dancer and more shisha than you can shake a hookah hose at.

Best Of Burque 2011:

2) Terrene Hookah

3) Hookah Kings

Best Of Burque 2011:

Best of Burque 2011

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