409 Central NW244-1820
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 Pub3) Gecko’s Bar & Tapas
Best Of Burque 2011: Best Dive Bar
313 Gold SW247-2878 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 NW222-8718 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 SW842-8870 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 Club3) Exhale Bar & Grill
Best Of Burque 2011: Best Rock Bar
618 Central SW764-8887 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 Lounge3) Low Spirits
Best Of Burque 2011: Best Cocktails
Apothecary Lounge 806 Central SE242-0040 hotelparqcentral.com/apothecary-lounge Nob Hill Bar & Grill 3128 Central SE266-4455 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 Bar3) Seasons Rotisserie & Grill
Best Of Burque 2011: Best Beer Bar
111 Marble NW243-2739 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) Anodyne3) O’Niell’s Irish Pub
Best Of Burque 2011: Best Sports Bar
Eric Williams ericwphoto.com
1414 Central SE242-7111 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 & Grill3) Uptown Sports Bar & Grill
Best Of Burque 2011: Best Bar For Dancing
100 Fifth Street SW842-8870 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 Hall3) Burt’s Tiki Lounge
Best Of Burque 2011: Best Happy Hour
2031 Mountain NW766-5100 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 Bar3) Gecko’s Bar & Tapas
Best Of Burque 2011: Best Karaoke
7400 Lomas NE268-4371
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 Bar3) Punky’s Place (inside Silva Lanes)
Best Of Burque 2011: Best Bar Decor
313 Gold SW247-2878 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) Anodyne3) Two Fools Tavern
Best Of Burque 2011: Best Strip Club
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) Knockouts3) Fantasy World
Best Of Burque 2011: Best Hookah Bar
506 Central SW872-0046 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 Hookah3) Hookah Kings
