Ulysses
Labyrinthine and dim, the interior of Irish-themed Ulysses is wrought in stone, metal and dark wood. One room contains the extensive bar, and another is given over to imposing tables, some elevated on stages. The interior churns with Irish pub-rock and dance hits, while the harried waitstaff caters to business-casual after-workers. Outside, on cobbled Stone Street, is a popular alfresco dining-and-drinking area. Come to Ulysses’ for the wealth of beers on tap
Little Branch
What a nice place. Walk up to the unassuming door on 7th and Leroy. Show your ID to the friendly, sports jacket clad bouncer who is an MFA trying to publish a novel. Proceed downstairs to the cozy, chiaroscuro interior with a piano in the corner. Ask the bowtied bartender to fix you a custom drink, or order off the menu. Imbibe said drink and savor it. Pay the $13 or so (and tip, this guy is doing some fairly legit mixology) and reflect how you could have spent that for a horrid gin and tonic at some overcrowded, sweaty club.
This place in on par with any cocktail place I’ve ever been to. The amount of effort that is put into every drink is really impressive and I can’t imagine them ever serving a drink that doesn’t taste good. The theme of the place is that of a 1920’s speakeasy and you feel like you’re going on an adventure as you walk downstairs into the basement.
My only knocks against this place are: 1) it is super-romantic – if you are coming with a buddy, it may feel a tad awkward when the couple seated across from you are engaging in 3rd degree PDA. 2) there aren’t enough (or any) bar stools.
