Scooter's Bar Journal » Hotel Bar

BottomsUp

scooterj — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 18:11:00 +0000

(Bad Axe, MI)
Formerly Frank’s Place

Scooter’s 1863rd bar, first visited in 2025.

Second stop on our NYE afternoon bar crawl. This is a motel bar, and ended up being one of our favorite bars visited on this vacation. Fun bar with really friendly regulars, and a terrific bartender.

The bar is divided into three main rooms. The front room has pool tables. The middle room has the bar, tables, and booth seating. The back room has more tables and a stage. All three rooms are packed with fun and interesting decor.

I had Two-Hearted IPA by Bell’s Brewing and a lemon-drop shot.

809 E Huron Ave
Bad Axe, MI 48413
US
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+18104176213
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Jack Rabbett’s Whisky Bar

scooterj — Fri, 23 May 2025 17:14:00 +0000

(Downtown, Eureka Springs, AR)

Scooter’s 1836th bar, first visited in 2025.

This is one of two bars in the Basin Park Hotel, located on the 1st floor (which is actually a level up from the building entrance). After Voodoo Lounge I was petty lit (I had been drinking longer than anyone else in the group), and I am honestly unsure how we even wound up here, as it was on the other side of the street from both where we started and where we were heading. But I remember that someone in the group needed to use the restroom, and this bar was right next to the restrooms.

This is a modestly upscale and relaxing space, with a fireplace as the centerpiece and a pool table to one side.

I know I had an old fashioned. I feel like I might have had one more drink after that, but I was pretty much gone after the old fashioned and cannot say for sure.

12 Spring St
Eureka Springs, AR 72632
US
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+14792537837
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Voodoo Lounge

scooterj — Fri, 23 May 2025 17:13:00 +0000

(Downtown, Eureka Springs, AR)

Scooter’s 1835th bar, first visited in 2025.

This is the other bar in the New Orleans Hotel, at street level and tucked away in the back corner of the main lobby. For as popular as it is (people raved about it everyplace we’d been today) I was surprised by how small it is. The drinks are spot on, though.

I had a Hibiscus Berry French 75 (hibiscus berry gin, lemon juice, prosecco) and an espresso martini.

63 Spring St
Eureka Springs, AR 72632
US
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+14792538630
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The Quarter

scooterj — Fri, 23 May 2025 17:12:00 +0000

(Downtown, Eureka Springs, AR)

Scooter’s 1834th bar, first visited in 2025.

One of two bars in the New Orleans Hotel, I wouldn’t necessarily call this a basement bar because it doesn’t seem to be at the bottom of the building, but it’s definitely below street level. There’s a modest-sized bar counter and a large lounge area. The bar hosts a Saturday burlesque during the summer season.

The sidewalk out front is made of glass instead of concrete, and the bar sticks out under the sidewalk. In addition to providing some natural light, if you are sitting at the bar counter you can look up and see people walking overhead.

We were there day-drinking on a weekday so at the time of our visit it was pretty dead.

I had a Hibiscus Cider by Black Apple Cider and a Voulez Vous Coucher Avec Moi (Gin, Berry Simple Syrup, Lemon Juice, Topped with Prosecco)

63 Spring St, Unit A
Eureka Springs, AR 72632
US
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+14792441833
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Blu Bar

scooterj — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 17:23:00 +0000

(Downtown, Fargo, ND)

Scooter’s 1783rd bar, first visited in 2024.

Finally, in the only sensible bad decision of the evening, I returned to my hotel but chose to make the obligatory hotel bar visit.

Clearly the bartender could tell I was done, because “This is going to just be one and done, right?” is the only thing I can remember being said.

Based on my picture I believe I had a chocolate martini.

The only thing I remember beyond the initial conversation with the bartender is a woman tapping me on my shoulder as I was leaving and handing me my phone that had fallen on the floor. However I woke up the next morning to discover that I had (a) made it to me room, (b) taken my medicine, (c) set my 8:30am alarm, (d) got all my devices onto their correct chargers, and (e) launched my white noise app. Based on the wrappers in the trash it seems I also ate some Nutty Bars right before bed.

201 5th St. N
Fargo, ND 58102
US
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+1 (701) 271-7717
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The District

scooterj — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 17:14:00 +0000

(Downtown, Omaha, NE)

Scooter’s 1713th bar, first visited in 2023.

After Leavenworth Bar we headed out to revisit The Elbow Room, which we had both previously visited in August 2014.

While at The Elbow Room we made the decision to return to out hotel for dinner. But then we had second thoughts, fearing that once we got to the hotel we might not go back out again. So we decided to find someplace to eat along the way. That led to us Crescent Moon Ale House, which I had previous visited in October 2009 but my friend had not visited, where we both had rather good food and met a Lupulin Brewing rep who gave us swag and bough me a beer.

FINALLY, after that, we returned to our hotel (the Magnolia) and made out first visit to the hotel bar.

There was some confusion as to the name of this place as the hotel web site called it “Olive & Ira’s”. But the sign in front said “The District” so that’s what we went with.

We had decided upon our arrival that we would have one drink here, then head back out to visit one or two more nearby bars before calling it a night.

I had an Old Fashioned while my friend had a bourbon. Then I had an espresso martini while my friend had more bourbon. The bartenders were great (both with drink making and with being fun), and we enjoyed ourselves so much here that we ended up staying until nearly close and then just headed back to our room. We would end up visiting this bar two more times during our stay — Saturday night where we closed it, and Sunday morning for a boozy brunch. In the end between all the visits I had 1-2 old fashioneds, 3-4 espresso martinis, an AKRS Cream Ale by Zipline Brewing, two Irish coffees, and one more cocktail that I can’t remember.

Overall, this proved to be my favorite hotel bar so far.

1615 Howard St
Omaha, NE 68102
US
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+14022316015
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The Alaskan Hotel & Bar

scooterj — Fri, 12 May 2023 17:14:00 +0000

(Downtown, Juneau, AK)

Scooter’s 1651st bar, first visited in 2023.

We used this historic bar as our meet-up spot after our group converged from three different directions. I was the first to arrive and got us a table upstairs. It was pretty busy when I first arrived, but quickly emptied out as the cruise tourists were called back to their chips.

I have no ideal how “authentic” this all was, but it seemed a perfect representation of what I might have expected to find coming here during the gold rush in the 19th century.

There were two levels, as I mentioned, and a stage for performances.

I had a Solstice IPA by 49th State Brewing, as well as participated in a round of lemon drop shots.

167 S Franklin St
Juneau, AK 99801
United States
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907-318-9470
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W XYZ Minneapolis

scooterj — Sat, 01 Apr 2023 17:19:00 +0000

(Downtown, Minneapolis, MN)

Scooter’s 1636th bar, first visited in 2023.

After returning to my hotel and getting settled in, I remembered that one should always make an effort to visit their own hotel’s bar. Since this would be my last night here, I headed back down the elevator to the lobby.

I had a Nevermore (oatmeal stout) by Rush River Brewing.

The bartender was a lot of fun and it was clear from the banter that at least some of the customers were regulars, something I don’t usually expect to find in a hotel bar.

900 S. Washington Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55415
United States
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(612) 455-8400
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Applebee’s

scooterj — Fri, 25 Nov 2022 18:15:00 +0000

(Downtown, Detroit, MI)

Scooter’s 1597th bar, first visited in 2022.

It’s always an embarrassment to list an Applebees on this site, but that’s what our hotel bar happened to be and we were waiting their for our friends to come back downstairs (which took a while because the fire alarm went off, forcing them to take he stairs) and for the valet to bring the car around.

I had The G.O.A.T. (Greatest Oatmeal Stout Of All Time) by Saugatuck Brewing Company.

333 E Jefferson
Detroit, MI 48226
United States
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+13138795141
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Lumin Sky Bar

scooterj — Sat, 19 Nov 2022 18:12:00 +0000

(Downtown, Columbus, OH)

Scooter’s 1584th bar, first visited in 2022.

This cocktail bar sits atop the AC Marriott Hotel and has studding views of the Columbus skyline. A large patio lines the east side of the bar offering about 210 degrees or so of view.

I had a steak dinner, a couple of cocktails, a shot, and a Phase 2 (American IPA) by Nocterra Brewing.

517 Park St.
Columbus, OH 43215
United States
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+16146075960
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Revue @ Fairmont Austin

scooterj — Sun, 28 Aug 2022 17:10:00 +0000

(Downtown, Austin, TX)

Scooter’s 1569th bar, first visited in 2022.

Due to sickness we spent the last day of the 4-day weekend in the hotel room watching Impractical Jokers, apart from me venturing out to shop for medication and then later us going downstairs to get some dinner. That later excursion is what led us to this bar in one of the hotel’s restaurants.

We got our food to go to take back up to the room, so I had a cocktail while waiting. (I was a bit miffed abput paying $23 for Mongolian Beef but OMG if it wasn’t the best Mongolian Beef I’ve ever had!)

My cocktail was their “Gin e Tonica”. (Roku gin, spiced pinot grigio syrup, lime, fever tree mediterranean tonic)

101 Red River St
Austin, TX 78701
United States
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512-600-2000
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Percheron Rooftop Bar

scooterj — Sun, 05 Jun 2022 17:10:00 +0000

(Downtown, Kansas City, MO)

Scooter’s 1531st bar, first visited in 2022.

Seasonal rooftop bar at the Crossroads Hotel, with stunning views in all directions. Cocktail-oriented but does have a few beer offerings, and offers a small plate food menu.

2101 Central
Kansas City, MO 64108
United States
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+18168978100
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Bar Stilwell

scooterj — Wed, 10 Feb 2021 18:10:00 +0000

(Downtown, Kansas City, MO)

Scooter’s 1452nd bar, first visited in 2021.

The bar in the main lobby of the new Loew’s Hotel. The bar features split-level seating areas with an enormous glass wall giving a panoramic view of the downtown skyline.

There is an outdoor seating area, but it’s February.

I had one of their signature cocktails (The New Midwest: Tom’s Town Double Oaked Bourbon, brown butter, amaretto, and maple), followed with a Guinness.

1515 Wyandotte
Kansas City, MO 64108
United States
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816-897-7058
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Swiss Lounge

scooterj — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 17:10:00 +0000

(Glacier National Park, Browning, MT)

Scooter’s 1375th bar, first visited in 2019.

Despite how the picture looks, this place was absolutely packed so we ended up moving outside the bar to a neaby dining room and ordered dinner. But our drinks did come from the bar.

I had a Cold Smoke (Scotch ale) by KettleHouse Brewing Company.

The bar is in the section of the hotel on the right, out of the frame of this photo but about halfway down the length of the building.

1 Rte 3
Browning, MT 59417
US
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Elements

scooterj — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 17:15:00 +0000

(Downtown Square, Newark, OH)

Scooter’s 1362nd bar, first visited in 2019.

This is the hotel bar for the Doubletree in downtown Newark, though it has a separate entrace so it’s mot necessary to go through the hotel lobby to get to it.

This is also probbaly the best hotel bar I’ve experienced in terms of : good food, good beer lineup, fun bartender, and fun patrons. In fact the bartender working here tonight was a hoot, We loved her.

I had Lake Erie Monster (Imperial IPA) by Great Lakes Brewing Company and Yuengling Traditional Lager.

50 N 2nd St
Newark, OH 43055
US
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(740) 322-6516
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Dott Boss

scooterj — Sat, 17 Nov 2018 18:15:00 +0000

(Downtown, Kansas City, MO)

Scooter’s 1300th bar, first visited in 2018.

This is the hotel bar for the Hotel Indigo, but with a separate street entrance on Baltimore it’s removed enough from the lobby that it doesn’t really feel like a hotel bar.

In addition to a good beer selection and good cocktails, the food is pretty good too and we loved the personalities of the bartenders.

101 W 11th St
Kansas City, MO 64105
US
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(816) 283-8000
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Prospect’s Urban Kitchen & Bar

scooterj — Sat, 15 Sep 2018 17:22:00 +0000

(Central Business District, Denver, CO)

Scooter’s 1292nd bar, first visited in 2018.

Psych! We got back to the hotel and found that the hotel bar was (to our surprise) still open an hour past the time we thought it closed. Since we hadn’t visited yet and this was our last chance, we decided to stop in.

I had a Hardtrack Copper Ale by Declaration Brewing.

Denver, CO 80202
US
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(303) 297-1300
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Dolphin Reef Sports Bar

scooterj — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 17:11:00 +0000

(South Beach, Tybee Island, GA)

Scooter’s 876th bar, first visited in 2011.

Basic hotel bar with a great view of the beach. The food (served for the restaurant upstairs from the bar) is good though pricey. The bar is only open until 11pm.

1401 Strand Avenue
Tybee Island, GA 31328
US
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(912) 786-8400
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Silver Saddle Saloon at Irma Hotel

scooterj — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 17:11:00 +0000

(Downtown, Cody, WY)

Scooter’s 664th bar, first visited in 2009.

A tourist mecca, yet ironically one of the most genuine old-west style bars I have visited.

1192 Sheridan Ave
Cody, WY 82414
US
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(307) 587-4221
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Crowne Plaza Hotel Bar

scooterj — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 18:13:00 +0000

(Downtown, Kansas City, MO)

Also known as “City Lounge at Crowne Plaza”

Scooter’s 535th bar, first visited in 2009.

Basic hotel bar, nothing fancy.

1301 Wyandotte St.
Kansas City, MO 64105
US
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(816) 474-6664
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Martini Loft at The Aladdin

scooterj — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 18:10:00 +0000

(Downtown, Kansas City, MO)

Scooter’s 416th bar, first visited in 2008.

The tiny bar on the mezzanine level of the Aladdin Hotel. Visited during a scavenger hunt. At first the bartender seemed perturbed but he quickly warmed up and helped us find items for our list. I’m pretty sure we distracted the lone customer, though.

1215 Wyandotte St
Kansas City, MO 64105
US
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(816) 421-8888
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12th Street Rag

scooterj — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 17:14:00 +0000

(Downtown, Kansas City, MO)

Scooter’s 74th bar, first visited in 2006.

In the lobby of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown

200 W 12th St
Kansas City, MO 64105
US
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(816) 421-6800

12 Baltimore

scooterj — Sat, 16 Jul 2005 17:10:00 +0000

(Downtown, Kansas City, MO)

Scooter’s 26th bar, first visited in 2005.

Technically the hotel bar for the Hotel Phillips, but since it has a seperate street entrance it caters just as well to the downtown population. Good food though pricey. Can get loud due to the acoustics.

106 W 12th St
Kansas City, MO 64105
US
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(816) 346-4410
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