Best Bars in America

Best Bars in America from the Esquire Network in 2014 is a brilliant presentation showcasing America's rich bar culture in true celebratory style. The show is a delightful journey led by comedians Jay Larson and Sean Patton that features a unique blend of interesting facts, entertainment, and a love for American bars. It takes the audience cross-country investigating some of the most popular bars in America.

The show is designed as an ongoing homage to the bars and watering holes that create the backbone of American culture - not just an arena of spirited sips but also a place where people come together to laugh, share, and weave memories. It takes audiences on a lively trip around the nation, hitting everything from dive bars to hotel bars and everything in between.

For each bar featured, Best Bars in America gives an intimate portrait of the place by including a detailed history of the establishment, features its signature drinks, and introduces the creators, owners, and patrons that form the bedrock of these cultural institutions. In addition to a tour of the establishment, the series often includes candid interviews with the barmen and barwomen, cocktail connoisseurs and celebrity guests.

The hosts, Jay Larson and Sean Patton, are the quintessential barflies guiding the audience through their experience. Their camaraderie lends an air of authenticity to the series, and their approach, punctuated with good-natured humor, invites audiences into the bars' atmosphere right along with them. The hosts don't just drink; they engage with their surroundings, ingratiating themselves with the locals, learning the stories and history of these establishments, and lustily joining in traditional bar activities like trivia, competitions, or local events.

The show's actual star, though, is the alcohol. The drinks are shown in all their dazzling glory, with priority given to the preparation, presentation and tasting of each bar's specialty. Several episodes contain tutorials where the viewer is shown how to make some of the intricate cocktails from the comfort of their own homes.

From cosmopolitan cocktail lounges to rough-and-ready dive bars, from beer-haven breweries to vibrant speakeasies, the show samples them all. Every episode is meticulously planned and filmed in a handful of cities considered to have the most iconic bar scenes, including New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, San Francisco, Portland, and Austin. It’s this wide variety of locations and tasty offerings that makes “Best Bars in America” a great show for anyone with a curiosity about bartending culture or the desire to learn and explore more about the drinks they enjoy.

The show has a very laid-back ambiance to engage the viewer better. There's no competition, no climax to a fabricated plot, just the genuine revelry of visiting a fantastic bar. The lighting, filming, and music all come together to make the viewer feel like they are there, catching the essence of these places of merriment.

Best Bars in America is not just about alcoholic beverages or jovial night-out excursions. It is about the people and the stories that make each bar special. It’s about the crafting of cocktails, both classic and innovative, and the creation of unforgettable flavors that form the unforgettable experiences.

At its heart, Best Bars in America is a tribute to American bar culture and a celebration of camaraderie, history, community, and the simple pleasure of a well-crafted drink in a welcoming place. It’s a beautifully framed snapshot of a nation’s nightlife that will make you want to call up your friends and visit your local watering hole or plan a trip to these fascinating destinations. Whether you're a cocktail enthusiast or not, this show is likely to leave you with a richer appreciation for that local bar round the corner, where everyone knows your name.