5 Best Cocktail Bars in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

by Cheryl Doll

So much has changed in the Lehigh Valley restaurant and bar landscape in the past decade. What is most noticeable is the frequent additions of food and drink establishments serving up high-end cocktails and libations. The city of Bethlehem has seen many of these ventures opening up throughout both the North and South sides with fervor. What is most exciting about this boom is the abundance of opportunities for thoughtful, hand-crafted cocktails, made with locally distilled spirits and house-made mixers.

Here are just a few hot spots in the Bethlehem area mixing up creative cocktails with your tastes in mind:

Social Still

social still 1

Our first stop on this cocktail quest is to the Social Still, a micro-distillery and kitchen that popped up on the South side at the end of 2014 to feed the need for craft cocktails. Although they have quite a varied menu of drinks made with their own spirits like The SouthSide (gin, lemon juice, mint and simple syrup) or Oh My Darjeeling (gin, pink black Owl’s Brew tea, Hibiscus syrup, lemon, lime and orange juice), one can also go “off-menu” and request something tailor-made. Take your pick of their own distilled spirits and let the barkeep know your preferences (savory, herbal, refreshing, fruit-forward), and you’ll have a custom cocktail in minutes. The Social Still even has bottles of their gin and vodka to take home to create your own bespoke cocktails. 530 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem, (610) 625-4585

The Bookstore Speakeasy

the bookstore 1

The Bookstore was one of Bethlehem’s first to think outside the traditional cocktail box of vodka and sodas and rum and cokes. Set in an alley off of 3rd Street, entering the dark door into Bethlehem’s only speakeasy immediately transforms the world into another place and time. The bar and dining area are bathed in candlelight, setting the tone for many a romantic night out. The cocktail and dinner menus can be found tucked away in an old, leather-bound book, to keep in the theme of hidden gems. The drink program includes old-school, traditional libations such as the Rob Roy, Sidecar and Old Fashioned, though the menu is also overflowing with uniquely named drinks such as The Clean Slate (rye whiskey, Benedictine, Dry Sack Sherry, angostura bitters and nutmeg) and the True Death (white absinthe, absinthe verte, cherry and plum bitters, champagne and orange twist). The staff at The Bookstore also takes pride in creating custom cocktails for customers; one just needs to peruse the rows of spirits behind the bar to spark an idea for a tasty drink. 336 Adams St., Bethlehem, (610) 867-1100

Corked

corked

Corked is one of the newer haunts on Main Street, mainly known for an extensive wine list and large wine-by-the-glass offerings, though the bartenders are also savvy at creating unique and tasty cocktails when asked. Their drink menu, although limited, offers a variety of spirits-based cocktails, but what is unique to Corked is their wine-based concoctions, such as the French 75 (Bluecoat Gin, St. Germain, lemon and sparkling wine), Victorian Mistress (Ketel One, pomegranate and sparkling wine) and Cherry Pomegranate Sangria (Stemmari Pinot Noir, pomegranate, cherry puree and peach brandy). Although the cocktail menu is on the small side, the variety of liquors and spirits to design your own cocktail allow for almost any drink combination. Grab a seat at the illuminated bar and order up a bespoke drink; the bar staff is happy to accommodate. 515 Main St, Bethlehem, (610) 625-9463

The Mint

the mint

The Mint Gastropub is a destination for beer lovers in the Valley, with more than 100 beers available, but their cocktail program is just as thorough and adventurous. With drinks like the Veruca Salt (Hangar 1, rhubarb, honey soda and Crème de Framboise) and the Barbosa (Applejack Brandy, Kraken Rum and iced tea), one has the opportunity to enjoy a composed and balanced cocktail to pair with The Mint’s inventive and tasty food menu. Patrons can choose from the bar’s long list of beverage choices or can ask for a twist on an existing cocktail using the large variety of spirits available behind the bar. 1223 W. Broad St., Bethlehem, (610) 419-3810

The Broadway Social

broadway social

The Broadway Social is a South-side gem billing itself as a gastropub, though the cocktails and spirits selections far outweigh the beer selection, and we are fine with that. The giant lacquered-wood bar seems to stretch forever with the cushy, leather-topped stools begging to be filled with thirsty patrons. The menu offers multiple categories of cocktails including shooters, Manhattans, twists on classics and wine-based cocktails. Highly recommended are the twists on classics, though if none suit your tastes, the bar staff are always happy to create a custom drink with fresh juices, bitters and high-end spirits. 217 Broadway, Bethlehem, (610) 868-2555

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