5 Really Great Cocktail Bars In Waco
I think that a really great cocktail bar sets a city up as a “destination” city. When I think of my favorite cities to visit (NYC, Denver, London, Vancouver) I don’t just think of the amazing restaurants and fun activities; I also think of the amazing cocktail bars. And luckily, there are a few great cocktail bars in Waco that have been opening up in the last few years.
Here are some of the best destination cocktail bars in Waco. These aren’t dive bars where you’ll want to order an ordinary (boring) cocktail. These are those cute little spots with inventive drink menus and memorable atmospheres and fun vibes. These are the cocktail bars that you’ll visit and snap a picture and recommend it to everyone you know. Ready?
Best Cocktail Bars In Waco
1. One Day Bar
It’s called One Day Bar because the owner always said, “one day, I’ll open a bar..”
And here it is! One Day Bar is hands down the best cocktail bar destination in Waco. It’s an absolutely gorgeous downtown building with brick walls, a pretty patio, and a cozy indoor space. The menu is supposed to “educate and inspire” customers, which means it’s not your typical boring cocktail menu. The cocktails are made with unique ingredients put together in refreshing combinations. Seriously - so many fun drinks here!
It’s an all-day spot so you can also swing by for coffee in the morning or enjoy beer or wine. There are several food trucks parked at One Day Bar which makes this an excellent spot to hang out late into the evening hours.
WEBSITE | 618 Columbus Ave STE B, Waco, TX 76701, United States
2. Sloane’s
Sloane’s is my very favorite cocktail bar in Waco for a drink with a girlfriend. It’s cute, it’s all 80s vibes, it’s tiny, and the cocktails are YUM.
They have all the classic cocktails you might expect (old fashioned, martini, Sazerac, whiskey sour, etc.) plus some of their Signature cocktails (their own fun recipes.) And if you’re in town during fall or winter, make sure to check out their special holiday menus! They always do something unique.
The space is pretty tiny, so it can get crowded and loud on weekend evenings. But since it opens early in the day (4 pm-ish), you can also stop by for a pre-dinner drink if you prefer a more chill/quiet atmosphere. Still with those fun vintage 80s vibes, though. 😉 {Photo: Sloane’s}
WEBSITE | 110 N 25th St, Waco, TX 76710, United States
3. Red Herring
The art-deco Mediterranean-inspired restaurant inside the gorgeous luxury boutique Hotel Herringbone isn’t just one of the best restaurants in Waco. It’s also one of the best cocktail bars.
The bar itself will magnetize you. It’s GORGEOUS. You can sit at some of the small tables around the bar and order a few plates, or just ask for a couple of bar stools and order a cocktail.
The menu is fresh and fun, with craft cocktails that aren’t boring. The small plates are the perfect accompaniment to the drinks. (And there are some n/a options for those who choose not to drink alcohol!)
WEBSITE | 319 S 4th St, Waco, TX 76701, United States
4. Balcones Distilling
I’ve shared Balcones Distilling plenty of times (like one of the best things to do in Waco, or on this guide to Waco’s craft breweries). But I’m going to share it here as a cocktail bar in Waco because whisky cocktails are AMAZING.
They use their own spirits (of course) to serve various whisky-based cocktails. They do special menus for the seasons, because whisky goes well in refreshing summer bevs as well as cozy winter cocktails.
The tasting room itself is beautiful and rustic. It’s open to the public unlike the distillery tours, you don’t need reservations. Just walk in and order a flight of whisky or a cocktail.
WEBSITE | 225 S 11th St, Waco, TX 76701, United States
5. Bertie’s On The Rooftop
Bertie’s On The Rooftop is the rooftop bar and restaurant at Hotel 1928, Chip and Joanna Gaines’s hotel in downtown Waco. While I’ve been less than impressed with the food at this hotel, the drinks are just fine and the vibe here is SO pretty. (Basically like you’re walking into a hotel that Joanna Gaines designed…because you are!)
This is one of the best rooftop bars in Waco, and the small menu includes classics like a daiquiri, a martini, and an old fashioned.
WEBSITE | 701 Washington Ave, Waco, TX 76701, United States
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