Best of SLO County 2023: Drinks

With house-made syrups, fresh-pressed juices, and more than 25 different types of bourbon and whiskey at its disposal, Mason Bar and Kitchen has the sweetest selection of handcrafted cocktails in Arroyo Grande. It’s no surprise that New Times readers have crowned the venue as South SLO County’s Best Bar eight years in a row. Alongside the popular bar’s extensive list of cocktail offerings, customers of the country-chic tavern—with a charming, cozy mason jar-lit atmosphere—can choose from 20 rotating beers on tap, as well as more than a dozen locally produced wines by the glass or bottle.

—Caleb Wiseblood

Best South Coast Bar

Marisol at The Cliffs

2757 Shell Beach Road, Pismo Beach

(805) 773-5000

marisol@cliffshotelandspa.com

cliffshotelandspa.com/dine

@thecliffshotelandspa

facebook.com/thecliffshotelandspa

Best Wine Bar

Saints Barrel

1021 Higuera St., SLO

(805) 439-1929

sarah@saintsbarrel.com

saintsbarrel.com

@saintsbarrelslo

facebook.com/saintsbarrelslo

Best Winery for Red Wine

Opolo Vineyards

7110 Vineyard Drive, Paso Robles

(805) 238-9593

info@opolo.com

opolo.com

@opolowines

facebook.com/OpoloWines

Best Winery for White Wine

Edna Valley Vineyard

2585 Biddle Ranch Road, SLO

(805) 544-5855

ednavalleyvineyard.com

@ednavalleyvineyard

facebook.com/EdnaValleyVineyard

Best Winery for Sparkling Wine

Laetitia Vineyard & Winery

453 Laetitia Vineyard Drive, Arroyo Grande

(805) 481-1772

info@laetitiawine.com

laetitiawine.com

@laetitiawine

facebook.com/laetitiawine

Best Tasting Room

Edna Valley Vineyard

2585 Biddle Ranch Road, SLO

(805) 544-5855

ednavalleyvineyard.com

@ednavalleyvineyard

facebook.com/EdnaValleyVineyard

Best Tasting Transportation

SLO Safe Ride

284 Higuera St., suite D, SLO

(805) 620-7233

slosaferidemarketing@gmail.com

slosaferide.com

@slowinetours

facebook.com/slosaferide

Best Brewery

Central Coast Brewing

6 Higuera St., SLO

1701 Monterey St., SLO

(805) 783-2739

beer@centralcoastbrewing.com

centralcoastbrewing.com

@centralcoastbrewing

facebook.com/CentralCoastBrewing

Best Distillery

Rod & Hammer’s SLO Stills

855 Aerovista Place, SLO

(844) 756-7845

info@rodandhammer.com

rodandhammer.com

@rodandhammer

facebook.com/rodandhammer

Best Cidery

SLO Cider Co.

3419 Roberto Court, suite C, SLO

(805) 439-0865

nate@slociderco.com

slociderco.com

@slocider

facebook.com/slocider

Best Happy Hour

Marisol at The Cliffs

2757 Shell Beach Road, Pismo Beach

(805) 773-5000

marisol@cliffshotelandspa.com

cliffshotelandspa.com/dine

@thecliffshotelandspa

facebook.com/thecliffshotelandspa

Best Drink with a View

Ventana Grill

2575 Price St., Pismo Beach

(805) 773-0000

ventanagrill.com

@ventanagrill

facebook.com/VentanaGrillPismoBeach

Best Bartender

Robin Wolf – Highwater

1127 Broad St., suite B, SLO

(805) 439-1259

hello@highwaterslo.com

highwaterslo.com

@highwaterslo

facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078925542993

Best Dive Bar

McCarthy’s Irish Pub

600 Marsh St., SLO

(805) 544-0286

mccarthysirishpub.com

@mccarthysirishpub

facebook.com/McCarthysIrishPubSLO

Calling a drinking establishment a “dive bar” used to be a pejorative, but these days, even the mobile app Yelp has a dive bar category. Dive bars are celebrated for being unpretentious, comfortable, welcoming. That describes McC’s, ‘Carts, The Bar to a T. It’s the kind of place where the bartenders know the patrons. Often regulars’ “usuals” are sitting on the bar before they walk through the front door. Great beer selection on tap, a cornucopia of whiskeys and other spirits, air conditioning in the summer, a patio for the smokers, shuffleboard, cornhole—a place that feels like home. If you want an overpriced craft cocktail, this ain’t the joint for you.

—Glen Starkey