No Bar Keeps It Real Like Donn’s Depot
Equal parts honky-tonk, dance hall and derelict cocktail lounge, the iconic Austin piano bar and its regulars are icons of another era in a rapidly changing city.
- story: Laurel Miller
- photo: Drew Anthony Smith
Happy Hour Goes Hi-Fi
Across the country, new “listening bars” are refashioning the Japanese model for an American audience.
- story: Nino Padova
- photo: Shawn Campbell
Behind the World’s Biggest, Fastest Bar Team
At the country’s largest annual drinks festival, fledgling bartenders prep and pour thousands of drinks alongside some of the most respected cocktail experts in the world.
- story: Punch Staff
- photos: Gabi Porter
Freda Horton Is the “Fairy Gaymother” of Gossip Grill
At one of Southern California's only lesbian bars, Horton is known for her flavored Martinis with a side of tough love.
- story: Emma Glassman-Hughes
- photo: James Tran
Disco Aperitivo Is Upon Us
The growing crop of jewel-toned and mirror-clad bars serving bitter and bubbly drinks reflect the post-pandemic vibe du jour.
- story: Jaya Saxena
- photos: Brian Finke
The Many Margaritas of Mexico City
In the capital city, the Margarita isn't just a cocktail, it's an entire mood.
- story: Alonso Ruvalcaba
- photo: Alonso Romero Mendez
A Tour of Seattle’s Queer Cocktails
Bartender and nightlife icon Adé A Cônnére leads a crawl through the signature drinks at Pony, Kremwerk and Cherry.
- story: Mark Van Streefkerk
- photos: Amber Fouts
How Wayne Smith Becomes Cher
For more than 40 years, the Dallas native has impersonated the Goddess of Pop at gay bars across the country, garnering legions of fans all his own.
- story: Alex Gonzalez
- photo: Chris Rusanowsky
The Queer Bar Is Dead, Long Live the Queer Bar
A collection of stories that offer a snapshot of LGBTQ+ nightlife today.
- story: Punch Staff
- photo: Brian Finke
Carla Rossi Is Portland’s Premier Drag Clown
The pasty-faced, White Claw-slinging queen of PDX nightlife takes her name from the jug of cheap wine favored by art students.
- story: Andrew Jankowski
- photo: Rak Salt
Day Drinking at the “Gay Beach of New York”
What does summer drinking look like at Jacob Riis? Six groups of beachgoers offer a glimpse inside their coolers.
- story: Christian Rodriguez
- photos: Christian Rodriguez
The Cocktail Bar Is Queer
Once existing in parallel to popular drinking culture, queer bars are now helping define it.
- story: Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner
- photos: Brian Finke