Move over tasting rooms, there’s a new cocktail bar in the Burg. Duke’s Spirited Cocktail Bar has opened at 111 Plaza St. on the Healdsburg Square.
Keeping up the 90-year tradition of successive bars at the location (it was formerly John & Zeke’s, followed by the very short-lived Scout), cocktails are king, here, though ordering a well gin and tonic might get you a sidelong glance.
Duke’s is all about seasonal craft libations, aka farm-to-glass drinks that include herbs, fruit vinegars, fruit purees and top shelf artisan booze. A couple examples: “Darling Nicki” ($11) includes Mezan Panama run, chai tea, Hamilton 151, Leopold’s Tart Cherry and Spirit Works Sloe Gin; “Rangpur More” ($11) with Opihr gin, rangpur lime shrub, pink peppercorn, saffron bitters and house tonic; or the “Barely Legal” ($12) with Charbay Meyer lemon vodka, Giffard Lychee, yuzu, lemon and grapefuit. I’m getting parched just writing this.
Wine, beer and ciders are also on the menu for traditionalists, as well as non-alcoholic housemade sodas (burdock root beer, grapefruit) and teas. Don’t expect much in the way of food, because this is clearly a bar, and not a restaurant (and trust us, there’s no lack of dining options in Healdsburg), but small bites include pickled veggies, mixed nuts, chips and salsa and Noble Folk ice cream sandwiches. Open late, but no one under 21 allowed inside. drinkatdukes.com.
