Sip in style this winter at these local spots.
Bears do it. So do groundhogs, skunks, and bats. What are we talking about? Hibernation. Fortunately, humans have far more sophisticated options for when temperatures drop, none of which requires digging a hole — there’s a puffy jacket and scarf, of course, or a visit to one of Reno-Tahoe’s cozy locations offering delicious cocktails, hot toddies, fine wines, or ice-cold beers with swoon-worthy views to warm your soul.
Whether opting for an extravagant international wine flight at a lakeside bar at Lake Tahoe or lazing away an afternoon sipping island-style beverages at the Sparks Marina, our region offers fantastic spots in which to sip and savor while enjoying epic waterscapes and landscapes.
Sparks Water Bar
Once upon a time, if you were in Reno-Sparks and wanted an iconic wet woody cocktail, you had to trek to the glistening shores of Lake Tahoe. Not a terrible proposition, considering Thrillist named the water feature straddling Nevada and California the United States’ most beautiful lake in 2024, beating out all five Great Lakes, for its impossibly clear, turquoise waters and the verdant tracts of evergreens surrounding it.
Still, Northern Nevadans cheered when wet woodys came to dock at the Sparks Marina, and many of us have enjoyed the views and the booze ever since. If you’re wondering what a wet woody contains or are snickering about the possibilities, you’re not alone. Some call the beverage an adult slushie. Others declare it a Tahoe icon, and still others whisper about it as a naughty sailor joke. All are correct. This icy cocktail contains a heady blend of delightfully potent rum, schnapps, and fruit juice that leaves imbibers anything but frosty. It glows the same alluring shade as the bottom of an orange rocket popsicle, welcoming you to tasty intoxication. (Gulpers, beware!)
Wet woody fever runs wild at Sparks Water Bar in the form of countless retakes on the classic — papa woody, black and blue woody, rock hard woody, and mount your woody. (You get the crass point.) However you choose to make the room spin, the Marina Town Centre building provides a welcoming location for enjoying one of these beverages. The restaurant occupies a double-decker space with rich, multi-hued wooden décor and many windows for ample waterfront viewing. Seating on the wraparound terrace comes complete with a large stone bar and welcoming fire feature.
Views of the marina prove stunning, especially in the evening when the receding golds, blues, lavenders, and pinks of the day create an impressionistic, dappled light effect on the water’s surface. Besides delish drinks, you’ll also find a full menu of hearty grub to get you back on the road to sobriety.
For those looking for a more mountainous experience, the Water Bar’s sister restaurants, Gar Woods Grill & Pier in Carnelian Bay and Riva Grill in South Lake Tahoe, offer great cuisine, cozy atmospheres, and lakeside views that’ll make your head spin — along with the wet woodys!
The Idle Hour Lakefront Wine and Bubbly Bar
The Tahoe Daily Tribune Best of Tahoe 2024 readers’ poll named The Idle Hour Lakefront Wine and Bubbly Bar No. 1 for wine selection. It also ranked first among the places to take an out-of-town guest. The noteworthy accolades don’t end there. This year, the establishment also received the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, a coveted and well-deserved honor, reflecting its uncompromising standards.
Alex Reber, wine director and general manager of The Idle Hour, remains committed to curating an expansive wine collection from the Old and New Worlds while also focusing on local wineries. The philosophy for The Idle Hour says it all: “We believe wine is a celebration of diversity, craftsmanship, and discovery.”
Reber emphasizes the establishment’s dedication to providing patrons with an exceptional selection of bottles, showcasing the best wines local, national, and international vineyards offer.
Yet the atmosphere feels relaxed and welcoming, with lake views so all-encompassing guests feel as though they’ve left dock. The restaurant and bar have two interior levels offering expansive panoramas of Tahoe’s cerulean depths. The Idle Hour remains committed to offering newbies, enthusiasts, and aficionados a welcoming environment.
Besides an extensive selection of beverages, the location also serves small bites, fondue, charcuterie, salads, and more. The skilled staff remains ever present and ready to ensure guests enjoy the perfect pairings, which include food, wine, and nature’s most sublime sights. Wine-tasting flights include red, white, and mixed options.
The Shore
The Shore combines an airy, sophisticated ambience with some of The Biggest Little City’s most stunning riparian views. The Renaissance Reno Downtown Hotel and Spa’s premier restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. But locals come (and linger) for the generous happy hours, where they can sample from the intriguing cocktail menu while enjoying tapas, small bites, and excellent Truckee River views.
Signature cocktails include the when in Rome, a refreshing mixture of Hendricks gin, Italicus, cucumber, lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda; the masterpiece, made with Don Julio Añejo, Frangelico, lemon juice, rosemary syrup, fig jam, and cinnamon bitters; and the godfather sour, prepared with Disaronno, Glenlivet Scotch Whisky, egg white, lemon juice, and simple syrup. The wine list includes a decent variety of options from California, Italy, and Spain.
The mocktail selection deserves a mention (and don’t miss our story in this issue about mocktails and NA drinks available locally). Fun numbers include the strawberry basil smash, finished with lemon juice and simple syrup. For those jonesing for something tart and refreshing, the merry cherry does the trick — it’s a lip-smacking mixture of Luxardo cherry juice, lime juice, and ginger beer.
Servers stand ready to help guests pair the perfect pour with one of the many small plates from the Bar & Lounge menu, which include Greek meatballs, blistered shishito peppers, and blackened salmon tostadas. A limited selection of burgers, sandwiches, and mains also is available, so come hungry.
Bucket of Blood Saloon
Belly up to the bar Old West-style at Bucket of Blood Saloon in Virginia City. What to drink in this spirited location? Hands down, visitors overwhelmingly choose the bloody mary, the house specialty. This full-bodied beverage incorporates a traditional blend of spices for a signature flavor, garnished with a spicy green bean and lemon wedge. Bartenders can adjust the heat level, but come prepared for the consequences of a brave choice. Bucket of Blood also offers various cocktails and ice-cold beers to accompany live music with a Western bent.
But the highlight of a visit to the saloon remains the stunning, renowned “hundred-mile view” overlooking Six Mile Canyon. Thanks to the generally great weather, clear skies, and lack of vegetation, the expansive, glorious vista appears to continue into infinity. On a visit, don’t forget to look straight down, too. Behind the saloon, what looks like a parking lot holds a fascinating secret. The paved-over site once hosted Boston Saloon, an opulent bar and restaurant destroyed during the Great Fire of 1875. In 1997, archaeologists discovered artifacts and other physical remains from the structure, including a shattered Tabasco bottle researchers meticulously pieced together, plus evidence of fine cuts of meat, crystal stemware, and more. Owned by William A.G. Brown, a free-born Black man from the East Coast, the posh saloon catered to the local African American population in its earliest days.
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant
The incredible alpine views afforded by River Ranch Lodge prove well worth a trip to Tahoe City. Perched along the banks of the Truckee River at its most scenic and wild, the picturesque eatery voted OpenTable’s Diners’ Choice pick in 2024 offers delicious cocktails and cuisine.
The site also boasts a fascinating history dating back to 1888. Originally named Deer Park Lodge, River Ranch quickly established a reputation as a high-end watering hole. According to its website, “The Who’s Who of San Francisco elite rubbed elbows with the likes of the River Ranch Rats and friends, solidifying the trademark culture of this iconic venue.” Time magazine even featured it as one of the Top 10 resorts of 1967. Today, the site exudes Tahoe history while offering a tempting spot to leisure away an afternoon or evening savoring one of its specialty hot toddies.
The River Ranch Irish coffee never disappoints — it’s a delectable swirl of Roe & Co Irish Whiskey, coffee, sugar, and fluffy whipped cream. For a calm vibe, try the boomerang Bulleit, a tasty blend of Bulleit bourbon, The King’s Ginger liqueur, chamomile, honey, and fresh lemon. Consider it a Moscow mule capable of warming your fingers and toes. The après apple cider proves another tasty option for those who like the occasional sweet-and-sour pucker, with its dark rum, Angostura bitters, hot apple cider, and whipped cream. For those looking to keep things light and simple, the toddy traverse delivers with brandy, agave, and fresh lemon. Drink selections aside, River Ranch Lodge’s natural setting, along with the other locations on this list, will get you in the mood for a little semi-hibernation this cold-weather season. The bears will be envious.
RESOURCES
Bucket of Blood Saloon Bucketofbloodsaloon.com
Gar Woods Grill & Pier Garwoods.com
Riva Grill Rivagrill.com
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant Riverranchlodge.com
Sparks Water Bar Sparkswaterbar.com
The Idle Hour Lakefront Wine and Bubbly Bar Theidlehourlaketahoe.com
The Shore Shoreroom.com
