Now you see them, now you don’t: The cocktails of Bibo Ergo Sum—“I drink, therefore I am”—disappear almost magically. That’s fitting, as its Proprietors-designed menu is inspired by the art of illusion and Christopher Nolan's The Prestige. Bedecked in Art Deco decor, Bibo drops the beverage know-how and scientific prowess of the team behind the Walker Inn into a neighborhood lacking complex cocktail bars. The result? Approachable but dramatic, elegant and innovative drinks that develop as the menu progresses—such as the Grandpa Joe with its centrifuge-clarified citrus, and the carbonated Dr. Julius, made with clarified milk-washed rum, orange peel and vanilla bean, that's then run through a draft line.
Vitals
The scene: This spot's décor falls squarely between an '80s dream and the Art Deco revival, but the crowd is full of modern drinkers. They know this is one of the only bars serving cocktails executed with this level of prowess and technology in the neighborhood, and given that it's the only spot pulling this off for miles around, it has a tendency to get busy.
Good for: The goal here is to produce a little something for everyone, which even means you can even find low-ABV and nonalcoholic cocktails on each section of the menu—perfect for those driving later or trying not to go too hard. This is a sleek date spot, ideal for cocktail connoisseurs and those who want something simple alike.
Drink this: The Cold Hollow ($13), a sherry-based cocktail made with amontillado and olorosso, a house-made salted caramel apple cordial, cognac and overproof rum.
Our tip: There’s no food unless you're stopping by during happy hour—and even then, there's only a hot dog on offer—so it's best to hit this spot after you've already had a bite elsewhere.