By Babs Harrison
Few dining experiences are as intimate as dining at the bar. With the best seats in the house, the bar shines when it comes to socializing. The all-in-a-row seating is the great equalizer, and usually no reservations are required.
A seat at the bar encourages interaction with the passionate mixologists, as well as the guests seated to your left and right. If you’re with a dining companion, you have the advantage of sitting side by side; if dining solo, you don’t feel so alone. Tables on the deck of Bar 1896 are also available for a drink, lunch, snacks or an amazing view for a full dinner.
Dining at the bar is another experience and less formal than the main dining room. While table service is wonderful, the immediacy of the bar is a draw. You’ll be able to see how your drink is prepared plus you have a front row seat to the action. Additionally, there’s the chance to have random and enjoyable conversations with strangers. The easy conviviality of counter dining fosters casual back-and-forth banter.
At Castle Hot Springs, Bar 1896 takes center stage in the Lodge, the epicenter of the resort. Stake out a prime position on one of the stools to people-watch and catch the rhythm of the hour. Opposite the main entry and large fireplace, and backed by a wide window that opens to views of the Arizona sky and Bradshaw Mountains, the bar’s ambiance can’t be beat.
The tradition of dining at the counter goes back to the era of soda fountains and lunch counters offering quick meal options at the five-and-dimes and department stores. Chef’s counters offering multi-course tasting menus proliferated at upscale eateries like Joel Robuchon in Paris, replacing chef’s tables. Today, many restaurants offer a la carte dining at counters or communal tables with views into the kitchen, a popular choice for guests who have a passion for cooking.
Guests who dine at Bar 1896 get a ringside seat to view the art of the craft cocktail while enjoying their meal.
One of the happiest sounds is that of a cocktail shaker in action, the rhythmic staccato shaking of ice and liquid against metal is a call to put away the activities of the day and shift into the convivial cocktail hour mood and the anticipation of a good meal to follow.
The artful cocktails and mocktails of Bar 1896 are often complex creations, with the mixologist acting as an alchemist shaking, stirring and blending ingredients to deliver a perfectly balanced beverage with just the right amount of bitter and sweet. The final twist is an artful garnish. For this, the resort’s Farm to Bar program provides bouquets of fresh green herbs and edible flowers picked daily from the kitchen garden just out the door.
The bartenders are happy to chat with guests and answer questions. I’ve learned how to wake up mint by smacking it to release more of the aroma, and how to properly rim a glass.
Serving lunch and dinner, the Bar 1896 menu offers elevated comfort food including shareable dishes like hummus, salsa & guacamole. Enjoy the bounty of the garden in a Harvest Greens Salad; pair a classic martini with an equally classic shrimp cocktail, or indulge in the Lodge Burger, a satisfying creation with hand-cut fries.
The next time you are dining solo or just want to shake up the norm with your dining companion, take a seat at the bar. I’ll bet you have a good time, and you might just learn something new.