In case you hadn’t heard, hotel bars are having something of a moment. I suspect it’s their retro vibe that particularly appeals, harkening back to a (largely imagined) American era of jet-setting and evening wear and relative economic security. Though I try not to get too caught up in trends (especially the expensive ones), I admit that I am not immune to the charms of any drinking establishment that invokes some of that Mad Men suaveness—you know, without the casual misogyny and the everyone smoking inside all the time.

Of course, the Route 66 nostalgia that’s palpable all along Central Avenue in Albuquerque also has something to do with the ongoing revival of hotels and their respective bars here. Two of the places mentioned below (ARRIVE and Hotel Zazz) are products of multimillion-dollar public-private renovation projects undertaken in the last several years, both developed from the bones of hotels originally built in the ’60s and ’70s; beyond these, The Imperial, El Vado Motel, and the Monterey Motel have all had similar treatments. Clearly, these places are being banked on to economically boost a downtown that has seen many attempts at revitalization come and go.

Mixing tasty drinks for discerning tourists and locals alike, and serving said drinks in an appropriately charming setting, is a solid start to making good on that promise. Now, if any of them wanted to institute a discount for locals . . . well, that’d make for some loyal regulars, is all I’m saying. Albuquerque has officially crossed the threshold of the $15 cocktail—an event that my brother, a longtime Austin resident, solemnly refers to as jumping the shark. And though I’m tempted to launch into a rant about rising prices and stagnant wages, I know that’s not what you came for, so I’ll limit myself to mentioning that all the places listed below do still practice the hallowed tradition of a happy hour, during which you can purchase drinks in the single-digit prices. And for those of us whose going-out hours tend more toward the earlier part of the night rather than closing time, we’re more than happy to imbibe when it’s still light out and there’s not a line to order drinks.

So, whether you’re passing through the Duke City or just want to feel like you’re on vacation, these are some of the spots that will oblige you with artful drinks and swanky atmosphere to boot. Salud.

DWTNR Cocktail Bar & Lounge at ARRIVE Albuquerque

Inside the newly remodeled ARRIVE Hotel, DWTNR Cocktail Bar & Lounge glistens with all the trappings of a bar in a Bond movie: tasteful 1970s decor, gold trim everywhere, chic and original cocktails, and men with expensive-looking watches talking in low voices. Sitting at the bar, I half expected to have a dossier of classified information slipped to me by a passerby wearing sunglasses indoors. 

And it’s not just a pretty face: The drinks deliver too. The whole drinks list goes for a sort of “East meets West” flavor, highlighting lots of Japanese and Mexican liquors in their cleverly named cocktails: The Rhinestone Cowboy features yuzu liqueur, sparkling sake, and a splash of champagne, making for a light and effervescent drink that would work as well at brunch as it does on a Friday night. The Cattle Call is smooth and photogenic—vodka, lychee, and lemon juice, served in a rocks glass with a big ice cube and a delicate little elderflower on top. If you’re more a dark liquor kind of guy, try the Big Bad John—their take on an old-fashioned, but with rye and amaro. 

DWTNR takes a big swing on ambiance—and it totally works, at least for as long as you can personally sustain the “dripping in money” fantasy. That said, their menu is far from the most expensive in town—and they have a daily happy hour from 3 to 6 pm, with a menu of discounted small plates and a rotating cocktail special for $8, so you can partake of the fantasy with a little less stress on the bank account.

📍 717 Central NW, Albuquerque, 505-472-7233

Zema Vinyl Lounge at Hotel Zazz

If you go in for flaming drinks and blue curaçao, for bisexual lighting and ABBA on vinyl and velvet love seats tucked into intimate corners, then the Zema Vinyl Lounge at Hotel Zazz is your spot. The speakeasy-style lounge is accessed through the hotel’s front desk, where—no joke—touching a golden banana statuette on the counter three times causes a mirrored back wall to swing open on silent hinges. Inside, a turntable spins and a bartender in a leather apron double-fists shakers with panache. This place has a deep understanding of the power of kitsch.

Most of the drinks tend toward tiki, with coconut and pineapple and rum making frequent appearances. The 66, their spin on a French 75, features rum and brandy mixed with champagne and pineapple juice, topped off with a flambéed key lime that adds just a touch of smokiness and tartness to this otherwise sweet concoction. The Thai Tea-ni is rich and spiced, made with Thai tea–infused rum and sweetened frothed milk, topped off with coffee beans and cinnamon. 

Zema is a pretty small bar and can get a little crowded late on a weekend night, so show up on a weeknight if you want a more laid-back vibe—ask nicely, and the bartender will let you pick out which record to spin next. There’s no food menu, though food trucks sometimes make an appearance on weekends. And for this summer, if you spend $35 or more at Zema, you can show your receipt to the front desk and get a free pool pass for the day.

📍 3711 Central NE, Albuquerque, 505-266-7663

Apothecary Lounge at Parq Central

In a story about hotel bars, how could I not mention the classic, the old standard, the most hotel bar of hotel bars in Albuquerque? Apothecary Lounge has not only some of the best views of any place in the city, but it’s also unapologetically a locals’ joint; go on a Friday or Saturday night, and you’ll see folks out on date night or celebrating some big event, dressed up and clinking glasses. The drinks are classics and modern classics; the Piggyback Old Fashioned, made with Whistlepig Piggyback Bourbon, can be made either “pre-Prohibition style,” with a raw sugar cube and angostura, or “post-Prohibition style,” with muddled orange and an Amarena cherry. The Metamorphosis is one of their most photogenic cocktails, made with pea flower–infused gin in a dreamy blue hue, white tea syrup, and soda. One can now order a “shot” of 15-milligram full-spectrum CBD to any cocktail on the menu for a couple more dollars—which I did not do as it feels a little gimmicky to me, but your mileage may vary.

The rooftop patio is in high demand during the spring and summer, so get there early if you want a spot—and don’t be a jerk if folks start hovering around your table after an hour or so, looking thirsty. Happy hour is daily from 5 to 6 pm, and they’ve got local wines and beers on tap if cocktails aren’t your speed. The food menu is mostly small and shareable plates; whatever you’re drinking, I’d recommend an order of fries. They’re perfectly salty-crunchy when you’re sober, and heavenly when you’re a couple drinks in.

📍 806 Central SE, Albuquerque, 505-242-0040