Seated in the shadow of the State House is the new bar and restaurant Carrie Nation, named ironically for the temperance enthusiast of the late 19th, early 20th century who used to attack drinking establishments with stones and later, a hatchet. Ms. Nation once said, “Men are nicotine-soaked, beer-besmirched, whiskey-greased, red-eyed devils,”
but at Boston’s newest themed bar, that’s celebrated—not abhorred.
In the entranceway, flapper costumes adorn the wall, much like corsets do at Stoddard’s a few blocks away. Patrons are greeted by a hostess in flapper garb and led into one of the many dining rooms or bars. Each is different, but consistently over-the-top plush, and reminiscent of the 1920s bar scene. By 6:30 on a weekday, the long elegant bar in the Trimountaine Room is already bumping with 9-to-5-ers deep in their cups. Their cackling laughter and post-work banter echoes through the enormous near empty dining room.
You might find your own drunken chatter contributing to the room’s cacophony: the drink list is long and the drinks are strong. Also—Surprise!—themed.
The signature beverages are named for noteworthy politicians, law enforcers, writers, and notorious crooks, mobsters, and drinkers.
Many of these boozy concoctions that were passed around among my team of taste-testers were on the sweet side. The consensus was that The Classics ($10 each)—Aviation, Sazerac, Sidecar, Gin Fizz—were what we would spend our money on again. The exception was The Million Dollar Cop (bribe-enthusiast Oliver Garret, $14), a noteworthy creation of Hendrick’s gin, lemon, Chambord, and egg, shaken with ice, strained into an oversized coupe glass, and garnished with bubbly and a raspberry (the menu says berries, but don’t expect more than one). Chambord is the star here and the egg lends a delicious creaminess so, again, I recommend saving this one for dessert.
If cocktails aren’t your vice, Carrie Nation also has a lengthy list of Scotch, American, and Irish whiskey for your sipping pleasure.
Whiskey connoisseurs will have no trouble finding favorites among the 30-something offerings, but if you’re looking for help navigating the menu, expect little more than, “It’s really good” from your server. Another word of warning: Go neat or go home. Whiskey on the rocks at this joint is whiskey atop ice that should be served alongside a can of Coke. Admittedly, cocktail bars have spoiled me. If I’m drinking expensive whiskey, I expect “the rocks” to be one or two beautifully chiseled ice cubes that last long after the spirit has been sipped away.
I hate not to be the cheerleader for the new guy in town, but the bottom line is that Carrie Nation is a comfortable place to drink your whiskey neat and then admire your booze-induced flushed cheeks in above-average bathroom mirrors.
CARRIE NATION. 11 BEACON ST., BOSTON. @CARRIENATION_. CARRIENATIONCOCKTAILCLUB.COM