The Boozy Blondes recently spent some time apart on different trips and meet up in this Happy Hour episode to dish about all the must-see’s they saw while apart! From Auburn, Alabama and Waco, Texas to The Florida Keys, tune in to this episode to hear about the hidden gems you can find in these random spots.
The DOE for this episode is Acid Test Volume 3, a 5.5% Peanut Butter and Raspberry Jelly Sour from Ink Factory Brewing in Jacksonville, Florida. The girls visited Ink Factory on their third leg of the Jax Ale Trail, which you can hear all about in Episode 050!
Molly took a trip to Auburn, Alabama, and found some great spots on and off campus to check out! On campus she loved Oz, Avondale and Walt’s on the Roof.
Oz is a speakeasy nestled behind the Italian Restaurant Il Forno, but if you can find the secret entrance around back, it feels much more speakeasy and underground. The fireplace is your way inside where the mixologists are mixing up some pretty fabulous cocktails. The address is “Somewhere over the rainbow, Auburn, Alabama,” and it’s open from 6pm – 1am every day except Tuesdays and Sundays. Or so they say. There is a light outside of the secret entrance, and if it’s on, game on! You can enter! Be sure to follow them on Instagram!
The Avondale Bar and Taproom was one of the first bars Molly ever visited in Auburn, and it’s got speakeasy vibes due to the secret staircase leading upstairs to the bar. This bar is an alternative to traditional college bars with plenty of soft seating where you can overlook campus. It’s “A Responsible Bar for Responsible People” and also shares “All Who Are Thirsty Are Welcome.” Follow them on Instagram to drool over the beautiful hand-crafted cocktails.
Another great spot overlooking campus is Walt’s on the Roof. It’s a rooftop bar above the Laurel Hotel and Spa. Try to make reservations because it was difficult to get in when Molly went. This spot is beautiful and surrounded by a garden where the crops are harvested for the restaurant downstairs (1856, which is a culinary school). Walt’s offers rooftop yoga, Thursday Champagne Garden, Garden Grill Sundays, and so much more, so be sure to follow them on Instagram!
Next door to Auburn is the cute town of Opelika, Alabama. Opelika has two great breweries and standout distillery.
Red Clay Brewing Company was founded by three friends and the brewery represents them: their history and the South they love and call home; “red clay” is native to this area of the south. One of Molly’s all time favorite beers is brewed here called Skinny Dippin’, a 5% Lemony Tea Sour. They also have fantastic pizza!
Resting Pulse Brewing Company strives to be a space where you can find your “resting pulse” and relax and enjoy great beers and food. The owners gave it this name to also represent their history in healthcare. Molly tried A LOT of beers when she visited, and they have a fantastic offering. Just like their neighbors, Red Clay, Resting Pulse has great pizza!
John Emerald Distilling Company is across from Red Clay and offers tours, cocktails and bottle sales inside! They offer whiskey, gin, vodka and rum. Be sure to follow them on Instagram for specials and beautiful, drool-worthy pictures of their craft cocktails!
After Auburn, Molly traveled to Waco, Texas. Waco is home to six breweries, all within a mile and a half of each other, and the first was Bare Arms Brewing Company, which opened in 2015. Appropriately, this was the first brewery Molly visited in Waco.
She ordered a flight here in the cutest cog flight board which holds six beers. Bare Arms also has a pretty extensive food menu, so it’s a great place to hang out for a while. They “honor those that roll up their sleeves, bare arms, work hard, and perfect their craft,” thus their name.
Bare Arms is open 7 days/week and host a lot of events, so follow them on Instagram to keep up with all the fun!
The other brewery Molly visited was Southern Roots Brewing Company. Another great space with awesome beers and delicious food! This brewery was founded in 2018, years after the owners started brewing beer for friends and family.
When Molly was here there were about 15 beers on tap (she had a flight, of course) and she enjoyed the pizza of the month. In May it was alfredo, pesto, tomato, arugula, chicken and balsamic drizzle (and bacon which she kept off her pie). Southern Roots is open and airy with a courtyard out back. They host live music and fun events so follow them on Instagram.
While Molly was running around these southern cities, Chrissy went as far south as possible – The Florida Keys! In this episode, she breaks down the best spots for beer, cocktails, food and music. She even shares a special hidden gem she’s discovered on the way to Key West!
BEER
- Islamorada Brewing – Chrissy always makes a pit stop here on her way to Key West. In addition to their great beer, they have a food truck, awesome merch, and a full liquor bar. Islamorada was at Croctoberfest when the girls went, so you can hear more about them in Episode 044! Listen here!
- Bearded Lady – This place hosts great guest taps! It has a funky, eclectic vibe and has a great Instagram account!
- Southernmost Pint Brew Pub – Stop in here for great brews and great food!
COCKTAILS
- Berlin’s Speakeasy – stop in here for great waterfront views!
- Saint Hotel – offers upscale cocktails – are you ordering one of the seven deadly sins or one of the seven heavenly virtues?
- General Horseplay – Chrissy claims they have the best cocktails in Key West!
- Papa Pilar Distillery – (Hemingway’s) – check out Papa Pilar’s for a chill atmosphere and great Pilar rum cocktails
- Nine One Five – enjoy some classic cocktails on Duval Street
- Key West First Legal Rum Distillery – More rum! Stop here for the best frozen drinks; Chrissy likes to add a coffee rum floater
- Salute – enjoy beach front drinks at Salute! On the Beach
- Dante’s Key West Pool Bar and Restaurant – Key West gets hot, so this a great place for poolside drinks
- Sunset Pier – You can’t visit Key West without catching a gorgeous sunset – grab a spot to enjoy drinks here during sunset
- El Meson de Pepe – enjoy mojitos just 90 miles from Cuba! This place also has great live music
- Southernmost Beach Resort – If you’re lucky enough to score a cabana rental here, your day of drinking just got a whole lot boujee-er!
FOOD
- The Café – Amazing Key lime pie, and also vegan options
- Fritas – Stop in for a Cuban cigar & Cuban coffee
- Little Pearl – Chrissy recommends the chef’s tasting menu
- Atlas Izakaya – (stay-drink-place) EVERYTHING Japenese small plates, and great sake selection
- Moondog – Breakfast, lunch, dinner with a huge variety of options including vegan options
- La Crêperie French Café – So many options and delicious mimosas
MUSIC
- Hogs Breath Saloon – A Key West staple, Hog’s Breath has the best music on the island!
- Hank’s Hair of the Dog Saloon – In addition to great music, Hank’s is home to Garbo’s Grill food truck which was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives!
Hidden Gems
- Robert is Here – this elevated food stand serves smoothies, guac, salsa, produce, and more! It opened in 1959, by a 6 year old little boy named Robert to help sell his family’s produce. It’s still going strong and everyone from Presidents to celebrities stop by!
While these destinations are not always the easiest to get to, they offer great options for fellow boozers out there! Have you visited any of these spots before? Share your opinions and photos with the girls! DM them on Instagram or send them an email!
Cheers!
Boozy Blondes 