Restaurant
Unclaimed profileBastion
Nashville, TN · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Bastion's beverage program runs on creative cocktails built around house-made shrubs and unexpected ingredients, backed by a deep spirits list and a wine list that spans Europe and the Americas. The bar menu alone covers daily punches, old fashioneds, and a rotating cocktail du jour, while the dinner side adds a $85 wine pairing.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Sandia Boys, mixing vermouth, pisco, watermelon shrub, and cardamom. For something savory, the Since Easter pairs bourbon with potato chip, amaretto, and cognac. If you prefer wine, the $85 pairing with dinner is a solid value. Non-alcoholic drinkers can try the St. Agrestis Phony Negroni or Ghia Le Spritz.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail enthusiasts seeking inventive, well-balanced drinks will find much to like. Wine lovers will appreciate the international selection and pairing option. Spirit collectors can explore a wide range of whiskies, agave, and amari. The non-alcoholic menu also accommodates designated drivers and abstainers.
- When should I go?
- The bar side operates as a casual cocktail bar, ideal for an evening drink. The 24-seat restaurant offers a more intimate dinner experience, where the wine pairing shines. Daily specials like punch of the day and cocktail du jour make any visit worthwhile, but especially for those who like variety.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails run $15-$16. Beers are $3-$20, with most around $6-$8. Non-alcoholic drinks are $5-$8. Wine by the glass is $16-$17, and bottles range from $80 to $420. A wine pairing with dinner is $85.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- Bastion splits its personality between a lively cocktail bar and a focused 24-seat restaurant, but the beverage program holds together with creativity. Cocktails like the Prom Queen (tequila, poblano, smoked pineapple) and Automatic Gold (scotch, fortified wine, sesame) show a willingness to experiment. The spirits list is notably deep, covering rare and artisanal options across categories.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
Six signature cocktails with inventive ingredients like watermelon shrub, poblano, and rooibos, plus daily punches and specials.
Menu strengths
- — Variety including daily punch, old fashioned, and cocktail du jour
Standout selections
- — Sandia Boys – vermouth, pisco, watermelon shrub, cardamom
- — Since Easter – bourbon, potato chip, amaretto, cognac
- — Prom Queen – tequila, poblano, smoked pineapple, citrus
Pricing: $15 on bar menu; $16 on dinner menu
Wine
Curated list spanning France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, and the US, with a wine pairing option. Diverse selections at accessible glass prices and higher-end bottles.
Menu strengths
- — International diversity including French, Italian, and Austrian wines
- — Wine pairing at $85 provides a curated experience
Standout selections
- — Jo Landron 'Atmosphéres' – Folle Blanche, Loire Valley
- — Bisol Glera – Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze
- — Paul Bara Brut Rosé – Bouzy
Pricing: Glasses $16-$17; bottles $80-$420; pairing $85
Beer
Diverse beer selection including local craft like Southern Grist and international classics like Weihenstephaner. Priced reasonably with a range of styles.
Menu strengths
- — Mix of local craft and international classics; Wide price range accommodates different budgets
Standout selections
- — Weihenstephaner Hefeweiss; Maine Brewing Co. 'Lunch' IPA
Pricing: $3-$20 on bar menu; $8-$20 on dinner menu
Nonalcoholic
Offers a thoughtful non-alcoholic section with NA beers, cocktails like the Phony Negroni, and sparkling waters. Priced affordably, making it easy to abstain.
Menu strengths
- — Includes NA cocktail options like Phony Negroni; Variety of NA beers and non-alcoholic drinks
Standout selections
- — Ghia Le Spritz Lime + Salt
Pricing: $5-$8
Spirits
Extensive spirits selection covering whiskies, agave, rum, gin, vodka, brandy, amari, and liqueurs. Includes rare and artisanal options, with whiskies priced by the ounce.
Menu strengths
- — Includes rare and artisanal options like Clear Creek Pear Brandy
Standout selections
- — Pierre Ferrand Cognac; Monkey 47 Gin
Pricing: Whiskies $6-$25 per oz; other spirits priced by the oz
How it sits with the food
The dinner menu's $85 wine pairing suggests a deliberate effort to match food and drink. The wine list's international range—French, Italian, Spanish, German, Austrian, American—offers flexibility for pairing. Cocktails like the Broken Levee (rum, rooibos, banana, lime) could complement richer dishes, while the Lush Garden's herbal notes might suit lighter fare.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
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