Restaurant
Unclaimed profileblue grillhouse
Bethlehem, PA · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Blue Grillhouse's bar program is built around a serious cocktail list with house-infused spirits and a dedicated zero-proof section. The cocktail menu runs $13-$19, with a $9 happy hour lineup. Wines by the glass are limited to happy hour, while beers span familiar drafts and bottles. The non-alcoholic cocktails are a standout, priced at $9.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Pepperoncini Martini, a house-infused pepperoncini vodka and olive brine pour that shows the kitchen's willingness to experiment. For a gin drink, the Basil Drop combines house-infused basil gin with limoncello and fresh lemon. Non-drinkers should order the South Side Sipper, a raspberry and blackberry iced tea that is more thoughtful than most mocktails.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail drinkers who appreciate house infusions and a broad specialty list will find plenty to explore. The dedicated non-alcoholic section makes it a good stop for designated drivers or those avoiding alcohol. Beer drinkers will find familiar names, but the list is not adventurous.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails range from $13 to $19, with happy hour cocktails at $9. Wines by the glass are $8 during happy hour. Draft beers run $7 to $9.50, bottled beers $7.50 to $9. Non-alcoholic cocktails are $9.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The cocktail menu is organized into Martinis, Specialty Cocktails, and Spirit Free Cocktails, with house-infused spirits like pepperoncini vodka and Earl Grey gin. The non-alcoholic section is not an afterthought—it includes four original creations at $9 each, plus Heineken 0.0, making it a rare full-strength program for sober drinkers.
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
A dedicated cocktail menu spans Martini, Specialty, and Spirit Free sections. Eight named cocktails showcase house infusions and fresh citrus, ranging from a pepperoncini vodka martini to an earl grey gin sour. Happy hour brings the price down to $9.
Menu strengths
- — The menu is organized into clear sections, making it easy to navigate from classic martinis to creative sours.
- — Happy hour pricing at $9 for cocktails makes the program approachable for a wider crowd.
Standout selections
- — Pepperoncini Martini - house-infused pepperoncini vodka with olive brine, a savory twist on a classic.
- — Basil Drop - house-infused basil gin, limoncello, fresh lemon, and agave, a bright herbal sour.
Pricing: $13-$19; happy hour $9
Wine
The wine program is modest, with four wines by the glass offered only during happy hour: Rose, Chardonnay, Cabernet, and Pinot Noir. Each is $8.
Menu strengths
- — Happy hour offers a straightforward choice of four wines by the glass at a consistent $8 price point.
- — The selection covers both still white and red, with a rose option, enough for a basic pairing.
Standout selections
- — Pinot Noir - a familiar red option at $8 during happy hour.
- — Rose - a crisp choice for happy hour at $8.
Pricing: $8 per glass during happy hour
Beer
The beer list mixes familiar bottled brands like Heineken and Corona with a draft lineup that includes Paxos Pilsner, Yuengling, Guinness, and a rotating seasonal. Happy hour takes $2 off drafts. Prices are standard for the area.
Menu strengths
- — A rotating seasonal draft adds a little variety beyond the standard macro list.
- — Happy hour discount of $2 off all drafts makes the beer program a decent value.
Standout selections
- — Paxos Pilsner - a crisp draft option at $8.50, one of the less common choices.
- — Guinness - a reliable draft stout at $9.50.
Pricing: Draft $7-$9.50; bottles $7.50-$9
Nonalcoholic
A dedicated 'Spirit Free Cocktails' section lists four originals at $9 each, using house syrups and fresh fruit. The non-alcoholic beer option adds further choice. This is a thoughtful program for sober drinkers.
Menu strengths
- — Each spirit-free cocktail is individually named and built with fresh ingredients like muddled strawberries and mint.
- — The use of house-made syrups, such as blackberry syrup, shows attention beyond simple juice blends.
- — Heineken 0.0 provides a familiar non-alcoholic beer option.
Standout selections
- — South Side Sipper - raspberries, house blackberry syrup, and fresh brewed iced tea, a complex mocktail.
- — Emperor Lemon Squeeze - house butterfly pea syrup with lemonade and citrus soda, likely colorful and tart.
Pricing: $9 for spirit-free cocktails; $8 for Heineken 0.0
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