Restaurant
Unclaimed profileCafe Lola Bistro
Johnson City, TN · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Cafe Lola Bistro runs a beverage program with unusual depth for a restaurant. The spirits list spans whiskey, bourbon, cognac, tequila, rum, gin, and vodka, with names like Blanton's, Glenlivet 12, and Hennessy VS. Wine covers sparkling through reds from California, Italy, Spain, France, and beyond, with a build-your-own tasting flight. Cocktails split into signature, classic, and seasonal sections, plus a Martini Flight. Mocktails made with zero-alcohol liquors give non-drinkers a real menu.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Martini Flight ($18) for three tastings of classic, signature, or dessert cocktails. If wine is the goal, the Wine Tasting Flight ($13) lets you pick any three wines in 2 oz pours. The Lavender Mojito ($10) and Viva Mexico ($10) are signature options.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Anyone who wants a serious spirits selection without a dedicated bar, wine drinkers who value a build-your-own flight, and non-drinkers who want a proper mocktail rather than a soda.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails $10–$11; Martini Flight $18. Wine by the glass $6–$11, bottles $22–$95; Wine Tasting Flight $13. Sangria $6 per glass or $14 per carafe. Mocktails $8.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The spirits list is the anchor: Blanton's, Glenlivet 12, Hennessy VS, Patron Silver, and a deep vodka and gin roster. The Martini Flight and build-your-own Wine Tasting Flight let you compare without committing to a full pour.
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
Cocktails divide into Lola's Signature List, The Classics, and Seasonal Cocktails. The signature side includes Lavender Mojito, La Poire, Pommegranate Martini, Secret Garden, Viva Mexico, and California Swinger. The Classics covers Old Fashioned, Manhattan, FDR Martini, Side Car, Vesper, and Negroni. Seasonal options include Watermelon Margarita, Aperol Spritz, Strawberry Basil Fizz, Rose Spritzer, and Grapefruit Refresher.
Menu strengths
- — Three distinct cocktail sections—signature, classic, and seasonal—give clear range without forcing a single style.
- — The Martini Flight offers three tastings of classic, signature, or dessert cocktails for $18.00.
Standout selections
- — Lavender Mojito ($10.00): light rum, lavender syrup, lime, and fresh mint.
- — La Poire ($11.00): Grey Goose la Poire, St Germaine, and lemon juice.
Pricing: Signature and classic cocktails $10.00–$11.00; Martini Flight $18.00
Wine
The wine list is organized into Sparkling, Rosé, Whites, and Reds, with selections from California, Italy, Spain, France, Portugal, Germany, Argentina, Chile, and Oregon. A build-your-own Wine Tasting Flight offers 2 oz pours of any three wines for $13.00. Red and white sangria are available by glass or carafe.
Menu strengths
- — International sourcing across nine regions or countries, with by-the-glass and bottle options.
- — The build-your-own Wine Tasting Flight lets you compare any three wines in 2 oz pours for $13.00.
Standout selections
- — 2020 Trefethen Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($72.00 bottle): noted as 95 pt Wine Enthusiast.
- — 2021 Campo Viejo Rioja, Tempranillo, Spain ($9.00 glass / $34.00 bottle): a red by the glass or bottle.
Pricing: By the glass $6.00–$11.00; bottles $22.00–$95.00; Wine Tasting Flight $13.00; Sangria $6.00 glass / $14.00 carafe
Nonalcoholic
A dedicated Mocktails section uses zero-alcohol liquors for Cucumber & Tonic, Virgin Margarita, Faux 75, Dark & Stormy, and Jamaican Rum Punch. All are priced at $8.00. Non-alcoholic options also include coffee, tea, espresso drinks, lemonade, soda, and juices.
Menu strengths
- — A full mocktail section built on zero-alcohol liquors rather than simple juice combinations.
- — Beyond mocktails, the non-alcoholic range extends to coffee, tea, espresso drinks, lemonade, soda, and juices.
Standout selections
- — Cucumber & Tonic ($8.00): non-alcoholic gin, cucumber, and tonic.
- — Dark & Stormy ($8.00): non-alcoholic spiced rum, lime, sugar, and ginger beer.
Pricing: Mocktails $8.00 each
Spirits
The spirits list spans whiskey, Irish whiskey, Canadian whiskey, bourbon & rye, cognac, tequila, rum, gin, and vodka. Whiskey includes Glenlivet 12 Years, McCallan 12 Years, Glenfiddich 12 Years, Laphroaig 10 Years, and Johnnie Walker Red/Black/Blue Label. Bourbon & rye covers Blanton's, Knob Creek, Woodford Reserve, and Wild Turkey.
Menu strengths
- — Breadth across nine spirits categories with recognizable names in each, from Blanton's to Hennessy VS to Patron Silver.
- — The whiskey and bourbon selections alone include Glenlivet 12, Laphroaig 10, Blanton's, and Woodford Reserve.
Standout selections
- — Blanton's: a bourbon & rye selection.; Glenlivet 12 Years: a whiskey selection.
- — Glenlivet 12 Years — Whiskey selection.; Blanton's — Bourbon & rye selection.
How it sits with the food
Staff is described as knowledgeable about the wine list and available for pairings; a recent customer paired dinner with a red blend they found smooth and bold.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
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