Restaurant
Unclaimed profileFive West
Rochester, MN · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Five West runs a deep beverage program that covers cocktails, wine, beer, non-alcoholic drinks, and spirits with unusual completeness. The cocktail list alone names 11 drinks plus a rotating frozen option, and four house signatures lean on premium and local spirits like High West, Maker's Mark Private Select, and Tattersall. Wine spans 18 bottles across six regions, beer offers 15 taps plus 16 bottles, and the spirits list reaches 46 bottles. The non-alcoholic side is not an afterthought: five mocktails and three N/A beers are listed. Prices stay moderate across the board, with most drinks in the $5–$17 range.
- What should I order?
- Start with a Five West Old Fashioned ($14), built on Woodford Reserve and E&J Apple Brandy with house-made syrup and a cinnamon stick. For a spirit-forward alternative, the Supernova ($14) uses Maker's Mark Private Select Batch SMOAK Bourbon, Barrow's Intense Ginger Liqueur, Tattersall Grapefruit Crema, Peychaud Bitters, and lemon. If you prefer wine, the Orin Swift Bloodlines Cabernet Sauvignon ($17/glass) is the top pour.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Anyone seeking a full bar program in one place—cocktail drinkers, wine by the glass, beer fans who want local and regional taps, and non-drinkers who still want a composed mocktail. The breadth means a group with mixed preferences can order without compromise.
- When should I go?
- The rotating frozen cocktail and the range of lighter options like spritzes, mojitos, and sangria suit warmer months or a casual afternoon. The spirit-forward signatures and the Scotch and bourbon lists make it equally appropriate for an evening visit.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails $12–$14; wine by the glass $8–$17, bottles $30–$65; tap and bottled beer $5–$7; mocktails $6–$7; N/A beer $5–$6; Bubbl'r and Red Bull $4. Spirits prices are not listed in the approved packet.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The beverage menu is unusually broad for a restaurant: 11 cocktails, 18 wines, 31 beers, five mocktails, three N/A beers, and 46 spirits.
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
An 11-drink cocktail list plus a rotating frozen option and four house signatures. Recipes name specific spirits and modifiers, including Tito's, El Jimador, Tattersall Rye, Woodford Reserve, High West, and Maker's Mark Private Select. The range covers spritzes, mojitos, margaritas, sangria, mules, and signatures at moderate prices.
Menu strengths
- — Four house signatures use premium and local spirits like High West, Maker's Mark Private Select, and Tattersall products.
- — Broad style coverage from spritzes and mojitos to margaritas, sangria, mules, and signatures.
Standout selections
- — Five West Old Fashioned ($14): Woodford Reserve, E&J Apple Brandy, house-made old fashioned syrup, garnished with a cinnamon stick.
- — Rocket Fuel ($14): High West Cask Collection Chardonnay Finish Bourbon, Tattersall Orange Crema, Tattersall Sour Cherry, Angostura Orange Bitters, simple syrup, orange zest.
- — Supernova ($14): Maker's Mark Private Select Batch SMOAK Bourbon, Barrow's Intense Ginger Liqueur, Tattersall Grapefruit Crema, Peychaud Bitters, lemon.
Pricing: $12.00–$14.00
Wine
Wine is offered by the glass and bottle across Sparkling, White, Rosé, and Red. The list names 18 wines with country or region noted, spanning California, France, Italy, Germany, New Zealand, and Argentina. House pours start at $8, while premium glasses reach $17.
Menu strengths
- — 18 named wines with origin noted.; Six regions represented across four wine categories.
- — Glass and bottle formats available, with house pours at $8.
Standout selections
- — Orin Swift Bloodlines Cabernet Sauvignon ($17 glass / $65 bottle): California red, the top glass pour.
- — Chateau d'Esclans The Beach Rosé ($13 glass / $50 bottle): French rosé.
- — Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc ($12 glass / $46 bottle): Marlborough, New Zealand white.
Pricing: $8.00–$17.00 glass; $30.00–$65.00 bottle
Beer
Fifteen named taps plus five rotating selections and 16 bottled beers. Styles include lagers, IPAs, wheat beer, amber lager, golden ale, stout, pilsner, and cider, with ABV and style noted for each. Minnesota and regional craft options include Surly, Castle Danger, Little Thistle, and Grain Belt.
Menu strengths
- — 31 total beer options across tap and bottle.
- — ABV and style noted for each beer.; Local and regional craft presence including Surly, Castle Danger, Little Thistle, and Grain Belt.
Standout selections
- — Deschutes Fresh Squeezed ($7 tap): IPA, 6.4% ABV.
- — Surly Furious ($7 tap): IPA, 6.7% ABV.; Guinness ($7 bottle): stout, 6.0% ABV.
- — Grain Belt Nordeast ($5 bottle): amber lager, 4.7% ABV.
Pricing: $5.00–$7.00
Nonalcoholic
A dedicated mocktail section lists five named non-alcoholic cocktails, plus three non-alcoholic beers. Mocktails are priced $6–$7 and N/A beers $5–$6. Bubbl'r sparkling water and Red Bull are also available at $4.
Menu strengths
- — Five named mocktails with specific ingredients.; Three non-alcoholic beers including two craft options.
Standout selections
- — Blackberry Press ($6): blackberry syrup, soda water, lime, topped with Starry.
- — Athletic Brewing Co. Run Wild ($6): N/A IPA.
- — Prickly Mule ($6): prickly pear syrup, N/A ginger beer, fresh limes.
Pricing: $6.00–$7.00 mocktails; $5.00–$6.00 N/A beer
Spirits
The spirits list spans five categories with 46 named bottles: eight Scotches, 16 Bourbons/Whiskeys, seven Tequilas, 11 Vodkas, and four Gins. Premium and allocated bottles include Johnnie Walker Blue, Macallan 12YR, Oban 14YR, Clase Azul Reposado, and Maker's Mark Private Select Batch SMOAK.
Menu strengths
- — 46 named bottles across five spirits categories.; Premium and allocated bottles including Johnnie Walker Blue, Macallan 12YR, Oban 14YR, and Clase Azul Reposado.
- — Local representation with Tattersall North State Dill Cucumber Vodka.
Standout selections
- — Macallan 12YR: Scotch.; Oban 14YR: Scotch.; High West Double Rye: Bourbon/Whiskey.
- — Horse Soldier Signature Bourbon: Bourbon/Whiskey.; Clase Azul Reposado: Tequila.
- — Don Fulano Añejo: Tequila.; Tattersall North State Dill Cucumber: Vodka.
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