Cocktail Bar
Unclaimed profileNovo
San Luis Obispo, CA · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Novo's beverage program is anchored by an award-recognized wine list of 200+ selections from the Central Coast and worldwide, with by-the-glass pours from $12 to $18 and bottles from $30 to $725. The cocktail menu covers multiple spirit bases with named ingredients, including a mezcal substitution option, while non-alcoholic cocktails, beer, and a CBD 'gin' are listed alongside. Spirits pours range from $7 to $85, with allocated bourbons and aged tequilas. Beer and cider include local, domestic, import, and non-alcoholic options.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Green Line, a gin cocktail with Giffard pamplemousse, Lillet Blanc, lime, and St. George absinthe. For wine, the El Lugar Pinot Noir from Rincon Vineyard is a strong local by-the-glass choice. If you prefer spirits, the Blanton's Single Barrel bourbon is an allocated pour worth considering.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- This program suits drinkers who want a serious wine list without abandoning cocktails, and those who appreciate a spirits selection that includes allocated bourbons and aged tequilas. The non-alcoholic options make it workable for groups with mixed preferences.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails are $15–$16, with a $1 mezcal substitution. Wine by the glass runs $12–$18 for 6 oz and $17.5–$26.5 for 9 oz; bottles range from $30 to $725. Spirits pours are $7–$85, mostly $9–$30. Beer and cider are $6–$15. Non-alcoholic cocktails are $10–$12.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The wine list's Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast recognition, combined with 200+ selections and a range from local Central Coast Pinot Noir to Dom Pérignon and Opus One, sets the program apart. The non-alcoholic list is also unusually developed, with multiple cocktails and a CBD 'gin' option.
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
The cocktail menu covers craft builds, Novo Classics, and house-made sodas with named ingredients. Spirit bases include vodka, tequila, mezcal, gin, bourbon, and liqueurs. Non-alcoholic alternatives are listed alongside several alcoholic drinks.
Menu strengths
- — Spirit-specific builds span vodka, tequila, mezcal, gin, and bourbon, with a $1 mezcal substitution option.
- — Non-alcoholic cocktail alternatives are listed alongside several alcoholic cocktails.
Standout selections
- — Green Line — Ford's gin, Giffard pamplemousse, Lillet Blanc, lime, St. George absinthe, $16.
- — Cherry Old Fashioned — Early Times bottled-in-bond bourbon, Meletti amaro, cherry-orange cordial, Angostura and Peychaud's bitters, $16.
Pricing: Cocktails $15–$16; mezcal substitution +$1; house-made sodas $9–$12
Wine
The list includes 200+ selections from the Central Coast and worldwide, recognized by Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast. The August 2026 list details wines by the glass, small format bottles, sparkling, rosé, whites, and reds. By-the-glass pours range from $12 to $18 for 6 oz.
Menu strengths
- — Award-recognized by Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast, with 200+ selections from the Central Coast and worldwide.
- — By-the-glass and bottle options span sparkling, rosé, whites, and reds, with bottles from $30 to $725.
Standout selections
- — El Lugar Pinot Noir, Rincon Vineyard, SLO Coast, 2023 — $18 / $26.5 by the glass.
- — Dom Pérignon, Épernay, Champagne, France, 2013 — $495 bottle.
Pricing: By the glass $12–$18 (6 oz) and $17.5–$26.5 (9 oz); bottles $30–$725
Beer
The beer and cider list details domestic, local, import, and non-alcoholic beers with ABV and prices. Select beers on tap are available, with the current selection by asking server. Prices range from $6 to $15 per serving.
Menu strengths
- — The list covers domestic, local, import, and non-alcoholic beers with ABV and prices.
- — Select beers on tap are available, with the current selection by asking server.
Standout selections
- — Two Hearted IPA — Bell's Brewery, Kalamazoo, MI; 12oz, 7.0% abv, $8.
- — Old Rasputin Imperial Stout — North Coast Brewing Co., Fort Bragg, CA; 12oz, 9.0% abv, $10.
Pricing: Beer and cider $6–$15 per serving
Nonalcoholic
Non-alcoholic cocktails include the Cali Sober Americano, N-A Huey Spritz, and N-A Not-At-All Spritz. The brunch menu lists coffee, espresso, hot tea, fresh lemonade, black iced tea, premium soda, kombucha, and bottled water. The beer list includes non-alcoholic options, and the spirits list includes a non-alcoholic CBD 'gin'.
Menu strengths
- — Multiple non-alcoholic cocktails and beverages across the cocktail, brunch, beer, and spirits lists.
- — Non-alcoholic cocktails are priced $10–$12, with brunch beverages from $4.25 to $8.
Standout selections
- — Cali Sober Americano — To be honest 'focus' CBD 'gin,' Giffard aperitif syrup, soda water, orange twist, olives; 25mg hemp-derived CBD, $10.
- — N-A Huey Spritz — Giffard elderflower syrup, lime, soda water, $12.
Pricing: Non-alcoholic cocktails $10–$12; brunch beverages $4.25–$8
Spirits
The spirits list details vodka, tequila, gin, rum, brandy/cognac, whiskey/scotch, and aperitif/digestif/cordial categories with prices. It includes allocated bourbons and a range of aged tequilas and scotches, plus a non-alcoholic CBD 'gin'. Pours range from $7 to $85, with most between $9 and $30.
Menu strengths
- — Deep spirits list with allocated bourbons and aged tequilas and scotches across categories.
- — Pours range from $7 to $85, with most between $9 and $30.
Standout selections
- — Blanton's Single Barrel (allocated) — Bourbon, 93 proof, Kentucky, $25.
- — Don Julio 1942 — Tequila añejo, Los Altos, $35.
Pricing: Spirits pours $7–$85, most $9–$30
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