Cocktail Bar
Unclaimed profilePullman Standard Bar
Nashville, TN · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Pullman Standard Bar's cocktail program is its centerpiece, with a menu organized into sections like Stirred & Boozy and Fresh & Vibrant. The Nitro Espresso Martini and Brown Butter Old Fashioned anchor a list that also spans wine, beer, and a creative nonalcoholic menu. A recent guest praised the Espresso Martini as thick and creamy, not overly sweet, with a coffee ground garnish.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Nitro Espresso Martini, built on Wheatley Vodka, cold brew, Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur, vanilla, and Demerara—a guest-recommended standout. For a richer pour, the Brown Butter Old Fashioned infuses Weller Special Reserve Bourbon with brown butter and black walnut bitters.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail enthusiasts seeking inventive, well-crafted drinks will find a deep menu with sections like Stirred & Boozy and Shaken & Bright. Those interested in cocktail history can also engage with bartenders known to share knowledge, as one patron appreciated.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The cocktail list is organized into thematic sections—Pullman Standards, Stirred & Boozy, Shaken & Bright, Fresh & Vibrant, and Summer Standards—signaling a deliberate, seasonal approach. The inclusion of a dedicated nonalcoholic menu with drinks like Doveish and Bullish extends that creativity beyond 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
The cocktail menu is extensive and inventive, organized into sections like Stirred & Boozy and Fresh & Vibrant. Named drinks such as the Nitro Espresso Martini and Brown Butter Old Fashioned show range, and a recent guest singled out the Espresso Martini as thick, creamy, and not overly sweet.
Menu strengths
- — The Nitro Espresso Martini and Brown Butter Old Fashioned demonstrate a mix of classic technique and creative infusion.
- — A recent customer praised the Espresso Martini's texture and balanced sweetness, confirming execution.
Standout selections
- — Nitro Espresso Martini: Wheatley Vodka, cold brew, Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur, vanilla, Demerara—a guest-recommended standout.
- — Brown Butter Old Fashioned: Weller Special Reserve Bourbon infused with brown butter, Angostura bitters, Demerara, black walnut bitters.
- — Island Ember: Derrumbes Durango Mezcal, Pelacanas Blanco Rum, Giffard Mango Liqueur, pineapple gomme, lime, orange bitters, fire tincture.
Wine
A diverse wine program covers both by-the-glass and bottle formats. By-the-glass options range from a Washington Cabernet to a Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc, while the bottle list includes grower Champagne, Oregon Pinot Noir, and Italian reds like Altesino Brunello.
Menu strengths
- — By-the-glass list spans multiple regions and styles, from J. Bookwalter Cabernet to Les Fontenelles Sancerre.
- — Bottle list includes prestige names like Veuve Clicquot and Laurent-Perrier alongside artisanal picks like Thistle & Weed Chenin Blanc.
- — Both formats are available, providing flexibility for different occasions.
Standout selections
- — Les Fontenelles Sauvignon Blanc (Sancerre, France '24) – a classic Loire white by the glass.
- — Altesino Brunello di Montalcino (Tuscany, Italy '20) – a structured Italian red from the bottle list.
- — Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label (Champagne, France NV) – a staple sparkling option.
Beer
The draft list offers a focused range of styles, including a local lager from Black Abbey, a hazy IPA from WarPigs, and a Mexican-style lager from Good People. An 'Off the Tap' section adds domestic and imported bottles.
Menu strengths
- — Draft selection includes regional craft options like Tiny Bomb Pilsner from Wiseacre and Muchacho from Good People.
- — Black Abbey Lager represents a local brewery, adding regional interest.
- — The Off the Tap section provides familiar choices like Heineken and Michelob Ultra.
Standout selections
- — Foggy Geezer IPA (WarPigs, Munster, IN) – a 7.3% hazy IPA.
- — Black Abbey Lager (Black Abbey, TN) – a Munich-style lager from a local brewery.
- — Muchacho (Good People, Birmingham, AL) – a 6% Mexican-style lager.
Nonalcoholic
A dedicated nonalcoholic menu features creative zero-proof drinks with distinct flavor profiles: Doveish (juniper, verjus, bubbly), Bullish (rhubarb, ginger, botanicals), Hawkish (grapefruit, agave, capsaicin), and Bearish (chinchona, molasses, orange). Athletic Run Wild IPA offers a nonalcoholic beer option.
Menu strengths
- — Four original nonalcoholic cocktails are each built around unique ingredients, from verjus to capsaicin.
- — Inclusion of Athletic Run Wild IPA covers the beer-style category.
Standout selections
- — Doveish – juniper, verjus, bubbly.; Hawkish – grapefruit, agave, capsaicin.
Spirits
While not a standalone spirits list, the cocktail program showcases premium spirits as core ingredients. Recipes feature Weller Special Reserve Bourbon, Derrumbes Durango Mezcal, Ford’s Gin, and multiple tequilas, indicating a top-shelf-focused approach.
Menu strengths
- — Cocktails use premium spirits like Weller Special Reserve Bourbon and Derrumbes Durango Mezcal.
- — The bar's stated focus on top-shelf liquor and 'best spirits' supports a quality-oriented selection.
Standout selections
- — Menu includes cocktails that feature specific spirits such as Weller Special Reserve Bourbon, Wheatley Vodka, Derrumbes Durango Mezcal, Ford’s Gin, Arette Blanco Tequila, Lalo Blanco Tequila, and Condesa Prickly Pear Gin.
- — Island Ember features Derrumbes Durango Mezcal.; Brazilian Skies uses Lalo Blanco Tequila.
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